The Future of Business Energy

npower Business Solutions, Energy HQ

Energy is evolving. New technology and the shift towards low-carbon are changing the way businesses can function. To help make sense of this changing energy landscape, some of those at the heart of the conversation speak to npower Business Solutions, Energy HQ. In the Future of Business Energy series, you will hear the latest views, ideas and insights from leading experts and influencers. The impact of emerging technology, how sustainability is driving change and the industry’s most pressing policies are discussed. The skills needed for energy specialists of the future, behavioural change and winning support from the board are also debated. Find out how these issues and more, affect you and your business.

Episodes

  1. How sustainability is shaping the energy market of tomorrow

    09/01/2019

    How sustainability is shaping the energy market of tomorrow

    According to the latest market insight, transitioning to a low-carbon economy is happening faster than many of us may think. In fact, data from EnApps Sys identifies that electricity generated from renewables will dwarf electricity generated from fossil fuels by 2020 (121TWh compared to 106TWh), while statistics from Energy Innovation highlight that renewables are already considerably cheaper. Offshore wind, for example, secured a strike price as little as £57.50/MWh for delivery in 2022/23 in recent Contracts for Difference (CfD) auctions. When compared to fossil fuels such as nuclear (Hinkley Point nuclear plant granted a strike price of £92.50/MWh), its disruptive potential is clear.   While currently perceived as intermittent, ongoing R&D into battery storage technologies could make renewable self-generation the stable future of the energy market. This premise presents considerable opportunity for business customers, who have significant potential to offset rising energy costs and increase both security of supply and sustainability. But as an energy manager, how can you plan for a low-cost, low-carbon energy future? What are the opportunities and benefits of doing do? What changes do you need to adopt today, and which developments do you need to keep an eye out for?   In this podcast, we discuss the changing face of the energy market, the influential role of sustainability and how you can plan to reap the benefits with some of the industry’s leading names. Audrey Gallacher, head of policy for Energy UK, and Richard Jones, Strategic Manager for Generation Sales, npower Business Solutions, spoke to Julie-Anna Needham.

    20 min
  2. Solving the behavioural change challenge

    08/18/2019

    Solving the behavioural change challenge

    According to independent research, businesses could significantly improve energy management by embedding Carbon Psychology in staff behaviour. Currently, just 18% of energy savings in UK industry come from behaviour change – far lower than what is actually achievable.   Although the UK is relatively energy efficient compared to other countries, it has performed strongly in raising energy efficiency amongst households. Industry, on the other hand, has slowed since 2007.    It is estimated that £600 million of potential savings could be achieved by businesses actively fostering behavioural change among their employees. Around a half of this could be achieved by Industrial and Commercial businesses (I&Cs).    The greatest scope for savings lie in wholesale and retail (£120 million), manufacturing (£64 million), administrative and support services (£69 million) and professional, scientific and technical (£55 million).   While this sounds positive in principle, the question of ‘how’ still remains. In this podcast, we explore the idea of Carbon Psychology and what this means for UK businesses. From exploring successful strategies to promote energy efficiency, to investing in new technologies, increasing the visibility of energy consumption among employees and even encouraging staff to take ownership of energy management, we bring together some of the industry’s leading names to solve the behavioural change challenge.  Lowri Evans, Low Carbon and Behaviour Change Manager at npower Business Solutions, Energy HQ, Paul Crewe, Executive Director at Anthesis Group and Lara Young, Group Carbon Manager for Costain Group, spoke to Julie-Anna Needham.

    22 min

About

Energy is evolving. New technology and the shift towards low-carbon are changing the way businesses can function. To help make sense of this changing energy landscape, some of those at the heart of the conversation speak to npower Business Solutions, Energy HQ. In the Future of Business Energy series, you will hear the latest views, ideas and insights from leading experts and influencers. The impact of emerging technology, how sustainability is driving change and the industry’s most pressing policies are discussed. The skills needed for energy specialists of the future, behavioural change and winning support from the board are also debated. Find out how these issues and more, affect you and your business.