The role that new low carbon technologies can play in helping the UK meet its targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and moving towards a green economy have been highlighted today with the publication of three in-depth reports into core areas of innovation.
These three new analyses, Technology Innovation Needs Assessments (TINAs), cover non-domestic buildings, industrial emissions efficiency, and domestic buildings and are part of a series that spans 11 low carbon technology areas. The TINAs examine the potential for innovation in these technologies and assess the economic benefits to the UK. This work will also help inform the prioritisation of public and private sector investment to ensure these technologies reach their full potential.
Energy and Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker announced the publications today while visiting the University College London Energy Institute. The work has been undertaken by the Low Carbon Innovation Coordination Group (LCICG), which is made up of a range of different bodies including the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Carbon Trust, the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI), the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Research Councils UK (RCUK) represented by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), and other organisations with significant low carbon innovation interests.
Key findings of the Technology Innovation Needs Assessments (TINAs):
Domestic Buildings: As energy use in homes accounts for about one quarter of the UK's total greenhouse gas emissions, innovation in the domestic buildings sector represents a significant opportunity to help meet the UK's emissions targets as well as providing value through avoided energy costs, amounting to savings of 73 mega tonnes CO2 and c. £16 billion by 2050. Innovation could also help create export opportunities that could contribute an estimated £1.7 billion to GDP by 2050.
Public sector support will be required to unlock this value, as there are significant market barriers across the sector to overcome.
Non-Domestic Buildings: The energy used by non-domestic buildings accounts for approximately 18% of UK carbon emissions. The portfolio of non-domestic buildings is diverse and by 2050, total UK non-domestic floor area is expected to increase by 35%, while 60% of existing buildings will still be in use.
Innovative energy saving measures in non-domestic buildings sector represent a significant opportunity help meet emissions targets, as well as providing value through avoided energy costs, amounting to savings of 86 mega tonnes CO2 and c. £13 billion by 2050. Innovation could help create export opportunities that could contribute an estimated £1.7 billion to GDP by 2050.
Industrial Energy Efficiency: Emissions reduction opportunities in UK industries present tremendous potential to generate energy, save carbon and reduce cost of operations. The abatement potential in the key emitting industries in the UK is in the range of 270-500 mega tonnes with cost savings of £17-32 billion by 2050. Innovation is critical to enable deployment and reduce cost as the technology commercialises. Public sector support for innovation is necessary to maintain the UK's industrial presence and competitiveness in the global market. Innovation will also boost the UK's share of global market and could contribute an additional £3.9 billion (£1.5-6.5 billion) to the UK GDP by 2050.
Notes to Editors
1. The TINA summaries and further details on the LCICG can be found on the LCICG website.
2. The Government's Low Carbon Innovation Coordination Group (LCICG) brings together the major public-sector backed funders of low carbon innovation in the UK to work together to coordinate their activities and to maximise the impact of government investment in innovation. Its core members include DECC, BIS, Carbon Trust, Energy Technologies Institute, Scottish Government; Scottish Enterprise; Technology Strategy Board, and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Several other organisations, including the other Devolved Administrations, are represented as associate members.
3. The LCICG's TINA Project is collaborative effort involving all members of the LCICG group and aims to identify and value the key innovation needs of specific low carbon technologies, in order to inform the prioritisation of public sector investment in low carbon innovation.
4. The TINA analytical framework was developed and implemented by the Carbon Trust with contributions from all core LCICG members as well as input from numerous other expert individuals and organisations.
5. Each TINA analyses the potential role of the technology in the UK's energy system; estimates the value to the UK from cutting the costs of the technology through innovation; estimates the value to the UK of the green growth opportunity from exports; assesses the case for UK public sector intervention in innovation; and identifies the potential innovation priorities to deliver the greatest benefit to the UK.
6. There are 11 TINAS in total covering the following areas:
- Bio-energy
- Carbon Capture and Storage
- Domestic Buildings
- Electricity Networks & Storage
- Heat
- Hydrogen
- Industrial Energy Efficiency
- Marine
- Non-domestic Buildings
- Nuclear Fission
- Offshore Wind
7. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is the UK's main agency for funding research in engineering and the physical sciences. EPSRC invests around £800 million a year in research and postgraduate training, to help the nation handle the next generation of technological change. The areas covered range from information technology to structural engineering, and mathematics to materials science. This research forms the basis for future economic development in the UK and improvements for everyone's health, lifestyle and culture. EPSRC works alongside other Research Councils with responsibility for other areas of research. The Research Councils work collectively on issues of common concern via Research Councils UK.