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“They're curious by nature. And what we're trying to see is, how do we get that curiosity to extend back into their infrastructure and their plans.”

Universities are micro-cities in themselves. They are where you live, work and play alongside your peers. They are places of intense productivity, creativity and ingenuity.

Universities are both figuratively and literally places to experiment and try new things. For the energy transition, they can prove to be valuable test beds with an engaged citizenship and an appetite for the new.

“We don't need to wait for more breakthroughs of technology. There's a lot of technology that already exists that can then that can make a big difference… But that challenge on this scaling and working together from the technology side and embedding them into complex, real-world places, that's what needs to be done.”

Joining David Weston on Energy Enablers this week is Faye Bower, vice president of the Higher Education Vertical at Siemens Smart Infrastructure.

We look at why universities are ideally suited to trying new low-carbon technologies, how to go about getting innovations installed, and why today’s generation of students makes for ideal guinea pigs.

“Nearly half of the prospective students out there said that they would choose a university with strong sustainability credentials over ones that are ranked in the global top 100, so it's a pretty clear signal that sustainability now is right up there.”

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“Modernisation for industry—not only does it bring along all the benefits for reduction in carbon, meeting environmental goals, it also brings along a slew of benefits from a technological perspective, and thus from a business perspective.”

The decision to electrify your processes now goes beyond the climate benefits it brings. It has now become a strategic business decision with financial advantages as well, particularly for energy-intensive sectors.

Beyond securing cost-effective electricity, electrification also provides a crucial shield against unpredictable price fluctuations and supply chain disruptions. This stability allows businesses to operate with greater confidence and predictability, fostering long-term growth and resilience.

“If you wanted to build out this year, can you get solar panels? By and large, the answer will be [that] you're likely able to get solar panels. Can you get a turbine this year? The answer to that is no, you cannot get a turbine this year. Can you get it in the next five years? By and large, what we hear, the answer to that is no as well.”

This week on the Energy Enablers podcast, David sits down with Thomas Kwan, global vice president for strategic innovation and industrial ecosystems at Schneider Electric. Their discussion explores how industrial modernisation almost automatically brings decarbonisation, highlighting how these two concepts are intrinsically linked.

They also emphasise the vital role of behind-the-meter assets in supporting the electrified infrastructure of industrial processes—key to ensuring a robust and efficient energy system.

“As we think about the energy infrastructure of the future, our grid is not going to look like the grid of the past. There will be more of a bi-directional relationship, not just of the electrons, but of the stakeholders involved.”

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"Is it a feature, or is it a bug? And I think we could say it's both. It's part feature, it's part bug."

Way back in 2014, renewable power generation curtailment was a nascent issue, while the hybridisation of renewables was still a novel concept. Today, both are commonly found across the wind and solar sectors.

On this episode of Energy Enablers, David is joined by Jan Cornillie, Director of Advisory Services at 3E. They discuss why renewable energy projects are being sited in less-than-optimal locations, which is exacerbating curtailment challenges.

"Battery storage can deliver a solution where you actually master the solution. You can install it, you can learn how to operate it, and you can learn how to fix your problem with grid curtailment."

The problem is exacerbated by current electricity market designs and regulations that lag behind technological advancements. Flexible grid connections, responsive regulatory incentives, and clear price signals are crucial for effectively managing variable renewable energy.

Technical solutions are emerging to manage the peaks and troughs of supply and demand. Hybrid renewable energy projects (wind, solar, storage) are becoming common. Decentralised solutions empower developers and consumers with greater energy system control.

"Without tripling of renewables, we will not stop global warming. Even with tripling of renewables, it will take a bit more than that."

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