30/03/2023
Today marks ‘Energy Security Day’, when the UK Government launches its revised net zero and energy security strategy.
It’s expected to include a wave of decarbonisation & energy policies. Some of the more controversial include approvals for new oil & gas projects as well as carbon capture and storage investments worth about £20bn over two decades. It is also expected to include a boost for renewable energy, support for hydrogen projects and proposals for a zero emission vehicle mandate for auto manufacturers in the UK.
According to the IEA, just a third of the technologies needed for us to reach our 2050 Net Zero ambitions are commercially available today. Patent filings therefore provide an interesting window in to the maturity of different technologies, the companies actively investing in R&D and what may be to come.
No single innovation or breakthrough will single-handedly take us where we need to go. Instead, thousands of small breakthroughs in chemistry and materials, engineering, electronics and many other fields will be relied upon to collectively deliver the solution.
Ahead of the announcements we’ve brought together a selection of informed insight from across the firm.
Is now the time to capture carbon? – Katie Smith, Technical Assistant
Like many technologies, the cost of capturing CO2 is currently prohibitive for large scale commercialisation. Yet long-term government commitments paired with private sector innovation could help us reach the point where it can be considered both technically and financially viable.
Sustainability in the Automotive Industry (p6) – Andy Williams, Senior Associate
Electric vehicles are a great solution to the decarbonisation of transport, with some unexpected downsides. Right now, EVs cause significantly higher emissions during their manufacture and must be on the road for a considerable period of time to overcome this. However, patent filings show there is very interesting R&D work taking place in batter manufacturing and recycling, alternative battery chemistries and making batteries more efficient. Each of these promises to make transportation even more efficient.
Innovation in Green Hydrogen – Olivia Buckingham, Technical Assistant
The production of ‘low carbon’ hydrogen is already a key element in the UK government’s energy security strategy and patent filings covering ‘hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources show a steady increase. The innovative use of hydrogen would represent a disruptive change for the renewable energy industry, allowing wind and solar farms to store surplus generated electricity for later use.
Technology and innovative are integral to addressing the climate emergency. As are the intellectual property rights that give companies and investors the confidence to put the time and effort in to bringing new inventions to market. We look forward to working with our clients to protect their IP, achieve their commercial goals and contribute to our Net Zero goals.
This article is for general information only. Its content is not a statement of the law on any subject and does not constitute advice. Please contact Reddie & Grose LLP for advice before taking any action in reliance on it.
