22/04/22 – Useful Links

Interesting links, articles, news and blog posts sent out to members on 22/04/22.

News story: Planes running on batteries and hydrogen to become a reality under new group of aviation experts

20 April 2022.  A new group of aviation experts across industry and government will work together to make zero emission flight a reality:

Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/planes-running-on-batteries-and-hydrogen-to-become-a-reality-under-new-group-of-aviation-experts

Research Briefing: Energy price cap and residential buildings with communal heating systems – House of Commons Library

19 April 2022.  Members will debate the energy price cap and residential buildings with communal heating systems in Westminster Hall on 20 April 2022 at 4.30pm:

Link: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2022-0083/

Research Briefing: Heat networks and energy prices – House of Commons Library

19 April 2022.  Heat networks customers have reported price rises of up to 700% since late 2021. Heat networks are not currently regulated, and most customers are not covered by the energy price cap. This briefing looks at existing and proposed regulation, and support for constituents struggling with bills:

Link: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9528/

News: Government considers scrapping green levies as households face spiralling energy bills – City AM

19 April 2022, Nicholas Earl.  The government could scrap a green levy which adds £153 to the average energy bill to ease the cost of living crisis facing households:

Link: https://www.cityam.com/government-considers-scrapping-green-levies-as-households-face-spiralling-energy-bills/

News: Energy chiefs fear 40% of Britons could fall into fuel poverty in ‘truly horrific winter’ – Guardian Online

19 April 2022, Jane Clinton and Jasper Jolly.  Firms inundated with calls from customers as bosses fear impact of October’s scheduled cap rise:

Link: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/apr/19/energy-chiefs-fear-40-of-britons-could-fall-into-fuel-poverty-in-truly-horrific-winter

Ministerial Statement and Debate: Energy Security Strategy – Parallel Parliamentary

19 April 2022.  Text of Ministerial Statement, The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Kwasi Kwarteng) and Debate on Energy Security Strategy:

Link: https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/debate/2022-04-19/commons/commons-chamber/energy-security-strategy

Article: Rolls-Royce expecting UK approval for mini nuclear reactor by mid-2024 – Reuters.com

19 April 2022, Isabel Kua.  A Rolls-Royce (RR.L) design for a small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) will likely receive UK regulatory approval by mid-2024 and be able to produce grid power by 2029, Paul Stein, chairman of Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactors, told Reuters:

Link: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/rolls-royce-expecting-uk-approval-mini-nuclear-reactor-by-mid-2024-2022-04-19/

News: ‘Unprecedented’ scale of change needed for net zero, ESC finds in system operability requirements report – Current News

14 April 2022, Alice Grundy.  A new report from the Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) has looked at the operability of a net zero system in a bid to “generate conversation and debate”:

Link: https://www.current-news.co.uk/news/esc-explores-end-state-operability-of-a-net-zero-system-in-light-of-unprecedented-scale-of-change-required

Oral evidence session: Energy pricing and the future of the Energy Market – Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee and Energy pricing and the future of the Energy Market Inquiry

19 April 2022. Energy firms to face MPs questions on energy price crisis management and customer treatment. Michael Lewis, CEO at E.ON, Simone Rossi, CEO at EDF, Keith Anderson, CEO at ScottishPower, , Chris O’ Shea, CEO at Centrica:

Link: https://committees.parliament.uk/event/13219/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/

News: SSE calls for long-duration electricity storage policy support following security strategy – Current News

11 April 2022, Molly Lempriere.  SSE has renewed its call for policy support for long-duration electricity storage (LDES), following the government’s British Energy Security Strategy:

Link: https://www.current-news.co.uk/news/sse-calls-for-long-duration-electricity-storage-policy-support-following-security-strategy

News: Civil unrest due to rising energy bills ‘isn’t far away’, says Martin Lewis – Guardian Online

10 April 2022, Harry Taylor. Money saving expert says UK government must do more to ensure people can heat homes and have enough food:

Link: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/apr/10/civil-unrest-due-to-rising-energy-bills-isnt-far-away-says-martin-lewis

News: Government announces further support for high energy usage businesses – OGV Energy

8 April 2022.  The Government has announced that it will extend its scheme to provide relief for high energy usage businesses:

Link: https://www.ogv.energy/news-item/government-announces-further-support-for-high-energy-usage-businesses

Policy paper: Hydrogen investor roadmap: leading the way to net zero –

Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

8 April 2022. This roadmap summarises the government policies designed to support the development of a thriving UK low-carbon hydrogen economy:

Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hydrogen-investor-roadmap-leading-the-way-to-net-zero

Open consultation: Hydrogen Business Model and Net Zero Hydrogen Fund: market engagement on electrolytic allocation – Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

8 April 2022.  Views sought on Department’s proposed approach to allocating Hydrogen Business Model and Net Zero Hydrogen Fund support through a joint allocation process for electrolytic hydrogen projects:

Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/hydrogen-business-model-and-net-zero-hydrogen-fund-market-engagement-on-electrolytic-allocation