Latest Industry News: Edition 42

The Electric Thames Project:

A Sustainable Future The Electric Thames project is an ambitious initiative aimed at advancing the transition to net zero in London.

Supported financially by the UK government’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), the project will establish a relationship between Thames vessel operators and London’s electricity network, accelerating the decarbonisation of the River Thames.

The project involves the collaboration between UK Power Networks, LCP Delta, and Marine Zero, with additional support from Port of London Authority (PLA) and energy firm ev.energy. Together, these partnerships aim to transform the Thames into a hub of renewable energy storage and distribution.

Electric vessels will serve as mobile energy storage units, capturing renewable energy, such as wind and solar, during periods of surplus. This stored energy can then be sent back into the grid during peak demand, providing a flexible, sustainable energy source for the city.

In other news related to the River Thames, the UK’s first electric boat tour is set to debut in 2025, marking a significant step towards sustainable tourism.

Hybrid Clean Energy Hubs

According to a new report conducted by Cornwall Insight, hybrid clean energy hubs are set to aid the UK in meeting net zero targets by 2050 while decreasing reliance on the grid.

These hubs co-locate various renewable technologies, such as battery storage, solar power, and onshore wind, in a single location, enabling an increasingly reliable and consistent energy output by balancing the intermittent nature of solar and wind power.

These hybrid hubs have been developed in response to the current lack of grid capacity in the UK by enhancing energy efficiency and providing a solution to ease the current grid bottleneck in the nation.

Locating these low-carbon technologies together maximises the energy transferred to the grid through network connection while the increased efficiency leads to significant cost savings, potentially reducing the financial burden on energy consumers and the socialised costs associated with network upgrades.

The National Grid’s Clean Energy Ambitions

National Grid, the British multinational electricity and gas company, is eager to accelerate plans for two cable projects.

Despite controversy, these projects are expected to help the UK meet 2030 green energy goals by enhancing decarbonisation.

The first project involves a 114-mile (184 km) power line from Tilbury in Essex to Norwich, set to begin construction in 2027, which will transport electricity from offshore wind farms by 2031.

In addition, National Grid is considering speeding up Sea Link project, which is designed to increase the capacity of the electricity transmission network.

The multinational company is awaiting government approval for these projects by 2026.

However, issues with these projects have caused concern as the proposed 50-metre pylons could negatively impact historic landscapes and require the extensive loss of trees, while the Sea Link project has caused controversy as costal ecosystems could potentially cause damage.

Solar Farm in Barrow Set to Support Net Zero Goals

A new ￡2.8m solar farm located in Sandscale Park in Barrow, Cumbria, has been built as part of Westmorland and Furness Council’s decarbonisation and net zero strategy.

Solar farms relate to large scale installations of solar photovoltaic (PV) that generate electricity from sunlight. Benefits include reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the encouragement of local energy production, leading to a greener and more sustainable future.

Spanning 29 acres and featuring 3,700 solar panels, the site is projected to generate enough to power its five leisure centres or approximately 730 homes annually.

The solar farm, which was developed in in partnership with Electricity North West, and other energy companies will help the council in offsetting carbon dioxide emissions, as outlined in its Carbon Management Strategy and Carbon Action Plans, and is now connected to the national grid.

Future solar projects are expected to further support the region’s transition to net zero emissions.

UEFA’s Steps to Sustainability in Sport

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) recently released a new Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report on the 1st of November in Frankfurt, following EURO 2024.

This report outlines its €29.6 million investment in sustainability initiatives and highlights achievements in waste management, energy use, and eco-friendly practices that led to a 21% reduction in emissions compared to forecasts.

The association set 150 performance measures, supported by 17 managers and over 500 volunteers, leading to 50 environmental initiatives that reduced the tournament’s carbon footprint.

By focusing on areas like venue waste reduction and minimising the travel footprint of fans and teams, UEFA aimed to set new standards for sustainable event hosting in sports.

In addition, a €7m Climate Fund was established to support 272 sustainable infrastructure projects across Germany for amateur clubs and regional associations, leaving a lasting environmental impact.

Future Dairy Partnership: Tesco Partners with Dairy Suppliers to Reduce Industry Emissions

Tesco, in collaboration with milk suppliers Arla and Müller, has launched the "Future Dairy Partnership" to support carbon reduction in dairy farming.

This initiative aligns with Tesco's goal for carbon-neutral global operations by 2035 and a net-zero value chain by 2050.

The partner companies have also outlined their goals regarding emissions, as Arla aims for a 30% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030, while Müller targets net-zero in the UK and Ireland by 2050, offering farmers incentives for emissions reduction efforts.

The partnership will develop on-farm projects, including methane-reducing feed trials, and engaging farmers in exploring carbon-reducing, nature-based practices. It will also produce industry reports on sustainability needs and a flexible dairy blueprint to guide ethical farming.

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