Smart energy technology showcased at parliamentary reception

The gathering of businesses from across the heat network, energy efficiency, heat pump, smart energy and combined heat and power sectors was an opportunity to highlight to senior government ministers the critical role the decentralised sector is playing in breaking through the most important challenges that stand in the way of the UK reaching net zero.These challenges centre on how we generate, flex, store and manage our electricity and heat.The reception, hosted by the ADE’s President Lord Duncan of Springbank, was attended by senior politicians including shadow energy minister Alan Whitehead.Recognising the importance of smart energy technology in the transition, the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy The Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP gave the headline address.In his speech he recognised the need for the energy sector to work with Government to find the solutions for a decarbonised system.The Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP said:“We are trying to change the world, change the way we do business, the way we fuel our economy, and the way we live. It’s a complete whole systems transformation, and I think that’s one of the most exciting aspects of it, but also one of the most daunting.“There’s no way that a government minister, with great civil servants, can navigate on its own towards this goal. The parliamentary sector and the private sector have to work together, and I think that the work that you do is a great example of how we can co-operate.“What the ADE does is really an exemplary example of what can be done.”The event was sponsored by energy data company and ADE member Stark. Stark empowers organisations to better manage energy through data and analytics.Stark has already committed to becoming net zero by 2030 in its own operations, and the event was also an opportunity for the industry to come together and share ideas which will allow the whole sector to align with the UK Government and UNFCCC Race to Zero campaign.Paige Leuschner, Group Head of Product at Stark said: “Implementing net zero targets can be challenging, and statistics show that small businesses in the UK are keen to engage. The first step is measuring the carbon position, and that can’t be done without data.“At Stark, we have already been through the process of aligning with net zero and we are working hard to be able to guide others through the journey.”ADE chief executive Ian Calvert said: “The decentralised energy sector has a critical role to play in helping the UK transition towards a low carbon future, and this journey has already started.“However, it is not enough to just assist the rest of the sector towards net zero- our members are actively working to align with the Race to Zero campaign within their own businesses.”Many of the ‘green jobs’ that will be created through the Green Recovery will come from the decentralised sector. Visit Greenrecovery.uk after the event to watch video clips where attendees talk about their green careers.