Stuart O'Brien, Author at Energy Management Summit | Forum Events Ltd - Page 19 of 50

Energy Management Summit | Forum Events Ltd Energy Management Summit | Forum Events Ltd Energy Management Summit | Forum Events Ltd Energy Management Summit | Forum Events Ltd Energy Management Summit | Forum Events Ltd

Posts By :

Stuart O'Brien

Green hydrogen has potential to be a ‘game changer’

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:

Hydrogen’s noteworthy contribution to clean energy transitions makes it a game changer for the power industry, says GlobalData. The data and analytics firm notes that the power industry can leverage hydrogen’s potential as a cleaner burning alternative to conventional fuels in the evolving hydrogen economy.

GlobalData’s report, ‘Hydrogen in Power – Thematic Research’, notes that, while the cost of producing hydrogen from renewable energy sources is currently expensive, the momentum that has been built along the entire value chain is accelerating the cost reduction in hydrogen production, transmission, distribution, retail, and end-applications. Now is the time to scale up low-carbon technologies and lower their costs, so that hydrogen technology can be widely utilized.

Sectors such as oil refining and ammonia, methanol, and steel production have been using hydrogen extensively. Hydrogen will play a critical role in the transition to clean energy with the advancement of its applications in sectors such as transportation (fuel cell vehicles), buildings (hydrogen blending), and power generation.

Sneha Susan Elias, Power Analyst at GlobalData, said: “Currently, in the power industry, hydrogen plays a minimal role and accounts for less than 0.2% of electricity generation, according to the International Energy Agency. However, a change is highly possible in the near future, as the mixing of ammonia can decrease the impact of carbon in existing conventional coal-fired power plants, hydrogen gas turbines, and combined-cycle gas turbines (CCGT). When it comes to long-term and large-scale energy storage, hydrogen (in the form of compressed gas, ammonia [NH3], or synthetic methane) has a role to play in balancing seasonal variations in electricity supply and demand from renewable energy sources.”

Hydrogen is becoming popular as a low or zero-carbon energy source. The major growth markets for green hydrogen include green hydrogen replacing grey hydrogen and new markets such as energy storage, buildings, and transportation. Several countries have begun to consider a hydrogen-based economy as a solution to increasing carbon emissions, energy stability, and climate change issues. Green hydrogen presently has a small share in the production mix but is poised to increase, given the ambitious targets announced by countries. Through the Hydrogen Strategy for a Carbon Neutral Europe (EU Green Deal), the EU targets for a renewable hydrogen electrolyzer capacity of 6 GW by 2024 and 40 GW by 2030. India unveiled its National Hydrogen Mission in 2021 and aims for 5 million tonne (MT) green hydrogen production by 2030. Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy plans to set up hydrogen hubs regions wherein users of hydrogen are co-located to take advantage of existing users or potential hydrogen markets.

Elias concluded: “With global leaders in the energy industry in search of solutions that will help them to achieve decarbonization or enhance energy security, hydrogen is on track to becoming an energy vector and its use is gathering momentum.”

5 Minutes With… On-Site Energy CEO David Kipling

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:

In the latest instalment of our energy management industry executive interview series we spoke to ON-SITE Energy CEO David Kipling about the company, the biggest challenges faced by the sector right now, upcoming trends to watch out for and the potential of solar PV…

Tell us about your company, products and services.

DK:  The inspiration for ON-SITE came from my previous role where I led a team addressing energy in over 100 manufacturing plants globally.  We saw the value of data-led energy analysis in identifying more than 50% savings but we found in practice we could only execute those measures with a short payback.

With the pressure now on achieving better sustainability, and on reducing costs, companies are going to have to find a way of doing the longer payback measures that until now sit on the shelf.  This is what ON-SITE is about – we help unblock long payback capex and enable the measures to happen.  We work with our customers to identify measures with a data-led approach, and then implement them using our money, with no contribution from the customer.  We effectively keep some of the savings to pay for our returns, and pass the remainder on to the customer through lower energy costs.  This way we can also help companies embrace net zero much faster.

We work with energy intensive manufacturing companies, and cover a wide range of technologies including efficiency measures, onsite generation and heat recovery.  We think its important to identify the most appropriate measures and which will have most impact, so we keep an open mind on what we recommend and are instead guided by the data.

What have been the biggest challenges the Energy Management industry has faced over the past 12 months?

DK:  The crisis of rising energy costs that started last Autumn has brought sharp focus on energy costs for many.   It really has shown the value of energy hedging but also the risks of what happens when your hedge ends and you face the market again.    Our view is the best way of defending your business from the market prices in the long term is (1)  consume less through investing in energy efficiency measures and (2) invest in your own generation, which is usually much cheaper and efficient, so that between these two steps you minimise your exposure..

And what have been the biggest opportunities?

DK:  Net Zero.  Most significant businesses now have a sustainability strategy with goals for achieving carbon neutral, but a lot have also had capex capped for at least the next few years because of COVID-19.  The pressure for change is building, and the main obstacles are capex and sometimes innovation.   We can help with both of these with our zero capex approach, and enable companies to stay on track or even accelerate their plans.

What is the biggest priority for the Energy Management industry in 2022?

DK: I would say that underlying its still decarbonisation, but the cost pressures of the last six months means that reducing energy costs on a long term basis will take priority.

Fundamentally your business needs to be viable to be sustainable, so costs need to be addressed..  The good news is that sustainability improvement goes hand in hand with savings, so accelerating your sustainability plans can also mean lower energy costs.

The biggest challenge will be decarbonisation of heat – in other words planning to switch from gas to electricity.  This will be a massive change for gas hungry businesses.  I think this will be an increasing priority given the recent cost of gas, and increasing talk about hydrogen (albeit that’s still years away). For a lot of businesses that will mean significant additional cost unless they develop a comprehensive approach and plan.

What are the main trends you are expecting to see in the market in 2022/23?

DK:  I see two things – there is going to be a bigger push on onsite generation to reduce costs, and also the next round of ESOS is due by end 2023, and its likely it will be mandatory by then to have to enact the measures reported.  Its going to result in a lot of challenges to auditor findings, but its also going to bring a focus on getting ahead of the game and being proactive in addressing points.

What technology is going to have the biggest impact on the market this year?

DK:     I think its going to be solar PV.  Its cheap, fairly fast to deploy and can provide some relief for businesses against the high energy costs.     The issue is its usually limited impact in manufacturer’s energy costs.  For much larger savings you can’t beat CHP currently, but the key is using the heat constructively to reduce other fossil fuels.

In 2025 we’ll all be talking about…?

DK:  100% Hydrogen-ready CHP.  The technology already is in market, but there isn’t much hydrogen available to use it.   Whilst the initial reaction for some is its more gas usage, CHP could be the transition technology to 24/7 zero carbon onsite generation once hydrogen is available.

Which person in, or associated with, the Energy Management industry would you most like to meet?

DK:  Lisa Rose of Forum Events (again) !   Lisa’s an enthusiast and is great at making people talk.  We need more Lisa’s !    It was good to get back to some face to face networking last year at the energy management event in London.  Looking forward to this October.

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learnt about the Energy Management sector?

DK:  I think people enjoy learning about opportunities they hadn’t previously known about, which can be brought about by new technologies .  It’s an exciting space which is innovating fast.  It also has a meaningful impact on both business profits and on climate change and sustainability, so the people in the Energy Management space are often driven by the benefits they can deliver.

You go to the bar at the Energy Management Summit – what’s your tipple of choice?

DK:  Mine’s a pint !

What’s the most exciting thing about your job?

DK:  Delivering new insights and levels of savings not thought possible

And what’s the most challenging?

DK:  Countering the “we’ve seen it before” response.   Reality is if they saw exactly “it” previously, then “it” has either changed massively or it wasn’t approached in the way we would use it.  It doesn’t hurt to take 15 minutes to see if you can learn something.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

DK:  A quick “no” is better than a slow “no”.

Peaky Blinders or Stranger Things?

DK:   My TV watching is limited to repeats of Top Gear.

Do you specialise in Carbon Management? We want to hear from you!

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:

Each month on Energy Management Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the market – and in March we’ll be focussing on Carbon Management.

It’s all part of our ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help energy management buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you’re a supplier of Carbon Management solutions and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Lisa Rose on 01992 374077 / l.rose@forumevents.co.uk.

Our features list in full:

Mar – Carbon Management
Apr – Metering & Monitoring
May – Water Management/Strategy
Jun – Energy Storage
Jul – Data Collection & Management
Aug – Waste Management
Sept – Solar PV
Oct – Lighting
Nov – Heating & Ventilation
Dec – Onsite Renewables

Get control of your costs at the Energy Management Summit

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:

Register for your complimentary guest pass to October’s hybrid Energy Management Summit today.

The Summit is designed to connect senior professionals, like yourselves, with product and service suppliers, for pre-arranged, 1-2-1 meetings & networking.

We aim to support the energy management sector, with a unique platform to help create long-lasting and mutually beneficial business connections.

Your place is entirely free, so if you’d like to attend, please fill in our short booking form.

Your free place includes;

 

  • A corporate itinerary of one-to-one meetings with solution providers
  • Access to seminar sessions from some of the industry’s most dynamic minds
  • An overnight stay, all meals and refreshments throughout
  • A relaxed atmosphere to network with peers and industry professionals
  • An invitation to our networking dinner, with entertainment

There is no hard sell or obligation, just a chance to get ahead and fully explore your options to be prepared for every eventuality in 2022 onwards.

If you would like more information, then please contact Haley Stratton today – h.stratton@forumevents.co.uk.

UK and Scottish governments unveil Green Freeports plan

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:

A landmark deal has been agreed between the UK and Scottish governments to collaborate and deliver two Green Freeports in Scotland.

The new hubs will ‘support the regeneration of communities across Scotland, will bring jobs and prosperity, and support UK government work to level-up all four corners of the United Kingdom’, according to a joint statement.

The Green Freeports will have net-zero targets at the heart as prospective bidders will have to make a pledge to reach Net Zero by 2045.

The bidding process will open in spring, closing in summer, after which the bids will be assessed, and successful locations announced. It’s hoped that the new sites will be operational by spring 2023.

Freeports are special areas within the UK’s borders where different economic regulations apply. They are centred around one or more air, rail, or seaport, but can extend up to 45km beyond the port(s).

Officials from the UK and Scottish governments will jointly assess the prospective bids to ensure they meet their shared goals and ministers will have an equal say on the final selection of the locations.

Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, Kate Forbes said: ‘I am pleased we have been able to reach an agreement on a joint approach that recognises the distinct needs of Scotland and enshrines the Scottish Government’s commitment to achieving net-zero and embedding fair work practices through public investment.

“Scotland has a rich history of innovative manufacturers and so as we look to grasp the many opportunities of achieving net-zero, the establishment of Green Freeports will help us create new green jobs, deliver a just transition and support our economic transformation.”

National Apprenticeship Week: Have you built for the future?

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:

The ‘Build the Future’ theme returns for its second year, with over 1,200 events taking place across England to showcase the benefits of apprenticeships.

The week aims to celebrate and promote the fantastic benefits which apprenticeships offer both learners and employers, spotlighting businesses who are investing in this life-changing education route.

The government says apprentices are ‘leading the charge’ in building back stronger from the pandemic, with over 40% more people starting apprenticeships in the first quarter of 2021/22 than in the same period 2020/21, which is up again from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Hundreds of virtual and in-person events will take place throughout National Apprenticeship Week, giving potential learners and employers the chance to find out more about the brilliant benefits apprenticeships offer.

For more information about apprenticeships visit apprenticeships.gov.uk and follow Apprenticeships Twitter and Apprenticeships LinkedIn for regular updates.

To find out about which government training and employment schemes could be right for you, use the links below:

Training and employment schemes such as apprenticeships play a key part in the government’s Plan for Jobs, and are designed to protect, support, and create jobs.

The government says it’s committed to supporting apprenticeships through innovation and increased funding. In September 2021 a new online service launched to make it easier for large employers that pay the Apprenticeship Levy to spend their funds, and for other employers to review and apply for funding. Government funding for apprenticeships is set to increase by £170 million to £2.7 billion in 2024-25.

Industry Talent Specialist for Channel 4, Laura Boswell, said: “Apprentices have had an amazing impact across our business and bring a fresh perspective to everything we do here at Channel 4. They really challenge the status quo, and we empower them to do just that!”

Annie Cook, the NHS Career development coordinator at NHS Cromer Hospital Norfolk, commented: “Apprenticeships are a real win-win for businesses, large and small. The business, the organisation, and our managers here know the value that someone who has gone through an apprenticeship brings.”

Jannah, a software engineering degree apprentice at KPMG, said: “My apprenticeship allows me to combine my skills and passion for creativity in the digital sector and I get to earn whilst I learn on the job.”

Secretary of State for Education, Nadhim Zahawi, said: “Apprenticeships offer people of all ages the chance to earn while they learn and build a successful career, while also delivering the skilled workforce this country needs to build back stronger.

“National Apprenticeship Week is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and recognise the achievements of apprentices, their employers and training providers.

“It is great to see so many events and activities happening across the country which I hope will inspire even more people to start their apprenticeship journey.”

What data are you missing? Manage the gaps in your energy data

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:

By Bill Identity

When it comes to energy usage, understanding your data is a crucial business function. It helps to balance the doing with the cost of doing it. Our experts have put together a critical guide, The True Cost of Mismanaged Data, to help make your energy data work harder for you.

Throughout this eBook, we will take you through the effects of poor data quality, benefits of electronic utility data and point out what metrics you might be missing.

What are you waiting for? Download our free eBook today.

UN urges G20 countries to invest in nature-based climate change solutions

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:

A new report, titled The State of Finance for Nature in the G20, stresses the urgency of increasing net-zero and nature-positive investments if the world is to adequately close the climate finance gap.

The report is led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Economic Forum, the Economics of Land Degradation, hosted by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit in collaboration with Vivid Economics.

It further amplifies the findings from the global report State of Finance for Nature – Tripling Investments in Nature-based Solutions by 2030, released last year, which calls for closing a $4.1 trillion financing gap in nature-based solutions.

The new report reveals that the spending gap in non-G20 countries is larger and more difficult to bridge than in G20 countries, but only 2% of the G20’s $120 billion investment has been directed towards official development assistance (ODA). Similarly, private sector investments remain small, at 11% or $14 billion a year, even though the private sector contributes 60% of the total national GDP in most G20 countries. Thus, the business and investment case for nature needs to be stronger.

The report also discloses that G20 investments represent 92% of all global investments in nature-based solutions in 2020. Furthermore, the vast majority of these G20 investments, 87% or $105 billion, were distributed to domestic government programmes.

Annual G20 investments in nature-based solutions need to increase by at least 140% to meet all agreed biodiversity, land restoration and climate targets by 2050, which means an additional $165 billion a year, especially in ODA and private sector spending. To put this into perspective, more than $14.6 trillion was spent by 50 leading economies in 2020 in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, of which only $368 billion, or 2%, was considered “green” by a 2021 UNEP report.

Globally, future investment in nature-based solutions needs to increase fourfold by 2050, equating to an annual investment of over $536 billion a year. The future investment needs for G20 countries account for approximately 40% of this total global investment in 2050. G20 countries have the capacity to meet this investment need as they carry out most of the global economic and financial activity with fiscal leeway.

Justin Adams, Director for Nature-Based Solutions, World Economic Forum, said: “The climate and nature crisis are two sides of the same coin, and we can’t turn things around unless we transform our economic models and market systems to take nature’s full value into account.”

The new report also calls for G20 member states to seize opportunities to increase investment in non-G20 countries, which can often be more cost-effective and efficient than investing in similar nature-based solutions internally.

Nina Bisom, Coordinator of Economics for the Land Degradation Initiative, said: “In many instances, G20 countries can improve economic efficiency in nature-based solutions spending by targeting investments in non-G20 countries. For example, the average cost of converting land from other uses to nature-based solutions in G20 countries is $2,600 per hectare, while the same costs are only $2,100 per hectare for non-G20 regions.”

Ivo Mulder, Head of UNEP’s Climate Finance Unit, said: “To scale up private finance, governments can boost the investment case for nature, for instance, by creating stable and predictable markets for ecosystem services like agriculture, forestry or by employing concessional financing.”

He added: “Systemic changes are needed at all levels, including consumers paying the true price of food, taking into account its environmental footprint. Companies and financial institutions should fully disclose climate- and nature-related financial risks, and governments need to repurpose agricultural fiscal policies and trade-related tariffs.”

The report concludes that governments need to truly “build back better” following the pandemic. Many developed countries can borrow cheaply in international capital markets. Thus, they need to tie in “nature and climate conditions” when providing fiscal stimulus to sectors across their economies, as well as creating more favourable regulatory, fiscal and trade policies to transition economies so that international biodiversity, climate and land degradation targets are met. G20 nations have the ability and means to lead by example.

Energy Management Summit – Registration open for 2022!

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:

If you’re an energy management industry professional, make sure you reserve your delegate place at the next Energy Management Summit – we have both live and virtual attendance options available.

The Energy Management Summit is a unique event specifically designed for senior professionals like you within the industry!

October 11th, 2022

You can attend this two-day event entirely for FREE.

BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE

5 Minutes With… Robert Brown from ENGIE Impact

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:

As part of our energy management executive interview series, we sat down with Robert Brown, a Director of Sustainable Resource Management at ENGIE Impact, a global consultancy company accelerating sustainability transformation for businesses, cities and governments. The discussion shed light on energy management challenges, goal setting, and the roles of digital tools and data in reaching decarbonisation objectives…

What have been the biggest challenges the Energy Management industry has faced over the past 12 months?

Many organisations have been caught out by record energy price rises this year. Wholesale gas prices have risen by an average of 250% across the world and businesses are now facing unbudgeted bills for natural gas and electricity this year . At the same time, the pressure to progress with a sustainability transformation strategy contributes to the challenges for effective energy management. As announced at this year’s COP26, 60 of the UK’s FTSE 100 companies have signed up to the United Nation’s Race to Zero campaign, showing that more and more businesses are now realising the full potential of an integrated sustainability strategy.

And what have been the biggest opportunities?

I like to think that every challenge unveils an opportunity. This surge in global market energy pricing was an alarming call to those who haven’t conducted a holistic risk assessment, and who haven’t taken into account potential factors beyond daily business operations that could  affect the company’s bottom line and ultimate viability. For those who haven’t already, now is the time for organisations to review their strategy, and consider emerging energy buying options.

Business leaders have benefitted and are benefitting from integrating more renewables into their energy mix, which has dovetailed with their zero-carbon strategy to achieve a commercial advantage whilst accelerating the achievement of sustainability goals.

In 2025 we’ll all be talking about…?

2025 will mark the 10-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement. I think that we will be discussing our progress in decarbonisation and the achievements to date of this “Decade to Deliver”. The UK has set a goal to achieve 51% emissions reduction by 2025, compared to 1990 levels. Governments and businesses are partnering towards this objective, and although we are on the right track, we still have a long way to go, especially as the UK has pledged a new target of 78% emissions reduction by 2035.

What is the biggest priority for the Energy Management industry in  2022? What technology is going to have the biggest impact on the market this year?

Given the recent rise in energy cost and the increasing urgency around climate change, it is important to keep in mind a business’ bottom line while implementing sustainable practices. We are now in an era full of evolution and dominance of digital tools, and energy management is no exception to this trend. Digital platforms are being used to leverage data intelligence and pinpoint optimisation opportunities through a holistic view of energy consumption data.

However, having the right data is not enough. Applying advanced analytics to data can deliver real value to an organisation as long as it is consistent and timely. This is something industry leaders like Tesla, Kraft Heinz, NatWest, DHL, Unilever and DS Smith have already started investing in.

This approach to energy management allows for granular sustainability reporting. Just as financial reporting supports a business in determining budgets, evaluating investment and minimising financial risk, sustainability reporting with meaningful and accurate data allows for transparency, effective decision-making and minimising environmental risk.

At ENGIE Impact, we recently launched ENGIE Ellipse: Zero Carbon Platform – a dynamic intelligence tool to accelerate decarbonisation. This scalable digital platform enables companies to measure their carbon footprint, set targets and design roadmaps, track progress and investments, and optimise performance.

How can your business help energy managers address these challenges?

ENGIE Impact supports businesses to mature their energy efficiency programmes across their portfolio of sites. By collecting the right data at the right time, we help our customers to understand their energy consumption and grasp opportunities for optimisation, as well as customise strategies tailored to their business goals and priorities. Our teams don’t just supply a plan; we are there at every step of the journey from initial concept through to full execution and post-project monitoring. From measuring results, to reporting on progress, we fuel continuous enhancement in energy management strategy for our clients.

What’s the most exciting thing about your job?

Meeting with peer leaders in sustainability and energy management, and helping them in their decarbonisation journey and future proofing their organization. This is a professional driver for me and it’s really meaningful to see the positive impact to the bottom line competitiveness and sustainable progress that our collaborations bring.

And what’s the most challenging?

Sustainability is easier said than done. Unpredictable external factors, such as the extreme spike in energy prices this year and the effects that the pandemic has had on wider resource availability, can make it more challenging for businesses to reach their goals as efforts focus on financial survival in the short-term.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Energy requires a robust strategic approach. Doing nothing is a conscious decision.  The time to act is NOW and arming the right stakeholders with the right timely information and data to be able to act on is incredibly powerful so measure what matters.

Businesses will then gain competitive advantage and progress towards their energy efficiency and zero/neutral carbon ambitions in their daily operations.

Connect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-brown-miet/