Fourth Update of May 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)

Monday – 18th May

• Energy Voice opinion piece includes a study showing the rise of interest in hydrogen fuel, based on number of mentions in articles per year on a science literature database. In 2010, about 19000 were reported. In 2019, there were close to 48000. In the first 4 months of 2020 there have been 32000.

Tuesday – 19th May

• Consumption of refined hydrocarbons has rebounded in China almost to December 2019 levels at 13 million barrels per day compared with 13.9 million barrels per day in December (13.4 million barrels per day in May 2019). Private vehicle fuel is driving the increase in a return to work which avoids public transport. Aviation demand remains low.

Thursday – 21st May

• UK Government has announced a further £40 million ‘Clean Growth Fund” to encourage start-ups with business ideas consistent with net zero emissions targets.

•  A study by scientists at Imperial College London suggests there is more than adequate carbon storage capacity to achieve net zero emissions if the world chooses to take that route as recommended by International Panel on Climate Change and UK Committee on Climate Change.

• An 8 MW district heating system will be developed for Barnet in north London providing heat and hot water for 6700 residential properties and a new office, retail, leisure site.

Friday – 22nd May

• UK National Grid expects renewable energy to exceed demand this weekend due to very low demand (Monday 25th is a UK public holiday) combined with longer days, sunshine and wind. National Grid plans to ask renewable generators to switch off for periods in order to balance the grid supply and demand.

• A challenge to UK Government decision to grant permission for what would be the biggest gas-fired electricity generation in Europe, has been rejected. The power station will be at Drax site in northern England.

• RenewableUK envisages 3/4 of electricity to be from renewable sources by 2050 coupled with hydrogen generated from renewables during periods of excess supply.