Making a low carbon energy system a reality depends on the development of shared infrastructure to enable affordable access to low carbon energy sources. This research theme is concerned with methods used in identifying infrastructure need and impacts arising from its development.
The UK Government has commissioned the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to produce a “Strategic Spatial Energy Plan” (SSEP) that sets out what needs to be built, where and when, to inform investment in energy system capital assets. This includes energy production, energy storage, networks across all energy vectors and carbon capture and storage infrastructure, as well as firming-up the need case for such infrastructure.
At the point at which the Government commissioned the production of an SSEP from NESO, there was very little experience in the UK of the production of anything resembling it. Particular challenges include how to include environmental considerations and how to develop and disseminate a Plan in a way that builds confidence with stakeholders. In addition, while many parties have assessed likely changes to demand for electricity and fossil fuels from buildings and for mobility, there is much less understanding of how greenhouse gas emissions in industrial processes might be reduced what impacts different options would have on energy network infrastructure and the need for it.
This Theme addresses these issues via two work packages led by initial partners in UKERC’s 2024-29 research programme, exploring energy system modelling and the incorporation of factors related to natural capital in the first, and industrial decarbonisation in the second. A third, on Building Social Consensus, will be led by new partners who will be sought early in 2025.
This paper aims to bring clarity to an emerging field, highlighting the evolving landscape of industrial decarbonisation initiatives and the growing importance of clear definitions for effective communication and knowledge exchange among stakeholders.
This study examines the complex interactions between offshore wind farm (OWF) expansion and the commercial fishing industry around the United Kingdom. The research investigates the challenges faced by fishermen as marine spaces become increasingly contested.
This paper addresses the gap in knowledge around meeting increased industrial electricity demands by quantifying the requirements for additional electricity network capacity to support the decarbonisation of industrial sectors across Great Britain.
UKERC research on the availability of future electricity network infrastructure has been cited in...
In our Review of Energy Policy 2024, we set out the key energy priorities for the new Labour...