Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/1111696
PARTNERSHIP STUDY "National Grid is technol- ogy agnostic and so we look to accommodate any technology," remarked Cooper. "So, hydrogen will likely play an important role for larger eet vehicles as they look to decarbonise. Electric batteries will be too large and heavy to make it economical in the short-term. We could also see rail use hydrogen too. "We suspect that consumer behavior will likely change and could overtake the 2040 ban, we see this already in more advanced EV markets such as Norway. Whole system thinking is helpful, but we mustn't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.‚National Grid is already bringing energy, transport and digital sectors together to explore the decarbonisation of transport."‚ Ultimately, a cross sector ap- proach will be needed in order to make the necessary changes required to meet the demands of future transportation. But what does this mean in practice? "Both sectors have travelled through history not really interfering with each other," a whole, to find the most op- timal solutions, rather than investigating them in silos." With the market for elec- tric vehicles in the UK con- tinuing to grow, the last word goes to Tonkin: "It requires a collective effort to proactively engage local authorities, mo- torist organisations, regula- tors, charge point providers and distribution network operators to determine the horizon needs, challenges and risks for identifying agreeable solutions. "Costain continues to work with energy network utilities providing support for development of business plans for the next regulatory period. In addition, Costain adds value to both the energy and transportation networks; improving the performance of existing infrastructure to allow it to run more safely, reliably and efficiently. Our integrated cross-sector exper- tise enables us to effectively advise in relation to both energy and transportation networks, and we utilise our deep knowledge in both sec- tors to provide an overarch- ing view of how they might come together." NETWORK / 24 / MAY 2019 "Our integrated cross- sector expertise enables us to effectively advise in relation to both energy and transportation networks." notes Cooper. "As we make the transition to electric vehicles we have to collaborate because you cannot have one without the other. We need to look out for unintended consequences and opportunities to make each other's product better.‚Charging when energy is cheaper helps car owners, smart charg- ing smooths out pressure on the grid infrastructure and charging when wind is strong or when the sun is shining helps the planet. "We need to ensure that decisions are not made in silos, which then deliver detri- mental impact to other sectors i.e. energy regulator decides not to fund infrastructure, which impacts on transport, health and climate ambitions/ targets. Cross industry regula- tors need to work together with government and industry to decide, develop solutions and agree on 'who pays' for the much needed EV infrastruc- ture." Brazier adds: "Electricity, gas and transportation are in- extricably linked, and hence the solution to decarbonising all three sectors must be to look at the energy system as About Costain Costain improves lives with smart infrastructure solutions across the UK's energy, water and transportation infrastructures. We help to safeguard the security, increase the capacity, improve customer service and drive effi ciency in our clients' infrastructure programmes. Our strategy is to become the UK's leading smart infrastructure solutions company through our focus on blue chip clients whose major spending plans are underpinned by strategic national needs, regulatory commitments or essential maintenance requirements. We offer a broad range of innovative services across the whole life cycle of our clients' assets by integrating complex delivery, consultancy, technology and asset optimisation services. Our culture and values underpin everything we do. For further information call 01628 842444 or email info@costain.com In association with: