Environment & Energy
Latest Environment & Energy Publications
Next Steps for the Carbon Price Floor
Richard HowardIn this new report, Richard Howard — Policy Exchange’s Head of Energy and Environment — urges the government to provide clarity about the future of the Carbon Price Support in the forthcoming Autumn Statement
Power 2.0: Building a smarter, greener, cheaper electricity system
Richard Howard and Zoe BengherbiNew Policy Exchange report sets out the economic and environmental case for creating a smarter power system, using clean technologies such as battery storage and demand response.
Too Hot to Handle?
Richard Howard and Zoe BengherbiRichard Howard, Head of Environment and Energy, warns that the previous Government’s plan to install electric heat pumps in 4 out of 5 homes is a colossal waste of money, and sets out an alternative strategy to decarbonise heating.
Latest Environment & Energy Blogs
The secret to cheaper energy – it’s all in the cost curve
The cost of energy is frequently cited as one of the issues voters care about most, but how can we bring costs down? Various new electricity generation technologies, like wave energy, tidal lagoons and small modular nuclear reactors, stand on the precipice of mass deployment. But industry alone may not be willing or able to make the leap from demonstration and commercial deployment. Should the Government intervene to help bridge the gap? In this article originally published in Business Green, Policy Exchange Research Fellow Matt Rooney explores the concept of ‘technological learning’. Can other technologies replicate the success of solar panels and wind turbines to bring costs down and make them competitive with established technologies?
Challenges and opportunities for the UK trade in waste
Following his evidence session to the Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub Committee, Energy and Environment Research fellow Joshua Burke reflects on the opportunities and challenges facing the UKs trade in waste post Brexit. The impact of tariff and non-tariff barriers on the regulatory, spatial, environmental and economic dimensions that govern the UK’s trade in waste are examined in the context of Refuse Derived Fuel.
The Helm Cost of Energy Review: the invisible hand versus the activist state
Matthew Rooney, Energy and Environment Research Fellow at Policy Exchange, responds to Dieter Helm’s recent Cost of Energy Review. The review, commissioned by the Government and released last week, sparked much debate online. The main dividing line, Rooney explains, is between those who believe that an activist state and large subsidies for renewable energy deployment are necessary to bring down costs, and those who think the Government’s main role is to create a level playing field for low carbon technologies to compete without subsidy. Helm’s big idea is a carbon tax with border carbon adjustments. Could that work and what are its potential benefits?
Latest Environment & Energy News
The electric economy: achieving our low carbon energy future
Policy ExchangePolicy Exchange hosted top experts from industry and Parliament for a debate on the future of Britain’s electricity system and the potential role of small modular nuclear reactors in meeting our energy needs. Rachel Reeves MP (Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee) introduced our distinguished panel of speakers including Rt Hon Lord Howell of Guildford (former Secretary of State for Energy), Harry Holt (President of Rolls-Royce Nuclear) and Dr Jenifer Baxter (Head of Energy and Environment at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers). Lord Howell’s comments on the opportunities Brexit presents for nuclear research were covered by the Telegraph.
Policy Exchange’s Richard Howard talks to BBC Wales about Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon
Policy ExchangeFollowing his blog on the subject earlier this year, Richard Howard – Policy Exchange’s Head of Environment & Energy – talked to BBC Wales about the Government’s delay in responding to Hendry report on the proposed Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon.
Media Coverage of ‘Driving down emissions: How to clean up road transport?’
Policy ExchangeIn a major new report by Policy Exchange, the case is set out that the Government must take more action now to tackle the twin problems of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from road transport. There has been a lot of media coverage of the report, see here for a selection.
Latest Environment & Energy Events
The Heat Summit: How Can We Decarbonise Heating?
Dec 14, 2016This half-day conference was held at Policy Exchange on 14 December. It drew together many of the leading thinkers on this agenda, to discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with decarbonising heating
Power 2.0: how to build a smarter electricity system
On 7 November, you are invited to join a discussion on how to create a smarter, more flexible electricity system in Great Britain. This will mark the launch of a major new Policy Exchange publication, ‘Power 2.0’
Smart Power: is local energy the future?
Sep 26, 201613.00 – 14.00
Room 2H, 5, ACC Liverpool, Kings Dock, Liverpool, L3 4FP
Latest tweets from Richard Howard
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