Scotland could lead world in integrated energy systems
A new report by the Carbon Trust has highlighted that vision, innovation and investment are essential for Scotland to meet their carbon targets. They also need to create employment opportunities and secure an international leadership position.
The report highlights that Scotland has the potential for a key national resource contributor together with world class technology innovation capabilities.
Scotland can achieve this progression by developing a smart energy system from power, heat and transportation. Key characteristics of Scotland which create opportunities but also pose challenges are:
1. The availability of a significant natural resource.
2. A strong academic and industrial capability.
3. High levels of heat demand and fuel poverty.
4. High urban population density.
5. Limited interconnection.
Its key challenge is that Scotland needs to progress on heat and transport over the next five years to deliver its existing targets. Heat and transport in particular account for over 70% of total energy consumption in Scotland.
Andrew Lever, Director of Innovation, The Carbon Trust said:
“Scotland has come a long way in the journey towards meetings its ambitious carbon reduction targets and we believe Scotland has now reached an important juncture in this journey. By pulling all the strands of the energy strategy together the nation has a significant opportunity to optimise the use of Scotland’s abundant renewable energy resources and exploit its distinctive characteristics to not only meet the nation’s climate change targets, but generate significant economic value for Scotland in the long term.”
“To realise this vision Scotland needs a new integrated smart energy system. This is good news for Scotland. We believe it has the skills and capacity required to address many of the innovation challenges that exist and the political will to unleash the nation’s potential to deliver Scotland’s future integrated low carbon energy system.”
The Carbon Trust has made the following recommendations to the Scottish Government:
1. Further targeted innovation to reduce costs and progress the supply chain in offshore wind, wave, tidal and bio-energy.
2. Innovation in energy storage to create further investment in wind.
3. Progression of technologies, business models and installation techniques.
4. Engagement of consumers to ensure energy usage and costs and more tangible.