Page 37 - Gi_September2021

igem news

land, primarily on old gasworks sites. fight our corner, making the case for
More recently, my focus has been on the our role in helping the UK minimise FOLLOWING IN THEIR
future; leading innovative research and cumulative emissions and get to net FOOTSTEPS
developing demonstration projects to zero as soon as possible.
identify the energy solutions required GAS HAS GOT A LONG history
if the UK is to heat homes, power heavy OVER THE NEXT YEAR, MY FOCUS AREAS WILL BE: – and those of you who know
industry and keep the lights on in a Robustly representing our industry me (or follow me on Twitter
green, zero carbon way. 1 in the increasingly integrated gas and @gasworksollie) will be all too
electricity market, as the sector builds aware of my interest in it. I have
GOING GREEN an energy system centred around been known for seeking out and
It’s become clear that contrary to green gas and provides an affordable sharing snaps of old gasworks and
the views of some policy makers and customer proposition. I will be making gasholders while on family holidays.
an influential electrification lobby, the case for hydrogen and biomethane And I’m not the first member of my
the only way we can affordably and as a practical, politically deliverable family to work ‘on the gas’.
reliably decarbonise energy in the UK solution in my engagement with UK My grandparents were in fairly
is to use gas. This means converting and devolved governments – and short supply from a young age – but
homes to green gases like hydrogen your support will help strengthen its my aunt’s father, Bill Jackson, filled
and biomethane; switching industry weight. IGEM will continue to offer a the role of grandad beautifully.
like steelworks in our industrial trusted advisor role into policy making He was enthusiastic about our
heartlands to hydrogen; providing for and deliver coordinated, compelling industry and worked his way up
the needs of transport in moving away evidence to secure our future. the ranks at three gasworks in the
from fossil fuels; and continuing to northwest of England. He started
support our friends in the electricity Placing IGEM at the cutting edge of off in Farnworth as an engineer
sector. The inherent storage and 2 energy innovation with networks maintaining coke wagons, patched-
flexibility that gas provides is the and wider businesses, seeking access up shrapnel holes on gasholders
only way that the UK has been able to a range of funding mechanisms to after bombing raids and became
to decarbonise the electricity supply gain accelerated understanding for the Superintendent looking after
– keeping the lights on, hospitals the transition ahead. This includes the gas production process in
powered, home ‘offices’ working, EVs extending our reach into industrial Colne. He later became Chief Gas
charging, and Netflix streaming. clusters to provide expertise to Production Engineer in Singapore
Independent reports demonstrate pioneering projects to fuel switch to and oversaw the gas network
the central role gas must have to hydrogen and incorporate the latest through conversion away from coal
decarbonise across the range of developments in hydrogen safety, gasification. For his services to the
energy demand sectors. The Pathways technical standards and processes, with gas industry in training up the next
to Net Zero report from the Energy peer review and oversight to support generation of local engineers, he
Networks Association demonstrates engineering studies and designs. The was awarded an MBE.
that by continuing to use gas learning through these activities will Now it’s this generation of gas
alongside electricity, the average be transferable to networks in their engineers and managers who must
homeowner will be paying £500 a transition to net zero. lead our industry through its next
year less compared to electrification evolution to the age of zero carbon.
alone. And critically, the impact on Extend the Hydrogen Knowledge
customers’ homes would be minimal. 3 Centre to capture all the
There’s been a general slide towards developments with 100 per cent management, manufacturing or holding
an acceptance that one set of national hydrogen demonstrators coming the shovel of change.
infrastructure, which has been through from the Prime Minister’s And of course, I will try to meet as
carrying fossil fuel-based electrons 10-Point Plan. This means gathering many of you as possible – whether that
since 1882, should instead be information in the outline and is online with a brew, or in person. I am
distributing green electrons – and this detailed designs for hydrogen village really interested to hear from you and
is clearly a good thing. But to transition proposals and recording the process of know what you think, about IGEM and
the other set of national infrastructure transformation with the preparation our role through the coming decades,
that’s been carrying fossil fuel-based of homes, businesses and the gas and how we can support the sector and
molecules since 1813 to carry green network, through to the build, go-live improve our services for our members
molecules doesn’t come without its and operational stages. The ambition across the globe. Please do reach out,
detractors. The suggestion that our here is to develop a digital hydrogen and I’ll do my best to get back to you.
molecules can go green too has caused conversion manual to guide the sector The gas sector faces a challenge
a bit of a stir. Surely, if the goal is net through the transition to 2050. as significant as any we have faced
zero, we should be working diligently in our long history. But if our history
across all options available and Provide services to the sector to has taught us anything, it is that in
designing the system and solutions 4 peer review and publish reports our industry we have all the skills,
that can deliver quickly to mitigate for our members as an unhindered innovative thinking, and commitment
climate change? voice for gas – as well as developing an needed to rise to the task of going green,
My commitment to you, as members, offer to the sector in providing whole and we have a responsibility to continue
is that I will build on the excellent energy system and net zero skills and delivering for the communities and
work that is being done across our competencies for all our members, industries that rely on us.
industry, by networks, the gas industry whether in customer services, I am looking forward to working
supply chain and installers. I will finance, regulation, commercial, asset with you all.

37

11/08/2021 09:27
IGEMNews_CEOMessage.indd 2
IGEMNews_CEOMessage.indd 2 11/08/2021 09:27