Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/1141870
THE FUTURE 34 Hydrogen's role in the future UK energy system The Energy Research Partnership (ERP) recently brought together a range of stakeholders to review the role of hydrogen. 35 Showcasing gas Utility Week Live 2019 featured the first Gas Innovation Showcase. Network spoke to some representatives from the gas industry. NETWORK / 5 / JULY/AUGUST 2019 L E A D E R C O M M E N T YOUR NET W ORK Give the people what they want Let us know what projects, technologies and topics you want us to cover. Have your say Express your opinions and respond to content by blogging or writing for the magazine. A social Network Follow us on Twitter: @Network_mag Email the editor: alecpeachey@fav-house.com C OMING SO ON ∙ Health & safety ∙ Understanding interconnectors ∙ Network charging Alec Peachey alecpeachey@fav-house.com GOING FOR NET ZERO With the UK recently becoming the rst major economy in the world to pass laws to end its contribution to global warming by 2050, it's clear that energy networks will play a key role in the facilitation of decarbonisation. That was very much the view of the network operators who I spoke to as part of a special focus on the topic of decarbonisation in this issue (see page 28). The target will require the UK to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, compared with the previous target of at least 80 per cent reduction from 1990 levels. The UK's 2050 net zero target — one of the most ambitious in the world — was recommended by the Committee on Climate Change, the UK's independent climate advisory body. Net zero means any emissions would be balanced by schemes to oŠ set an equivalent amount of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, such as planting trees or using technology like carbon capture and storage. In the energy networks space, there's a view that Ofgem needs to be ready to re-open the RIIO2 price control methodology to enable the required policies and money that's needed to be in place to achieve the net zero goal. David Smith, chief executive of the Energy Networks Association, said: "The current proposals for RIIO2 as outlined by Ofgem, if implemented, could have a negative impact on their ability to support and facilitate the government's initiatives and objectives for clean growth and the wider economy." In order to support the decarbonisation of both heat and transport, and build on the work that will be completed in RIIO1, it's clear that there's a need for an agile regulatory and policy framework that doesn't cause the progress that's been made so far to stall. With everyone going for net zero networks need to be given the best shot to make this happen. In order to support the decarbonisation of both heat and transport, and build on the work that will be completed in RIIO1, it's clear that there's a need for an agile regulatory and policy framework that doesn't cause the progress that's been made so far to stall. With everyone going for net zero networks need to be given the best shot to make this happen.