The Birmingham Energy Institute Policy Commission's report on cold energy and the benefits of an integrated systems approach to energy policy is due to be launched at Westminster.
Doing Cold Smarter was launched earlier this year to produce a roadmap for the UK to navigate the complexity of cold energy provision and provide direction for investment in sustainable solutions.
Cold is a vital part of energy policy for the future of Britain, but despite 14% (almost £5.2bn each year) of the nation’s electricity goes towards cooling, it has been little explored.
The Birmingham Energy Institute Policy Commission will report on its findings at a launch event and present a roadmap for policy.
The event will include short presentations from the academic leads and commissioners, as well as opportunity for questions, discussions and feedback.
October 28
One Whitehall Place, Westminster
16:00 – 17:30, followed by a drinks reception
To attend, please RSVP to [email protected]
The provision of cold –or cooling – is integral to modern society; without it, the supply of food, medicine and data would simply break down.
Cold is also vital for many other applications, including air conditioning; super-critical technologies, and freezing and powdering materials for recycling and easy disposal.
A growing urban population and new middle classes are creating escalating demand for cooling.
While current technologies may relieve pressure on the supply chain, the environmental impact would be severe.
Academic and industry experts behind the Birmingham Energy Institute Policy Commission have put together recommendations for policy highlighting that the next 10 years of development in the reconfiguration of the UK’s energy landscape, and the rapid building out of the energy infrastructure in emerging markets, requires an accelerated adoption of sustainable solutions to cooling.
The UK could become a global leader in the development of new cold energy systems and the technical, economic, research and skills issues around ‘cold’.
The commission is calling for a step-change in the energy system which could provide an exciting opportunity for the UK to embrace new business and export opportunities, spurring innovation and generating tens of thousands of jobs.
