Page 3 - Gi flipbook_May 2019

OUR CONTRIBUTORS WELCOME TO THE MAY EDITION

CHARLOTTE
HARTLEY, EDITOR’S LETTER
Regulatory Pilot, Pale
Blue Dot Energy
Charlotte’s role is THIS EDITION, we are looking at innovation – the kind
ensuring that all that enables us to sniff out new frontiers on far away
of the permits and consenting planets. When it was announced that scientists had
requirements of Pale Blue Dot’s discovered methane on Mars, I felt it was time for a bold
projects are met, and engaging in rebranding of your favourite gas journal. I’m confident
regulatory affairs in low carbon you will all join me in welcoming our Martian colleagues
energy. Charlie joined the team in to the institution in this special edition of Gas Universal.
2016, when her role was to manage The role of the gas networks has traditionally been to
Pale Blue Dot’s marketing effort. keep our homes and businesses warm. But now, their role
Charlie has an MA in Economics is changing. These days, the gas networks are expected to
from the University of Dundee and is lead the way when it comes to innovation. From hybrids to hydrogen, we take a look
applying her analytical background at some of the ground-breaking work taking place within the gas networks.
and interest in energy and climate In 2018, SGN and ULC Robotics began a collaborative innovation project
change policy to ensuring low carbon with the help of Ofgem’s Network Innovation Competition (NIC) to develop a
energy solutions can meet regulatory new robotic roadworks and excavation system, fusing advanced robotics with
requirements. She is passionate artificial intelligence to reduce the cost and disruption of utility excavations. Find
about engaging young people to act out how it works here.
on climate change and the low carbon While the UK government has long been sceptical about carbon capture and
transition. She is a member of the storage technology, the people at Pale Blue Dot Energy are optimistic that 2018
2050 Climate Group and currently marked a turning point for the UK’s CCUS market. Here, they tell us their plans
sits on the Scottish government’s for the future.
Just Transition Commission. Programmable logic controllers have been used to modify the way control
systems operate since the 1960s. Now, new advancements in PLCs mean they,
MATT HINDLE, and other technologies, are playing a greater role than ever in boiler and burner
Head of Gas, applications. The folk at EOGB Energy Products explain.
Energy Networks In addition, IGEM has responded to Ofgem’s consultation on the RIIO-2 business
Association plans for gas networks, saying the regulator needs a more holistic approach to
Matt works with ENA’s price controls. The institution has expressed concerns over Ofgem’s package
members on issues of recommendations, questioning the rationale behind some of the regulator’s
affecting the gas transmission and decisions. You can read a summary of the institution’s comments right here.
distribution networks, including the This is all topped off with a generous helping of news and events from around
future role for gas in heat, transport the industry, including our Gas Utilisation conference, the Sir Denis Rooke
and energy policy more widely. Memorial Lecture with Dame Judith Hackitt and an encounter with the judges for
Prior to joining ENA, Matt spent six this year’s Young Persons Paper Competition.
years working on green gas, energy We hope you enjoy the May edition,
policy and recycling issues for ADBA,
ultimately as Head of Policy. He
started his career with the Liberal
Democrats as a researcher.

ALI ASMARI,
Program Manager SHARON BAKER-HALLAM
of ULC Robotics’ EDITOR
Robotic Roadworks BA (HONS) AIGEM
and Excavation INSTITUTION OF GAS ENGINEERS AND MANAGERS (IGEM)
System (RRES)
Ali has spent over eight years in the
field of robotics, with experience in
design and development, automation
and control, machine vision and
artificial intelligence. He began his
education at the Ferdowsi University
of Mashhad, in Iran, earning a TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
BS in Mechanical Engineering.
Continuing his education at GOT SOMETHING you want to get off your chest? We’re always happy to hear any
Oklahoma State University, he comments you might have about Gi. If you have an opinion you want to share with us,
earned both an MS and later a PhD email editor@igem.org.uk or write to Editor Sharon Baker-Hallam at IGEM House,
in Mechanical Engineering. 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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