ACR Journal

April | May 2020 HEAT PUMPS 48 Building sustainable success Volume 6 No.3 The pursuit of increasingly ambitious global decarbonisation targets and a wider recognition of the realities of climate change is driving welcome growth in demand for sustainable products. These changes in attitude have led to a significant improvement in the UK’s renewable performance. Carbon emissions are now at their lowest level since 1888 following the longest run of continuous decarbonisation on record which began seven years ago. This reduction in carbon emissions is due in part to the decline of coal power and other fossil fuels use as an energy source. However, another significant element of this change is the adoption of innovative new renewable products that use electrical energy from sustainable sources such as heat pumps. This point is demonstrated by Government statistics which reveal that low carbon energy sources provided more than half of the UK’s electricity for the first time in 2019. This has driven a significant development of the UK’s renewables sector and presents opportunities for further expansion if steps are taken to build on this foundation. At Stiebel Eltron we marked 11 consecutive years of growth in 2019 following a 38% year-on-year increase in 2018. High standards driving growth To continue this positive trajectory, while continuing to promote the development of ground-breaking new sustainable technology, it’s important that the Government continues to introduce legislation that challenges the status quo and sets the bar high. This is while working closely with manufacturers to provide the support required for industries to adapt to a changing heating landscape. The Future Homes Standard 2025 goes some way to setting a high benchmark to aspire to. It places electrical power at the Stiebel Eltron UK Managing Director Mark McManus on the importance of creating foundations for continued growth. heart of our sustainable future and creates new standards for both the new build and retrofit markets. Its recommendation of low-carbon heating options such as heat pumps is welcome – and if made a genuine enforceable standard for all future homes, could transform the UK’s housing stock. Demanding these standards provides an incentive for manufacturers to innovate. Our growth has oered the opportunity to adapt to changing Government standards – while also developing new technology that can provide high-performance options for new and retrofit homes. A key example of this is our development of a new inverter- driven heat pump range tailored for the residential sector set for launch in 2020. Overcoming uncertainty These new legislative watermarks must be supplemented by a close partnership between the Government and the sector itself to ensure that goals are aligned. This approach would allow Government to better understand how the industry works, what is required in terms of research and investment, while also ensuring that manufacturers are equipped to oer extensive training programmes for installers acclimatising to working with new low-carbon products. Beyond the promotion of growth and a drive to upskill installers, it’s also important that economic disruption is minimised where possible and clarity is maintained in building regulations and financial incentives. Political changes like Brexit present a significant challenge for the sector and threaten to endanger the progress already made – while also leaving existing sustainability targets uncertain. We took the decision to take in an additional £3m of stock to insulate against any supply chain disruption caused by the UK’s exit from the European Union. This forward-thinking approach meant that growth was unaected, and customers were served without disruption, however a lack of certainty is undeniably detrimental to innovation. It’s also important that a clear strategic vision is maintained that the industry can look to in the development of new products and business strategy. This can be achieved with the creation of consistent long-term renewable incentives and building regulations that can be relied upon in the future. Much progress has been made in meeting the UK’s decarbonisation goals in recent years and this has driven significant growth in the renewables sector. To build on this momentum, the Government should work closely with manufacturers to develop new standards and drive continued industry innovation. By taking this approach the UK can take the next step in the decarbonisation process and become a leader in futureproofing the built environment with low-carbon energy options, while also developing a thriving renewables sector.