Recent Additions to the EDC
Browse details of new data, projects and publications added to the EDC
10/11/2025
1 new publication added
Author(s): Cultivate Innovation
Published: 12/11/2025
Publisher: Colechin, M.
This report investigates the potential role of biomass as a long-duration energy storage solution to address seasonal and weather-related variations in renewable energy output. It examines how bioenergy infrastructure, such as seasonally harvested crops and waste wood, could provide flexibility across electricity, heat, and gas systems while considering the implications of integrating biomass with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) for negative emissions. The study seeks to answer key questions about the technical, commercial, and operational implications of flexible biomass use, the suitability of different fuel and plant types, and the conditions under which BECCS could become viable. It also explores the constraints on biomass supply chains, plant investment, and operation, as well as the competition between UK-produced and international feedstocks. The research aims to understand the broader implications of using biomass for energy storage, including its economic, environmental, and social impacts. It emphasizes the need for a whole-systems approach to evaluate the role of biomass in delivering both negative emissions and energy system flexibility, while addressing gaps in energy system modeling and policy frameworks.
21/10/2025
7 new publications added
Author(s): UK Parliament
Published: 23/06/2025
Publisher: Department for Business and Trade
<p>The Industrial Strategy is underpinned by an extensive analytical programme. Given the complexity of the decisions involved, no single methodology or information source can encompass all the relevant issues; instead, we analysed quantitative and qualitative evidence from a range of sources using a variety of methodologies and tools. We will continue our programme following the publication of the Industrial Strategy, expanding our analysis as the evidence and the economy itself evolve over the next decade.</p>
<p>The analytical programme was based on literature reviews, data analysis, and engagement. We used engagement to gather feedback on the Industrial Strategy, including on sectors, places, growth barriers and opportunities, and policies; to incorporate evidence and analysis from a range of experts and stakeholders; and to independently validate our analytical programme. Activities included: <bl>
<li>Consultation with the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council ("the Council").</li>
<li>Targeted engagement on the development of eight Sector Plans through government and industry-led taskforces and other bespoke arrangements.</li>
<li>Engagement with a range of businesses and other organisations, from global corporates to start-ups, scale-ups, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), trade unions, mayoral strategic authorities (MSAs), and devolved governments (DGs).</li>
<li>An Industrial Strategy Forum set up to bring together business representative organisations and other membership bodies.</li>
<li>Extensive engagement with internal and external experts, including government departmental directors of analysis, academics, thought leaders, and think tanks, on the analytical data sources, methodologies, outputs, and findings.</li>
</bl></p>
<p>As part of Invest 2035 we issued a public consultation asking for feedback on 36 questions to inform the Industrial Strategy. The consultation ran for six weeks over October and November 2024. Responses were submitted online or by email and reviewed by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the research agency Ipsos. Responses supported the analysis identifying frontier industries and places, identifying key economy-wide growth barriers and opportunities, and selecting policy interventions.</p>
<p>The consultation received over 27,000 online answers to individual questions from a wide range of businesses, individuals, academics, think tanks, and trade unions, as well as more than 250 business associations representing hundreds of thousands of businesses across the UK.</p>
Author(s): UK Government
Published: 06/10/2025
Publisher: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
<p>The government has five national missions, to: <bl>
<li>Kickstart Economic Growth</li>
<li>Build an NHS Fit for the Future</li>
<li>Safer Streets</li>
<li>Break Down the Barriers to Opportunity</li>
<li>Make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower</li>
</bl><p>
<p>The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) leads on the government's mission to Make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower, working in close collaboration with other departments (see Section 1.1.3).</p>
<p>Research, development, and innovation (hereafter 'R&D') are critical enablers for achieving both pillars of the Clean Energy Superpower Mission (CESM): delivering clean power by 2030 and accelerating to net zero by 2050. They provide the robust scientific evidence base for policy decisions and delivery, enable the successful innovation and scaling up of necessary technologies, and enhance productivity and economic growth. As estimated by the International Energy Agency, approximately 35% of the global emission reductions needed in 2050 to reach net zero rely on technologies that are not yet commercially available.</p>
<p>Areas of Research Interest documents (ARIs) set out research questions and evidence needs of government organisations. They are a key tool for shaping the research landscape - helping to align academic, industry, and public sector efforts with government priorities. This ARI document sets out the R&D needed to deliver the CESM, based on cross-government consensus. It captures the breadth of challenges and opportunities across both mission pillars and seeks to encourage more structured dialogue and collaboration with external stakeholders.</p>
<p>This ARI document is intended to support collaboration between government, academia, industry, and other research organisations. It sets out both the full thematic breadth of research areas relevant to the CESM and a focused set of priority R&D challenges where coordinated effort is most urgently required. Together, these provide a strategic framework to guide research investment, shape funding programmes, and inform policy development. </p>
<p>It can be used to: <bl>
<li>Align research proposals with government priorities and identify areas of high impact.</li>
<li>Support dialogue between researchers and policymakers on emerging evidence
needs.</li>
<li>Inform funding decisions by enabling researchers to clearly link proposals to
government priorities.</li>
<li>Guide cross-sector collaboration by highlighting shared challenges and opportunities.</li>
</bl></p>
<p>This ARI has been intentionally developed at a strategic level. While it captures the full breadth of research areas relevant to the mission, it does not aim to provide detailed R&D requirements. Instead, it offers directional guidance on the research considered most valuable at the time of assessment, rather than an exhaustive specification. As part of our future plan, we will define what success looks like and develop approaches to measure progress.</p>
Author(s): UK Government
Published: 23/06/2025
Publisher: Department for Business and Trade and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
<p>Britain used to be an energy powerhouse. We built technologies that brought jobs and prosperity across the country. We have a once in a generation chance to build on that prosperity and growth, but only if we double down on our advantages. If we delay, or fail to seize the available opportunities, other countries will win the race for these industries of the future. Clean energy is that future and a perfect fit for the UK's strengths.</p>
<p>The UK has major growth opportunities in Clean Energy Industries. We are a coastal nation, a scientific and innovation superpower, with strengths in high-value manufacturing and a skilled energy workforce to match. With our world-leading renewable energy deployment, and deep capital markets, Britain is the natural home for Clean Energy Industries. We can deliver investment in manufacturing and deployment that will have significant spillover benefits for innovation, services, and skills across the country, leveraging the clean energy transition to turbocharge growth.</p>
<p>Clean energy investors are clear that they want to grow in the UK and to invest billions here, but they cannot do this on their own. They need certainty, they need stability, they need a partner to take the first step with them in developing new technologies, and they need an incentive to expand supply chains. This is our plan to secure that growth, to back those Clean Energy Industries and unlock billions more in investment. To break down barriers to projects, to invest alongside industry where necessary, to ensure we create good jobs, to incentivise companies to build it in Britain.</p>
<p>This is the global economic opportunity of our time, and in an uncertain world, the Government's Missions to Kickstart Economic Growth and make the UK a Clean Energy Superpower are sending a clear message that we are unwavering in our commitment to these industries and to energy security. The net zero economy is already growing three times faster than the wider UK economy and we have seen over £40 billion of private investment in clean energy announced since July. Our Clean Industry Bonus smashed expectations, with £544 million for offshore wind developers to prioritise investment in regions that need it most, leveraging billions more in private investment, including in traditional oil and gas communities, ex-industrial areas, ports, and coastal towns.</p>
<p>Delivering Clean Power by 2030 will protect the economy and billpayers from the rollercoaster of fossil fuel prices, the cause of half of recessions since 1970.4 By harnessing the potential of AI, automation and advanced technologies we can optimise how energy is generated and consumed. The resulting modern, affordable, and secure energy system is fundamental to building a stronger and more productive economy. The UK will build an energy system that will bring down bills for households and businesses for good, bringing certainty, stability, and growth.</p>
<p>Growing our Clean Energy Industries and boosting domestic supply chains is fundamental to supporting wider industry to decarbonise. Growing our Clean Energy Industries and boosting domestic supply chains is fundamental to supporting wider industry to decarbonise. Foundational industries such as steel, chemicals, critical minerals, composites and other materials such as glass, provide critical inputs to enable growth in Clean Energy Industries.</p>
Author(s): UK Government
Published: 19/10/2025
Publisher: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
<p>This annex describes the experimental approach taken to assessing the growth required in the clean energy workforce from a 2023 baseline to 2030, where opportunities are likely to be located, and the types of occupations likely to be in high demand and relatively more difficult to fill.</p>
<p>Clean energy technologies encompass power generation, transmission and distribution, greenhouse gas removals, clean heat, and energy efficiency. The full list of sub-sectors is provided in Table 1 below. Clean energy jobs are measured as the number of jobs that are supported by the deployment and operation of clean energy technologies and their supply chains. This analysis covers both direct and indirect jobs, these employment categories can be defined as: <bl>
<li>Direct jobs: employment that is directly within the primary industry or sector under consideration (for example, construction of wind farms and/or manufacturing of wind turbines, and installation of heat pumps).</li>
<li>Indirect jobs: employment generated in industries that supply goods or services to the primary sector. This includes jobs supported lower down the supply chain related to production of intermediate inputs used by the primary sector (for example, manufacturing the compressors that are used in heat pump installation).</li>
</bl></p>
<p>Induced jobs are excluded from this analysis; employment resulting from the spending of wages by workers in direct and indirect employment, leading to increased demand in other sectors. </p>
<p>This analysis does not measure net additional jobs across the economy. Much of the increase in workforce across clean energy sectors will involve workers who have transitioned from other sectors or will displace high carbon energy jobs; however, these effects are not accounted for as the evidence is not available. The analysis also does not capture replacement demand - i.e., the workers required to replace workers that leave the clean energy workforce.</p>
<p>There is inherent uncertainty in estimating the size of the 2030 clean energy workforce. The future size and geographic spread of the clean energy workforce will be dependent on delivery and final location of the pipeline of projects out to 2030, the ability to recruit into the sector, cost assumptions, any assumptions made about the ability of UK businesses to export overseas, and the validity of the assumptions made around the workers required to deploy a particular amount of technology. These estimates do not represent precise predictions; they are indicative of the orders of magnitude the clean energy workforce will need to increase by 2030 to meet demand in UK clean energy sectors and their supply chains (where possible, both domestic and global demand has been considered - see Table 1 for details).</p>
Author(s): UK Government
Published: 19/10/2025
Publisher: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
<p>The clean energy transition is the defining economic opportunity of the twenty-first century and the UK is uniquely positioned to lead it. The government's Plan for Change set out our ambitious mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower, which will kickstart economic growth and break down the barriers to opportunity as we create a new generation of good jobs across every corner of the country to deliver energy security.</p>
<p>Someone is going to win the global race for the clean energy jobs of the future and we are determined that it should be the UK. The job opportunities on offer are huge, with roles available across a range of skill levels and occupations, from plumbers to production managers, engineers to electricians, and technicians to welders. This presents a significant opportunity to revitalise our industrial heartlands and ensure that our existing home-grown energy workforce can move flexibly into good clean energy roles.</p>
<p>Clean energy is already providing good jobs to hundreds of thousands of people across the UK. Jobs in Wind, Nuclear, and Electricity Networks all advertise average salaries of over £50,000, compared to the UK average of £37,000. For young people, these jobs can offer higher levels of pay across occupations, with entry-level 'green' roles commanding a 23% average pay premium in around 60% of occupations. These jobs also provide the security of a rapidly-growing sector, as new and emerging green jobs are less likely to be automated and have had more resilience in demand than the wider jobs market in recent years.</p>
<p>However, we know there is more to be done. While the clean energy workforce is growing rapidly in the UK, by around 8% and 10% per year in 2022 and 2023 respectively, other countries have far more jobs per capita. For example, in 2023 Germany had almost 3 times as many renewable energy jobs per capita as the UK; Sweden and Denmark almost 4 and 5 times as many respectively. Across the economy, industry investment in skills has been falling in recent years with evidence suggesting significant underinvestment in the UK compared to our European peers.</p>
<p>The government's recent significant programme of investment in clean energy, alongside the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan and this Jobs Plan, shows our firm commitment to ensuring Britain leads the world in the clean energy transition and creates the conditions needed for industry to accelerate investments in the skills system.</p>
Author(s): UK Government
Published: 23/06/2025
Publisher: Department for Business and Trade
<p>The United Kingdom is a thriving global economy founded on stability, fairness, and the rule of law, and propelled by world-leading sectors and companies. We have a record of extraordinary research and innovation; we are champions of openness and free trade; and we continue to be a magnet for international talent and capital.</p>
<p>Yet in recent decades the pace and magnitude of global change have escalated and the UK has been short of the dynamism it takes to stay ahead. The global trading environment has become more unpredictable, the fragility of global supply chains more apparent, and our economic competitors have been more assertive and disruptive in promoting their national industries. British workers and families have paid the price through a cost-of-living crisis.</p>
<p>Now more than ever, businesses are seeking out countries that can provide them with the confidence to invest and grow. As set out in the Plan for Change, the Government's priority mission is to deliver strong, secure, and sustainable economic growth to boost living standards for working people in every part of the UK.</p>
<p>Our modern Industrial Strategy will help us seize the most significant opportunities and create the most favourable conditions in key UK sectors for the companies of the future to emerge here - the ones that have a transformative role to play in the clean energy transition, the tech revolution, the fundamental impact of AI on every sector, and the new geopolitics.</p>
<p>To achieve this, the Government is focused on the critical need to increase business investment, capturing a greater share of internationally mobile capital, spurring domestic businesses to scale up, and supporting small and medium-sized businesses reliant on resilient supply-chains. This is about positive choices: backing eight sectors (the IS-8) with the highest potential, and the frontier industries at their leading edge - and targeting the places and clusters across the UK that support those sectors, to increase national productivity, strengthen our economic security and resilience, and support our environmental goals and the net zero transition.</p>
<p>To ensure the Industrial Strategy drives action we will track key measures of improvement across the whole economy, the IS-8, and places: business investment, Gross Value Added (GVA), labour market outcomes such as employment and wages; productivity growth; and exports. We will also track the number of new large homegrown' business across the IS-8. The Industrial Strategy and Sector Plans are underpinned by a robust monitoring and evaluation approach tracking the delivery of its policies, overseen by the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council (ISAC).</p>
<p>Invest 2035, our consultation, showed clearly where action must be taken, and how we need to shape the most globally competitive offer to business. The Industrial Strategy is not about a particular point in time or publication - it is a 10-year commitment and partnership. The Government has already started to take action on the issues raised by the eight sectors - from addressing the burden of
regulation to the speed of planning - and we will go further in the critical areas identified, both immediately and in the months and years ahead.</p>
Author(s): UK Parliament
Published: 03/10/2025
Publisher: Mahmood, S., Hutton, G. and Pickett, L.
<p>Industrial strategies provide an overarching plan for the economy (or key parts of it) that aims to help the government achieve economic, social and/or environmental goals. However, there are many definitions and a spectrum of approaches to the degree and types of government interventions used.</p>
<p>This briefing summarises the government’s 2025 industrial strategy and explains key concepts in industrial strategy theory. It also sketches the international context and includes a brief overview of industrial policy in the UK over the last few decades.</p>
16/10/2025
1 new publication added
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 19/09/2025
Publisher: Winskel, M., Willis, J., Hawker, G., MacIver, C., Britton, J., Webb, J., Carmichael, R., Dixon, J., Colechin, M., Hanna, R., Pidgeon, N., Henwood, K., Taylor, P., Rattle, I., Chilvers, J. and Stephanides, P.
The draft Climate Change Plan (CCP) is a strategy document which outlines how the Scottish Government intends to meet emissions reduction targets across all portfolio areas and sectors of the economy.
The Scottish Government has said that it aims to publish the draft CCP later this year and that it will cover 2026-2040.
To support the Parliament’s scrutiny, the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee undertook a Call for Views in advance of the draft CCP being published. It asked questions about what policies people think should be in the draft CCP across different sectors, and what else needs to be included to deliver a just transition to net zero by 2045.
UKERC drafted a response, featuring contributions from over a dozen researchers in the consortium. We welcome the opportunity to engage with the Scottish Parliament on its Draft Climate Change Plan Scrutiny, and we would be happy to follow-up with the Parliament on any our advice below.
08/10/2025
1 new publication added
Author(s): Cultivate Innovation
Published: 08/10/2025
Publisher: Cultivate Innovation, UKERC, Supergen
This document summarises the outputs of a scoping study that investigated the potential role of biomass as a long-duration energy storage solution to address seasonal and weather-related variations in renewable energy output. The study examined how bioenergy infrastructure, such as seasonally harvested crops and waste wood, could provide flexibility across electricity, heat, and gas systems while considering the implications of integrating biomass with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) for negative emissions. It sought to answer key questions about the technical, commercial, and operational implications of flexible biomass use, the suitability of different fuel and plant types, and the conditions under which BECCS could become viable. It also explored the constraints on biomass supply chains, plant investment, and operation, as well as the competition between UK-produced and international feedstocks. The research aimed to understand the broader implications of using biomass for energy storage, including its economic, environmental, and social impacts. It emphasised the need for a whole-systems approach to evaluate the role of biomass in delivering both negative emissions and energy system flexibility, while addressing gaps in energy system modelling and policy frameworks. A full report of the work is available separately and is referenced in this Executive Summary.
01/10/2025
1 new publication added
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 02/10/2025
Publisher: Habibi, M. and Bell, K.
This report examines the priority areas and transition trends of Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) within their innovation plans for the RIIO-ED2 price control period of 2023-28. The study traces the evolution of innovation area priorities since the conclusion of the Low-Carbon Networks Fund (LCNF) programme in 2015 to understand shifting trends.
22/09/2025
1 new publication added
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 22/09/2025
Publisher: Kuzemko, C., Brisbois, M-C., Price, J., Pye, S., Fletcher, L., Ralph, N. and Bradshaw, M.
In this policy brief, energy security is defined as 'balancing energy demand with supply', in ways that are reliable, affordable, and sustainable for consumers. The authors' recommendation is to adopt a more proactive and coordinated demand-centred approach - rather than focusing on ensuring supplies to meet 'given' demand levels.
12/09/2025
1 new publication added
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 01/09/2025
Publisher: Hanna, R., Simpson, K., Camacho-McCluskey, K. and Gross, R.
<p>This paper provides an international policy review on energy efficiency retrofit in owner-occupied homes and recommendations to apply best practices to the UK.</p>
<p>This working paper presents a review of policy design and implementation in OECD countries for increasing uptake of energy efficiency retrofitting in medium to high-income, 'able to pay' owner-occupied households. Renovation measures to help improve energy efficiency and decarbonise homes can include loft and cavity wall insulation, heat pumps and solar PV.</p>
<p>The review uses a rapid evidence assessment of academic and grey literature to address the following research question: Which internationally applied, good practice policies have the most potential to accelerate quality, energy efficiency retrofits of owner-occupied, 'able to pay' households in the UK?</p>
<p>The review reveals that residential energy renovations in OECD countries are mostly shallow single measures, with a small portion comprising multiple measures or deeper renovations. Although some countries such as France, Germany, the UK and the US have retrofitted millions of single measures to homes, this review has not identified any countries which have delivered deep home energy retrofit at a widespread scale.</p>
<p>We identify various review studies on policy instruments which have been applied in different countries and are considered important for implementing residential energy renovation. Policy instruments most commonly emphasised are regulations, financial support and information provision. Most reviews also include policies to develop workforce skills and competencies, supply chains and quality assurance.</p>
<p>Drawing upon our review of international and UK evidence, we make a series of policy recommendations for an effective home energy retrofit policy framework in the UK, with a focus on medium to high-income owner-occupier households: <bl>
<li>Key success factors are the design and implementation of policy instruments which are credible, stable, long-term and flexible.</li>
<li>Policy packages or combinations of complementary policies are more effective than applying individual policy instruments alone.</li>
<li>Effective policy mixes should include policies to stimulate both homeowner demand and a competent supply chain for retrofit.</li>
<li>The review highlights several retrofit financing mechanisms (e.g., energy efficiency mortgages, low interest loans) that can be targeted specifically at mid-to-high income owner-occupied households. Given pressures on government spending, a blended financing approach combining direct, publicly funded financial incentives with innovative measures to stimulate private financing, is likely to be required.</li>
<li>For England and Wales, we recommend that a national retrofit programme with financial incentives for 'able to pay' homeowners and a 'one stop shop' and advice service linked to local and regional hubs could help to support the customer retrofit journey and develop supply chains.</li>
<li>National, regional and local government retrofit policy should be better coordinated, including through dissemination of financing to support uptake of measures at a local level.</li>
<li>National policy programmes for home energy renovation should be integrated with mandatory local area planning.</li>
<li>Regular collaboration should be established between UK and devolved governments, to foster mutual learning and greater consistency in policy design and implementation across the UK.</li>
</bl></p>
04/08/2025
1 new publication added
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 01/07/2025
Publisher: Blyth, W., Gross, R. and MacIver, C.
This report provides an update of a 2022 UKERC Working Paper, which aimed to assess the potential consumer savings from converting the support mechanism for legacy low carbon generators currently supported under the Renewables Obligation (RO) scheme to a Contracts for Difference (CfDs) structure in line with newer renewables projects.
23/07/2025
1 new publication added
Author(s): Faraday Institution
Published: 01/02/2025
Publisher: Gifford, S.
Low-carbon energy technologies such as ammonia, batteries, e-fuels, biofuels and hydrogen fuel cells are rapidly gaining traction in the maritime industry. Heavy fuel oil will soon no longer be the primary choice for propulsion. Battery technology is an important part of the mix, offering energy efficiency, reduced emissions and improved performance for smaller vessels, with hybrid solutions emerging for longer distances and international shipping. The UK can be at the forefront of these developments but must invest in port and charging infrastructure.
The global maritime industry facilitates the movement of goods, people and resources across oceans, seas, lakes, rivers and inland waterways. The industry encompasses navigation, shipping and marine engineering and utilises a wide range of vessels for specific sub-markets. With over 80% of global trade by volume transported by sea, the maritime industry is a critical component of the global economy. However, the maritime industry is currently heavily reliant on fossil fuels to power ships and is considered a hard-to-abate sector. The International Maritime Organisation aims to reduce carbon emissions in the sector by 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels.
This insight explores the alternative technologies for the maritime sector, including hydrogen, natural gas, battery-electric propulsion and other low-carbon fuels, and assesses the size of the battery-powered maritime market. The specific performance characteristics of battery technology for different applications across the maritime sector are outlined, and proposed actions to develop and support the UK maritime industry are also highlighted.
22/07/2025
6 new publications added
Author(s): Faraday Institution
Published: 01/05/2023
Publisher: Faraday Institution
This document is the written evidence submitted by The Faraday Institution to the House of Commons Business and Trade Committee inquiry into Batteries for EV manufacturing. The inquiry examined the viability of EV battery manufacturing in the UK, the potential to scale-up battery manufacturing to meet growing EV demand, the risks to the UK automotive industry of not establishing sufficient battery manufacturing capacity and the lessons that the UK can learn from other countries.
The submission emphasised the need for gigafactories to be built in the UK, as the presence of an EV battery industry helps to ensure that automotive production remains in the UK. The submission also outlined that the UK is making good progress in securing new battery manufacturing plants, such as the AESC plant in Sunderland which is aiming for an initial capacity of 12 GWh. However, the UK is not moving fast enough to meet potential UK demand or compared to European competitors, so needs to step up the pace.
This written evidence is in response to 12 questions related to the inquiry.
Author(s): House of Lords
Published: 09/05/2023
Publisher: Faraday Institution
This document is the transcript of the oral evidence given by Stephen Gifford, Chief Economist, on the House of Commons Business and Trade Committee inquiry into Batteries for EV manufacturing. The inquiry examined the viability of EV battery manufacturing in the UK, the potential to scale-up battery manufacturing to meet growing EV demand, the risks to the UK automotive industry of not establishing sufficient battery manufacturing capacity and the lessons that the UK can learn from other countries.
This oral evidence is a follow up to the written evidence submitted by the Faraday Institution for this inquiry. In this oral evidence, Gifford emphasised the urgent need for five gigafactories by 2030 to meet anticipated demand. Given the lead time for factory development, this timeline presents a narrow window for planning and construction. He also emphasised the importance of enhancing the supply chain and the significance of next-generation battery technologies such as sodium, lithium-sulfur and solid-state batteries where the UK has leading research capabilities. He concluded by highlighting the role that government can play beyond financial support, including promoting inward investment, fostering skills development and funding research and development.
This document records the 42 questions asked to Stephen Gifford, Chief Economist (The Faraday Institution), Alan Hollis, Chief
Executive (AMTE Power plc), and Ian Constance, Chief Executive (Advanced Propulsion Centre UK).
Author(s): Faraday Institution
Published: 24/03/2022
Publisher: Faraday Institution
The House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology Inquiry's call for evidence in early 2022 asked for contributions on whether the UK research and innovation system can deliver the ambition to increase the proportion of GDP spent on research and development to 2.4% by 2027 and to make the UK a 'science and tech superpower' by 2030.
This document is the written evidence submitted by the Faraday Institution, submitted to this inquiry titled Delivering a UK Science and Technology Strategy. It provides evidence to the following five questions:
What would it mean for the UK to be a 'science superpower?'
Does the introduction of a science and technology strategy challenge the Haldane principle and UKRI's commitment to fund outstanding research?
Is the UK realising the potential of its research investment?
What more should be done to encourage private-sector investment in research and development in the UK?
How well does the UK collaborate on research with international partners and what can it learn from other countries?
This submission emphasised the need for long-term funding in areas of strategic importance based on learnings from other international research organisations. Top researchers can sometimes require 5 to 10 years to deliver research outcomes that can be commercialised. Linking fundamental research directly to the relevant industrial challenges is expected to realise much richer benefits than current research practices. In particular, the response highlighted the need for research institutions and research programmes to be actively reviewed, influenced and challenged by the private sector.
Author(s): Faraday Institution
Published: 18/05/2021
Publisher: Thomas, P.
<p>This document is the supplementary written evidence from Professor Pam Thomas, CEO at the Faraday Institution, submitted to the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology following an inquiry evidence session on Tuesday 9 March 2021 for the 'Role of Batteries and Fuel Cells in Achieving Net Zero'.</p>
This evidence is in response to four points, being: <ul>
Is the right strategy, funding and support in place to enable the research, innovation and commercialisation of battery technologies in the UK?
<li>If the UK is to play a significant role in battery manufacture and to decarbonise a range of industrial sectors, a larger and longer-term commitment in R&D of next generation energy storage technologies will be required.</li>
<li>Funding for the FI's core research portfolio is currently maintained at &pound;30m per annum.</li>
<li>An additional &pound;20m per annum (bringing the core funding to &pound;50m pa) is deemed necessary to focus on new research problems that look beyond electrochemical aspects of battery research, for example, materials and systems engineering.</li>
</ul>
Author(s): Faraday Institution
Published: 09/03/2021
Publisher: Faraday Institution
This document is the transcript of the oral evidence given by six members of the Faraday Institution HQ team, Board and Expert Panel on the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology inquiry into the Role of batteries and fuel cells in achieving Net Zero on Tuesday 9 March 2021.
The Committee called for 'long-term commitments on the role of battery and fuel cell technologies to give the UK a future competitive advantage in in achieving the UK's ambition to reach net-zero fuel cells and next-generation batteries' which would allow the UK to leapfrog its competitors and gain an advantage for future manufacture of batteries and vehicles. Further, it calls for widening the scope of battery innovation to include batteries for stationary applications on electricity grids, to help balance supply and demand whilst making better use of renewable generation.
This document records the 19 questions asked to Professor Nigel Brandon, Professor Mauro Pasta, Professor Pam Thomas and Amer Gaffar by the present members.
Author(s): Science and Technology Facilities Council
Published: 01/04/2025
Publisher: Matthews, B., Cartmell, K., Jones, C. and Newbold, E.
National infrastructures, such as energy, water, and transport systems, are critical to society. Exploring the effect of investments in infrastructure is an active area of research with a high impact on the well-being of the UK. Data is an essential pre-requisite for good analysis and good decision making, but there are many barriers to the effective use of data.
Data Infrastructure for National Infrastructure (DINI) is a pilot study within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology's UK Research Data Cloud Pilot programme. Its aim is to explore the potential of data to drive research and its impact on policy. Our scope is National Infrastructure Systems within the UK with a focus on energy, water and transport. The project was coordinated by the Data and Analytics Facility for National Infrastructure, working with the Energy Data Centre and the JASMIN Facility, with contributions from Icebreaker One, the Digital Curation Centre, and the UK Collaboratorium for Research on Infrastructure and Cities.
This report summarises the outcomes of the DINI pilot project. It begins by presenting the vision for DINI and providing a statement of the major action proposed from the work of the project. The report then gives a summary of the major results of the project, discussing the background of research in infrastructure systems engineering, and characterising the use of data in this area. The main results of the landscaping work of the pilot study are given next, including the research benefits, benefits to non-research partners, and the wider benefits to society. The barriers involving legal, security, commercial, cultural and technical themes are discussed, with a summary of the major barriers in each area being presented. The work of the technical design studies are then discussed, with the report concluding with its 16 recommendations based on how to form a research data cloud to support infrastructure systems engineering.
17/07/2025
2 new publications added
Author(s): Global Battery Alliance
Published: 01/11/2024
Publisher: Petersen, I., Gode, P., Walker, A., Debrabander, F., Dubois, M., Neubauer, N., Melodia, B. and De Jager, S.
The Global Battery Alliance published this paper to inform policy makers and market actors across the battery value chain by identifying the main variables that influence the demand for EV battery recycling. Professor Paul Anderson, Principal Investigator of the Faraday Institution ReLiB project, provided deep insights into the market for this report.
This paper informs policy makers and market actors across the battery value chain by identifying the main variables that influence the demand for EV battery recycling. The research methodology combines semi-structured interviews, literature review, expert knowledge, and proprietary data models. The analysis focused on lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries due to their dominance in the EV battery sector. Current recycling volumes are low and uncertainties around future markets, battery chemistries and recycling technologies are high, which constrains urgently needed investments. Well-informed policy makers and business leaders would be able to better navigate this evolving landscape and proactively optimise resource utilisation, minimise environmental impacts, and seize emerging business opportunities. The European Union (EU), where the regulatory environment is most mature, was set as the scope to evaluate if recycled content targets for lithium, nickel and cobalt in batteries can be met by processing the batteries that reach end-of-life locally in the EU.
The modelling shows that supply may fall short of demand around the year 2036 when legal targets are set to increase, unless demand is met through imported recycled content, or recycled content from other applications. The sensitivity analysis shows that the most impactful drivers for the availability of recycled content relate to the lifespan of batteries, the weight and chemistry of future batteries, and trade in batteries as well as in second-hand cars. The outcomes of the model stress that accompanying policies and further investments will be required to achieve the circularity ambitions.
Author(s): National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Published: 01/03/2021
Publisher: Blair, N., Schiek, A., Burrell, A., Keyser, M., Deadman, A., Ellerington, I., Govaerts, L., Mulder, G., Hendrick, P., Polfliet, T., Hannam, P., and Song, C.
As part of the World Bank Energy Storage Partnership, this document seeks to provide support and knowledge to a set of stakeholders across the developing world as we all seek to analyse the emerging opportunities and technologies for energy storage in the electric sector. As global prices for renewable energy have dropped dramatically over the last decade and continue to decline and the value of energy storage has increased in many systems, the World Bank technical teams and others have been hearing of a variety of problems.
Related, developing countries have been asking a series of questions in this new area. This working group seeks to address the issues raised in part by creating this document and working to gather a variety of experts in this area from across the globe in support of the World Bank efforts. Performance testing, in combination with test beds, is critical to fulfil the promise offered by these breakthrough technologies and critical to increasing trust in these systems and reducing risk. This document seeks to provide information to stakeholders in developing countries on the current global performance testing landscape of the battery (and broader) performance testing landscape. This document does that by summarising testing protocols published by key global entities.
From this summary, it can be concluded that there are several organisations within each region that set protocols for the testing and specifications of stationary energy storage systems. Across most of these entities, there are extensive protocols for testing batteries for electrical vehicles and mobile devices, but less for large scale energy storage system and their usage cases. The working group and the Partnership more generally agree that the nascent markets for certain technologies and rapid growth make testing more important than ever as these markets continue to mature. This document also seeks to provide a set of "guideposts" to new entrants by pointing out some of the key organisations globally that are currently engaged in performance testing of energy storage systems (often batteries but the larger organisations are likely to engage in tailored tests for emerging thermal and other storage technologies).
16/07/2025
1 new publication added
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 01/06/2025
Publisher: Cass, N., Brown, L., Nelson, T., Bhaduri, E., Anable, J. and Wadud, Z.
Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) may be key to reducing carbon emissions from land travel. Transport emissions are flatlining but not coming down, and AVs are seen as a techno-fix. This working paper reveals that the priorities of people around autonomous vehicles differ from those of policy-makers and developers.
The Institute for Transport Studies at University of Leeds have been researching public views of CAVs. In particular, we explored views of privately-owned and shared CAVs, as the highest carbon reduction benefits of CAVs arise from their being shared. Shared vehicles can transport many more people throughout the day, requiring a smaller vehicle fleet. The latter can include ‘taxis’, car clubs, and public transport modes. This research used three investigative methods to gather information, being: a choice experiment, deliberations, and a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) exercise. This Working Paper shares their qualitative work package.
The findings appear to offer support for shared CAVs over privately-owned modes. For policy-makers, there are warnings that people do not really understand CAVs, and that people want the inequalities of current transport systems to be avoided in the future.
15/07/2025
4 new publications added
Author(s): ETI
Published: 01/01/2018
Publisher: Haslett, A.
Differing generating technologies are often compared using simple Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) analysis. Whilst useful in
some circumstances, LCOE analysis can be misleading and hide the true system costs incurred by different technologies under
different conditions. In practice, the average cost achieved may be very different to the theoretical LCOE. Simple LCOE analysis is therefore often not an effective way of robustly comparing the real overall system cost of various generating technologies.
The ETI has produced the tool to enable anyone with a basic understanding of electricity balancing to explore the effect of different assumptions on the total cost of meeting electricity demand, as it varies through the year. The tool has enough functionality to be useful and to allow non-expert users to explore themes and trends, and looks at meeting electricity demand from a
single generating technology with the flexibility to match supply to demand provided either through batteries or combined cycle gas turbines (CCGTs).
This report explains at a high level how the tool works and show examples of different results that can be derived from it by using the built-in data, at the same time illustrating some of the weaknesses of using LCOE in isolation. The real value of the tool comes from users using their own data to understand sensitivities to assumptions. This report deliberately has no findings or recommendations, other than to use the tool freely and thoughtfully.
The worked examples in this report show:
How significant hidden systems costs and carbon emissions can be.
The risks that might arise through not estimating potential global impacts of embedded greenhouse gas emissions, whether in fuels, construction materials or even electricity supplied through interconnector.
Author(s): ETI
Published: 01/01/2018
Publisher: ETI
The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) is a £400m industry and UK government partnership into low carbon energy system planning and technology development. Its mission is to accelerate the development, demonstration and eventual commercial deployment of a focused portfolio of energy technologies, which will increase energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help achieve energy and climate change goals.
Most stakeholders agree that the ETI has made a significant contribution to low carbon energy innovation over the last 10 years. As it approaches the end of its operational life in 2019 when its funding finishes, we feel there is a rich legacy to the ETI’s operation in addition to its projects and insights. We have undertaken a staff and stakeholder review to identify the lessons learnt and to share the knowledge we have accumulated over the last decade to help inform the development of innovation bodies in the future.
As we now come to the end of the ETI’s operational life we wanted to reflect on the full experience. This summary report of that final review (based on the views of its management and detailed interviews with staff and stakeholders) should be viewed in the context of
what we have learnt from the operation of the ETI and not the outputs of the organisation.
This report concludes by highlighting a series of recommendations, covering three themes:
What to consider in the establishment of a new energy related innovation organisation.
The factors to consider in order to successfully run an innovation organisation.
How to maximise the legacy and learnings from the ETI’s experience.
These key findings reflect the context of the external environment the ETI has operated within.
Author(s): ETI
Published: 01/01/2018
Publisher: ETI
The ETI was established in December 2007 with a ten-year remit to accelerate the development, demonstration and deployment of low-carbon energy technologies in the UK. It was the first time that a partnership model comprising major multi-national companies and the UK Government had been tested in the energy sector as a means of driving innovation. It was positioned to focus on the so-called "valley of death" between early stage research and development and commercial deployment.
As the end of the ETI’s operational life approaches (the end of 2019), now is an appropriate time to reflect on the ETI journey so far and to assess what this might mean for UK energy innovation in the future. In that context, this document has two key purposes:
To identify the key learnings from the operational experience of the ETI.
To assess how these learnings might objectively inform energy innovation delivery vehicles in the UK in the future.
This document also gives recommendations based on key learnings extracted by its findings and observations in the areas of: ETI's PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model, cultural identity, organisational effectiveness, delivering innovation, and delivery impact.
Author(s): ETI
Published: 01/01/2018
Publisher: Evans, H., Thirkill, A. and Hussain, B.
In the context of UK energy system decarbonisation, the value of bioenergy within the energy system is greatest when combined with CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) to deliver negative emissions. Strategies to develop a CCS sector in the UK must include Bioenergy with CCS (BECCS).
In the absence of CCS, the value of bioenergy is greatest when producing gaseous or liquid fuels for use in sectors which are otherwise difficult to decarbonise, and where no lower-carbon options are readily available. The flexibility of gasification with syngas clean-up makes it resilient to wider energy system decisions. Investment is needed to deploy this technology at a commercial scale.
The UK has the potential to increase biomass feedstock production in ways which deliver additional environmental benefits. Greater focus is needed on developing markets and business models which encourage new planting in suitable locations. To develop and expand the UK bioenergy sector sustainably and in a way which is strategically valuable to the UK’s decarbonisation efforts, action must be taken to develop sustainable feedstocks supplies and demonstrate the technical and commercial viability of key technologies.
This report sets out four key recommendations to help the UK capitalise on key opportunities to develop the bioenergy
sector:
Create the right environment for BECCS in the UK, which through deployment can significantly reduce the cost of meeting the UK’s 2050 emissions targets and increase the likelihood that the UK can deliver net-zero emissions.
Develop gasification for the production of clean syngas from biomass and wastes to enable the bioenergy sector to remain robust to changes elsewhere in the energy system.
Increase biomass production and the supply of sustainable biomass for bioenergy in the UK, and maximise the use of appropriate residual waste resources for energy, to enable the delivery of greater emissions savings at a system level.
Deliver more physically and chemically consistent feedstocks to end users, through improvements in plant breeding and pre-processing, and/or develop conversion technologies more resilient to variations in feedstock composition.
14/07/2025
8 new publications added
Author(s): ETI
Published: 27/11/2018
Publisher: Day, G.
<p>Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) will reduce the risk and cost of the UK's transition to a low carbon energy system, according to this report delivered by the Energy Systems Catapult for the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI).</p>
<p>'Still in the mix? Understanding the role of Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage', takes into account recent cost reductions in renewables and the latest ETI modelling on CCUS costs. The report reaffirms previous ETI work on the importance of CCUS deployment by 2030 and ETI analysis that if CCUS is not developed at all before 2050, the 'national bill' for low carbon energy that year would be circa &pound;35bn higher - equivalent to circa 1% of expected GDP.</p>
<p>The report highlights gas power with CCUS (up to 3GW) as an effective low carbon electricity option that can be deployed cost-effectively before 2030 within an electricity generation mix that meets the 5th carbon budget. The report concludes that early investment in gas power CCUS in favourable locations for a CCUS industrial cluster represents the most straightforward, deliverable and best value approach to early deployment of the technology.</p>
<p>Key points: <bl>
<li>This new report supports extensive research that has consistently demonstrated that Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) deployment is a key component in minimising costs in the transition to a low carbon energy system.</li>
<li>New electricity system analysis shows that the UK is likely to need low carbon baseload generation to complement renewables - gas power with CCUS and new nuclear are worthy of comparable effort.</li>
<li>If CCUS is not deployed by 2030 carbon abatement costs will rise to circa &pound;1 billion a year - and could double before 2050</li>
<li>Gas power stations with CCUS fitted can provide anchor loads for CO2 pipelines and stores that serve emerging CCUS clusters, unlocking a pathway for CCUS to cut emissions in industry and support hydrogen production.</li>
</bl></p>
<p>The ETI has spent 10 years carrying out extensive research on the deployment of CCUS and for this report commissioned analysis from Baringa Partners and Frontier Economics. Baringa explored cost-optimal pathways for decarbonising electricity out to 2050 with a focus on the pre-2030s. Frontier Economics produced illustrative analysis against a baseline scenario informed by the assumptions constructed by Baringa's work.</p>
Author(s): ETI
Published: 16/11/2018
Publisher: Gammer, D. and Tucker, O.
<p>A range of evidence supports the role of carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) in delivering the most competitive and productive UK transition to a low carbon future.</p>
<p>The UK government has funded appraisal work on several of the many offshore saline aquifers potentially suitable for CO<sub>2</sub> storage. As a result, our knowledge base relating to these stores is high, and some stores are 'ready for business'.</p>
<p>Injecting CO<sub>2</sub> into saline aquifers pressurises them, and since each store has a limiting pressure for integrity reasons, this can limit the storage capacity and CO<sub>2</sub> injection rate, and so affect costs.</p>
<p>This paper, delivered by Energy Systems Catapult for the Energy Technologies Institute, describes the efficacy of a simple technique to alleviate this constraint - pressure is relieved by releasing the native water in the aquifer as it is filled with CO<sub>2</sub>. This is termed 'brine production'.</p>
<p>This analysis reports the savings to the UK from deploying brine production in line with that needed to deliver lowest-cost decarbonisation pathways would be at least &pound;2 billion, but would most likely be more.</p>
Key points: <bl>
<li>Investment risk mitigation and improved management of strategic investments - particularly in terms of being able to deploy brine production several years after initial store operation to mitigate the impact of unexpected conditions being experienced within the store geology, or in response to changing operational conditions.</li>
<li>Technical risk mitigation - enabling a store to be operated (and decommissioned) at lower operating pressures than conventional injection approaches that don't use brine production, thereby improving operational flexibility and reducing the risk of leakage from the stores.</li>
<li>Skills development and wealth creation - although the brine production technology is physically relatively simple to implement, garnering the full benefit from its use will need skills, capabilities and expertise that the UK is well placed to develop from its offshore oil and gas industry, and offer as a service abroad.</li>
</bl>
Author(s): ETI
Published: 12/11/2018
Publisher: Buckman, A.
Energy Systems Catapult has identified a range of options for reducing the capital costs of rolling out low carbon district heat networks across the UK, laid out in a report for the Energy Technologies Institute.
Improving district heating networks in the UK
District heating, where all buildings within an area share a single heat source, has the potential to play a far greater role in the UK energy system. However, work must be done to help heat networks evolve. If fully exploited, nearly half of all heat demand could be met by heat networks.
Capital costs are the main barrier to progress in this area. However, we believe these proposals could reduce capital costs by up to 40%, rendering heat networks more attractive than other forms of low carbon heat provision.
Reducing heat network costs - eight cost-saving route maps:
We have suggested eight 'route maps' designed to cut costs for district heating network deployment in the UK:</br>
Knowledge Management Research and Training - Establish a District Heating Knowledge Centre to share learning and increase the impact of all other innovations. This knowledge centre would disseminate current best practice and outputs of other innovations, bringing together a wide group of stakeholders. </br>
Low Flow Rate Design - Develop tools to help increase the accuracy of heat demand estimates and maximise the difference between temperatures entering and leaving the building.</br>
Radical Routes - Reduce costs of civil engineering by running distribution pipes along the buildings themselves; either in the eaves or on the front. This is most effective in terraced housing but can be implemented cost-effectively in semi-detached areas.</br>
Trenchless Technologies - Drill tunnels underneath the surface, removing the need for trenching. The technology for this already exists but key products need development to make it more cost effective.</br>
Improved Front End Design and Planning - Demonstrate and quantify the positive impact of improved design work and surveying. This includes undertaking detailed survey and design work early, focussing on the activities that realise the greatest cost savings as well as adopting alternative contract frameworks to minimise the pricing of risk.</br>
Shared Civil Engineering Costs - Share the costs of civil engineering between utilities working in the same region. This solution includes aligned planning cycles, developing a Streetworks Partnership, and joint ventures between district heating and utility companies.</br>
Direct Heat Interface Unit System and Existing Hot Water Storage - Demonstrate the potential cost savings of replacing indirect with direct Heat Interface Units (HIUs) whilst making use of existing hot water tanks. This would include some product development to alleviate perceived risks to the consumer.
Heat Interface Unit Optimisation - Innovate to reduce the cost of HIUs for retrofit schemes from approximately &pound;1,500 to &pound;200. </br>
Next Steps for UK Heat Networks
To enable innovations to reduce capital costs within heat network infrastructure, UK central and devolved governments need to provide frameworks that support demonstration, knowledge transfer and skill development in the sector.
Elevating heat networks to be included as infrastructure within the Infrastructure and Project Authority will give impetus for stakeholders to innovate. It would demonstrate that the UK government recognises that the need for and scale of our heat network development is a major infrastructure project.
Author(s): ETI
Published: 01/01/2018
Publisher: Evans, H.
For bioenergy to sustainably deliver around 10% of UK energy demand in the 2050s, a mixture of UK-grown biomass, residual waste streams and imported biomass will be needed. Expanding UK biomass production will require the UK to make more effective use of new and existing forestry and expand production of second generation energy crops, such as Miscanthus, Short Rotation Coppice
willow and Short Rotation Forestry.
The ETI’s Characterisation of Feedstocks (CoF) project was carried out by Forest Research and Uniper Technologies Ltd and ran from February 2015 to March 2017. Its purpose was to develop our understanding of the variability of different UK-produced bioenergy
feedstocks and the causes of this variation.
This project has generated valuable data on the composition of UK-grown feedstocks and their provenance. Some findings from the project corroborated existing knowledge and practice but others, such as the impact of storage type on Miscanthus bale quality, challenge existing assumptions and warrant further research. The testing of Miscanthus pellets also highlights the potential for the pelleting process to unintentionally affect the composition of the pellets, with potentially detrimental impacts on a downstream conversion technology.
The TEABPP (Techno-Economic Assessment of Biomass Pre-Processing) project developed a process model which uses best available data to model bioenergy value chains with and without pre-processing. Whilst the model results from the TEABPP project did not highlight many clear circumstances in the UK under which pre-processing would reduce the costs of the bioenergy value chains considered, it did show that most conversion technologies would have to operate with feedstocks characteristics outside of their normal operating range if using Miscanthus, SRC willow or SRF.
Author(s): ETI
Published: 01/01/2019
Publisher: Haslett, A.
<p>This report is a surmised version of the 'ETI Insights Report - Smarter Charing a UK Transition to Low Carbon Vehicles: Full Report'.
The report considers what a 2030 world would look like for PiV (plug-in electric vehicles) purchase and use to be at the levels foreseen in typical scenarios, where it would be possible to end the sale of pure fossil fuel vehicles by 2040 or earlier. It discusses the challenge - how to design and operate the energy system to make that possible. The report discusses three key questions: <bl>
<li>The nature of the driver experience and the levels of service that could be provided by innovative use of modern internet technologies and infrastructure.</li>
<li>The kinds of public and private charging infrastructure that will be required and what this might mean for charging points in different locations, including the network upgrades required to support them.</li>
<li>The integration and operation of the whole system including charging management, the effective carbon intensity of the added electricity load, and the impact on networks and the economics of generation.</li>
</p>
<p>The report highlights these key points: <bl>
<li>PiVs are attractive to the majority of UK drivers, provided they cost the same (over a 4 year period) as current cars, have sufficient range, and recharging is straightforward and cost-effective.</li>
<li>Drivers interpret effective range in terms of journeys that they take, rather than a nominal drive cycle.</li>
<li>There are clues in the trial results that support an alternative model, with more limited BEV range but widespread access to very rapid charging, and battery technologies that can withstand this.</li>
<li>Unmanaged charging by mass-market drivers peaks at the same time as current electricity demand, with potentially serious consequences for UK infrastructure.</li>
<li>High levels of conversion of fossil fuel miles to electricity by 2030 will require uptake amongst the two-thirds of drivers who currently drive between 5,000 and 25,000 miles per year.</li>
<li>The CVEI (Consumers, Vehicles and Energy Integration) project collected very detailed journey and charging data from 127 BEV and 121 PHEV drivers whose journeys, age and gender distribution, and geographic locations are a very good match to the core two-thirds of drivers; each driver had the car for 8 weeks.</li>
<li>CVEI participants with a PHEV on average drove a modest number of miles on electricity, even less than company car fleet PHEV drivers achieve on average, although many achieved a high fraction of electric miles.</li>
<li>More than half of all new cars are currently bought by fleets.</li>
<li>ETI deliberately chose to study mass market drivers, since they are critical to 2025 and 2030 targets.</li>
</bl></p>
Author(s): ETI
Published: 01/01/2019
Publisher: Middleton, M.
<p>This report is intended to be an update to the first ETI nuclear insight report released in October 2015, entitled Nuclear - the role for
nuclear within a low carbon energy system, and for completeness also summarises developments in the UK nuclear context since 2015.</p>
<p>This insight report summarises the learning from the ETI's Nuclear Cost Drivers (NCD) project which was commissioned through
open competitive procurement, delivered by the organisation now known as Lucid-Catalyst, and reported in April 2018. It also reports the learning from applying the nuclear cost drivers data and associated learning through sensitivity testing in the ESME whole system modelling tool now operated by the Energy System Catapult.</p>
<p>The NCD project report concluded that there was strong evidence of applicable cost reduction in the UK, but collective action is
required against all cost drivers by all project stakeholders, including government, to bring about the integrated programme of activities necessary to realise this potential. The benefits of such collective action are largely realised through productivity improvements in direct labour and indirect services during construction, giving shorter, more predictable schedules and repeatable engineering. This report also proposes that some FOAK (First of a Kind) commercial plants that could be operational from 2035, could offer further transformational reductions in cost and consequential growth in economic opportunity through deployment in the UK and elsewhere.</p>
Author(s): ETI
Published: 01/01/2019
Publisher: Joss, M.
For the UK to meet its legal obligation under the 2008 Climate Change Act, significant emission reductions will be required in all parts of the transport sector. Heavy duty vehicles (HDVs) comprise around a third of UK domestic transport emissions, equalling 8% of all UK domestic emissions. In some scenarios, HDVs could contribute as much as 30% of the overall Green House Gas (GHG) emissions in 2050. The sector is therefore coming under increasing pressure to reduce CO2 emissions and fuel usage. This pressure will increase with the ambition to move to 'net zero' by 2050. This insight sets out to address how HGVs are used in the UK, how this compares to cycles used to inform legislation, and if meaningful performance characteristics can be inferred from investigating service use. This report finds that the the twelve archetypes for HGVs which have been statistically characterised were compared to the drive cycles used in VECTO (Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool). There are significant differences between the VECTO drive cycle and the twelve archetypes’ duty cycles, especially at higher cruising speeds. This has the potential to lead to significant differences between the certified and labelled fuel efficiency and CO2emissions predicted by VECTO and those seen in real operations of HGVs in the UK, which could affect confidence in the VECTO approach for UK operators.
Author(s): ETI
Published: 01/01/2019
Publisher: Joss, M.
By 2050 the UK energy system, including transport, will need to look significantly different to today if the UK is to meet its 2050 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) target. The Energy Technologies Institute’s (ETI) Heavy Duty Vehicle (HDV) programme aims to challenge where heavy-duty transport, and the Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) sector in particular, can help the UK meet its climate change targets. This report sets out to provide an holistic view, considering the HGV sector in context with the other parts of the energy system that also have to decarbonise if the UK is to meet its climate change targets. This report concludes that the requirement to decarbonise the UK energy system to achieve or exceed the 80% GHG reduction targets requires all energy system sectors to decarbonise at an expense which is much more than a simple turnover of assets, effectively incurring a 'cost' to reduce CO2 emissions.
11/07/2025
4 new publications added
Author(s): ETI
Published: 01/01/2019
Publisher: Thorne, C.
In 2010, the ETI started a programme of work to investigate how to tackle the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions of the HDV sector in the UK. The ETI has conducted an HDV efficiency programme, unique in its breadth and depth, that has attempted to deliver a meaningful impact on the fuel efficiency of the HDV fleet in the UK. This insight report discusses the land vehicle portion of the programme only, i.e. GVs, buses, rail locomotives, quarry machinery, construction machinery and agricultural tractors. The following can be concluded from the ETI Programme:
The evidence, analysis and technology acceleration has influenced the powertrain research and development of Caterpillar, the world’s largest off-highway equipment manufacturer.
Fuel efficiency gains can be achieved across a range of vehicle types and these gains can be financed by the fuel savings. In some instances, the payback period is acceptable to the first purchaser and, where they are not, the payback period is within the economic life of the vehicle.
The 2025 EU HGV GHG reduction target is feasible, thus supporting the stringency of this target.
More publicly available research should be conducted on HGV movements and payloads to enable better research, technology developments and policies in the future.
Delivering double-digit powertrain fuel savings on HGVs is a significant challenge as their diesel powertrains are already well optimised for their motorway dominated usage cycle.
Accelerating the implementation of lower-carbon fuels or energy carriers is the only practical way of delivering significant (i.e.
above 15%) HGV GHG reductions in the mid to longer-term.
This insight report summarises and integrates the ETI’s extensive portfolio of HDV decarbonisation projects. The decarbonisation narrative provided is intended to guide further work and drive action towards zero (or near zero) HDVs.
Author(s): ETI
Published: 01/01/2019
Publisher: Haslett, A.
The ETI Smart Systems & Heat programme (SSH) was launched in September 2011, following 18 months of scanning the global landscape of smart systems projects, and shaping the proposition with input from a wide range of stakeholders. Almost uniquely at that time, the ETI programme focussed on the challenge of heat (in the UK). This insight report marks the completion of the first phase of the programme, in which tools, data and capabilities have been developed to take the programme forward into larger scale development of solutions. The programme passed to the Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) in November 2015. ETI continued to act as the funder and client for Phase 1, while ESC has been developing further projects to take the programme forward with a wider group of stakeholders.
Author(s): ETI
Published: 01/07/2019
Publisher: Haslett, A.
<p>This report therefore considers what a 2030 world would look like for PiV ( plug-in electric vehicles) purchase and use to be at the levels foreseen in typical scenarios, where it would be possible to end the sale of pure fossil fuel vehicles by 2040 or earlier. It discusses the challenge - how to design and operate the energy system to make that possible. This report discusses three key questions:
The nature of the driver experience and the levels of service that could be provided by innovative use of modern internet technologies and infrastructure.</p>
<p>The kinds of public and private charging infrastructure that will be required and what this might mean for charging points in different locations, including the network upgrades required to support them.
The integration and operation of the whole system including charging management, the effective carbon intensity of the added electricity load, and the impact on networks and the economics of generation.</p>
This report highlights these key points: <bl>
<li>PiVs are attractive to the majority of UK drivers, provided they cost the same (over a 4 year period) as current cars, have sufficient range, and recharging is straightforward and cost-effective.</li>
<li>Drivers interpret effective range in terms of journeys that they take, rather than a nominal drive cycle.</li>
<li>There are clues in the trial results that support an alternative model, with more limited BEV range but widespread access to very rapid charging, and battery technologies that can withstand this.</li>
<li>Unmanaged charging by mass-market drivers peaks at the same time as current electricity demand, with potentially serious consequences for UK infrastructure.</li>
<li>High levels of conversion of fossil fuel miles to electricity by 2030 will require uptake amongst the two-thirds of drivers who currently drive between 5,000 and 25,000 miles per year.</li>
<li>The CVEI project collected very detailed10 journey and charging data from 127 BEV and 121 PHEV drivers whose journeys, age and gender distribution, and geographic locations are a very good match to the core two-thirds of drivers; each driver had the car for 8 weeks.</li>
<li>CVEI participants with a PHEV on average drove a modest number of miles on electricity, even less than company car fleet PHEV drivers achieve on average, although many achieved a high fraction of electric miles.</li>
<li>More than half of all new cars are currently bought by fleets.</li>
<li>ETI deliberately chose to study mass market drivers, since they are critical to 2025 and 2030 targets.</li>
</bl>
Author(s): ETI
Published: 01/01/2019
Publisher: Thorne, C.
In 2010, the ETI started a programme of work to investigate how to tackle the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions of the HDV sector in the UK. The purpose of this insight report is to provide a narrative for both the programme approach and the high-level outcomes. The ETI has conducted a programme, unique in its breadth and depth, that attempts to deliver a meaningful impact in the fuel efficiency of the HDV fleet in the UK. The ETI hopes that the programme has the following long-term impacts:
It will continue to influence the powertrain strategy of Caterpillar, the world’s largest off-highway equipment manufacturer.
It shows the fuel efficiency gains that can be achieved across a range of vehicle types and that these gains can be financed by the
fuel savings. In some instances, the payback period is acceptable to the first purchaser and, in those instances where they are not, the payback period is within the economic life of the vehicle.
The results achieved suggest that the 2025 EU HGV GHG reduction target is feasible, thus supporting the stringency of this target.
That more publicly available research is conducted on HGV movements and payloads to enable better research, technology developments and policies going forward (the ETI’s support for the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight is an example of this).
That the work shows the challenge of delivering double digit powertrain fuel savings on HGVs as their powertrains are already well
optimised for the motorway use that they often see. Thus, accelerating the implementation of lower carbon fuels or energy carriers as the only practical way of delivering significant (i.e. in excess of 15%) GHG reductions in the mid to longer term.
10/07/2025
5 new publications added
Author(s): ETI
Published: 01/01/2019
Publisher: Winstanley, P.
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 01/04/2025
Publisher: Blyth, W., Gross, R., Heptonstall, P., MacIver, C. and Jamieson, M.
New UKERC modelling is assessing the interactions between transmission build-rates and the possible introduction of zonal pricing in the British electricity market. It cautions that investors currently face high uncertainty, and considerable volume of sales risks, with a material impact on renewable energy auctions that are essential for meeting clean power 2030 targets. The analysis suggests that implementing zonal pricing before resolving transmission uncertainties risks exposing investors to unnecessary risks that could negate zonal pricing's benefits. Initial findings were published in a Discussion Paper in March 2025. This Working Paper provides additional methodological detail.
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 01/02/2025
Publisher: Qadrdan, M., Hawker, G. and Heptonstall, P.
This report explores the critical role of flexibility in the ongoing transformation of the Great Britain power system toward Clean Power 2030, and the broader net zero target. This report emphasises the importance of flexibility for maintaining system security and balancing supply and demand under physical and operational constraints.
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 01/02/2024
Publisher: Dockerty, T., Lovett, A., Beaumont, N., Webb, J. and Britton, J.
This working paper examines the extent to which environmental protection is integrated into current decision-making processes related to the transformation in energy infrastructure that is required to reach net zero. This working paper discusses the extent of integration of energy and environment policy, barriers to deployment of renewables, and initiatives relating to spatial energy planning. It also discusses the extent of cross-boundary cooperation between England, Scotland and Wales as well as the need for ‘upskilling’ practitioners and policy makers in a fast-evolving energy technology arena.
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 01/03/2025
Publisher: Blyth, W., Gross, R., Heptonstall, P., MacIver, C. and Jamieson, M.
New UKERC modelling is assessing the interactions between transmission build-rates and the possible introduction of zonal pricing in the British electricity market. It cautions that investors currently face high uncertainty, and considerable volume of sales risks, with a material impact on renewable energy auctions that are essential for meeting clean power 2030 targets. The analysis suggests that implementing zonal pricing before resolving transmission uncertainties risks exposing investors to unnecessary risks that could negate zonal pricing's benefits.
09/07/2025
3 new publications added
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 01/02/2025
Publisher: Taylor, P., Gailani, A., Barker, B. and Hicks, M.
The policy brief calls on government to ensure that electricity networks are strengthened according to new demands, and anticipatory investment is enabled to support industrial decarbonisation. It also recommends that policymakers provide clarity on plans for industrial electrification, while strengthening data on future industrial electricity demand to create an accurate picture of future needs.
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 01/01/2025
Publisher: Braunholtz-Speight, T., Britton, J., Cairns, I., Hannon, M., Hawker, G., Manderson, E., Pidgeon, N. and Sharmina, M.
In November 2024, the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee launched an inquiry to consider the policy, market and regulatory reforms needed to support the growth of community energy and realise in full the sector's potential contributions to achieving the UK's net zero targets. UKERC welcomes this inquiry and the UK government's ambition to achieve clean power by 2030, including 8GW of local and community-owned energy.
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 01/10/2024
Publisher: Blyth, W. and Gross, R.
Offshore wind plays a major role in the future of the UK's power system. This report considers changes to policy design which could accelerate the deployment of projects to meet 2030 decarbonisation goals and reduce cost to consumers by providing greater certainty to developers and the supply chain.
08/07/2025
2 new publications added
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 15/10/2024
Publisher: Fullonton, A., Lea-Langton, A., Madugu, F. and Larkin, A.
Green ammonia is produced from renewable hydrogen with no direct CO2 emissions when combusted, making it an important option to interrogate. This research uses a mixed methods approach, including analysing shipping stakeholders’ perspectives, to consider the full range of factors relating to its deployment and use. The study emphasizes though that the on-ground realities of transitioning away from fossil fuels require significant developments across the entire fuel supply chain, which extends beyond considerations around ammonia’s technological viability and encompass changes needed to onboard and portside infrastructure, incentives to accelerate retrofit and fleet renewal, and recognition of risks posed by first-movers in the sector. This study states that with short timeliness associated with Paris targets, and anticipated rising costs of new fuel infrastructure, there is an imperative to implement mitigation policy that focuses on urgently reducing reliance on liquid fuels, while alternative fuel deployment is established at scale.
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 01/10/2024
Publisher: Hanna, R., Rhodes, A. and Camacho-McCluskey, K.
This briefing paper investigates the evidence for low-carbon jobs, training and skills requirements in the UK’s energy system, with a deeper focus on Net-Zero skills in England. This paper analyses how the skills landscape is adapting to support the growth of low-carbon energy sectors, including both energy supply and end-use, and identifies ongoing barriers and opportunities for expanding low-carbon job competencies, culminating in a set of policy recommendations to create clear, inclusive training pathways into low-carbon energy jobs.
06/05/2025
1 new publication added
29/04/2025
4 new publications added
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 01/12/2024
Publisher: Colechin, K. and Colechin, M.
This guide introduces the concept of energy demand reduction within the UK's energy system, highlighting its central role in addressing climate change, energy security, and affordability. It explains how demand-side solutions - often overlooked in favour of supply-side interventions - could contribute up to half of the UK's required greenhouse gas reductions by 2050. The document outlines government approaches at national, devolved, and local levels, focusing on strategies to improve efficiency in heating, transport, industry, and food systems.
A three-part framework - Avoid, Shift, Improve - structures the discussion of solutions across sectors, from compact cities and electric vehicles to heat pumps and circular manufacturing models. The guide also reviews the UK's publicly funded research and innovation landscape, exploring the roles of behavioural change, digitalisation, and social engagement. Special emphasis is placed on the need for coordinated action among governments, businesses, and communities to embed demand reduction within policy and practice, thus supporting a fair and flexible transition to net zero.
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 01/01/2025
Publisher: Colechin, K. and Colechin, M.
This guide introduces the principles and evolving role of energy storage in the UK's transition to low-carbon energy systems. It outlines the shift away from fossil fuels - where storage was embedded in fuels like coal and gas - toward variable renewable energy sources, which require more dynamic and diverse forms of flexibility. Energy storage emerges as a critical enabler of system stability, helping to balance supply and demand across short, medium, and long timescales.
The document highlights governmental strategies from national to local levels, with the UK Government leading investment in long-duration storage and technologies like carbon capture, while devolved administrations focus on regional solutions such as pumped hydro and hydrogen systems. It categorises storage technologies by discharge duration, ranging from supercapacitors and batteries to thermal storage, compressed air, flow batteries, and inter-seasonal hydrogen storage. Research and innovation efforts span technical, economic, and whole-system domains, emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary approaches to optimize energy storage deployment and policy alignment.
Overall, the guide positions energy storage as a cornerstone of net zero strategy - enhancing resilience, enabling flexibility, and supporting equitable, decentralised participation in the future energy system.
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 01/11/2024
Publisher: Colechin, K. and Colechin, M.
This guide provides an introduction to the challenges and opportunities surrounding the delivery of energy as heat in the UK, highlighting the sector's significance as the largest contributor to national energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions. Despite some progress in adopting lower-carbon technologies, around 85% of heat remains reliant on fossil fuels—posing risks to energy security, environmental health, and climate goals.
Strategies aimed at heat decarbonisation within national, devolved, and local government are outlined, along with policies supporting solutions like retrofit insulation, electrification, heat pumps, biomass, and heat networks. The guide also explores early-stage innovations such as hydrogen, geothermal energy, waste heat recovery, and thermal storage, noting their varying suitability across domestic, commercial, and industrial contexts.
A key emphasis is placed on the social dimensions of heat transitions, including user behaviour, decision-making processes, and the need for inclusive engagement. The research landscape described in the document mirrors policy priorities, focusing on making low-carbon heating technologies scalable, economically viable, and socially acceptable. Whole-system modelling and localised planning are presented as vital tools in shaping a fair and resilient heat future.
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 01/12/2024
Publisher: Brown, Z. and Colechin, M.
This guide provides an overview of whole energy systems thinking in a UK context, focusing on the integration of technologies, infrastructure, policies, and societal dimensions needed to deliver a sustainable energy system. It explores the current transition away from traditional siloed energy systems toward a holistic framework that supports cross-sector collaboration and interdisciplinary problem-solving. By exploring key national and devolved government policies, the guide highlights highlight the widespread adoption of whole systems approaches, including efforts at a local level through initiatives like Local Area Energy Planning.
The document explores transformative trends reshaping the energy landscape, including the rise of renewables, electrification of heat and transport, decentralised networks, and adoption of low-carbon fuels. It also identifies emerging interdependencies across digital infrastructure, environmental stewardship, geopolitical dynamics, and public engagement. The research and innovation section maps ongoing work in areas like energy data, heat networks, mobility solutions, infrastructure resilience, and equity-focused planning. Ultimately, the guide underscores the complexity of achieving net zero and positions whole systems thinking as essential to a fair, adaptable, and resilient energy future.
02/04/2025
3 new publications added
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 11/04/2025
Publisher: Jones, C., VanHaltren, K. and Zoldoske, T.
Being able to use common terminology helps in the discovery, use and reuse of objects in the energy sphere. The FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) principles specify the use of domain specific common terminology which can be referenced and accessed by machine. The first interoperable principle states that "(meta)data use a formal, accessible, shared, and broadly applicable language for knowledge representation." There are two purposes for this work: firstly to establish if there is a single semantic artefact that satisfies this criteria for the energy community and secondly to identify possible candidates that would improve the current classification schemes in use. by the EDC
<p>
The energy field for research, development and operation is very multi-disciplinary, it ranges over domains from psychology to heavy engineering, including materials development, economics, politics and agriculture. This spread of domains means that there is not a single community to develop agreed controlled vocabularies but many, each focussed on their needs. <p>
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 11/04/2025
Publisher: Holt, P. and Jones, C.
The technical implementation of the Energy Data Centre's repository started in 2004 and does not provide any machine access to the content for external users. The changes in requirements for repository usage, content discoverability and reuse, and the ability to implement the Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR) principles has led to the identification of a need to specify and then develop an API for the Energy Data Centre's service focussed on research data.
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 11/04/2025
Publisher: Jones, C., Newbold, E., Yates, K., Zoldoske, T., Boston, A., Colechin, M., Colechin, K., Davidson, J., Lines, C. and Jasinska, A.
27/03/2025
1 new publication added
13/02/2025
1 new publication added
Author(s): UKERC
Published: 13/02/2025
Publisher: Heap, R.
30/01/2025
1 new publication added
