Powering a Next Generation of Innovators
A private-wire energy network connecting buildings across the campus. Designed and operated to utility-grade standards, it enables power to be generated, shared and controlled locally - reducing reliance on the public grid while operating within import and export limits.
A shared battery system stores excess onsite generation and supplies power during periods of peak demand. This improves onsite energy utilisation, reduces grid imports and helps maintain system stability across the SmartGrid.
All six units within Tech Foundry 3 are connected to the SmartGrid, enabling access to lower-cost, lower-carbon electricity from day one.
For more information on Tech Foundry 3 and its flexible R&D spaces, visit the
Harwell website
The Harwell Innovation Centre (B173) provides flexible space and support for growing science and technology businesses - powered by the SmartGrid.
For more information about available spaces, visit the
Harwell website
CO:LABS offers flexible lab and workspace designed to evolve with its occupants - supported by SmartGrid-enabled energy infrastructure.
For more information about CO:LABS, visit the
Harwell website
DISH is powered by the SmartGrid, demonstrating how campus amenities can benefit from lower-cost, lower-carbon electricity.
For more information on food and amenities at Harwell, visit the
Harwell website
Harwell and SNRG are exploring a new solar park to the north-west of the campus. If delivered, it will connect directly to the SmartGrid - further increasing onsite renewable generation and reducing reliance on the grid.
Instead of an individual connection to the public electricity network, SmartGrid-connected buildings are supplied by an intelligent private power network operated by SNRG.
Rooftop solar installed on these connected buildings is fully funded and operated by SNRG and linked together through the SmartGrid to form one shared rooftop solar farm. This allows solar energy generated on one building to be used anywhere across the connected part of the campus, dramatically increasing how much clean energy is consumed onsite rather than exported to the grid.
A shared battery stores surplus solar during the day and releases it when demand is higher, reducing peak grid imports and lowering costs. When additional power is needed, the SmartGrid draws low-carbon electricity from the national grid.
Harwell is located in one of the UK's most grid-constrained regions, where securing additional electricity capacity through the traditional network can take a decade or more and require tens of millions of pounds in reinforcement works. To unlock its next phase of growth, the campus needed a faster, smarter and more sustainable solution.
The SNRG SmartGrid provides that solution by generating, storing and intelligently managing power locally across the campus expansion and selected nearby buildings. This avoids costly grid upgrades, accelerates the delivery of new laboratories and commercial buildings, and ensures Harwell's growth is powered by lower-carbon, lower-cost energy from day one.
Instead of an individual connection to the public electricity network, SmartGrid-connected buildings are supplied by an intelligent private power network operated by SNRG.
Rooftop solar installed on these connected buildings is fully funded and operated by SNRG and linked together through the SmartGrid to form one shared rooftop solar farm. This allows solar energy generated on one building to be used anywhere across the connected part of the campus, dramatically increasing how much clean energy is consumed onsite rather than exported to the grid.
A shared battery stores surplus solar during the day and releases it when demand is higher, reducing peak grid imports and lowering costs. When additional power is needed, the SmartGrid draws low-carbon electricity from the national grid.
Harwell's SmartGrid operates like a mini-modern version of the public electricity network.
The private wire network is designed and maintained by SNRG to the same engineering, safety and resilience standards as the national grid, including 24/7 monitoring, fault response and emergency procedures. In daily operation, it behaves just like a conventional power network.
SNRG also acts as the default energy supplier for connected buildings. Onsite solar is supplied directly at lower cost and lower carbon, and when additional power is required, SNRG procures grid electricity using the combined buying power of all connected tenants and supplies it at cost, with no retail mark-up. Your energy contract, billing and customer protections are comparable to those of a licensed supplier.
Lower energy costs
Connected buildings are supplied with a blend of onsite solar and competitively procured grid electricity that aims for typical savings of around 10% compared to UK average business electricity prices.
Lower-carbon power
The SmartGrid maximises onsite renewable energy consumption, backed by lower-carbon grid electricity when needed. In its first full year of operation, it is expected to avoid around 230 tonnes of carbon emissions, shared across connected buildings.
Next-generation energy insights
All SmartGrid-connected buildings receive access to the SNRG Energy Insights Platform, providing real-time visibility of energy use, cost and carbon to support operational optimisation and ESG reporting.
The SmartGrid lowers energy bills in three key ways:
1. Maximising low-cost onsite solar
Solar generated on connected Harwell buildings is supplied directly through the SmartGrid at a lower cost than grid electricity. Sharing solar across buildings ensures far more clean energy is used onsite rather than exported at low value.
2. Aggregating buying power
When grid electricity is required, SNRG buys on behalf of all connected tenants, using campus-scale demand to secure more competitive wholesale prices and passing those savings through at cost.
3. Using battery storage to avoid peak prices
The shared battery stores low-cost solar and off-peak grid electricity and releases it during expensive peak periods, reducing exposure to the highest market prices.
SNRG is a next-generation energy infrastructure company that designs, funds, builds and operates private SmartGrids for some of the UK's most complex and power-intensive sites.
We specialise in unlocking new developments and campuses by delivering place-based renewable energy systems that provide more capacity, lower costs and lower carbon - without requiring our customers to invest their own capital.
SNRG is backed by Centrica and Antin Infrastructure Partners, two of Europe's leading energy and infrastructure investors, providing the financial strength and long-term commitment required to operate critical energy networks for decades.
Once you have agreed your lease with Harwell, submit a New Connection request using the link provided. SNRG will guide you through a simple onboarding process:
Sign your Business Electricity Supply Agreement
Receive your Welcome Pack with connection details
Get access to your Energy Insights Portal
Start receiving clear monthly energy bills
Benefit from ongoing support from SNRG's local customer service team
Everything else - infrastructure, generation, batteries and optimisation - is handled by SNRG.
