Trevor Gregory, ABB UK, Managing Director
The recently published Energy Review –
The Energy Challenge report which outlines the government’s policy and aspirations for the future has raised some important matters. How will the liberalised market respond? Can the broad aspirations outlined be realised?
Much of the technology to realise many of the ambitions stated are either available today or being researched and developed, so why are these not already being adopted by the liberalised market?
These questions highlight some of the fundamental reasons we have had another Energy Review so soon after the last one in 2003. The new market paradigm since liberalisation in the 1990s has focused on delivering lean and efficient organisations to compete in the marketplace. Market regulation in the electricity transmission and distribution sectors has delivered significant benefits to the end-customer in lower electricity prices. Commercial innovation delivered many of these efficiencies, while new technology has been neglected because it was seen as increasing risk.
With the new challenges of climate change, diminishing energy sources and a shift to renewables, clean coal, nuclear energy, demand reduction, energy efficiency and transportation fuel efficiency, technical innovation has moved centre-stage once again.
Many of ABB’s products will play an important part in the delivery of energy efficient, environmentally friendly and economically feasible solutions to achieve the aspirations outlined in the Energy Review. You will find examples in the pages that follow of how ABB can help you to achieve the right balance for your business to deliver a path to a secure energy future.
Trevor Gregory