3 Big Questions: Dr David Clarke

Chief executive, Energy Technologies Institute

How are the carbon reduction targets of 80% by 2050 to be achieved?

“ We have got barriers to overcome if we are going to deliver the targets. It is critical to incentivise business to want to be part of the game and give industry confidence that there is going to be a business opportunity in the long-term.   

What is the key to the mass deployment of renewable energy systems?

“ If the capital cost and operating costs of energy systems can be reduced we can get commercial investors to see low-carbon energy as an acceptable risk. At the ETI, we address this by running technology demonstration projects focused on cost reduction. If we can develop cost-effective technology solutions for renewables, there are potential opportunities.  

How can we build long-term industrial capacity and growth in this sector? 

“ We have strong technology capabilities and skills. The opportunity we have is to use these capabilities to enable engineering cost reduction through R&D and persuade system providers that the most effective way to integrate this R&D into their product base is to establish manufacturing and long-term R&D activity.