A new programme has been launched to accelerate the next wave of low carbon transport in the South and East of England. UK Power Networks is approaching the owners and managers of destination venues, property landlords and business workplaces who have long-term plans to install low carbon technology such as
A new £4 million low carbon technology hub has launched at Manchester Metropolitan University. SMEs working on carbon neutral hydrogen fuel technology will now have access to the state of the art equipment and technology as part of the new hub. Part funded with £1.6 million from the European Regional
A new programme has been launched to accelerate the next wave of low carbon transport in the South and East of England. UK Power Networks is approaching the owners and managers of destination venues, property landlords and business workplaces who have long-term plans to install low carbon technology such as solar energy generation or electric vehicle charging hubs. The electricity distribution network operator for London, the South and East of England wants to help identify common challenges across groups and sectors, that until now have not needed to work with their local energy distributor, then identify common challenges and design practical solutions to help. The new Low Carbon Technology Customer Group will initially work with a broad range of trade bodies and individuals, representing sectors ranging from social housing landlords to emergency services, leisure and retail development owners, farmers and even caravan and camping destinations. The group will collaborate with UK Power Networks to identify common challenges they face in reducing their carbon footprint. Solutions could range from sector-specific toolkits to targeted, co-ordinated network investment programmes. Adam Lakey, stakeholder engagement manager at UK Power Networks, said: “We want to help anyone who might be thinking about decarbonising their existing property asset but doesn’t know who to speak to. We’re looking for input from organisations like ambulance trusts or fire brigades to campsites or shopping destinations; anyone who knows that at some point over the next five-10 years they want to install low carbon technology like EV chargers or solar panels but doesn’t yet know how to go about it. “We can offer advice and expertise about how to go about it in the most cost-effective way. For example, if you install solar panels and then add electric vehicle charge points it may work out cheaper than upgrading your electricity supply for the charge points then adding solar power later. “We know there’s a vast range of existing buildings, developments and organisations that want to decarbonise. By starting a conversation with us through this new group we can help people do it more easily, quickly and cost-efficiently.” UK Power Networks is forecasting the number of electric vehicles connected to its networks will increase almost tenfold in the next five years, from 310,000 now to 2.6m in 2028. Last year, UK Power Networks launched its Green Recovery programme, an unprecedented opportunity to address climate change by kick-starting 86 shovel-ready green energy infrastructure projects. In total, £66m is being invested, including enabling 11 motorway service areas to install more than 600 ultra-fast 150kW chargers. This investment, combined with collaborative work across the sector, aims to develop the energy infrastructure that inspires customers with the confidence to switch to an EV. To find out more about participating in the LCT Customer Group, please email LCT@ukpowernetworks.co.uk
A new £4 million low carbon technology hub has launched at Manchester Metropolitan University. SMEs working on carbon neutral hydrogen fuel technology will now have access to the state of the art equipment and technology as part of the new hub. Part funded with £1.6 million from the European Regional Development Fund, the Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre (MFCIC) will support businesses in the development of low carbon fuel cells which may soon be powering everything from cars to homes. The centre will be geared towards the production of fuel cell materials that use 3D printing and nanomaterials, while also plotting out the hydrogen and fuel cell infrastructure of the Manchester area. Hydrogen fuel cells, which work by converting hydrogen into oxygen and water to create electricity, have been widely tipped as a sustainable way for the UK to meet its energy needs in the coming decades. Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Dr David Lambrick, said: “This is truly a ground-breaking initiative to drive forward innovation in our SMEs, develop emission-free energy and firmly position Manchester as a worldwide centre of excellence in fuel cells. “The big challenge for the 21st century is how we create a sustainable future while meeting demand for energy, which will only continue to rise in the coming years. “Fuel cells are a fundamental part of the hydrogen economy and what we have at Manchester Metropolitan is the expertise in advanced materials, nanotechnology, smart grid technology and business development.” Manchester is developing a strong reputation for low carbon technology with more than 2,000 companies currently providing low carbon environmental goods and services in Greater Manchester, employing almost 40,000 people. This new facility is part of Manchester Metropolitan’s Greater Manchester Hydrogen Partnership (GMHP) which is bidding to cement the region’s growing reputation in the sector by collaborating with government, industry and academics.
