Supporting the decarbonisation of the energy sector

The UK urgently needs to find cost-effective and scalable ways to decarbonise our energy sector to address the critical issues of air quality, energy security and climate change. Domestic policy now commits the UK to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, and on an international scale, the Paris Agreement also requires significant decarbonisation to keep global temperature increases 'well below' 2°C.

To meet these aspirations, and for energy to become more affordable, clean and secure, a shift away from fossil fuels towards clean, renewable energy sources is required. This 'energy transition' will see the emergence of innovative, low carbon alternatives within our transport and heat sectors, as well as in playing a role balancing the grid.

Due to the novelty of these disruptive alternatives, they often bring with them a number of challenges, and in many cases advances cannot be made without addressing the measurement challenges which underpin them. As the UK's National Measurement Institute, NPL has a responsibility to tackle priority measurement challenges and is producing a series of reports which highlight and prioritise measurement needs, currently under the themes of hydrogen and batteries.