Switching on Renewable Back-Up Power

Southampton Science Park is collaborating with Park resident company, Absolar, and long term partner, Technologywithin, on an ingenious initiative to enhance the resilience and sustainability of mission-critical infrastructure across the Park, benefitting our whole community of over one thousand people working here who depend upon smooth-running, resilient IT systems.

The work is taking place at Gamma House, where a conventional diesel-run backup power generator is to be replaced with a significantly more sustainable solution that cleverly integrates on-site solar generation, battery storage and grid connectivity.

By integrating multiple energy sources, this initiative will deliver a lower-carbon approach to supporting critical infrastructure, removing dependency on fossil fuels for the site-wide back-up system and avoiding generator start-up during short-term power interruptions, , as Absolar’s Nic Cory explains.

Back-up power is essential for all business continuity, yet projects of this nature remain relatively uncommon due to their technical complexity and the investment required to deliver effective systems that meet both operational requirements and wider ESG objectives. This complex project has only been made possible through deep collaborative work with experts in renewables, data science, IT and physical infrastructure.

Stuart Perry, Operations Director at Southampton Science Park, said: “This is another practical example of how we are investing in forward-thinking, creative solutions to move away from fossil fuels. Once complete, our new back-up power system will further support operational resilience for our resident community of science and technology businesses and in a more sustainable way.”

Phil Wu, Founder and CEO of Absolar, said: “We have been working with Southampton Science Park to plan and implement effective renewable energy solutions across the site for several years and we are proud to continue this work through this innovative project. Integrated battery-backed resilience systems are uncommon in commercial sites, yet they offer an attractive flexible and lower-carbon approach. We applaud Southampton Science Park for taking the lead on this and helping to demonstrate what can be achieved.”

Jon Seal, Managing Director, technologywithin said: “Through twiindata, we support Southampton Science Park in managing and maintaining high-performance connectivity for its residents who depend on being online at all times. However, great connectivity needs resilient infrastructure underpinning it and that’s why a project like this one matters. It will strengthen the foundations upon which reliable, high-performance connectivity depends on.”