Energy Production and Clean Power: diversifying to drive transition

No single technology or sector will provide the answer needed to meet both the demand for energy and the need to decarbonise around the world.

The solution lies in the adoption of a holistic, whole systems approach and the development of various clean energy production options.

The UK has the knowledge, expertise, and capability to satisfy the demand for clean energy. Here are just some of the areas in which the UK excels:

Wind (offshore and floating offshore)

Being an island nation has helped place us at the forefront of fixed bottom offshore wind-driven energy generation.

A position we are using to great advantage both at home and around the world.

Not only in providing the hardware and related services, but also the help needed to industrialise the customers’ supply chains.

The UK has a very powerful development offer, with many consultancies providing services ranging from engineering to environmental.

We also have strong capabilities in adjacent areas such as naval architecture, finance, insurance, and legal services.

Nuclear energy

The UK’s nuclear sector offers expertise in engineering and technical consultancy, manufactured products, and professional services across the entirety of the nuclear lifecycle.

It’s an offering that encompasses everything from new build and decommissioning to fuel services and the development of next generation nuclear technologies.

The UK is also a key provider of commercial services to the nuclear sector and has an internationally respected nuclear regulator in the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and the Environment Agency (EA).

The UK nuclear industry provides major benefits to nuclear programmes around the world.

It can contribute across the whole of the nuclear life cycle, from cutting edge R&D for advanced nuclear technologies to licensing and planning for new build design and construction, all the way through to waste management and eventual decommissioning and disposal.

Waste to value

The waste to value sector covers a range of processes and technologies that can manage all types of waste ranging from agricultural by-products to household refuse, that can generate the raw materials for new products and contribute to the generation of electricity, heat, and biofuels.

The UK has extensive expertise across the entire waste to value chain, from designing and implementing relevant policy frameworks and incentivisation mechanisms, to the design, build and operation of at-scale facilities.

The UK has valuable experience that extends into newer technologies and processes, including gasification and pyrolysis and energy from waste (EfW) with carbon capture, allowing for more efficient and environmentally friendly plants and less residual waste.

Hydro

The UK is strong in every link of the value chain in small scale hydro and pumped storage projects.

Taking on larger scale projects outside of a variety of consultancy and engineering activities usually requires the involvement and co-operation of an appropriately sized developer or EPC.

Coupled with UK Export Finance (UKEF) support, smaller scale hydro projects, particularly in developing markets, can benefit greatly from UK involvement.

Solar power and CSP

The cheapest form of renewable energy generation currently available, solar power and concentrated solar power (CSP) are both highly scalable, ranging from a single panel to fields of panels to form a grid-scale project.

The UK has several experienced solar developers that can deliver projects of all sizes, with expertise in niche panels and the design and integration of off-grid systems.

Onshore wind

Besides providing hands-on, engineering-related services such as development, construction and operations and maintenance, the UK can also offer in-depth consultancy services that cover feasibility studies, design, and engineering.

The production of onshore wind turbines at the micro to small scale, as well as components for large scale turbines and ‘balance of plant’ items such as cabling, and substations are among the strengths of organisations in the UK supply chain.

Like solar powered energy, onshore wind has reached subsidy-free commercial viability and there is a strong international supply chain.

Tidal

The UK has a strong history in the development of this technology, a depth of experience that has made us a world leader.

There are three main types of tidal technologies:

• Tidal barrage: involves building a dam across the width of a river/estuary to make use of the potential energy between high and low tides.
• Tidal lagoon: similar to tidal barrage, but the dam walls form a loop from the shore, rather than across the width of the river, lowering the environmental impact.
• Tidal stream: captures kinetic energy of moving water in tides using devices similar concept to wind turbines. These are much smaller than barrage lagoon schemes, deployable as individual devices or as a series, with a smaller environmental footprint.

Several successful demonstrations have proven UK capability in this technology. Coupled with the UK’s experience and expertise in engineering, design and delivery, tidal stream can offer an effective, clean energy solution.

Electricity networks and smart systems

The UK has one of the most mature and sophisticated national grid systems in the world and through its long-term evolution, the UK has developed a wealth of experience in the design, delivery, operation, and maintenance of grid systems.

Moreover, the regulatory framework, which emphasises and incentivises innovation, competition, and transparency, has led to the growth and deployment of a wide range of smart technologies and services. They all feature applications that can be scaled and applied globally.

The UK manufactures components for use on transmission and distribution networks and offers consultancy and delivery services along the entire value chain.

Along with the expertise in more ‘traditional’ grid setups, the UK also has expertise in the design and delivery of ‘off-grid’ and ‘mini-grid’ systems, where small-scale distributed generation (e.g., roof-top solar) can be integrated with storage (e.g., batteries) to produce electrically self-sufficient systems.

Energy storage

With a well-established, highly reliable national grid coupled with a long-standing commitment to the increased use of renewable energy, the UK has all the skills and experience necessary to make electrical networks work efficiently and effectively.

The UK also has a number of diverse technology providers (for example, hydrogen, liquid air, and so on) and produces much of the required supporting equipment.

Clean growth: energy production and clean power

With the UK’s track record in the generation of sustainable clean power, it has an attractive offering to private businesses and governments alike across a wide variety of clean production methods.

Find out how partnering with the UK can provide clean power to energise your economy or your business, visit Great.gov.uk.