Energy companies have moved to reassure the public that our power system can cope with any impact from the coronavirus. Fears were raised earlier this week that networks were anticipating the worst, working up emergency plans to keep the lights on should they lose 80 per cent of their staff. In response, National Grid ESO Read more…
National Grid: We need 65,000 data analysts and renewables engineers
National Grid says the UK needs tens of thousands of data analysts and renewable energy engineers over the next ten years to stand a chance of hitting net zero. In all, the UK energy sector will require 117,000 new workers between now and 2030, according to a new report, Building the Net Zero Energy Workforce. Read more…
Sainsbury’s sets aside £1bn for net zero
Sainsbury’s has committed to decarbonise its operations by 2040 and has set aside £1bn to fund its transition. It will also put pressure on suppliers to reduce carbon emissions. Sainsbury’s said the funds would cover scope one and two emissions. It will produce science based targets with the Carbon Trust and report every six months. Read more…
ITM Power to open ‘world’s biggest electrolyser factory’ in Sheffield
Storage and clean hydrogen specialist ITM Power is prepping a 1GW per year electrolyser manufacturing plant at its new Sheffield home. Posting half year results, the AIM-listed firm confirmed it has inked a lease for a reported 134,000 square feet at the city’s Bessemer Park, and appointed a fit out contractor. Claimed by ITM as Read more…
Peak pique: Ofgem’s network charging changes set to bite
Ofgem has confirmed major changes to the way business pay to use the power networks. The Energyst asked consultants and end users for an impact assessment. Ofgem’s changes to network charges will have a major impact on business energy bills, particularly for larger power users that have traditionally reduced peak demand through loadshifting. For some, Read more…
Energias De Portugal says flex will be key, invests in GridBeyond
GridBeyond has landed £9m funding in a round led by Energias De Portugal (EDP), one of the world’s biggest renewable energy companies. The aggregator and flexible energy platform provider also secured backing from investors including Total’s Carbon Neutrality Ventures, Irish utility ESB and Act Venture Capital. The firm, with offices in Dublin and Watford, said Read more…
Ofgem: DNOs must make progress with flexibility this year
Ofgem has urged distribution network operators (DNOs) to step up efforts to embed flexibility services within day-to-day operations. Speaking at National Grid ESO’s Power Responsive event last week, Louise van Rensberg, interim deputy director, energy systems transition at Ofgem, said the clock was ticking on bringing wider flexibility incentives into the regional monopolies’ allowed spending. Read more…
EV maker Arrival exits stealth mode with €100m from Hyundai
UK electric vehicle maker Arrival has landed €100m (£85m) investment from Hyundai and its subsidiary Kia Motors. The Korean automakers will use Arrival technologies to accelerate their EV rollout plans and create new, purpose-built electric vehicles (EVs). Founded in 2015, Arrival aims to build EVs across categories at lower cost than today’s automakers. It plans Read more…
Shadow energy minister: 2030 net zero infeasible
Decarbonising the UK economy within the next decade is neither official Labour policy nor likely to happen, according to shadow energy minister, Alan Whitehead. The Labour party conference approved a motion to move “towards a path to net zero carbon emissions by 2030”. Speaking at Aurora’s battery storage conference, Whitehead unpacked the party’s intentions. “It Read more…