Bulb co-founder apologises for supplier's collapse as he launches new firm
Bulb co-founder apologises for supplier's collapse as he launches new firm
Share:
The co-founder of collapsed energy company Bulb has apologised over the firm's failure and has discussed his new venture into electricity storage, which he assures is taking a "completely different" approach. Amit Gudka departed from Bulb just months before its downfall in 2021 and subsequently established a battery storage start-up named Field. Now in its fourth year and boasting around 90 employees, Field specialises in constructing and operating large-scale batteries that supply electricity to the grid during periods when wind turbines and solar panels are inactive.
Field has recently acquired its largest site in England, a battery project in the South West with the capacity to power half a million homes for up to four hours. The company is poised to benefit from the UK's swift shift towards renewable energy, spurred on by Labour's ambitious goal to decarbonise the power system by 2030.
While the Government's strategy primarily focuses on enhancing the UK's wind and solar capabilities to phase out fossil fuels, it recognises the crucial role of battery storage for times when wind and sunlight are scarce. Mr Gudka explained the operational dynamics of batteries, noting: "Batteries can respond very quickly to either charge up or discharge (on to the grid). The battery owner will get paid a fee.".
He revealed that Field has strategically selected locations where grid constraints are anticipated and is developing batteries to manage and release surplus energy as required. Among Field's other projects are developments in northern Scotland, East Anglia, and south Wales.
