Trending Upwards
The world is facing a climate crisis. If rising temperatures are not limited to 1.5°C, climate catastrophe is inevitable. There is growing consensus that society is heading towards the point of no return and global urgent action is required to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The good news is, accelerated efforts are been made to transition in multiple areas of sustainable markets and help combat the rising temperatures.
One of the key strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is to transition to sustainable energy sources. In recent years, there have been significant advancements in renewable energy, energy storage, electric vehicles, smart grids, and electric heating.
These are the trends to look out for this summer as everyone continues to #PowerToZero.
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy has been growing rapidly in recent years, and this trend is expected to continue in 2023. Wind and solar energy are the fastest-growing sources of renewable energy, and their costs have been declining rapidly.
In the UK, 41.4% of electricity generation was produced by renewable energy. Globally this translates to 28.7%. According to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewable energy costs are expected to continue to decline through the decade, making them competitive with fossil fuels in many regions.
The UK government has also secured contracts for offshore wind farms which will generate energy nine times cheaper than gas. This comes alongside a pledge to source 95% of the country’s electricity from low-carbon sources by 2030. The UK is expected to fully decarbonise the grid by 2035.
This is good news for the consumer, as these projects are expected to save £1.5bn per year towards the end of the 2020s. Potentially lowering the average household energy bills by £58 a year.
Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular as battery technology improves, and the charging infrastructure becomes more widespread. There is also a deadline in place as an announcement confirming the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be phased out by 2030. All new cars and vans will be fully zero emission at the tailpipe from 2035.
Transport currently accounts for 24% of the UK’s total emissions in 2020 and EVs are seen as a key tool in reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector. As of the end of March 2023 there were more than 735,000 battery-electric cars on the roads. There was a 40% growth rate in registered EV’s from 2021-2022.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) worldwide, the number of EV’s are expected to grow to 125 million by 2030.
One of the biggest draws for EVs is that it’s possible to install a charging point at home. With Fischer EV, you can input your electricity tariff details into the mobile app in order for the EV system to charge your vehicle at the cheapest time, helping to keep your energy bills down. Fischer EV could also reduce your carbon emissions by up to 20%.
Fischer EV also includes unique Dynamic Load Balancing technology as standard, meaning that the EV will automatically change the maximum power to the charger in order to balance the electricity usage in your home.
Electric vehicles are more efficient than internal combustion engines, which convert only about 20-30% of the energy stored in petrol or diesel fuel into power that moves the vehicle. In contrast, electric motors can convert up to 80-90% of the energy stored in the battery into power that moves the vehicle.
Smart Grids
A smart grid is an advanced electricity network that uses information and communication technologies to improve the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of the electricity system. It allows for real-time monitoring, analysis, and control of electricity supply and demand.
According to a report by the UK’s Energy Networks Association, smart grids could reduce carbon emissions in the UK by 8-10% by 2030, and up to 17% by 2050.
In addition to lowering emissions, Smart Grids can also help manage the demand for electricity, particularly during peak hours. By using incentives to encourage customers to use less electricity during this peak period
The UK has set a target to generate 40GW of offshore wind power by 2030, which is more than double the current capacity. A smart grid can help to integrate this additional renewable energy into the grid, reducing the need for fossil fuel-based power generation.
Managing the demand for electricity peaks in the early evening when people return home from work can be solved by smart grids. By incentivizing customers to use less electricity during this peak period, a smart grid can reduce the need for additional power generation from fossil fuels.
Electric Heating Solutions
Providing 100% efficient, electric energy and unparallel user control. Electric Heating is set to become a dominant force in households this decade. Offering modern solutions from radiators, boilers and air source heat pumps. Running these elements in conjunction with renewable energy tariffs can ensure any personal net zero approach remains on track. Fischer offers unique and dynamically designed electric radiators with maximum heat retention in mind thanks to the 40mm HeatCore technology. Offering room by room control, a Fischer Wireless Thermostat; Electric Heating puts the user firmly at the helm of their energy usage.
The current push for Air Source Heat Pumps shows no sign of letting up. The government is rushing to reach it’s target of installing 600,000 per year by 2028, and interest is increasing. Heat pumps act by gathering the air from outside, compressing it to a higher temperature then providing heat for radiators. As ASHP’s run at a lower temperature than conventual heating, they aren’t always suitable for everyone. Fischer offers a free heating survey to determine what is the right product for the home. Whether it’s an ASHP, electric radiator, or a hybrid approach, using both. Keith Bastian, CEO of Fischer Future Heat, firmly believes in making the right choice:
“What we need to do is actually go and advise customers on a daily basis of what we think is the right solution for their home that will have no emissions from their home.
Our target is just to ensure that every home has a form of heating that does not emit anything into the atmosphere and ultimately, the best solution for the customer.”
Improving Energy Storage
The UK has set a target to have 30GW of energy storage capacity by 2030. Energy storage can help to balance the grid by storing excess renewable energy during periods of low demand. When demand increases, it uses this energy. Utilising this method reduces the need for fossil fuel-based power generation. This will be vital in the transition to a low-carbon economy, as it helps to integrate renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, into the electricity grid.
Supporting the growth of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power. By providing a way to store excess energy generated by renewable sources, energy storage systems can help to ensure that this energy is available when it is needed, especially when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.
Whilst aiding in the transition, increased energy storage levels can help to improve the reliability and resilience of the electricity grid. By providing backup power during outages and other disruptions, energy storage systems can help to ensure that critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and emergency services, have access to electricity when they need it most.
Energy storage can help to reduce the cost of electricity by reducing the need for expensive plants and other infrastructure that is used only during periods of high demand. This can help to reduce the overall cost of electricity for consumers and make renewable energy more competitive with fossil fuels.
- What Is the Best Electric Water Heating 2024? - August 9, 2024
- Five Steps for Improving Home Energy Efficiency - July 30, 2024
- The Hidden Cost Of Gas Heating - July 19, 2024