The UK has a legally binding commitment to run a net zero energy system and reduce carbon output by 78 per cent by 2035. To achieve these targets, the transition to a decarbonised future must accelerate, and active stakeholders are asking what can be done quickly and effectively to help us all deliver much-needed progress.
A significant bottleneck in delivering this ambition is a shortage of skilled workers needed to retrofit homes with new energy efficiency technologies such as solar panels, heat pumps and batteries. A recent report by Bain & Company has warned that the nation’s training infrastructure is ill-prepared for the reskilling effort required to build the green talent pipeline needed to deliver net zero. The skills shortage poses a serious risk to achieving net zero objectives, highlighting the urgent need to prioritise solutions that can address both immediate and long-term decarbonisation challenges. This means focusing on solutions that avoid the skills shortage, using existing technologies that require minimal expertise to install, to allow scalable implementation.
The retrofitting roadblock
With the UK having the oldest housing stock in Europe, retrofitting existing buildings is perceived as one of the most sustainable and cost-effective ways to reduce carbon emissions. A recent study from the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) has revealed that 62 per cent of construction professionals believe the benefits of retrofitting far outweigh those of constructing new sustainable buildings.
However, despite overwhelming guidance, the UK is falling behind. While the government estimates that 14.3 million homes require upgrades to meet Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C standards by 2035, the current pace of retrofitting is estimated at about 250,000 homes annually, falling well short of the target 1.5 million per year.
Several factors are contributing to this shortfall, not least the previously mentioned shortcomings in the UK’s training infrastructure. Programmes to attract, retain and upskill talent haven’t kept pace with the rising demand for skilled retrofit experts, with some construction professionals expressing doubts about the value of large-scale retrofit measures. In fact, that same BSRIA study shows that a quarter of construction experts remain unconvinced of the long-term effectiveness of such projects over the next 20 years.
For the professionals such as engineers and urban planners that are working alongside the energy industry to conceive and deliver on decarbonisation efforts, there must be confidence that teams on the ground are ready and able now to make built environment plans a sustainable, net zero reality.
Demand response technology: A game-changer
While workforce development and training are key, the energy industry must recognise that it is not an overnight fix. Training programmes require time to launch, run, and equip workers with the necessary skills. Younger people who start apprenticeships today will take time to train up and offer their exciting new capabilities, while existing talent also needs time on their side to secure the relevant electrical qualifications that an increasingly renewable energy landscape requires. Whilst that happens, the UK needs a scalable solution that can deliver more immediate impact, helping to accelerate progress towards net zero carbon emissions.
One such solution is demand response technology, which is present widely across Europe but remains underused in the UK energy landscape. Demand response technology enhances grid flexibility by reducing demand for electricity at peak times and when renewable sources are fully utilised. It optimises electricity consumption during peak demand and reduces grid strain, and when paired with electrical heating or cooling appliances, it in turn has a high potential to lower bills for consumers and businesses and cut CO2 emissions to benefit us all. In essence, this approach creates a more flexible energy system essential for integrating renewable sources and lowering wholesale electricity costs.
Importantly, consumers or commercial building managers can also continue to use electrical appliances and systems for heating and cooling in the same way as before, with low to zero upfront costs or impact to their existing comfort levels.
From innovation to implementation
When it comes to innovative technologies, headaches can arise when deploying solutions at scale, managing installation costs and supporting retrofitting professionals with securing further training and accreditation. Thankfully, this demand response technology can make the most of skillsets that already exist, avoiding the challenges of the skills gap and enabling quick, scalable implementation.
The training time for electricians to upskill is just two days and the install time in an average UK home is less than two hours – with no upheaval or need to change heating systems. The ability for any qualified electrician to install this technology quickly, as opposed to a more technically qualified installer for heat pumps and solar needing years-long time investments, offers industry a more effective route to deliver carbon reduction in line with government targets. In fact, the plug-and-play nature of this tech means skilled and ready workforces can easily integrate these solutions into installation and structural upgrade projects right now.
With demand response as the norm for grid management, it’s clear that end users will gain an unprecedented access to data and a level of control over their energy usage and carbon footprint never experienced before. As such, engineering teams must champion these technologies in energy systems and infrastructure now and into the future, highlighting their benefits and their role as an immediate and essential step towards decarbonisation.
Dr Randall Bowen is Managing Director at Voltalis UK
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