Knowledge is power-saving

This is a level of carbon saving equivalent to 2% of the UK's annual carbon dioxide emissions.  The research was carried out by Technologia, a science and technology consultancy. The aim was to understand and demonstrate the Centre's benefit and inform its future focus. Technologia assessed 12 projects in detail and then applied these analyses to the entire portfolio of the Centre's projects to reach the final savings figure.

The report evaluated the Centre's portfolio of projects, which includes those to improve the accuracy of climate data from satellites, assess the potential to use biomass in end-of-life coal power stations and create a temperature based control circuit to make energy efficient lighting even more efficient. It looked at results already achieved as well as anticipated results over the lifetime of the innovations.

 Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker, who recently visited the Centre, said: "The Centre for Carbon Measurement at NPL has supported businesses large and small with their innovations and in some cases has even designed its own emissions savings technologies. This work is essential in ensuring the effectiveness of energy reduction initiatives, for example the Government's Green Deal, which lets householders and businesses pay for energy-saving technology over time through their energy bills. For programmes like this to be effective - for the individual and the environment - we need accurate ways to measure energy savings, and assurances that the technology we install does what it says on the tin."

 Whilst all the projects assessed will have some impact on carbon emissions reductions, actual quantifiable impact varied substantially. Measurement had the biggest impact where a lot of energy is involved - often where a major technology transition is yet to occur, such as in domestic heating, power stations, fuel cells and the smart grid. Where a technology transition is already under way, such as in LED lighting, measurement can enhance the significant savings that are already being made.

 One of the projects analysed by the report included optimising a new design of electrode for organic photovoltaic cells - cells that turn sunlight into energy. The work underpinned the design of flexible electrodes which are essential if the promise of organic photovoltaics - initially in areas such as wearable electronic devices - is to be realised. The specific project studied is estimated to reduce carbon emissions by 257,000 tonnes over 8-10 years.

The report confirmed that measurement plays an important and economically advantageous role in carbon reduction. It concluded that measurement adds value across many areas and all the current areas of the Centre's focus play a useful role.

 Jane Burston, Head of the Centre for Carbon Measurement, said: "We are only one year in but already the Centre is showing its value. This analysis confirms we are on the right track and that carbon measurement brings a clear, quantifiable economic and environmental benefit. We can now assuredly forge ahead with a diverse range of projects that use our measurement expertise to provide vital support to climate science, low carbon technologies and carbon reduction initiatives."

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