Energy Archives

Smart Cities

Wednesday, 22 September, 2021

"Smart cities" describes places that incorporate a range of technologies (especially those that collect and use data) to address economic, social, and environmental challenges. Projects usually take place in urban areas, but are also deployed in rural settings. This POSTnote looks at smart city innovation in the UK and the technologies involved. It considers the factors driving the adoption of smart city technologies, and the potential benefits, barriers and risks associated with their implementation.

Energy sector digitalisation

Thursday, 16 September, 2021

The incorporation of digital technologies in the energy sector can support progress towards key UK objectives such as achieving Net Zero emissions targets. It can also transform current methods of energy generation, transmission, regulation, and trading. This POSTnote presents an overview of key digital technologies and their main applications in the energy sector. It provides an overview of the potential benefits to using these technologies, and recent developments in this area. It describes the role of data in underpinning digital technologies in the sector, and some of the issues raised by its use. It also discusses broader challenges associated with energy sector digitalisation and measures that could help address them, including issues related to technology, regulation, and impact on consumers.

Defence of space-based assets

Wednesday, 15 September, 2021

Space-based assets (satellites and the terrestrial ground stations that communicate with them) provide critical support to military and civilian operations. They are vulnerable to unintentional damage and disruption, and to deliberate attack. This POSTnote outlines how the UK uses and accesses satellites, potential risks to satellites, and approaches to mitigation.

POSTnote

Environmental housing standards

Wednesday, 01 September, 2021

Buildings have varied impacts on the environment, arising from energy, water and land use as well as the release of pollutants. Residential buildings also affect occupants’ health and wellbeing through their design and placement within the wider environment. This POSTnote summarises the factors affecting a building’s environmental performance, the existing governance framework and the potential opportunities for delivering wider social benefits through relevant standards.
Work programme

Approved work: International shipping and emissions

Thursday, 12 August, 2021

Shipping is regarded as "difficult-to-decarbonise". This POSTnote will examine commitments to mitigate shipping emissions the technologies that may help to achieve this.
Work programme

Approved work: Energy consumption of computing

Thursday, 12 August, 2021

This POSTnote will examine the energy consumption of data centres and data transmission networks. It will review energy trends and initiatives aiming to limit energy consumption.
POSTnote

Regulating product sustainability

Thursday, 10 June, 2021

Products can be designed to maximise life cycle energy- and resource-efficiency, from raw material extraction to end-of-life treatment. This POSTnote outlines key aspects of, and consumer attitudes towards, sustainable products. It considers challenges associated with their design, production, regulation and supporting business models as part of a circular economy. ‘End-of-life’ treatment and value recovery, through reuse, recycling and other methods, are discussed.
POSTnote

Low-carbon hydrogen supply

Thursday, 10 June, 2021

Hydrogen could play a significant role in tackling climate change. Using it does not produce carbon dioxide, so it could replace fossil fuels in a range of applications. It may also provide valuable energy storage. However, almost all hydrogen production currently results in greenhouse gas emissions. Methods of producing it that do not emit greenhouse gases would need to increase for it to contribute to climate change mitigation. Governments and industry in the UK and abroad are aiming to increase low-carbon hydrogen supply. The UK Government will publish a Hydrogen Strategy in 2021.
Event listing

Nuclear Power in the UK

Thursday, 06 May, 2021

Exploring challenges and opportunities for nuclear power in the UK, with senior figures from the sector. Open to UK and Canadian parliamentarians, parliamentary staff and Government officials.
- Event listing
- Energy
Horizon scanning

An introduction to Research for Parliament 2021

Thursday, 29 April, 2021

Experts have helped us find 30 areas of change to help the UK Parliament prepare for the future.
Horizon scanning

Meaningful environmental and social governance reporting for net zero

Thursday, 29 April, 2021

The reporting of environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks could encourage investments that address climate change targets, but a lack of standards raises reliability concerns.
Horizon scanning

Differing approaches to reaching Net Zero: pathways and timing

Thursday, 29 April, 2021

The UK aims to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. While industry support for the target is growing, some argue the target must be brought forward to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
Horizon scanning

Changing consumption behaviours to meet environmental goals

Thursday, 29 April, 2021

Achieving environmental targets will involve changes in consumption at every level down to households and individuals, requiring effective measures to change consumer habits.
POSTnote

Sustainable cooling

Wednesday, 28 April, 2021

Cooling is a process used across many areas of society. It is important for buildings, industrial processes and the supply of food and medicines. It is also needed for sustainable development. Yet some cooling applications contribute to climate change and the demand for cooling is rising. This POSTnote looks at UK and global demand for cooling. It highlights ways of meeting this demand that are more sustainable than conventional practices. It also outlines technology and policy options to promote these.
Work programme

Approved: Environmentally efficient residential buildings

Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

A POSTnote on green building will summarise the key criteria affecting the environmental performance of buildings. It will review the challenges and opportunities for improving the UK housing stock to meet likely future standards.

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