Issue#26: UK emissions falling, zero-emission boilers and an exciting new carbon sink
2024 is off to a flyer!
UK fossil fuel use at its lowest since the 1950s
2023 was a good year for the UK energy mix, as fossil fuel use fell 22% year-on-year to reach its lowest level since 1957, meaning use has dropped by almost two-thirds since it peaked in 2008. Behind this shift lies a change in generation and consumption since the peak. Coal and gas use has dropped by 97% and 45% respectively, whilst renewable energy generation has increased 6 fold and energy demand has reduced by 21%, suggesting significant efficiency improvements. As a result, fossil fuels comprised just 33% of the UK electricity supply, whilst renewables and nuclear took up 56%, which means the UK is generating its lowest carbon electricity ever. Whilst there’s still a long way to go to achieve a decarbonised national grid, the progress is clear and with the expansion of renewables picking up speed, we can only expect the UK’s emissions to keep falling in the coming years.
A heat pump alternative for those without the space or spends
Heat pumps are a great way to heat your homes without carbon emissions, and whilst they work for up to 75% of UK homes, this leaves around a quarter of homeowners scratching their heads. In some cases, heat pumps require outdoor space or expensive retrofits that make them unfeasible for some households. That’s why the start-up Tepeo has launched its model of a zero-emissions boiler (ZEB) as a way to decarbonise households which don’t have the space or money for a heat pump. ZEBs are a box the size of a washing machine, filled with iron ore and they work by taking in electricity to heat the ore and flow air across it. This hot air heats the pipes surrounding the boiler, and since the ore can stay hot for days, the ZEB can operate as a kind of heat battery that releases hot water as and when it’s needed. It’s great to see innovative new technologies entering the market and helping to fill in the gaps and reduce emissions where it wasn’t possible before - flexible solutions like this are exactly what we need!
A subterranean climate ally
A study into the carbon-sequestering abilities of fungi by the University of Cape Town has revealed that underground fungi could absorb up to 13 gigatonnes of CO2 each year, equivalent to roughly one-third of global annual emissions. Plants draw carbon down from the atmosphere and the interaction of their roots with fungi in the soil sees this carbon absorbed by the fungi and locked into their tissues and the surrounding soil. This study is the first of its kind, meaning there are still gaps in understanding around how long the carbon stays in the soil, and how the storage changes in different environments. Nevertheless, this has revealed the huge potential of a previously ignored nature-based solution to climate change and an increased understanding of the fungi-carbon connection could be a game-changer for offsetting projects.