We’re all aware by now that the UK’s emissions need to reach net zero by 2050, but how can local communities work together to get this done?
That was one of the topics of discussion for our 25 guests at our first energy roundtable last week in Durham. Guests of the event included Northern Powergrid (NPG), as well as representatives from local authorities, housing associations, local infrastructure operators, technology manufacturers and energy management organisations.
Here are three key takeaways on how the North East is preparing to meet the 2050 net zero goal:
1) Northern Powergrid is prioritising energy flexibility - recognising the fundamental role it will play in the electrification and decarbonisation of the UK’s power. NPG’s head of system flexibility Maurice Lynch, highlighted funding the organisation has available to support innovative businesses that can contribute to the UK’s energy flexibility. This is being done by establishing smart local energy systems in areas with residential and commercial properties.
2) The new government is adding further support - at a pivotal time in the country’s energy future there is a new government in power which is starting to set out its plans to achieve a greener future. What has been discussed so far are proposals for greater investment in renewable energy generation and new green technologies, which should create more opportunities for enhanced Demand Flexibility, building on the UK’s already world-leading position in flexibility services.
3) Increased education and awareness of energy flexibility are needed - for the UK to successfully reach net zero by 2050, energy flexibility will need to be a core part of the future of the nation’s energy system. However, for this to happen greater education and awareness of energy flexibility are needed across society, most notably low income and those classified as vulnerable (LIV).
NPG’s Community Distribution Systems Operator (DSO) programme, which has attracted £14.5m in funding from Ofgem, is an example of a scheme that can boost energy flexibility. NPG explained that the project is developing and will trial different approaches to identify how communities and local stakeholders can work together with local distribution network operators (DNOs), like NPG, to deploy smart local energy systems.
This type of scheme can potentially help communities push their own decarbonisation ambitions, in partnerships with DNOs and innovators like equiwatt, which will in turn reduce the energy bills of residents. This generated considerable interest from guests around the table and sparked discussion about the need to increase the education and awareness of energy flexibility across society, most notably low income and those classified as vulnerable.
The roundtable is the first in a series we'll be holding in the coming months. Our goal is to drive awareness, as well as foster engagement and collaboration around energy challenges and opportunities. The event demonstrated the enthusiasm of the local community to contribute to decarbonisation. It also highlighted eagerness to maximise the opportunities that will come from the electrification of our power networks.
There is a shared ambition across businesses and local organisations here in the North East to enhance green energy generation, drive innovative technologies and work together on the successful implementation of new initiatives and ideas to help successfully manage our power usage. It’s clear from our discussion, that all of this can be done while propelling the local tech economy and also serving the environment we all need to protect.
Do you have any questions or additional topics you'd like to explore?
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