This new analysis, under the
Technology Innovation Needs Assessments (TINAs), delves into
marine energy, electricity networks and storage, and Carbon Capture
and Storage (CCS). It examines the commercial potential and key
economic benefits of these technologies to the UK, alongside the
key hurdles which need to be overcome and how investment can best
be channelled to ensure they their full potential.
The work has been undertaken by the Low Carbon Innovation
Coordination Group (LCICG), which is made up of a range of
different bodies including the Department of Energy and Climate
Change (DECC), the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
(BIS), the Carbon Trust, the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI),
the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), the Scottish Government,
Scottish Enterprise, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research
Council (EPSRC), and other organisations with significant low
carbon innovation interests.
The TINA analytical framework was developed and implemented by
the Carbon Trust with contributions from all core LCICG members as
well as input from numerous other expert individuals and
organisations.
Key findings of the Technology Innovation Needs
Assessments (TINAs)
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS):
CCS for the power sector has tremendous potential to help the UK
and the world effectively meet GHG and energy security targets.
Innovation across the CCS technology chain could reduce UK energy
system costs by £10 to 45 billion* to 2050, and innovation to
ensure the security of long-run CO2 storage remains particularly
critical to CCS viability. Innovation can also help create a UK
industry with the potential to contribute further economic value of
£3 to 16 billion* to 2050. Significant private sector investment in
innovation, catalysed by public sector support where there are
market failures, can deliver the bulk of these benefits with strong
value for money.
Download the
CCS report (PDF)
Electricity networks and storage (EN&S):
Advanced EN&S technologies have the potential to address new
stresses that are likely to be placed on the electricity system,
and to do so more cost-effectively than would be possible through
traditional methods of grid reinforcement and fossil-fuel-powered
system balancing capacity. EN&Stechnologies could play an
important role in the future energy system, supporting the uptake
of renewable electricity generation, renewable heat, electric
vehicles (EVs), and other low carbon technologies. Innovation in
EN&S technologies could save the UK £4 to £19 billion* to 2050
and could help create UK-based business opportunities that could
contribute an estimated £6 to £34 billion* to GDP to 2050.
Download
the EN&S report (PDF)
Marine energy:
The UK has a large natural resource of marine energy that could
make a meaningful contribution to the UK energy mix from around
2025. Cost of energy generated will need to reach around £100/MWh
by 2025 for marine energy to be competitive with other
technologies. This pathway is ambitious but possible with
significant innovation. If successful, innovation in Marine energy
could save the energy system approximately £3 to £8 billion* and
help create a UK industry that could contribute an estimated £1 to
£4 billion* to GDP up to 2050.
Download
the Marine energy report (PDF)
The TINA findings will be used to underpin the design and focus
of DECC's and other LCICG's members' programmes and activities in
these technology areas.
The first TINA on offshore wind was published in February 2012.
TINAs for other technology areas including Bioenergy, Industrial
Energy Efficiency, Renewable Heat, Domestic Buildings, Nuclear
Fission and Hydrogen are expected to be published over the next few
months.
Download the
Offshore wind power report (PDF)
Further details of the TINA Project visit DECC's website.
* Cumulative (2010-2050) present discounted
values