In this month’s Energy:2030

In this month’s Energy:2030

In the fifth edition of Energy:2030 we summarise some key learnings from an excellent new book edited by our collaborator Fereidoon Sioshansi of Menlo Energy Economics, titled Innovation and Disruption at the Grid’s Edge. The book, which delves into how distributed energy resources are disrupting the utility business model, is also the basis for an event that we will host in London on 19 June. The event will feature a variety of speakers, including Cornwall Insight’s Nigel Cornwall and Gareth Miller, as well as Sioshansi himself, and several advocates of electricity market transformation.

Increasing our coverage of community energy, we present a feature on the Smart Fintry project in Scotland, which showcases the potential benefits, risks and challenges to community groups and network operators alike on such projects. Not for the first time we conclude that the current policy and regulatory structure needs a make-over.

Looking to future networks, we summarise Cadent’s plans to build the world’s first commercial-scale hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage project, which will provide low-carbon hydrogen to industry, homes and transport in North West England.

On the topic of low-carbon transport, we present a summary of a report by the Oxford Energy Forum that presents a wide-ranging collection of views on autonomous vehicles, transport electrification, shared mobility, and the challenges facing EV roll-out.

Last month, Elexon set out proposals as to how central services could be adapted to support customers buying electricity from more than one supplier. Building on this, we look at and commend a rule change proposal to implement a “sandbox”, which will allow innovative products and processes to be trialled under the BSC.

In our coverage of other international energy stories making the headlines, we present a summary of New York’s Reforming the Energy Vision or REV project to date, and FERC’s rejection of CAISO’s recent capacity procurement proposals.

Elsewhere, we look at variable feed-in tariffs in Victoria, barriers to multiple service providers in New Zealand and the direction of future German energy policy, and much more.

For a free trial of Energy:2030 contact Stephen Pointing on s.pointing@cornwall-insight.com or 01603 604 400.

Related thinking

E-mobility and low carbon

Ending the ICE age: EV Country Attractiveness Index Findings

Over the past decade, electric vehicles (EVs) have become increasingly popular across many of the world’s major economies, with both the eco-conscious and average consumer adding to the rise in sales. This phenomenon has not just appeared from thin air, however, as international climate agreements, national net zero plans, EV...

E-mobility and low carbon

2022’s most exciting ‘Charts of the Week’

Some of our team have looked back throughout 2022 and picked their most exciting ‘Chart of the Week’.​Their choices include exploring green tariffs, wholesale gas prices, CfD allocation round 4 and the MHHS Implementation Levy.  It’s My Birthday – Two years of Dynamic Containment Picked by Tom Faulkner, Head of...

Low carbon generation

Diversifying the Irish Energy Mix, could hydrogen be the answer?

The recent news that Nord stream has resumed flows into Europe will ease some of the fears of supply shortages heading into the winter for us all and have associated knock-on effects pricewise. Although back flowing, the EU commission on Wednesday urged countries to cut gas use by 15% over...

E-mobility and low carbon

Another one bites the dust: Plug-in car grant ends

Last week the government announced the plug-in car grant scheme for electric vehicles (EVs) closed, having previously confirmed funding until 2022-23. Why? Well, the government stated it would allow it to concentrate funding towards what it called the main barriers to the EV transition, including public charging and supporting the...

E-mobility and low carbon

Key take-aways from the Low-carbon hydrogen roundtable

Recent announcements from the UK Government have made it clear that the role for low-carbon hydrogen in the UK energy system is set to increase rapidly across the next decade. There was significant focus on low-carbon hydrogen in the Energy Security Strategy, including the doubling of the hydrogen capacity target...

Commercial and market outlook

Cornwall Insight responds to the announcement of an Energy Bill in the Queen’s Speech

The Queen’s Speech this week included a much-anticipated announcement that an Energy Bill will be introduced at some point over the next parliamentary session. The Bill is a logical conclusion of policy development in the period since the net zero commitment was made in the summer of 2019. It accommodates...

E-mobility and low carbon

Expanded guidance provides more clarity on electricity supply to EVs

In a burgeoning EV-centric world, Ofgem’s updated guidance on supplying electricity to electric vehicles (EV) should provide clarity for many organisations around the supply arrangements in place for different charging scenarios. Due to their mobile nature, EVs don’t fit in with the legislative model that defines an electricity consumer by...

Low carbon generation

Germany tops the leader board with South Korea in second place

The role of low-carbon hydrogen in achieving our net zero targets has been a hot topic of conversation of late, both within industry circles and in mainstream media and public conversation. As the discussion builds, Cornwall Insight has interrogated the policy and strategy frameworks presented by countries that have branded...