Here's why 2018 will be a pivotal year for the renewable energy industry
Those outside the renewable energy industry would be forgiven for reading the headlines on the sector and assuming business is booming. Green energy now supplies more than half of the electricity used in Scotland. The world's first floating wind farm delivered electricity to the Scottish grid in October.
From article, (Heat, which makes up half of the energy we use in Scotland, is a very specific challenge.
\While it’s comparatively simple to decarbonise electricity, as we have done with wind, hydro, biomass, solar and more, the infrastructure which underpins the heat sector is more complicated.
District heating, where many buildings are connected to one heat source by a network of underground pipes, has the potential to cut emissions – but retrofitting the technology is expensive.
Hydrogen, which can be produced from renewably-generated electricity, is another solution, but using it would require costly upgrades to the gas grid, as well as appliances in homes across the country.
The challenge in transport is also complex, with electric vehicles vying with biofuels and, again, hydrogen for dominance.
What is certain is that we’re going to need more renewable electricity to satisfy increased demand from heat pumps, EVs and more.
One area which enjoys government support, however, is offshore wind. 2018 will be a big year here for Scotland, which is finally poised to take advantage after years of legal and consenting delays.
The signs are already positive, and we are already seeing unprecedented demand for Scottish Renewables’ Offshore Wind Conference, which will be held in Glasgow in January.)
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