Powering towards Net zero: Pioneering energy projects get the green light

Powering towards Net zero: Pioneering energy projects get the green light

Thousands of people could see their energy bills cut and their homes powered by local, renewable energy thanks to new government funding.

Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth, Kwasi Kwarteng, said:

“Every corner of the UK has a part to play as we eliminate our contribution to climate change entirely by 2050. This funding will deliver energy savings and reduce carbon emissions – a win-win for communities and the environment.”

If successful, the community pilot projects, which span from Liverpool and Coventry, to Southend and Milford Haven, could revolutionize local energy generation – bringing local communities into the frontline in the fight against climate change.

The competition ran as part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Prospering from the Energy Revolution challenge and will contribute to the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The winners hope to create a pipeline of highly innovative, ambitious and investable local energy system designs that will be ready to roll out across the UK in the 2020s.

Rob Saunders, Challenge Director, Prospering from the Energy Revolution, UKRI said:

“The winners of both the designs and the technology competitions show the breadth of innovation that the government is helping to flourish across the UK. This innovation provides new approaches to delivering our net zero commitments by delivering cleaner, cheaper energy services while creating more prosperous and resilient communities. But as well as their benefits to consumers, these projects, as part of the Clean Growth Industrial Strategy Grand Challenge, place UK industry at the forefront of the global shift to clean energy systems and economies.”

The competition winners include:

UKRI have also announced the winners of the Key Technology Components for Local Energy Systems competition, which share a further £4.5 million of funding with the aim to develop technology components that help improve the efficiency of local energy systems. These winners include technology that enables the charging of electric taxis and private electric vehicles at railway stations from the rail traction power supply.

In addition, UKRI has also announced £22 million of funding to enable engineers, social scientists and natural scientists to conduct vital research on global energy challenges and their implications for the UK.

The fourth phase of the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) will see £22 million allocated to UK institutions to undertake research on the decarbonisation of key sectors such as industry, transport and heat, and explore the role of local, national and global changes in energy systems. (link to web story)

The centre has also today announced that Dr Robert Gross, from Imperial College London, has been appointed as its new director. Dr Gross, who is one of UKERC’s co-directors, succeeds Professor Jim Watson, who has been UKERC director since 2015.

The 10 local smart energy design projects are

The Key Technology Components for Local Energy Systems competition winners are:

About the UK Energy Research Centre

Hosted by UCL, UKERC encompasses 17 universities, the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chatham House and the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies and is funded through the UKRI Energy Programme by UKRI’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Natural Environment Research Council and Economic and Social Research Council.

UKERC’s research programme will build evidence to inform decisions that shape the UK’s transition towards a net zero energy system and economy. It will explore the potential economic, political, social and environmental costs and benefits of energy system change, and consider how these impacts can be distributed equitably.

UKERC will also host and curate energy data, map and monitor public engagement, carry out systematic evidence reviews and improve the transparency and understanding of energy models.

UKRI is providing £18 million support for the fourth phase of UKERC, with partners contributing £4 million.