Comment & Analysis
The conference was against the backdrop of a government that remains committed to the Net Zero target by 2050 whilst balancing soaring wholesale energy prices, which are being driven even higher by the war in Ukraine, pushing more of the population into fuel poverty.
To address this, the government published their Energy Security Strategy in April, just six months after the Net Zero Strategy. It was met with much criticism, with some calling the lack of immediate assistance to address household energy efficiency a ‘missed opportunity to help the most vulnerable [1]
The conference allowed researchers to meet and debate how to implement technologies at speed and identify barriers to provide immediate support to those who need it and achieve Net Zero. The topics were broad, covering specific technologies, the role of local governments and how industry can maintain its competitiveness. The agenda also included a fascinating session on the need to decrease energy demand, which looked at socio-cultural factors, infrastructure challenges and the adoption of end-use technology. This adaptation of energy demand is a vital component in achieving Net Zero and must be addressed alongside the delivery of low carbon technologies.
One of the standout messages throughout the sessions was a clear need for the government to give more certainty and provide the pathways for change across different sectors. The pace of innovation required to achieve the targets relies on the government making difficult decisions, providing incentives, regulations, and procurement initiatives to help shape the market and de-risk innovation. The UK cannot rely solely on the private sector to choose the best and most affordable option, and a scattered approach could lead to missed targets and a disconnected system that works for a select few.
Leadership from the government is incredibly important to drive investment from the private sector and it will only be by working together that targets will be achieved. An example of this could be co-investment in infrastructure with the private sector to provide the late-stage development facilities required to demonstrate technologies and attract investment. This leadership and coordination from the government could give commercial confidence in emerging technologies, especially if they are willing to be the first customer and leverage private sector investment.
Another common theme across the sessions was the potential opportunity to align the decarbonisation process to support the delivery of another key government priority, Levelling Up. The Levelling Up White Paper published in February this year acknowledged that the shift needed to achieve Net Zero could have a significant and long-lasting effect on every aspect of the economy and create opportunities for many of the areas left behind. Regions outside of the Greater South East are more reliant on carbon-intensive industries, meaning that the transformation to Net Zero could be disruptive but also transformative through a Green Industrial Revolution.
Whilst implementing Net Zero alone won’t necessarily address the inequalities felt across the country, the clustering of new technology developments in regions outside of the Greater South East provides the opportunity for these regions to capitalise on the expansion of clean technologies, increase local skilled jobs, and provide greater investment into communities.
There are opportunities for the government to catalyse movement in several low carbon technologies. An example of this could be the roll out of hydrogen use, which currently struggles with disconnected supply chains or onshore wind.
At the IMechE, one of our key priorities is to provide support and advice to policymakers in the transition to Net Zero, looking at technology barriers, interdependencies and wider levers required to reach the target. The Institution is currently developing a five-year strategy that will focus our resources in areas like this where engineers can make a material difference to the world, so watch this space!
[1] ‘Energy security strategy analysis: Huge missed opportunity not to put energy efficiency at heart of strategy’ Neil Vowles, University of Sussex News Item, April 2022