David Hall, VP Power Systems at Schneider Electric and Kas Mohammed, VP Digital Energy, comment on a finding by a new study from E.ON and the UK Green Building Council that half of all adults in the United Kingdom agree faster movement is needed on climate change in cities.
Now, faced with the threat of climate change, these urban landscapes require a revamp to better serve modern day energy demands and accelerate the transition to a net zero future. "This represents a significant opportunity to rebuild the UK economy with climate action at its core and position the UK as a leader in green innovation while creating jobs in the green economy for years to come."To facilitate this, we need urgent investment in smart decentralised bi-directional grids that can cope with the swelling, more complex demand for electricity.
The UK’s grid network has the flexible potential to avoid blackouts while stabilising the energy system with the help of renewables – without passing the ultimate cost onto the consumer.
Unlocking this potential holds the key to a more immediate sustainable future for UK cities."Kas Mohammed, VP Digital Energy UK & Ireland, Schneider Electric, adds: “Hitting net-zero by 2050 is a goal that must rely on all sectors working together to become carbon neutral as quickly as possible.
If different industries combine their efforts, they could create ecosystems of renewable energies and efficient energy usage. “Combining different sustainability initiatives into an integrated system like a smart city ensures all systems work towards maximum efficiency.
There is an urgent need to retrofit older buildings using new digital technologies.
Investments such as these can save on energy costs and help us tackle climate change. “Renewable resources and digital solutions can now be employed to create energy positive buildings, capable of producing more energy than they consume.
The ability to generate their own electricity and that of nearby buildings enables these infrastructures to function as microgrids, able to offer resilience to larger grids.
This is incredibly important, particularly during our current energy crisis, and a vital stepping stone towards Smart Cities.”
