Fuel Oil News January 2020 | Page 5

Working towards a low carbon future I n November the Worshipful Company of Fuellers held its inaugural Future Energy Conference at The Royal Society in London hosted by our Master, HRH the Earl of Wessex, writes Carrie Marsh, senior warden and fuel oil distributor. With a full agenda, the theme for the day was working towards and achieving a zero-carbon future. The Earl of Wessex gave an energetic opening speech acknowledging the many younger delegates present and the competition finalists from schools and companies which had produced future energy projects. The morning session covered several topics including the delivery of key priorities for future energy; alternatives to fossil fuels in heat and transport; and future urban growth and demand. Lively conversation ensued from the panel – UK Power Networks, Energy Institute, EY and Northern Gas Networks – and from delegates and the Fuellers. Whilst the panel agreed on desired outcomes, the practical or available route to achieving this was somewhat hampered by infrastructure, co-operation and timelines hurdles. A panel led by Dame Mary Archer welcomed the competition finalists whose designs included wind turbines with the ability to create more power using less energy as well as opportunities involving young people in the future energy debate. The winner was Cheesecake, a small company developing advanced compressed air Present at the event – Dr James Carroll, Dame Mary Archer, HRH the Earl of Wessex and Dr Jethro Browell (Drs Carroll and Browell are early career researchers within the Institute for Energy and Environment at the University of Strathclyde) energy systems with the ability to store energy from intermittent renewables and produce reliable power on-demand. Breaking for lunch there was a chance to meet people from charities supported by the Fuellers’ Charitable Trust Fund – Generating Genius, Smallpeice Trust and Teentech. Chaired by Edward Libby from the Energy Utility Forum, the future of energy and the economy were discussed in the afternoon, with Paul Cuttill summing up the event with a call to action. With the day having thrown up many questions and encouraged more debate, there was much lively discussion at the end of the day which concluded with a drinks reception at St James’ Palace where HRH The Earl of Wessex mingled with delegates and joined in the conversation. A successful and thought-provoking day, our Master concluded that this was to be the first of more events to come from the Worshipful Company of Fuellers, so watch this space! Also working towards a low carbon future are the supermajors – see page 21. Road Tankers Northern are able to provide a flexible, competitive hire scheme. Offering both long term, and short term hire solutions, we have a variety of vehicles readily available including: • • • Aviation Rigids Trailers All vehicles are maintained prior to departure and undergo extensive health checks to satisfy the customer. Road Tankers Northern can tailor vehicles to suit the customer. For more information call 01226 352828 or e-mail us at [email protected] Fuel Oil News | January 2020 5