Electrification , efficiency gains and behavioural changes will all play key roles on the net zero journey , according to the IEA , along with accelerated innovation across a wide range of technologies from hydrogen electrolysers to small modular nuclear reactors .
Stephen Stead , director of Strategy & Digital Services at SSE Enterprise , said in response to the anticipated drop in demand , National Grid ESO developed a new service , Optional Downward Flexibility Management ( ODFM ), to improve access to downward flexibility . “ We also saw the rollout of dynamic containment , which we expect will continue in 2021 . The market has demonstrated that it can pivot at pace to create new products and this agility to react to shifting energy markets will be essential over the next 18 months ,” he said . A Royal Society report , released in December , indicated that the transition to net zero may not be as daunting as it sounds . It highlighted how nearly a third of the 50 percent cut in carbon emissions ’ reductions the UK needs to make by 2030 could be achieved through existing digital technology – from sensors to large scale modelling .
Digital technology and the planet : harnessing computing to achieve net zero ( royalsociety . org )
But it did stress the importance of 11 key recommendations that need to be implemented :
● The net zero transition should be dataled , with governance arrangements in place that enable the safe and rapid use of data
● The UK Government has a responsibility to set an example of best practice
● More emphasis should be placed on cross-department and crosssector initiatives
“ The net zero challenge is to tie it all together ; to make good on macro government policies , deliver viable green corporate strategies and ensure initiatives filter down practically to every consumer .”
35 energydigital . com