Green Energy
Accelerating a shift to ULEV Vehicles
We have a significant opportunity to leverage the work being undertaken within the region in both power electronics and vehicle manufacture to lead the way in the adoption and take up of ULEVS and take a significant step forward toward our mutual zero carbon agenda, if we can expedite the roll out of a suitable EV charging infrastructure as well as refuelling stations for green gas like biomethane and hydrogen. Despite the prevalence of and preference for private vehicles, CCR has seen a slow uptake to date of electric vehicles. A similar picture exists for charger installations. CCR currently hosts 173 public charging devices, including 31 rapid public chargers.
Poor access to charge points is believed to be a significant part of the slow transition to EV along with concerns over range and restricted choice.
Work is already underway at the CCR CSA Catapult, which has created a state-of-the-art innovation centre within the compound semiconductor campus at Imperial Park, in South Wales which is accelerating the UK towards its Net Zero goal. Working with over 60 partners on projects worth in excess of £70m, this work will directly impact our ability to use more renewable energy and further electrify vehicles.
Proposition
- Expedite the roll out of EV charging stations across the region so that we have the necessary infrastructure to capitalise upon the work being undertaken in both power electronics and vehicle manufacture.
- Engagement with bus and freight operators will be key to encouraging ULEV uptake. Our aim will be to increase operators’ knowledge and awareness of different technologies and support them with access to funding. However, take up is likely to remain low until the necessary charging and refueling infrastructure is in place.
Requirements
- £700m – In the form of repayable stimulus funds to incentive transitions – split £400M, £200M, £100M – domestic refits / renewables and ULEV.
- Derogations – A derogation or ability to flex the Council Tax system in order to establish repayment mechanisms.
Domestic Energy Retrofit
The region has a high level of fuel poverty and below average levels of energy performance in its EPC bandings. To put that in context:
- 154,000 homes need to be improved from EPC band G, F and moved to E to D, C and B;
- 112,000 homes currently heated by fossil fuels to move to low carbon heating;
Lack of incentives, funding, knowledge, and availability of skilled contractors are barriers to investment. However, the economics of retrofit needs to be considered in the context of the whole energy system, to avoid over-retrofitting buildings at a higher annual cost than consuming more low carbon energy. This is where optimisation of retrofit can be undertaken with decarbonisation of both grids and installation of intelligent and flexible heating, such as hybrid heating systems demonstrated through the pioneering Freedom Project undertaken by the local electricity and gas networks in Bridgend.
Proposition
In order to increase take up of measures we propose the following:
- Undertaking a full review of potential funding mechanisms. Consideration of grant funding where no suitable payback measures are viable.
- Commissioning a wraparound survey and specification offer to enable properties to be rapidly assessed and projects developed at scale and pace.
- Implementation of a trusted contractor scheme to deliver the works.
Renewable Electricity Generation
The ambition is that the region will generate the equivalent of ~50% of its total energy consumption in 2035 from regional renewable sources. Analysis indicates that it is possible to install 1.6GW of renewable electricity in the CCR region (which includes 532MW of wind and 820MW of solar.
Additional opportunities also exist with approximately 70MW of wind projects identified on the public sector estate, with favourable grid and planning prospects.
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Proposition
Galvanise the construction of renewable proposals and de-risk the local ownership requirement through injecting a public sector stake into the mix. A stimulus injection of funds equivalent to a 20% equity stake into the 1.6gw pipeline would heighten investor confidence and expedite activity.
