Six tests for Brighton and Hove’s new Decarbonisation Pathway
Six tests for Brighton and Hove’s new Decarbonisation Pathway
Kayla Ente
Brighton and Hove City Council will shortly publish a new study on Decarbonisation Pathways for the City. Here, Kayla Ente, Founder and CEO of BHESCo (the Brighton and Hove Energy Services Cooperative) lays down six tests for the success of this initiative.
Brighton and Hove’s Decarbonisation Pathway: Addressing the Path to Net Zero
Brighton and Hove is finalising its Decarbonisation Pathway to navigate the city’s route to meeting its net zero carbon emission target. Achieving this goal requires an approach that is both technically feasible and affordable to residents, given the complexity and strategic approach required to transition to a low-carbon future. The development of the pathway will revolve around several crucial questions, meeting six key criteria to ensure its long-term success.
Six tests for a successful Decarbonisation Pathway
The Decarbonisation Pathway must meet six key criteria. These “six tests” are essential to achieving the Net Zero target sustainably, equitably, and effectively.
1. A strategy for decarbonising heat, and power, and transport
The Decarbonisation Pathway must present a comprehensive strategy for decarbonising three critical sectors: heat, power, and transport. This could include widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the installation of EV charging infrastructure, the shift to renewable electricity generation, and transitioning buildings to low-carbon heating systems. A unified approach will ensure that all sectors contribute to reducing carbon emissions while providing cleaner, more efficient services for residents.
A critical step in decarbonising the city is the transition away from gas as a heat source. Heat pumps present a viable alternative, but they must be introduced in a way that is affordable for all residents.
A key challenge is identifying where heat pumps are feasible and where heat networks, which distribute heat from a central source, may be more beneficial. In areas where heat pumps cannot be installed, a clear plan for electrifying heat in a cost-effective manner is needed. This could involve upgrading the local grid infrastructure to support higher electricity demand, as well as ensuring that new heat networks are powered by renewable energy sources. This is likely to be outlined in the Decarbonisation Pathway and is likely to require more detail and a community engagement strategy to implement it effectively.
2. Affordability of energy improvement measures
Affordability is central to the success of the Decarbonisation Pathway. It is essential that energy improvement measures are affordable for all income groups. This may require financial support from the local authority or UK Government, involving partnerships with private companies to reduce or remove upfront costs. The city must balance short-term affordability with long-term benefits, ensuring that investments in energy efficiency will pay off in reduced energy bills for residents while increasing the resale value of their properties. As Brighton and Hove exceeds the national average of properties in the private rental sector, with many tenants living in poorly insulated homes that are costly to heat, action must be taken to ensure that landlords provide a home where vulnerable people can afford to be comfortable in winter, and that does not pose a threat to their physical or mental well being. This is the intent of the national Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) which is proposed to be an EPC Band C by 2030.
As Brighton and Hove moves towards net zero, it is crucial that vulnerable residents are not left behind. Addressing fuel poverty, affecting individuals with low incomes struggling to pay their heating bills, is a top priority. The city’s Decarbonisation Pathway must include measures to protect residents from rising energy costs. This could involve targeted financial assistance, energy efficiency upgrades for low-income homes, and community energy programmes that provide cheaper, renewable energy to those in need.
3. Adoption of energy improvement measures by local people
The success of any decarbonisation pathway hinges on the participation of local residents and businesses. This could involve simplifying the process of applying for grants, offering rebates or low-interest loans for energy improvements, and making it easier for homeowners to access technical expertise. Creating a sense of shared responsibility and highlighting the personal and community benefits of decarbonisation will also encourage widespread adoption.
Public awareness campaigns could inform residents of the long-term benefits of these improvements, both in terms of cost savings and environmental impact. Should Brighton and Hove submit its expression of interest in the Warm Homes programme, they should seek support from community based organisations that are experienced in rolling out energy efficiency improvement programmes.
4. Coordination with stakeholders
Effective coordination with key stakeholders, including the local grid operator UK Power Networks, SGN, energy suppliers, community and voluntary groups and regulatory bodies, is crucial.
As Brighton and Hove shifts to electric heating and renewable energy sources, the local grid must be able to handle increased demand. Stakeholders must work together to ensure that the necessary infrastructure upgrades are made, that renewable energy is efficiently integrated into the grid, that resources available locally are effectively employed, and that local people have a voice in the decarbonisation of our communities.
5. Long-term energy security for the community
Energy security is a vital aspect of the decarbonisation pathway. The city needs to ensure that its residents and businesses have access to reliable, affordable energy in the long term. This could involve developing community-scale renewable energy projects, investing in energy storage solutions to mitigate fluctuations in supply, and reducing dependence on fossil fuels, which are subject to price volatility.
In a recent report by the Community Energy for Energy Solidarity Horizon 2020 project, local energy was mentioned as one of the most effective ways to tackle energy poverty.
6. Community ownership of energy assets
Encouraging local communities to invest in ownership of energy generation assets can play a key role in the decarbonisation process. By supporting community energy projects, such as neighbourhood solar arrays or onshore wind turbines owned by local residents, Brighton and Hove can create a sense of shared responsibility for achieving net zero. Local residents can be a source of funding, obtaining the shared benefits available through earning a return on the investment and the establishment of community benefit funds. Community ownership helps keep energy costs low, providing a virtuous circle where profits are reinvested into the local economy, and benefits are enjoyed by the communities that house the generation assets.
Locations where the installation of rooftop solar panels can be expanded, including public buildings, industrial buildings, and homes, that are mapped in the Decarbonisation Pathway should be included in an actionable installation timeline. Additionally, locations where onshore wind energy would be most effective and least objectionable should be mapped out in a reasonable development timeline. These lowest cost renewable energy sources would cut carbon emissions with the prospect of reducing electricity costs through the implementation of smart microgrid models involving partnership with stakeholders, achieving the city’s objective to infrastructurally reduce fuel poverty and as a result, excess winter mortality.
Final thoughts
Brighton and Hove’s Decarbonisation Pathway is a critical step towards meeting our Net Zero target. By addressing the key issues of heat electrification, incentivising energy improvements, local electricity generation and storage, fuel poverty and by ensuring the pathway meets the six essential tests, the city can create a realistic, affordable, and effective pathway to achieving Net Zero.
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Photo courtesy of BHESCo
Kayla Ente is Founder and CEO of BHESCo (the Brighton and Hove Energy Services Cooperative)
Perspective pieces are the responsibility of the authors, and do not commit Climate:Change in any way. Guest posts are published to explore issues or stimulate debate. Comments are welcome.