Scotland can lead world in energy systems, says Carbon Trust

According to the report, the country can meet carbon targets, create jobs and provide exportable expertise for international energy markets if it continues to invest and innovate in smart energy strategies.

The paper cites the Scotland’s significant natural resources and very strong academic and industrial capabilities as major benefits, along with its relatively high levels of heat demand and fuel poverty, limited interconnection and high urban population density.

However it also states that progress on heat and transport, which accounts for over 70% of total energy consumption in the country, needs to accelerate significantly over the next five years in order to deliver on existing targets.

Andrew Lever, Director of Innovation at the Carbon Trust, said: “Scotland has come a long way in the journey towards meetings its ambitious carbon reduction targets and we believe Scotland has now reached an important juncture in this journey.

“By pulling all the strands of the energy strategy together the nation has a significant opportunity to optimise the use of Scotland’s abundant renewable energy resources and exploit its distinctive characteristics to not only meet the nation’s climate change targets, but generate significant economic value for Scotland in the long term.”

The Carbon Trust recommends in its report that Scotland use further targeted innovation to drive down cost and develop the supply chain, as well as innovate their energy storage in order to facilitate further investment in wind.

The report also emphasises the country’s need to develop technology, business models, installation techniques and energy management software solutions.

To read the paper in full visit www.carbontrust.com.