The 'Powering Sustainability' report highlights the opportunities for distributed energy technologies.
Centrica plc has today released a new report which shows that new energy technology could meet more than half of the 20% carbon reduction target by 2030 for the healthcare, industry and hospitality sectors, as set out by the Clean Growth Strategy.
Published following the IPCC’s report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 °C, the ‘Powering Sustainability’ report highlights the opportunity for distributed energy technologies such as battery storage, onsite generation and energy efficiency to deliver an 11% saving across the sectors, which together represent over a quarter (27%) of emissions.
The report also recommends that a full assessment be completed across all sectors of business and the public sector to identify the opportunities posed by distributed energy technology for the UK.
Jorge Pikunic, Managing Director of Centrica Business Solutions, said:
“The UK has made a big contribution to the fight against global warming. Much of this has been due to the shift away from coal-fired generation and the deployment of solar and wind energy. But things get more difficult from here, as we strive to hit our goal of an 80% reduction in UK carbon emissions by 2050.
“The good news is that business and the public sector can play a central role over the next decade in our path to decarbonisation. This report shows how by adopting distributed energy technologies, we can significantly reduce emissions and make a positive impact to the economy at the same time.”
In support of the research, Gudrun Cartwright, Director of Environment at Business in the Community commented:
"It is great to see such a clear analysis of the potential of distributed energy systems to build energy resilience, cut carbon and save money for business and the NHS. This report shows that we can deliver a 1.5 degree future in a way that creates benefits for business and society."
It is estimated that the deployment of distributed energy solutions in just 50% of organisations could achieve annual savings of 9 MtCO2e, culminating in a total of 137 MtCO₂e by 2030. For each sector that would mean:
- Healthcare: An annual emissions reduction equivalent to 16% of the NHS’s current carbon footprint;
- Industry: An annual emissions reduction equivalent to 11% of the industrial sector’s current carbon footprint;
- Hospitality and leisure: An annual emissions reduction equivalent to 14% of the hospitality and leisure sector’s current carbon footprint.
The report has been published by Centrica’s international Distributed Energy and Power business, which provides energy insight, asset optimisation and energy solutions to large energy users under the Centrica Business Solutions brand.
Read the full report, here and to acess more information about the topic, click here.