Third Update of April 2020 – 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)

Wednesday – 15th April

• The head of UK Oil and Gas Authority says the energy transition might be part of the way out of the current downturn. Recent meetings with operators were encouraging regarding energy transition. “CCS (carbon capture and storage), hydrogen and subsea engineering, including repurposing and reusing valuable infrastructure are some of the key areas being progressed”.

• UK Government Department for Transport has awarded funds to examine the potential for carbon capture and storage of fuel from shipping. The article quotes a cost of converting engines to another fuel as an alternative solution for net-zero emissions, at about $1 trillion globally (for context, global GDP for 2017 was estimated as $128 trillion).

Friday – 17th April

• A gas plant capable of rapidly delivering 20 MW of power generation when renewable power generators fluctuate has been brought on-line in Greater Manchester.

• Energy Networks Association has launched a programme to examine and promote changes to the gas network in order to be able to transfer from natural gas to hydrogen using the existing infrastructure in support of net-zero emissions targets.

• The UK Government has announced reinstatement of onshore wind and solar PV in 2021 round of Contracts for Difference bids. The article mentions that 3.8 GW of total onshore wind capacity of 4.2 GW is in Scotland.

Saturday – 18th April

• National Grid reports changes to domestic demand for electricity as many have begun working from home recently. Overall, household demand is up but also, early morning demand is down as fewer people are getting up early to start the commute and there is a surge in demand at lunchtime which was previously the lowest demand period of the working day.

• BBC reports on a technology which can reduce the storage pressure of fuel in vehicles using hydrogen.