First Update of March 2021 – 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)

Tuesday – 2nd March

• Article describes a study suggesting climate target modelling isn’t accounting for a ‘rebound effect’ sufficiently; where energy efficiencies and cheaper energy lead to increased consumption of energy.

• A brief review of the UK Government Energy White Paper focuses upon electricity and describes relationship between Government and market. Article states Government “is not targeting a particular generation mix for 2050” but that Government intends to send a “strong signal to developers and wider investment community about .. commitment to delivering clean energy”.

Wednesday – 3rd March

• The UK Government will provide £4.3 million in support of a project for the Holyhead port in North Wales to build a hydrogen fuelling hub for heavy goods vehicles operating at the port.

Thursday – 4th March

• UK Government has been seeking a site for the first plant to generate electricity using nuclear fusion (rather than ‘traditional’ fission technology). A council in the UK Midlands is proposing using the site of a coal-fired power station to act as host.

• The US Department of Defence has tested solar panels in space which can convert power to microwave that could potentially be transmitted to earth.

Friday – 5th March

• A feasibility study has started to fuel distilleries and ports in the Scottish Highlands with hydrogen generated from wind and solar power.

• UK Government figures show 3 million households in England (equivalent to 13%), were classed as being in ‘fuel poverty’ during 2019 with the average gap being £216 for the year.