Energy savings

Smart EV Charging for Uno Bus Electrification

Uno Bus, a private bus company, embarked on a significant transformation to electrify its bus and van fleets...

Key Highlights

Project Scale

Bus fleet electrification

Assets

Four 100kW, two 22kW EV chargers, SmartQube Hub

Outcomes

Enhance energy management and improve fleet availability

Challenge

The best time to establish protocols with your clients is when you onboard them.

Uno Bus, a private bus company, embarked on a significant transformation to electrify its bus and van fleets. The challenge was to optimise asset utilisation and reduce energy costs amidst this electrification effort, requiring sophisticated energy management solutions.

Solution

The best time to establish protocols with your clients is when you onboard them.

Q Energy deployed a series of smart energy solutions to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of Uno Bus's operations:

  • EV Charging Infrastructure: Installation of high-capacity EV chargers (4 x 100 kW) and standard chargers (2 x 22 kW) to accommodate the charging needs of the electrified fleet.
  • Energy Monitoring and Optimisation: Integration of the ECMS Platform with six submeters at the bus garage to monitor and optimise energy usage.
  • Submeter Upgrade: The existing submeter at the University of Hertfordshire’s bus garage is planned to be upgraded to a half-hourly meter to provide more granular data.
  • Flexibility Optimisation: Analysis of EV charging patterns to develop strategies that enhance flexibility and reduce peak energy demand.
  • Battery Storage: Discussion and evaluation of a business case for integrating battery storage to further optimise energy costs and support grid services.

Results

The best time to establish protocols with your clients is when you onboard them.

The initial phase has laid the groundwork for more advanced energy solutions:

  • Enhanced Energy Management: Real-time data from the ECMS platform enables dynamic management of energy usage and costs.
  • Operational Efficiency: Optimised charging schedules reduce operational disruptions and improve fleet availability.
  • Preparation for Future Expansion: The infrastructure and data insights gained pave the way for potential battery storage solutions, which could lead to further reductions in energy costs and carbon emissions.

The best time to establish protocols with your clients is when you onboard them.

Impacts

The best time to establish protocols with your clients is when you onboard them.

This project represents a proactive approach to fleet electrification, highlighting the role of smart energy systems in transforming public transportation:

  • Environmental Benefits: Reduction in carbon emissions through the use of electric buses and optimised energy consumption.
  • Economic Advantages: Potential cost savings from improved energy management and reduced dependence on fossil fuels.
  • Scalability and Replication: The insights and technologies applied in this project can serve as a model for other transportation companies looking to electrify their fleets while managing energy costs effectively.

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Key Highlights

Project Details
Profile
Client Name
Uno Bus
Location
Hereford, UK
Timeline
June 2024 - Present
Category
ECMS

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Case Study: Monitoring 150MWh Battery Farm

Q Energy provided predictive maintenance and performance monitoring for Europe’s largest battery storage facility in Minety, UK—turning high-frequency BESS telemetry into actionable insights that improve reliability, stability and financial performance.

Clients: Penso Power, Huaneng Group Location: Minety, Wiltshire Timeline: Feb 2021 – Aug 2021 Category: BESS solution
Minety battery storage site
Capacity & Coverage
150 MW → ~15,000 homes / 24h
Data Ingestion
18,000 pts / 10s
Outcome
Higher uptime & stability

Challenge

As the UK moves toward net-zero 2050, managing the balance between intermittent renewable output and demand is critical. Minety required a way to store surplus energy, reduce curtailment and stabilise market prices without sacrificing reliability.

Solution

  • Battery Performance Monitoring System: Sub-second, real-time data capture from cells—up to 18,000 data points every 10 seconds.
  • Predictive Analytics: AI models detect anomalies early to improve efficiency and financial performance.
  • Dashboard Visualisation: Clear, decision-ready dashboards to accelerate issue resolution.

Results

  • Enhanced Energy Management: Tighter control of stored energy improves grid stability and dispatchability.
  • Preventive Maintenance: Early detection reduces downtime and preserves asset performance.

Impact

  • Capacity & Coverage: 150 MW supports ~15,000 homes for 24 hours, accelerating the transition to net-zero.
  • Innovative Technology: A benchmark for data-driven BESS operations and maintenance.
  • Collaboration & Investment: Partnerships with Shell, Sungrow and The Huaneng Group showcase scalable deployment.

Following Minety, Q Energy is deploying the same model across new regions—expanding predictive maintenance capabilities and improving reliability of renewable energy storage systems at scale.

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Battery containers at Minety
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