The race to hit Net Zero targets will require an unprecedented surge in innovation. As Dame Laura Sandys, CBE, explains, energy systems will be reshaped, with a few hundred players in the market replaced by millions of actions and assets in a distributed system. These will necessitate not just physical changes to how we generate, use, store and distribute energy, but a new digitalisation that allows for an effective market to function.

But this is just one aspect of the complex web of innovation that will be needed. In this episode, we learn about the challenges of decarbonising at pace from exhibitors and speakers at the Innovation Zero conference in London. 

There is no shortage of ideas for tools that will help us reach Net Zero. The challenge for innovators is to fund the rapid scaling up of these ideas, and to understand the needs of potential customers. And those customers—governments, asset owners, engineering firms—must find ways to spot the best ideas, and to direct their investment wisely.

Guests

Dame Laura Sandys, CBE, chair, UK government Energy Digitalisation Taskforce, non-executive director SGN, SSE Transmission, Highview Power, Energy Systems Catapult. 

Jonathan Holyoak, Global Net Zero Programme Director, AtkinsRéalis

Stuart McLaren, Global Net Zero Business Development Director, AtkinsRéalis

Exhibition interviewees

Hermione Crease, co-founder, Purrmetrix

Manuel Sanabria, project manager, SatVu

Benjamin Todd, PR liaison, UnDo

Partner

AtkinsRéalis is one of the world’s most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies. Employing over 18,000 people across the UK, North America, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and Europe, AtkinsRéalis uses the latest technology to deliver major capital projects, and provide expert consultancy for clients across the energy, transportation and infrastructure sectors.