Powering the path to Net Zero
From renewable energy and advanced storage solutions to the integration of artificial intelligence and the emergence of next-generation nuclear technologies, the journey to net zero is reshaping the global energy landscape. It’s a mission that calls for bold ideas, practical solutions, and a shared commitment to a sustainable future for all.
At our upcoming Powering Net Zero (PNZ) event (25-26 November) in Glasgow, our keynote speakers – our Immediate Past President Sir Warren East CBE and Chris Stark, Head of Mission Control for Clean Power 2030 at the UK Government – will set the stage for a packed agenda.
We’ll see vital discussions from leading industry voices and academic experts on energy security, artificial intelligence, and the latest emerging technologies. With four themed tracks to be discussed – Nuclear Power, Renewable Power Generation and Future Power Systems, Energy Storage and Hydrogen – four of our members and experts share their insight into each ahead of the event.
Nuclear Power – Barry Brooks, member of the IET’s Nuclear Engineering Technical Network
When PNZ was a new acronym, it meant Promoting Net Zero, encouraging the world to reduce greenhouse gases by reducing the use of carbon-based fuels for generating energy. But demand for electrical energy is growing, e.g. data centres and AI. For this, PNZ means Powering Net Zero, addressing developments in alternatives to fossil fuels, namely how we need to generate, regulate, store and deliver energy in ways that reduce carbon generation. Nuclear is key to this, providing baseload capacity independent of weather and, with smaller plants now possible, resilience with more distributed generators.
Whilst the nuclear sector may have been perceived as unexciting for many years, technologies now being developed – SMRs, AMRs, Fusion (large and small projects) - provide career and business opportunities for engineers and technicians, and for large and small companies, to help to engineer a better world.
Renewable Power Generation and Future Power Systems – Grant Spence, member of the IET’s Sustainability and Net Zero Policy Centre
Unabated fossil fuels comprised over three quarters of the UK’s end use energy consumption in 2022 with electricity accounting for under 20% of demand. Delivering against the Clean Power 2030 target will therefore both be a significant achievement and only a relatively small step towards delivering on our ultimate goal of Net Zero by 2050.
Renewable power generation is expected to provide a key component to both Clean Power 2030 and net zero by 2050. However, while renewables can support the provision of indigenous security of supply, the challenges of integration into the electricity system and the impacts of intermittency have still to be fully addressed: there is likely to be a limit to the extent that renewable intermittency can be accommodated by increased demand flexibility. Greater electricity network capacity will be needed to support renewable integration with long-duration electricity storage. Parallel implementation of a UK hydrogen network could reduce the need for extensive electricity infrastructure upgrades, helping to reliably meet demand, ensure security of supply, avoid curtailment of renewables, and potentially lower overall costs to consumers.
In the 1920s the UK led development of the original concept of a ‘national grid’ and reaped both direct societal benefits as a result and also indirect benefits through the export of knowledge and expertise over the subsequent decades. The Clean Power and Net Zero
agenda now provides the UK with a similar opportunity to lead the way to deliver cleaner electricity, driving sustainable development and societal progress in the UK and also worldwide.
Energy storage – James Bamborough, IET Sustainability and Net Zero Policy Manager
As we bring more renewables onto the grid, energy storage becomes absolutely essential for both flexibility and resilience. Flexibility means being able to balance the variable output of wind and solar with reliable storage solutions - capturing excess energy when the sun shines or the wind blows and releasing it when demand is high or generation drops. Alongside storage, tools like demand response and smarter networks help smooth out fluctuations, but it’s storage that truly underpins a stable, renewable-powered system.
Resilience, meanwhile, is about ensuring the grid can withstand shocks - whether from extreme weather, cyber threats, or unexpected outages - and still deliver uninterrupted power. Robust energy storage systems provide a crucial buffer, helping to keep the lights on even when the unexpected happens.
Why does this matter? Because a net zero energy system isn’t just about cutting emissions, it’s about delivering reliable, secure, and affordable power for everyone. The opportunities are huge – from new business models that reward flexibility, to technologies that empower homes, businesses, and communities to actively participate in the energy system. The challenge is making sure that policy, investment, and infrastructure keep pace, so that no one is left behind.
Building in energy storage, alongside flexibility and resilience, is what will make net zero not only achievable, but truly sustainable for society in the long run.
Hydrogen – Titi Oliyide, hydrogen technical lead and IET’s Young Woman Engineer of the Year 2023
Low carbon hydrogen is critical to the achievement of net zero targets because it can deliver low-carbon solutions in sectors where hydrogen is already in use and where direct electrification is limited – refining, steel, and chemicals as well as shipping. It also enhances energy security by diversifying energy storage options and balancing energy captured from variable renewable supply. According to the IEA’s Global Hydrogen Review 2025, low-emissions hydrogen production grew 10% in 2024 and is on track to reach 1 Mt in 2025, though it remains less than 1% of global supply. The opportunities lie in scaling production routes such as electrolysis and CCUS-enabled hydrogen and building infrastructure for hydrogen storage and distribution.
In addition, AI and digital tools are increasingly important for hydrogen monitoring, risk management, and energy system optimisation. There are still associated challenges with the uptake of hydrogen: high technology costs, efficiency losses and slow regulatory progress. However, these need to be resolved to reap the clear societal benefits – lower atmospheric pollution, secure energy systems, and new industrial value chains creating skilled jobs. Hydrogen, integrated with other emerging energy technologies, can transform both our energy system and our communities.
Register here for Powering Net Zero 2025, held between 25-26 November in Glasgow, UK.