Fourth Update of August 2019 – An overview of last week’s Energy news

Below is this week’s summary. It should be a one minute read relevant to UK energy with links to documents for those who wish to read more.

(Click a bullet point to open the relevant article)

Monday – 19th August

• Article describes research showing it is possible to extract hydrogen directly from subsurface hydrocarbon accumulations.

Tuesday – 20th August

• Article in British Plastics and Rubber Magazine describes plans for a NW England consortium to invest £130 million to create 11 plants across UK to generate hydrogen from un-recyclable plastics otherwise destined for landfill.

Wednesday – 21st August

• This piece from The Energy Saving Trust describes Government financial support for increasing energy efficiency for households around the UK. It suggests that support for lower income households is best in Scotland and worst in England.

Thursday – 22nd August

• A report from UK Government Cross-Party Science and Technology Select Committee into proposals for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in energy sector received a lot of coverage following release today. This one attempts to summarise findings. All coverage makes report more critical of UK Government than the report actually is.

• For those with a lot of time on their hands, here is the 150 page report from UK Government Cross-Party Science and Technology Select Committee, into proposals for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector. Conclusions start on page 121 and divide into 10 recommendations. The report does emphasise urgency in research and policy to decarbonise power, transport and heating as well as increase in energy efficiency. Key conclusion: UK must not export emissions to meet target.

Friday – 23rd August

• Headline says UK rail line is first to be powered by solar power. Article says solar will power lighting and signals but it’s a step in the right direction.