Case Study: Storengy- Key Account Management with DIT

Storengy – a subsidiary of the ENGIE group – is a world leader in natural gas storage, designing, building and operating storage facilities for its customers. Based in Middlewich, Cheshire, Storengy UK is a key player in geothermal energy (heating/cooling energy production and power generation) and is at the forefront of the production and storage solutions for low-carbon energy. 

 Having made a commitment to making its Stublach site carbon neutral by 2025, the company evaluated how it could reduce operational carbon emissions and make a meaningful contribution to the wider UK decarbonisation agenda.  

 As such, the business engaged with the Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub to access:  

• Funding from the Business Energy Efficiency Programme (BEEP), a programme funded by the LEP’s Local Growth Fund and delivered by Blue Orchid. This funding helped Storengy UK to kick off the decarbonisation of its offices. Existing lighting was replaced with new, energy-efficient LED lighting and a small 50kW solar PV array was installed on the storeroom building’s roof. Both of these project elements are expected to save Storengy UK 12.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions in the first year.  

• Funding from the LEP’s Local Growth Fund to fund a pilot scheme to create a hydrogen refuelling station using solar panels to generate the energy for the electrolysis process. The hydrogen produced will help run two refuse collection lorries and an operations vehicle at Storengy UK’s site. 

• A dedicated key account manager to support the business through the KAM programme, which is delivered by Cheshire and Warrington LEP specifically for internationally owned companies. The Account Manager advised Storengy on the benefits of the BEEP grant and connected them with Blue Orchid to further advise on accessing the funding.  

 Nathan Burton, Business Developer of low carbon at Storengy UK, said: “Having set ourselves an ambitious target of being carbon neutral by 2025, we knew we needed to move quickly to unlock the opportunities to achieve this. 

 “It can be a long-winded, arduous task trawling through the various options for funding and something that doesn’t always reveal the most relevant of solutions but working with the Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub allowed us to tap into these funding pockets. 

 “Working with the team there and Blue Orchid, was efficient and easy – everything was explained to us and we were able to kick off our journey to net zero sooner than expected.” 

Andy Devaney, Business Innovation Director at Cheshire and Warrington LEP’s Growth Hub, said: “Storengy is a prime example of a business playing an integral role in the country’s decarbonisation agenda and setting tangible goals such as carbon neutral offices, for example. 

 “The LEP is able to work with businesses to ensure they have access to a whole range of business support programmes that are tailored to their needs, taking into account their time and resource constraints. 

 “We’re confident that our support of Storengy will help pave the way for them reaching their goal ahead of 2025.” 

 The Key Account Management Programme is offered by the Department for International Trade through the Northern Powerhouse for internationally owned companies.   

Contact the Growth Hub to find out more about the programme.