E.ON - Experts & Thought Leaders

Kanthal, a global pioneer in industrial heating technology, has won the prestigious industry award ‘E-prize’ in the category of energy optimization for its technology that helps companies and industries transform to fossil-free production.  Organized by Sweden's largest business newspaper, Dagens Industri, and the newspaper - Aktuell Hållbarhet, together with the energy group - E.ON, the prize is awarded to the sharpest innovations for the 16th year in a row. a modern and innovative approach The jury's motivation read: With a 90-year-old invention combined with a modern and innovative approach, this year’s winner is paving the way for a fossil-free industry through the electrification of high-temperature processes. Natural gas is replaced with efficient electric heating in industrial applications, enabling fossil-free production processes that improve both the environment and working conditions. The company is a global pioneer and a key player in sustainable industrial electrification, contributing to the production of fossil-free steel and the sustainable manufacturing of solar cells and batteries. electrification "We are very proud that the jury chose us and our technology for this prize. With our technology, industries around the world such as steel, battery, semiconductor, and glass can use electricity instead of fossil fuels for their industrial heating processes, which can contribute to major emission savings in the global industry," says Robert Ståhl, President of Kanthal. He adds, "The technology has a 100-year legacy of innovative development and is more relevant than ever. There is a large potential and more and more industries are making use of it." fossil-free electricity "The greatest opportunities of the energy transition are still ahead of us. It is necessary to level up in both temperature and scale and find completely new solutions for industries such as steel and cement," says Nicolai Schaaf, Sustainability Manager at Kanthal. He adds, "In addition, our products themselves have become a huge lever for this transition: Not only do they reduce the emissions of the customers – they also contribute to the expansion and improved management of fossil-free electricity." increase efficiency and reduce CO2 Kanthal's products enable the electrification of various industrial processes that require high temperatures Kanthal's products enable the electrification of various industrial processes that require high temperatures. By replacing fossil fuels with electricity, companies can increase efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions or eliminate them if fossil-free electricity is used. The technology has its roots in a 93-year-old innovation, but with the world's focus on climate change and the need to phase out fossil fuels the solutions can now reach their full potential. heating solutions Industrial heating processes are found in all manufacturing industries such as steel, aluminum, glass, and cement and today are mostly powered by burning fossil fuels. These processes are invisible to the consumers but account for around 10% of the world's total CO2 emissions and 75% of Europe's industrial CO2 emissions. In addition to reducing emissions in various industries, Kanthal's heating solutions are also crucial components in the manufacture of advanced solar cells, semiconductors, and batteries.

Carrier is urging building owners and operators to apply for UK government grants to commercialize and construct new low- and zero-carbon heat networks before the funding application deadline expires. Carrier is part of Carrier Global Corporation, the global pioneer in intelligent climate and energy solutions. There are several net-zero funding incentives available in the UK, including the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF). The GHNF is a capital grant program that opened in March 2022 to help organizations in the public, private, and third sectors in England develop low- and zero-carbon heat and cooling networks. The popularity of the initial £288m fund has meant more funding is available and can be drawn down in fiscal years 2023/2024 through 2026/2027. net zero targets There are five more opportunities to apply with the next round closing on February 23, 2024 After six rounds of applications, there are five more opportunities to apply with the next round closing on February 23, 2024. “Heat networks will be vital for helping the UK reach net zero,” said Oliver Sanders, Commercial HVAC Director, United Kingdom & Ireland, Carrier. “Adopting heat pumps in these networks will provide highly efficient methods of heating and cooling to reduce carbon emissions.” According to the UK Government Heat and Buildings Strategy, heat pumps and heat networks are proven scalable options for decarbonizing heat and will play substantial roles in achieving net zero targets. It says deploying at least 600,000 hydronic heat pumps per year to replace fossil fuel boilers by 2028 can keep the UK on track to get to net zero. Author's quote GHNF provides an excellent opportunity to make up the deficit so the UK can benefit from energy “When you consider that only 55,000 hydronic heat pumps were sold in the UK in 2021, there is work to do in order to reach the 600,000 per year target,” said Sanders. “The GHNF provides an excellent opportunity to make up the deficit so the UK can benefit from energy-efficient district heating and lower carbon emissions. With the next round of government funding closing in February 2024, we are urging organizations to submit their application and tap into this £288 million before it expires." E.ON Citigen project One groundbreaking heat network project already utilizing Carrier heat pumps is in the City of London. The E.ON Citigen project is anticipated to cut carbon emissions from heating and cooling for customers connected to E.ON’s network by up to 50% and will enhance air quality in the city due to reduced emissions.  Carrier underscored its commitment to helping the UK achieve net zero by introducing a new line of high-temperature and very high-temperature heat pumps. Designed to reduce both carbon emissions and energy costs, the AquaForce® and AquaSnap® air and water source heat pumps offer capacities from 30 to 735 kW and water temperatures up to 120oC with low global warming potential (GWP) hydrofluoroolefin refrigerants. Round seven of the GHNF is now open.

Ofgem requires suppliers to improve help for customers in payment difficulties, following review. The review found three suppliers were found to have severe weaknesses in how they support customers in payment difficulties, as part of Ofgem review; five suppliers were found as having some issues in the support they provide, and all of those identified have been asked to submit information to Ofgem, to set out how they will improve; and other key findings include companies being unable to identify customers in payment difficulty and a lack of help given to those requiring crucial payment plans. Ofgem publishes Market Compliance Review Energy regulator - Ofgem has on Tuesday, 27 September 2022, published its Market Compliance Review of how energy suppliers help customers in payment difficulties and has found issues ranging from minor through to severe weaknesses, or failings.   The majority of suppliers were found to have minor or moderate issues The deep dive found that, although good practice exists across the industry, with one supplier having no issues, most need to make improvements in processes and governance to meet their obligations. The majority of suppliers were found to have minor or moderate issues and three were found to have ‘severe’ weaknesses – of which two suppliers have been served with immediate enforcement notices. Ofgem issues Provisional Orders   Given the seriousness of these concerns, Ofgem has already issued Provisional Orders to Utilita and ScottishPower, requiring specific and urgent actions, and the regulator will also consider whether enforcement action is warranted for other suppliers. Key findings include:   One supplier was found to have no significant issues (British Gas). Eight suppliers (Ecotricity, EDF, E.ON, Octopus, OVO, Shell, UW and SO Energy) were found to have ‘minor’ issues. Five suppliers (E, Good, Green Energy, Outfox and Bulb) were found to have ‘moderate’ weaknesses.  Three suppliers (TruEnergy, Utilita and ScottishPower) were found to demonstrate ‘severe’ weaknesses in the way they deal with customers having payment difficulties, with Utilita and ScottishPower being issued with enforcement notices.  Among the findings were companies with non-existent policy relating to customers in payment difficulties, a lack of management oversight in the quality of their customer engagement and a lack of adequate training materials.  Prioritizing vulnerable customers is important Energy suppliers have been facing demands of their own over the past year Energy suppliers have been facing demands of their own over the past year. However, prioritizing vulnerable customers struggling to pay their bills during this winter is critical. Jonathan Brearley, Ofgem’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said “This winter will be challenging, especially for those struggling to pay their energy bills. Although the government’s package of support will provide some welcome relief, it's critical that, going into this tough winter, energy companies prioritise the needs of vulnerable customers struggling to pay their bills.” Working with companies to step up to the energy crisis He adds, “We have reviewed suppliers on how they help customers who are having trouble paying their bills, particularly those who are vulnerable, and found some suppliers have fallen short of the standards Ofgem expects.” Jonathan Brearley continues, “We accept that there are many pressures on energy companies in the market this winter, but the needs of vulnerable customers must be part of their top priorities. We will now work with companies on where they can improve, and I all urge all suppliers to step up to the challenge.”  In the deep dive across suppliers, although lots of good practice was found, Ofgem found evidence in places that there was a lack of:  Adequate training materials so staff can do their jobs to support customers – (For example - customer service operators lacking relevant training in order to ascertain a customer’s vulnerability / circumstances). Management oversight on the quality of customer engagement. Evidence of policies or processes to identify thresholds for important payment plans and how suppliers ensure these are being set in a fair and consistent manner. Clarity over how payment plans are reassessed if customers’ circumstances change.  Information provided on company structures to understand how issues are identified, raised, and dealt with from ground level to executive level. Clear company governance, including escalation routes and levels of delegation and decision-making - meaning customer risks are left exposed.   Next market review to cover customer vulnerability As well as publishing the outcome of the review, Ofgem has also sent a letter to all suppliers outlining the standards expected of them – as well as best practice information. The next market review will look at customer vulnerability and will be published later this year.