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WELCOME TO THE MARCH EDITION

OUR CONTRIBUTORS A MESSAGE FROM IGEM’S CEO

CHRIS STARK CLIMATE CHANGE IS now way up the
Chief Executive, the agenda and decarbonisation of the energy
Committee system is an imperative. However, when we
on Climate Change talk to consumers about net zero, or where
Chris has been their energy comes from, or how gas
in post at the UK contributes to their daily wellbeing for
government’s heating and comfort, we find that awareness
official climate of the importance of decarbonised gas is very
change advisor since April 2018. He low in public consciousness compared to,
was previously the Director of Energy say, the role of electric vehicles. And that’s
and Climate Change for the Scottish despite 38 per cent of the gas supply being
government and before that worked across directly consumed for domestic use.
Whitehall, including in the Treasury. As gas engineers and managers, we will provide the range of technical
On 25 March, Chris will deliver IGEM’s solutions required to decarbonise. We are now fully engaged in solving these
Sir Denis Rooke Memorial Lecture, issues right across our sector. It is our responsibility to deliver these affordably
entitled ‘Molecules and electrons: the and sustainably, in ways that allow us all to use energy when and how we want
net zero conundrum’, at London’s No. 11 to, with minimum disruption.
Cavendish Square. In this, IGEM has a crucial role. To do so, we will have to do things that don’t
Book your place now at bit.ly/IGEMsdr20 always come naturally to us. As deliverers of new technologies we must lead
and engage effectively and confidently with the public to bring everyone along
HARI VAMADEVAN with us on the decarbonisation journey.
Senior Vice There is a public mandate to decarbonise. A window of political opportunity
President and has been opened. Whatever your own view of Theresa May’s government, the
Regional Manager move to net zero carbon emissions from the previous 80 per cent target was
for UK and West inspirational in that there is now nowhere for anyone or any ‘difficult’ sector,
Africa, such as domestic heat, to hide.
DNV GL – Oil & Gas Academic analysis shows that changes of huge scale are rarely impeded by
Hari has over innovation, but by the speed at which we can realistically deploy technology.
25 years’ experience in the oil and This must drive us to robustly and quickly complete the demonstration trials
gas industry, both in upstream and to prove scale up-routes to a decarbonised gas network, then act to get
downstream markets. He holds infrastructure laid down.
a master’s degree in Chemical Furthermore, a clear and transparent narrative must be executed soon, from
Engineering and has worked in various government to the public, about all aspects of the energy transition. That will
technical positions in safety and require a strong engagement of the engineering community with other
reliability. He joined DNV GL in January disciplines, including the social scientist community, to help government
2005 as part of the acquisition of make the right policy and communications choices.
Jardine and Associates, where he held Fracking faltered because pubic opposition became a preventative barrier.
the position of Managing Director. We must not fail with decarbonisation. IGEM, through its expert membership,
must take the lead, not just through technical excellence, but also by helping
SCOTT RENDALL all stakeholders engage the public in ways that enable the adoption of a future
Lead Design energy system in a fair and just manner.
Engineer at ALH We now have less than three decades to get the job done. Let’s act.
Systems
Scott is an award- NEIL ATKINSON
winning designer IGEM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
from Bristol,
leading a team
of designers for ALH Systems. Having
previously worked in industries from
stairlift design to additive manufacture,
Scott has over 10 years’ experience in the
field of design and its applications.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK GOT SOMETHING you want to get off your chest? We’re always happy to hear any
comments you might have about Gi. If you have an opinion you want to share with
us, email editor@igem.org.uk or write to Editor Sharon Baker-Hallam at IGEM House, 26 & 28 High Street, Kegworth, Derby
DE74 2DA. The best letters and emails we receive will be featured on this page.

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