IET: Local energy much more than ‘supplying electricity to the Grid’

The report by the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee published today draws attention to the very wide range of benefits that would flow from the UK producing and consuming more of its energy locally.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) agrees that the contribution of local energy can be very much more than simply supplying electricity to the grid.

Professor Roger Kemp from the IET, said: “Energy is used to deliver heat, light and transport and the point at which these come together to enable efficiency of the whole energy system is at the community and individual level.

“In terms of sustainability, the ability of a community to manage its own energy supply and demand locally is a largely untapped resource. Taking a joined up local approach to energy could make better use of “waste” heat and reduce losses in the power system.”

Noting that community-owned energy projects that have materialised to date have done so “against all possible odds”, the IET welcomes the proposals put forward by the ECC for improving access to finance, and support for communities in the project planning stage.

Ends

Notes to editors:
The IET gave written and oral evidence to the Select Committee.  The report is available at: http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/energy-and-climate-change-committee/news/local-energy-substantive/
The IET’s submission to DECC’s Call for Evidence on Community Energy is available at: http://www.theiet.org/policy/submissions/s962.cfm
Interview opportunities are available with IET spokespersons.
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