Bridging the Gap Between Demand and Generation in Energy-Intensive Science and Technology Parks

Science and technology parks (STPs), especially long-established ones that host large research infrastructures and laboratories, may well be classified as energy-intensive industries. Thus, STPs transition to climate-neutral energy sources is an opportunity for reducing risks of high and volatile energy costs, while constituting a major engineering challenge. The key barrier is the gap between (high) energy demand and (usually very low) local renewable energy generation. To bridge this gap, STPs can exploit their knowledge in promoting innovation, initiating pilot projects and demonstrators regarding large-scale electric energy storage systems aimed at maximizing the use of locally produced renewable energy. Moreover, by working with grid operators and financial investors in the context of Hydrogen Valleys, STPs can be at the forefront of energy transition, while ensuring a reliable and clean energy supply to the users. In this paper, a study about the strategies to achieve a radical decarbonization of STP operations is presented. The study is based on real-world data measured at Area Science Park, published under an open science license to allow independent researchers to verify and replicate results.