Energy Matters

Report sets out solar PV potential

A new report published by Solar Energy UK sets out the policy and regulatory changes required to treble the UK’s solar PV capacity over the next eight years. The ‘Lighting the Way’ report argues that GW of operational capacity would be needed by the end of the decade for the UK to remain on track for a net zero carbon economy.

Under a ‘business-as-usual’ scenario, UK solar PV capacity is set to more than double over the next decade. However, this would still leave the country more than GW shy of the level required to meet the UK’s climate change commitments. It is claimed that trebling our solar energy capacity by could cut total UK carbon emissions by million tonnes per year as fossil fuels are replaced with cleaner power, equating to % of the emissions in . This level of deployment would also deliver thousands of skilled jobs, and an estimated £ bn in additional economic activity.

Solar Energy UK chief executive Chris Hewett says: Early results from UK-wide trials of a renewable alternative to kerosene are said to suggest that the new liquid fuel works in virtually all existing oil heating systems, with only simple sites across the country running Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in a range of heating and cooking appliances in both domestic and commercial settings.

The trials are coordinated by OFTEC and the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association

immensely popular with the public. Every additional unit of solar energy generated in the UK cuts the amount of coal and gas we burn today. It can and must play a bigger role in the UK’s green economic recovery.” policies that would boost PV deployment, including business rates reform, and also considers solar on homes and public buildings, plus changes to solar other recommendations. phamnews.co.uk/

Encouraging results from fuel trials

(UKIFDA), and there are plans to expand the project over the coming months to enable a further homes to join the trial for the winter heating season.

OFTEC CEO Paul Rose comments: “The initial trial results are highly encouraging and add further evidence to our households an attractive, low cost, low disruption solution to decarbonisation. heating oil to HVO is a simple process that costs around £ compared to the thousands of pounds it currently costs to install a completely new low carbon heating system and the associated fabric improvements required.”

It is claimed that HVO delivers up to % carbon savings compared to kerosene. a new website for consumers to inform them about the new fuel: www.futurereadyfuels.info

Ambitious targets key to hydrogen success

The UK could miss out on millions in investments and tens of thousands of jobs in the next ten years unless the government raises its hydrogen production targets, claims a new report from the Hydrogen Strategy Now group.

The group’s ‘State of the Hydrogen Nation’ survey is designed to analyse the views of industry leaders on the progress and potential of the UK hydrogen sector. Almost half of the respondents agreed that a lack of a clear Hydrogen Strategy has seen the UK miss out on valuable investments into UK hydrogen projects, while % said the UK was failing to meet its hydrogen potential.

Chris Jackson, chair of the UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association, says: “A clear takeaway from this survey is that the government and interest in the UK market hydrogen production targets. If the government’s ambition is to create a world-leading hydrogen market, then having world leading targets is key.” phamnews.co.uk/