PRASEG, the All-Party Parliamentary Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group, is holding an event entitled 'The role of gas heating innovation in a changing policy environment' at the House of Commons in London on 12 May.
The event aims to promote awareness of gas heating innovation and to discuss the strategic role and policy support for these novel solutions between industry stakeholders, policy makers, experts and consumers.
The role of gas is particularly important in the heating sector. Gas fired units are currently responsible for delivering 80% of the UK's heat generation. According to DECC's Heat Strategy gas will remain the key heating fuel at least until 2030.
Given this development, the widespread deployment of efficient gas heating solutions - such as gas absorption heat pumps, small scale CHP, fuel cells or hybrid heat pumps - is necessary to remain in line with binding carbon targets.
Beyond delivering carbon reductions, the uptake of efficient gas heating solutions has also the potential to promote:
· Sustained benefits from an extensive and high quality gas or LP gas infrastructure either on or off gas grid;
· cost effective use of a strategic national asset such as gas;
· fuel cost reductions during a challenging period for households, particularly those in fuel poverty;
· the emergence of smart home concepts allowing consumers to take control of their energy generation and play a more active role in the energy system.
Many efficient gas heating products are now available in the UK market; however commercialisation is challenging and policy is key to bringing these to market. Drawing on effective past policy innovation may be the way forward; FIT support created a vibrant Solar PV market while the introduction of an efficiency performance standard for boilers in 2005 under the Building Regulations mandated condensing boilers and made the UK the biggest market for these products in Europe.
Chairing the event will be Peter Aldous MP, All Party Group for Intelligent Energy.
Speakers are:
· Paul Blacklock, head of strategy and corporate affairs, Calor Gas - off gas grid potential for efficient gas heating solutions
· David Wagstaff, head of heat strategy and policy, DECC (invited)
· Phil Caldwell, ceo, Ceres Power - enabling smart UK gas technology developers in a global environment
· Christian Engelke, director, Viessmann (invited) - gas technologies and the smart house concept
· Rt Hon Caroline Flint MP, Shadow Secretary of State, DECC (invited)
· Simon Osborne, head of product and channel management, Baxi - developing a portfolio of gas transition technologies as a solution for diverse market segments
· Ilias Vazaios, partner, Ecuity - policy innovation as a vehicle for gas heating innovation
· Tony Stiff, ceo, Flow Energy - developing novel commercialisation approaches for cost efficient gas heating
For more information contact Jane Vaus, coordinator, All Party Group for Intelligent Energy,
jane.vaus@btinternet.com
PRASEG is the cross party group for UK politicians and senior industry stakeholders that exists to promote sustainable energy issues in Parliament and the wider political community.
