New data skills and models of delivery are supporting a clean tech innovator to scale overseas and optimise outputs.  

Working with the National Innovation Centre for Data, Connected Energy have embedded new data science skills into their organisation, helping to deliver more efficient battery storage for their customers.  As a business their data accumulation was rising rapidly, with systems currently producing around 7 million data points every day from second life Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries. They quickly realised that they needed to take data analysis to the next level to predict future capacities and optimise their outputs.   

Based on Newcastle Helix, Connected Energy are second-life battery energy storage specialists and have systems across both the UK and Europe. They repurpose second-life electric vehicle batteries to applications such as energy storage. This can allow the transition to more sustainable, but less reliable power generation methods such as wind or solar by storing the excess generated energy and discharging the batteries when solar or wind generation is low

NICD used their platforms and technologies to explore this data and transfer data science skills into their organisation.  They helped them to validate data from battery systems and into the format they needed, helping to gain a clear picture of the data to understand what was missing and develop accurate predictions. They worked together to visualise, explore, and build models to estimate the remaining lifetime of the batteries.  

Steve Caughey, Director from The National Innovation Centre for Data said:  “As Newcastle Helix neighbours, Connected Energy quickly recognised the value data science skills and insights could bring to their business. They have joined the global data revolution and are leading the way with clean tech innovation - a forward-thinking organisation who are supporting both the circular economy and businesses with their sustainable goals. Properly processed and analysed, data can lead to radical innovations creating significant value, providing evidence for actions and interventions whether for economic, health or for social good.  We can’t wait to embark on the next stage of this project and see them grow.”  

Matthew Lumsden, CEO, Connected Energy Limited said: “When you build a business it’s important to recognise what skills you need in-house to create value.  We recognised that being able to capitalise on the data we have available would be key to maintaining our competitive edge and so needed a flexible partnership to help us learn and build capability.  NICD quickly became part of our team and have been invaluable in helping us to unlock the power of big data. As an organisation we are looking to expand globally, support businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and shape battery technology –the expertise of NICD and their team has been invaluable in helping us achieve our goals. New techniques and models are now being embedded and we hope to expand our own team of data scientists soon.  Partnerships of this nature, where you can identify skills gaps then rapidly fill them with value generating expertise are essential to scaling up businesses and NICD’s approach to providing support is a perfect fit with our needs.  Newcastle is a great place to grow a business and being in the heart of Newcastle Helix, alongside likeminded businesses, talent and innovators is helping take us forward to the future.” 

Councillor Ged Bell, Cabinet Member for Employment and Culture at Newcastle City Council added:  “This is a perfect example of the eco-system on Newcastle Helix facilitating growth and innovation. It is a place where businesses can collaborate, access talent, and make a difference. Data is a vital asset for businesses with projects like this playing a critical role in the recovery of our economy. Data provides new opportunities for new products and services, and in turn jobs for future generations.” 

Connected Energy is an engineering led innovator in energy storage. Its technologies, that utilise second-life electric vehicle batteries, are rapidly changing the way intensive energy users can access the benefits of low-cost, on-site energy storage solutions. By redeploying partially degraded electric vehicle batteries in stationary energy storage applications they almost double the usable lives of the batteries before recycling. 

They are already working on the next phase of their collaboration with NICD, taking forward insights gained from phase 1. 

For more information about connected energy and their ambitions visit https://www.c-e-int.com/

For more information about the National Innovation Centre for Data visit https://www.ncl.ac.uk/nicd/

Photo caption: L:R – Matthew Lumsden, CEO, Connected Energy Limited and Steve Caughey, Director, National Innovation Centre for Data. 

Notes to editors 

About the National Innovation Centre for Data 

The National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD) is playing a leading role in addressing the shortage of data analytics skills in the UK through a new ground-breaking facility designed to encourage and create a vibrant eco-system around data science. A flexible rolling programme of collaborative projects with clients, focused on their specific business challenges and opportunities, is transferring practical data skills into the workforce of private and public sector organisations across the UK. Engaging with NICD enables organisations to gain insight from their data, allowing them to optimise existing operations and to grow by launching new products and services.

About Connected Energy 

Connected Energy is an engineering led innovator in energy storage. Its technologies, that utilise second-life electric vehicle batteries, are rapidly changing the way intensive energy users can access the benefits of low-cost, on-site energy storage solutions. Connected Energy’s E-STOR battery energy storage system is modular and scalable, as well as straight forward to install and operate for energy intensive clients to flexibly control and reduce their energy costs and develop new revenue streams. By redeploying partially degraded electric vehicle batteries in stationary energy storage applications Connected Energy almost doubles the usable lives of the batteries (and therefore the embedded resources) before recycling.

About Newcastle Helix 

Newcastle Helix is a unique partnership between Newcastle City Council, Legal & General and Newcastle University. It is a 24-acre development that brings together industry leaders, businesses, and top researchers into an international renowned innovation cluster. It is an exemplar sustainable urban development which combines prestigious commercial and residential space with first class research and education facilities. 

Media contact: 

Kelly Gleadow, Senior Communications and PR Manager, Invest Newcastle. 

T: +44 (0)191 440 5776        

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E: Kelly.Gleadow@ngi.org.uk