Thread by @heatpolicyrich

Very interesting stuff Guy. Some thoughts from me, particularly on heat but also other research/experiences:

https://twitter.com/guynewey/status/1157939586489884672

I 100% agree with your thoughts on devolution of planning and heat (see email) but I am deeply concerned by the lack of expertise at a local level and therefore the capacity for lobbying (see Leeds). Local governance must be supported by central govs' analytical capacity.

One area (highlighted by my PhD) which could help which we don't have is a central energy data/expertise body like a UK Energy Association which keeps cost data, performance data etc (see Denmark EA or ECN in Netherlands). This could be linked to architect but independence needed

There remains significant uncertainty over the possibility/sense of hydrogen for heat, particularly around CCS and pipework issues. Current policy/predictions should not therefore see it as something that can be relied upon. Known low carb. heat tech is needed in short term.

I'm not convinced hybrids will ever be a good consumer offering. More capital and more space requirement with only invisible system wide benefits. Also not convinced that 'smart' will drive much. It could just make gas heating smarter/cheaper.

I think that 'setting a date for banning boilers' could actually be a very strong market and social signal and shouldn't be discounted.

You say: ‘The overall approach for policymakers should be about creating an ecosystem where you give innovators the best possible chance of creating low carbon products and services that people want’...

There's a big policy development question here about how policy makers prioritise new entrants/whizzy ideas because as we have found out in heat, incumbents dominate. More active support is needed to support new entrants. ukerc.ac.uk/publications/i…

Finally I'm a bit upset. You said: 'Heat. If I woke up tomorrow and decided I wanted to ‘low carbon my home’, who would I call?'

Me I hope!

Joking aside, companies do exist e.g. @SmartReHeat who you can just phone up and they can do your house. Admittedly not sure that it's well linked up with energy efficiency.

And thanks for the shout out to @exeterepg

Probably should have tagged you in this @guynewey