Project LEO (Local Energy Oxfordshire)

Sourcing clean, secure, future-proofed power sources is a significant concern for many site developers. Upgrading site grid connections can be costly and time-consuming, leading to the rise of distributed power generation for local use–be that gas turbines, microturbines or reciprocating engines.

Oxfordshire needed a more flexible solution that was responsive to resident and user needs. 

Project LEO (Local Energy Oxfordshire) develops new local flexibility and energy markets, maximising the use of local generation and network assets and enabling innovative business models for investment in low-carbon and smart energy systems. 

It was trialled over a four-year period and is an ambitious, wide-reaching, collaborative energy demonstrator scheme. It has provided a blueprint for a greener, more flexible, and fairer electricity system for the UK in the future.

We worked closely with commercial partner Advanced Infrastructure Technology Ltd to develop a strategic energy mapping platform to support local area energy planning. We provided assets, including buildings, to participate in the flexibility trials.  

This project has informed the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and identified areas suitable for inclusion in retrofit programmes to make buildings more energy efficient.

It will be key to developing a local area energy plan that identifies opportunities to reduce demand, maximise the use of the county's existing energy infrastructure and scale up renewable generation.

Project LEO won the best climate action and decarbonisation initiative award at the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Service Awards 2023.