The Future of Heat: Hydrogen or Electric? / The Electrification of Heat
High-hydrogen or high-electricity?
Those are the options for replacing natural gas as the power source for heating buildings and, according to the government’s net-zero pathway, 2026 will see the government decide which is the future for the build to rent sector.
Our panel will compare the merits of the two pathways and the 2026 decision’s likely implications for the owners of apartment buildings.
Learning Outcomes:
– Explanation of the high-hydrogen and high-electricity policy approaches.
– Evaluation of their implications for build-to-rent developments over the next five years.
Chair:
David Miles (Atamate)
David Miles is a researcher, content writer and data analyst at Atamate Building Intelligence. Much of his role involves placing the Atamate Building Operating System (atBOS) into the broader context of the British energy market and relevant technological developments.
Panel:
Josh Shimmin: Building Service Engineer (Atamate).
Josh leads Atamate’s residential consulting team. He is a chartered engineer and has extensive experience in the design of building services for low energy buildings both new build and as refurbishments. He brings 10 years of experience as a building services consultant to the design and post occupancy analysis of mechanical and electrical systems. Josh has a particular interest in housing, from single dwellings to residential blocks. He has developed schemes that include district heating, gas boilers, heat pumps, CHP and direct electrical heating. Josh also has a masters degree in Sustainability and Adaptation in the Built Environment from the University of East London’s Graduate School of the Environment campus at the Centre of Alternative Technology in Wales. He has used his experience to build a knowledge base on how buildings work, and supports architects and clients to understand and develop their projects.
Prashant Vaze: environmental economist & climate policy analyst (London Councils)
Prashant is the interim Head of Climate Change at London Councils. He has a background on working on climate and energy policy in the UK government where he led early work on decarbonising the homes in 2007-08 including early development of the renewable heat incentive (RHI) and Green Deal. He worked as the Chief economist at Consumer Focus and undertook extensive work on affordability of energy and affordable energy efficiency. He also worked on energy issues in Hong Kong including the development of the territories’ Feed-in tariff.
He is author of two books on community energy issues – Repowering Communities and The Economical Environmentalist both published by Earthscan. He writes fiction in his spare time.
Courtney Depala: senior project manager in future projects & heat decarbonisation (National Grid)
Courtney is a chartered engineer who is currently a Senior Project Manager at National Grid, looking at their role in heat decarbonisation – from domestic to industrial challenges, as well as how it fits into the wider challenge of energy decarbonisation. Courtney has worked in many roles across National Grid, including in Gas System Operation, Business Services, Gas Transmission Regulation and the Office of the CEO.
Before working at National Grid, Courtney gained experiences that range from laboratory research, to teaching and to working with industry, engaging with researchers, students, engineers, leaders, experts, regulators, and government officials, developing technical, business, communication, presentation, networking and financial skills. From collecting and analysing data, mentoring, conducting and supervising research, and advising on long term strategies, she has gained a deep understanding of the energy industry in both the US and UK from many perspectives.