Carbon Trust targets innovation

The Carbon Trust has launched a new collaborative initiative to solve key issues currently preventing a more effective transition to a low cost and low-carbon energy system

The Energy Systems Innovation Platform (ESIP) brings together companies including Centrica, Dong Energy, SSE, Scottish Power, Statoil and Wood Group Clean Energy.

ESIP also has support from the Scottish government and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The aim is to develop solutions to overcome barriers currently deterring investment in flexibility solutions, such as energy storage, which will be the initial focus of ESIP.

The first results of this work will be published at the end of the year.

Carbon Trust director of innovation Andrew Lever said: “There is now general consensus that the UK energy markets needs to be revamped so we can embrace a flexible and more decentralised energy system. 

“However, the fragmented nature of the energy market is driving fragmented decision making and many investments are led by technology not market needs.

“There is an urgent need for an open forum where the wider industry can collaborate to solve common issues in order to capitalise on recent storage innovation. ESIP fills that gap.”

Image: Dong is planning the first battery storage system at an offshore wind farm (Dong Energy)