A study has revealed greenhouse gases in Cheshire could be reduced by a third by 2030 as part of a plan to create tens of thousands of jobs and billions of pounds' investment for the region.
The E-Port Smart Energy Master Plan study took place between February and July this year, and the £200k study found that as well as potential energy cost savings of up to 25% in Ellesmere Port, a local, smart energy system could reduce greenhouse gases by 34%.
Ged Barlow, Chair of the Energy Innovation District, which carried out the study, said: “We face a huge challenge in the 海角视频 to decarbonise and safeguard the industries that make our nation prosper.
"The Energy Innovation District is centred around the industrial heartland of Ellesmere Port, with its concentration of leading businesses in manufacturing and chemical production.
"With companies like Vauxhall threatening job losses in the region, it brings into sharp focus the need to reduce energy costs and offer a viable solution to decarbonisation.
"This study demonstrates how the North West is leading the charge, setting out a nationally replicable model for smart energy systems.”
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The study set out a design and ten-year investment plan for the industrial heartland around Ellesmere Port, where 5% of the 海角视频’s energy is currently consumed. It showed how locally-generated energy could be traded between local consumers and generators.
Other findings outlined in the study included:
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1. A whole system approach combining electricity and hydrogen is key to a lower carbon future – by enabling flexibility between different vectors, the concept unlocks capacity on the energy networks
2. The introduction of a higher carbon tax would enable the competitiveness of investment in low-carbon projects and reduce the cost of energy for consumers
3. There is a danger that the pace of growth is leaving the job market behind and it is "crucial" that all parties – from schools through to the industrial players themselves – take ownership of this problem to address the skills issue
Myles Kitcher from Peel Environmental, which is also working on the project, said: “Transforming the way we generate and distribute energy could lead to millions of pounds invested in Cheshire. The opportunities are huge and the next step is to ensure we have the right skills and workforce to deliver these world leading technologies.
"This project is one of many in the North West Energy and Hydrogen Cluster which could see over 33,000 jobs created and £4 billion invested in the region.”
Spearheaded by the Cheshire Energy Hub, the Energy Innovation District brings together energy users, network owners, innovators and partners – including EA Technology, Burns & McDonnell, Urenco, Cadent Gas, SP Energy Networks and Peel Environmental – working alongside Cheshire & Warrington LEP, Cheshire West and Chester Council and the University of Chester.
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Jonathan Chapman, Burns & McDonnell’s 海角视频 managing director and principal author of the report, said: “Investment and regulatory change will be required for E-Port Energy to fulfil the huge positive impact it has the potential for, and the same goes for the 海角视频 as a whole.
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"Our current inability to create supply security that can deal with demand spikes while also finding solutions to meet carbon emission reduction targets reflects some failings in mapping out a clear future.
“However, a whole system approach - a fully integrated proposal for master-planning and delivering energy services at a district level, encompassing the supply and demand of all interconnected energy vectors - will optimise the 海角视频’s sustainability, reliability and affordability performance in the future.”