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Today marks the midway point for Net Zero Week, an online conference and awareness campaign designed to get people talking about how we can collectively deliver on net zero.
Now in its fourth year, the conference sees over 300 speakers across the UK host virtual discussions, including representatives from energy companies and industry stakeholders.
Setting the net zero agenda
The awareness week provides a good opportunity to reflect on the bigger picture. Achieving net zero by 2050 is high on the agenda for the UK and regional governments, with significant investment and bold targets. This includes some interim measures:
Reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by at least 68% by 2030
Reach net zero in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by 2050
Reach net zero in Scotland by 2045
Fully decarbonise the power system by 2035
By 2023, up to 50GW of offshore wind capacity
Capacity for 10GW of hydrogen production by 2030
Delivering on net zero
Across the engineering and energy sectors, businesses are united in recognising the need to innovate to develop more efficient low carbon alternative energy systems. Thanks to the resilience and continued appetite within the energy sector to develop more sustainable solutions, there is a great deal of innovation happening across the UK. Too many to list in this issue, but we take a look at a few areas of progress.
Advances over the year are now seeing wind turbines installed with increased capacity and new technology being developed such as small modular reactors. Rolls-Royce SMR announced in May that they will open a dedicated testing and manufacturing facility at the University of Sheffield’s Advance Manufacturing Research Centre. There the team will produce prototype modules to test the technology they are developing.
Arguably one of the most interesting innovations is carbon capture and storage, turning the carbon emissions challenge on its head by looking at how carbon output from heavy industry can be captured before it’s emitted into the atmosphere. Planning permission has been granted earlier this year for HyNet to construct a new pipeline that will transport carbon dioxide from future hydrogen production in the North West of England and North Wales for offshore storage. This includes re-utilisation of depleted oil and gas fields in the Bay of Liverpool for carbon storage.
Whilst construction plans for several battery energy storage systems (BESS) are underway to add flexibility into the grid’s electricity supply, storing power and releasing it back to the grid when needed to manage peaks in user demand.
Supporting our clients with the energy transition
In recent years we’re proud to have helped our clients bring to life major renewable energy and low carbon projects, whilst delivering our own innovations.
Advancing the UK offshore wind industry with supply chain resourcing solutions including fabrication and manufacturing
Delivering Major Component Exchange projects on wind turbines across Europe
Constructing the UK’s largest gigafactory facility for manufacturing electric vehicle batteries
Providing specialist Ultrasonic Qualification and Inspection services to help power up Hinkley Point C
Managing supplementary labour to construct Keadby 2, deemed the cleanest CCGT plant in Europe
Extending our expertise into Teesside to support net zero regional developments
Supporting the net zero supply chain
Net zero plans are also helping businesses across the construction and engineering sectors to diversify their product offerings and develop new expertise in renewable energy. From steel fabrication to cabling and IT technology, transferable skills and knowledge can be deployed to ensure businesses can benefit from new revenue streams as renewable and green energy projects are granted planning permission.
Looking for support extending your workforce to take on new business?
Our recruitment teams can provide a range of temporary and permanent staffing solutions to help you manage project timescales and increase manufacturing capability.
Looking to make a net zero career move?
You can search for your next net zero and renewable energy role by clicking the link below.
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