Dr Matthew Hannon has joined Scottish Power Energy Network’s Customer Engagement Group (CEG) for the next price control period - RIIO-ED2 – which determines the revenue power distribution power network companies receive. The CEG will scrutinise SPEN’s engagement with stakeholders, ensuring its business plan is robust by challenging priorities and understandings of the changes occurring in the energy industry at a national and local level. It will also review its investment proposals and innovation strategies, future network requirements and the support available for vulnerable customers. Dr Hannon will be in place until late 2021.
In other news Dr Hannon published a paper in Nature Energy (impact factor 54) titled Business models and financial characteristics of community energy in the UK, with an accompanying policy brief. The paper presents a quantitative analysis of business models, financing mechanisms and financial performance of UK community energy projects, based on a new nationwide survey. Free access to these can be accessed here (paper) and here (brief).
His report on floating wind, with colleagues from engineering, was cited in Scottish Government’s Draft offshore wind policy statement: consultation. The report draws on evidence to help Scottish Government shape a valuable, forward thinking and ambitious policy for offshore wind in Scotland.
Dr Hannon secured £29k for Dr Stephen Knox to undertake a four month systematic review exploring the potential for smart, local energy systems to contribute towards a ‘just’ and socially equitable transition to a net-zero carbon economy. It is funded by the UKRI funded £10m consortium Energy-REV, established to accelerate the uptake of smart, local energy systems.
Finally, he also secured an Energy Technology Partnership (ETP) industrial doctorate on the topic of Low-carbon heat for low-income communities: Locally owned business models to capture mine water geothermal heat for Scotland’s ex-mining communities. It is jointly funded by Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise, drawing in £56k of external funds over a 3.5 year period.