Richard Halsey

Too many promising energy innovations never make it past the pilot stage. The idea works. The technology is proven. But somewhere between trial and full adoption, momentum dies.

I'm delighted to share our new Clean Heat Policy Tracker, an initiative led by @RegAssistProj via the Clean Heat Forum). raponline.org/toolkit/clean-…

Catapulting energy #innovation for nearly 10 years. How time flies.

@mikefosterEUA @ofgem Wonder what happens if you adjust gas boiler efficiency to 80% and HP to 350% Mike?

New ⁦@ofgem⁩ price cap suggests a heat pump costs 19% more a year than a boiler to heat a home. This excludes capital outlay/repayment. No comment, just putting the facts out there.

The Catapults are driving UK innovation in sectors from energy to medicines! 🚨 Former Cabinet Secretary @vincecable has highlighted the @innovateuk @Catapult_UK in a @FT article, showcasing its critical role in advancing UK business growth and innovation. Read it below.👇

We at Community Energy England were very happy to contribute our member's insights into the formation of this plan. There's a role for every home, business and community to contribute their own share of local wind and solar to these national targets. 1/

The government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan marks a pivotal moment in accelerating the decarbonisation of the UK’s electricity grid. Read our statement here: es.catapult.org.uk/news/energy-sy…

Move aside Spotify, the only Wrapped that matters is finally here! 🔥 This year, we’ve been breaking new ground to accelerate Net Zero like never before - from supporting SMEs in securing game-changing investments to driving the future of cutting-edge technology.

To all the trolls on X and other commentators claiming that heat pumps "don't work when it's cold": There are stacks of data available showing that even at subzero temperatures heat pumps perform at good efficiencies. How do I know? We carried out a meta-review of the best available field studies last year. Note that these were not lab tests but measurements taken in real homes with real people in them. You can read our analysis here: cell.com/joule/fulltext…

@DaleVince Having spent ten years grappling with decarbonising #heat and leading smart systems and heat and electrification of heat projects @EnergySysCat I can say this is incredibly short sighted. Heatpumps can deliver for many UK homes and a play a key part in our low carbon heat future

The government’s heat pump programme risks tens of millions of people forking out thousands for technology that doesn’t deliver. The case for all homes to have heat pumps does not stack up. Let’s have a proper debate on this informed by the facts. theguardian.com/environment/20…

@david_joffe @StarkClimate @energygovuk This is making me wonder what will come first #cleanpower or a @SpursOfficial trophy….I think my money is now on @StarkClimate and @david_joffe

Some personal job news! In a development that may not come as a huge shock to some, I have joined @StarkClimate at @energygovuk Mission Control as Chief Energy System Advisor

#rapidcharging experience par excellence this evening with @ElecHighway at rugby services. Plug. Tap. Coffee. 80%. Go. More like this please

Could you be our next: 👉 Associate Project Manager 👉 Consumer Research Manager (15-month fixed term) 👉 Senior Financial Modeller 👉 Senior Systems Engineering Consultant Ready to take on the challenge? Apply now: orlo.uk/rEZQV #JobAlert #EnergyCareers

I am recruiting. Fantastic opportunity for graduates passionate about #energy and #innovation to join our amazing team @EnergySysCat giveagradago.com/graduate-jobs/…

Are you up for the most exciting and complex challenge of your career? We’re on the lookout for passionate individuals wanting to transform the energy sector. Ready for to take on the challenge? orlo.uk/3S4G1 #EnergyCareers #EnergyJobs #EnergyInnovation

@heatpolicyrich @suburbanpirate Like this in principle although probably prefer something related to metered outcomes than install spec? Any risk of gaming and oversizing HPs rather than well designed systems - either full electric or hybrid

@suburbanpirate @RichardHalsey In NL the HP subsidy is based in the KW of the HP. So if you get a hybrid you get less. That sounds quite sensible to me, subject to my other concerns.

If you're gonna push hybrid heat pumps, please be aware that you are feeding the 'heat pumps don't work' narrative.

@heatpolicyrich Yeah maybe. Opportunity for innovation for a range of non-networked peak heat management solutions? Fully agree on improving fabric energy efficiency… I just worry many will resist disruptive interventions and will stifle uptake

@RichardHalsey Will check this one out. What would be in the bottles?

@heatpolicyrich great your plugged in with the team -look forward to see. I am more convinced hybrids will have an important role as we are seeing with vehicles. I totally get the concern about locking in natural gas use and important role for @NationalGridESO in thinking carefully about this

@RichardHalsey We have some work upcoming on the intricacies of when and how to support hybrids and are already speaking to some of the catapult team BTW! But the issue of comms around hybrids came up on a Nesta call last week.

@heatpolicyrich Hybrids could continue to work in 2050 by optimising home heat and peak management through improved controls + AI enabling the gas boiler to be replaced by a range of thermal storage options and/or containerised zero carbon fuels es.catapult.org.uk/report/pathway…

@RichardHalsey And B, I also have a question about un-hybridising by 2050 and how that works. Final point, on broad support for heat pumps, yes BUT subject to the systems/cultures we already have. For example A2A might have some value but not as much as A2W.