With over a decade of experience in the UK’s energy industry, Mark Duxbury, UK Country Director of BESS and EMS Solutions at iwell, brings a deep understanding of how smart energy systems can accelerate the transition to a decentralised grid.
In this interview, he discusses why now is the right time for iwell’s UK launch, the critical role of battery storage and smart energy management in the clean energy transition, and how the company’s innovation is setting new standards for energy resilience.
iwell has established itself across the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium before expanding into the UK. What made now the right time to launch here?
The UK energy market is in transition, moving from a centralised to a decentralised model. The inclusion of BESS & EMS is essential for this to happen effectively.
The archaic infrastructure of the National Grid means having to think outside the box when making changes to a site’s energy requirements – coupled with very high and volatile energy prices, this gives the ideal landscape for iwell’s solutions.
With growing confidence in UK cleantech, what role do you see for battery storage and smart energy management in building a more resilient, renewables-based grid?
It’s a crucial role. The energy transition has only just really begun, with decades of future progress needed to ensure the UK’s infrastructure can cope with the electrification of assets of all kinds.
How does iwell’s in-house energy management system give you an advantage in improving energy security, cost management, and renewable integration for businesses?
With over 300 projects now installed, we have refined and honed our EMS, using customer feedback to tailor the system to be able to maximise its effectiveness.
Having the in-house capabilities to make these improvements, rather than looking to a third-party provider to create the change, alongside all of their other clients’ requests, we have been able to accelerate our EMS to the forefront of what is possible.
As an exhibitor at Solar & Storage Live Birmingham, what feedback did you receive, and what key trends or concerns did UK stakeholders raise?
Combining BESS and EMS as a fully integrated solution, delivered by one in-house team, really sets iwell apart from the competition. Our EMS capabilities were very well received, with many follow-up conversations now underway with potential partners.
Looking ahead, what opportunities and challenges do you expect iwell to encounter as you grow your UK presence?
A partnership approach will be key to our growth and success. BESS & EMS are complex solutions that require considered modelling before installation, as well as a strong and reliable partner to manage the assets and optimise their performance.
At iwell we cover the full process, from design and modelling, through installation and then onto operation of the BESS & EMS. This gives our clients peace of mind that their site will continue to operate successfully, but in a more optimised way.
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