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Energy security
Mark Millar, CEO of Puredrive Energy, on how an integrated home battery system and EV charger can slash energy costs.
4 December 2022
This article first appeared in our International Women’s Day 2026 issue of My Green Pod Magazine. Click here to subscribe to our digital edition and get each issue delivered straight to your inbox
Main image: Mark Millar, winner of the 2021 P.E.A. Award for Energy, designed, engineered and installed the UK’s first-ever home battery system in his own house
Just like its Bunny mascot, Duracell has an indefatigable knack for evolving with the times.
It was the first company to send alkaline batteries to the Moon, and today its legacy of innovation continues through trusted brand licensee Puredrive Energy.
In 2022, Duracell awarded Puredrive Energy the licence to manufacture and distribute Duracell-branded energy storage products. These are the solutions we’ll need if we are to reach net zero and take control of our power; they will help homeowners and businesses become energy independent, lower costs, reduce reliance on the grid and cut carbon emissions.
The result of the relationship is Duracell Energy, this year’s sponsor for the Energy P.E.A. (People. Environment. Achievement.) Award. It supplies market-leading, high-performing and longer lasting solar and battery solutions that put control of how energy is used, generated and stored back into the bill payer’s hands.
Previously, Puredrive supplied home storage products under its own brand, a company headed by the pioneering Mark Millar.
In 2015 Mark designed, engineered and installed the UK’s first-ever home battery system in his own house. This was a moment that defined Mark’s mission to deliver high-quality, reliable home energy storage solutions.
In 2021 Mark’s commitment was recognised with the P.E.A. Award for Energy. His relentless approach proved a perfect match with the Duracell Bunny’s non-stop energy and, following a rigorous approval process, Puredrive was named an official Duracell licensee. Duracell Energy’s suite of home battery storage systems was launched at the Everything Electric Show in April 2024.
‘We’ve come a long way since winning the P.E.A. Award for Energy in 2021’, said Mark, ‘and we’re really excited to be a category sponsor for this year’s awards. We love seeing all the latest innovations and meeting all the other people who are championing sustainability in their own fields – in the energy sector and more broadly. We couldn’t be prouder to recognise and celebrate their work. Good luck to all the entrants.’
Duracell Energy’s flagship Dura5 Solar Battery has been dubbed the ultimate home battery storage; it uses off-peak electricity times and energy generated by solar panels to save you money. In fact, homeowners who fully integrate solar, battery, dynamic tariffs and the Duracell Energy app see savings of up to 90%.
The Duracell Energy App uses a smart algorithm that considers weather forecasts and predicts when solar capability is low, to ensure your energy storage system is fully charged when you need it.
The Dura5 system works with solar panels or as a stand-alone battery storage system. If used alone, the battery draws low-cost electricity from the grid during off-peak hours and stores it for later, when prices are higher.
When paired with solar panels, the battery stores excess energy generated during the day for use at night or during cloudy periods. Other renewable sources, like wind and hydro power, can be integrated to further enhance energy independence at home or in the workplace.
The Dura5 operates effectively in temperatures as low as -10°C without the need for internal heaters, and is able to charge and discharge in just one hour. This market-leading speed allows rapid access to stored energy during periods of high demand, making it a crucial part of any energy management system.
We all know renewables are key to a greener future; the wind and sun are incredible resources that are just waiting for us to use. The issue has been with the gap between supply and demand.
This is where battery energy storage systems come in; they allow us to save power when it is generated and save it until it is needed, creating a reliable source of on-tap power and a practical replacement for fossil fuels.
Battery energy storage removes the obstacles to a wholehearted embrace of renewable energy sources and will accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels – which is why it has a key role to play in our transition to net zero.
The government has a legally binding target to reach net zero emissions – reducing the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by 100% – by 2050 compared with 1990 levels.
To meet this target, the goal is to achieve ‘clean power by 2030’, which means being on track to achieving at least 95% of low-carbon generation by 2030. The government’s Clean Power Action Plan stated an expectation that 23-27GW of battery storage will be needed by 2030, a ‘very significant level of increase’ from the 4.5GW installed in December 2024.
With pioneers like Mark and Duracell Energy driving the shift to home batteries, we’re more confident than ever in the shift to a decarbonised power system that boosts energy independence and brings costs down for bill payers.
Mark Millar, CEO of Puredrive Energy, on how an integrated home battery system and EV charger can slash energy costs.
Puredrive Energy’s Mark Millar reveals how to harness solar and battery power for a sustainable home.
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