Greenhouse supports launch of world’s largest battery network

Last week Greenhouse helped launch Pivot Power’s plans to build a world-first network of grid-scale batteries and rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the UK.

The exciting £1.6 billion programme will provide infrastructure to future-proof the energy system, accelerate the EV revolution, and underpin clean air policies.

Pivot Power

 

Our Greenhouse mission is to work with entrepreneurs with the ability to drive real social and environmental change, using our skills to maximise their impact, so it was exciting to work with the team at Pivot Power with their ambitious plans to disrupt and innovate in the energy market.

We carefully crafted the story with the team at Pivot, developing clear messages and a strong call to action, which resulted in more than 60 pieces of media coverage – from Reuters, Times, Telegraph, to almost all energy, transport and local authority media, as well as international media.

It was the impact that was so incredible.  The news of a commercially viable scheme aligned with key government priorities resulted in meeting requests from a range of leading institutional investors, local authorities, plus interest from influencers from the Home Secretary, to German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

Media Results: 66 articles with a reach of over 5.4 million people. 12 nationals/newswires.  We achieved over 450% of our KPI target, 99% of the coverage mentioned Pivot Power, 80% of the coverage mentioned ‘world first network of battery storage and EV chargers across the UK’

Social Media Results: Increased Pivot Power community by 475%. @_PivotPower was tagged by other Twitter account 123 times. #PivotPower reached 71K people on Twitter.

 

Client, CEO Matt Allen says: “The support from Greenhouse and the results they achieved were phenomenal. We have been blown away by the volume and breadth of media coverage and reaction on social media. From a standing start, we are now front and centre of the debate about batteries, low-carbon energy and the electric vehicle revolution, and we have investors, banks, partners, and even the highest levels of government wanting to get involved.

“We have been impressed by the Greenhouse team’s industry knowledge, the speed with which they got to grips with our business, and their ability to think both strategically and ‘outside the box’. Where they really showed incredible talent and tenacity was in distilling our complex proposition into a set of powerful messages and a clear press release, engaging the media, and accelerating our launch into the market.”

Pivot Power plans to develop the world’s biggest battery network, installing grid-scale 50MW batteries at 45 electricity sub-stations connected directly to the extra-high-voltage transmission system.

The network will store 2GW of electricity, enough power to supply 235,000 average homes for a day, giving National Grid a huge resource to support more renewable generation and the demands of mass EV charging.

Sites have been chosen near towns and major roads where they can also power rapid EV charging stations. These will be fed directly by the transmission system, and so will be able to offer mass charging at competitive rates, supporting up to 100 rapid 150KW chargers. They will also support rapid 350KW chargers when they are available in the UK.

Pivot Power

 

It will be the world’s largest network of rapid charging stations, addressing the three biggest barriers to EV adoption identified by the Department for Transport: availability of chargers, distance travelled on a charge, and cost. By offering affordable charging it will also lower the costs of car ownership for the next generation, the third biggest barrier.

Pivot Power aims to have operational batteries at 10 sites within 18 months. Each will provide a hub that can support a variety of infrastructure such as public rapid charging stations, electric bus depots and bases for large transport fleets. A site on the south coast could be operational by the middle of 2019, subject to planning approval, and more details will be announced in the coming months.

Matt Allen says: “We want to future-proof the UK’s energy system and accelerate the electric vehicle revolution, helping the UK to clean up its air and meet climate targets. Big problems require big solutions, and we are moving fast to put in place a unique network to support a clean, affordable, secure energy system and embrace the low-carbon economy.

Greenhouse works with forward-looking people and organisations, from renewable energy companies to non-profit campaigns and innovators. If you have a great story to tell or are working to effect positive change, we would love to hear from you.