Net-zero & Energy Strategy

Looking to significantly reduce your CO2 emissions or achieve net-zero? The first step to achieving this is to look at energy efficiency, but once you’ve picked any low-hanging fruit you will be left with a level of energy consumption that, ideally, you could supply from an onsite renewable source. But how much renewable energy could your site generate? With Renewables First’s experience in Solar, Wind, Heat pumps and Hydroelectric we have the knowhow to not only answer this question but also the capability to go on and deliver a fully-integrated system, allowing your organisation to continue doing what it does best, with a clear conscience – we call this service ‘Net-zero Energy Generation’.

High Energy Users

Many large electricity users are paying far more than necessary in electricity network charges — often hundreds of thousands of pounds each year. In many cases, these costs are driven not by total energy consumption, but by short periods of high peak demand from the grid.

We help high-energy users identify opportunities to reduce these charges by lowering peak demand, optimising onsite generation and battery storage, and reducing exposure to higher network charging bands.

This service is particularly relevant for medium to large electricity users, typically sites consuming more than 2,000 MWh per year with peak electrical demands above 1–2 MW. It is especially valuable for businesses operating energy-intensive equipment such as crushers, pumps, motors, refrigeration systems or batch processing machinery.

Typical sectors include:

• Quarries and mineral processing
• Manufacturing and processing plants
• Water and wastewater pumping
• Food and drink production
• Large industrial and logistics sites

Energy Independence – Off-Grid & Remote Power Systems

Have you ever considered what would happen if the grid electricity supply disappeared? What if you could generate and manage your own electricity independently of the national grid?

We design reliable off-grid and hybrid power systems tailored to your needs. These systems carefully balance energy demand with renewable generation while delivering the stable voltage and frequency required by modern appliances.

Thanks to advances in battery storage and inverter technology, systems can now operate alongside the grid during normal conditions while also functioning independently during power cuts or blackouts. This means your property can continue to receive electricity automatically, even if the grid fails.

An off-grid or hybrid energy system can provide greater resilience, reduced reliance on grid electricity and increased peace of mind for the future.

Energy Storage Systems –  Battery Energy Storage Consultancy 

As more people generate renewable energy onsite, battery storage is becoming an increasingly popular way to save that energy for use later. Advances in technology have made modern battery systems more efficient, longer lasting and far more cost-effective than older lead-acid batteries.

Products such as the Tesla Powerwall helped bring battery storage into the mainstream, with many modern systems now using lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) technology.

Combined with a modern inverter, battery storage systems can work alongside the grid or independently during a power cut or blackout. They can help reduce reliance on expensive grid electricity, provide back-up power and take advantage of time-of-day electricity tariffs by storing energy when prices are low and using it when prices are higher.

Battery storage offers greater flexibility, resilience and energy independence for homes and businesses alike.

Technical Due Diligence

Technical due diligence needs to be both reliable and delivered quickly. Renewables First has provided engineering and consultancy services to more UK hydropower projects than any other specialist hydropower consultancy. Our experience covers every stage of a project, from feasibility studies and system design through to consenting, installation and commissioning. This practical, hands-on expertise is essential for delivering thorough and accurate hydropower due diligence.

The scope of due diligence work will vary depending on the stage, scale and requirements of your project. We work with a wide range of clients, from site owners seeking an independent design review to banks and investors assessing technical and financial viability.

Our flexible approach allows us to tailor each report to your specific requirements while delivering clear, professional results within an agreed timeframe.

Choose from one of our popular due diligence packages or speak to us about creating a bespoke report tailored to your project.

GoFlo Self-Cleaning Travelling Screens

Our sister company, GoFlo Screens, manufacture automatic self-cleaning travelling screens which maximise hydropower yield, minimise screen maintenance and protect fish and eels.

There are a number of GoFlo travelling screens features that are beneficial for your screening operation:

• Increase your energy production, and income
• Meet tough fish and eel screening regulations
• Robust design and stainless steel construction
• Debris removal spray and flushing system
• Tilting base for simple and quick installation and removal
• Sophisticated control – Local and remote control and monitoring
• Modular design
• Optional extra – 316 stainless steel upgrade
• Optional extra – IP68 (submersible) motor and drive system
• Optional extra – Quagga and Zebra Mussel resistance

Fish Pass Design & Construction