News for Tool Hire, Equipment Hire & Plant Hire and Rental Professionals

Massive power shift

30 March 2021

Massive power shift

The scale of the challenge in adopting new fuel sources by 2050 to develop a carbon zero economy was outlined during a recent webinar organised by the Construction Equipment Association. 

Called ‘Driving the Electric Revolution’ but also covering other fuels, the event held on 22 March included a presentation by Chloe Nemo, an analyst covering the power and industry markets for the Committee on Climate Change, which advises the government on setting greenhouse emissions targets. 

She explained how the government’s aim is to reduce carbon emissions by 78% from current levels by 2035, striving to become carbon zero by 2050. This would entail developing hydrogen fuel technology from a very low base to reach the equivalent size of today’s infrastructure.

Demand for electricity could itself double or, even, triple by 2050 as more sectors of the economy electrified. Electricity will also be needed to produce hydrogen fuel. 

Chloe Nemo explained that biofuels (such as hydrogenated vegetable oil) were seen as being transition fuels until 2040, by which time hydrogen and electrical supply infrastructure would be better developed. 

She added that there would likely be some residual emissions in construction in 2050 given the difficulties in electrifying certain machine types. It is also envisaged that some petroleum would still be in use, largely for aviation. 

Given the scale of the changes needed to develop these new fuels and the necessary infrastructure, there will be many challenges and opportunities ahead. 

It will be fascinating to see how the low-emission energy sources develop and the impact on the equipment that hirers will supply in the future. 

• Above: Harvesting plants in Brazil for biofuel production.

Picture: Photographic Services, Shell International Limited, copyright Paulo Fridman.


Subscribe

I am constantly adding new content. If you subscribe FREE using the form below, I'll send you my weekly bulletin summarising the latest hire industry stories - and I'll also send you a PDF of 10 fascinating interviews with national and independent hirers, giving their views about business and their secrets of success!