However, for innovation to thrive it cannot exist in a vacuum. Innovation requires diverse organisations to collaborate and this is critically important in the area of energy and sustainable mobility.

For ambitious transport decarbonisation goals to be met by 2040, there will be a radical change in the way we meet our energy needs. That’s why we are partnering with organisations across the transport spectrum from ports to airports and logistics companies to navigate this changing landscape by developing an energy strategy that will meet Net Zero targets.

Having a holistic energy strategy in place allows organisations to react and respond to changes and challenges presented by both technological advances and societal expectations.

For example, we have worked with Heathrow Airport for a number of years, operating and maintaining their electricity network. This year, the onset of the COVID-19 presented many challenges for the aviation industry but it has also presented the opportunity for us to evaluate technologies for remote operation of their electricity network, decreasing the need for our people to come into physical contact with each other while maintaining a resilient and reliable network. It’s just one way of fostering innovation even during a period of great challenges.

Not only does having an energy strategy in place help an organisation respond and adapt quickly to challenges, as in Heathrow’s case, it also means having the foresight of new innovations that are in development and how they might work for your business.

We’ve been operating and maintaining High Speed 1’s electrical infrastructure since 2003. As the number of EVs on our roads grow, HS1 wanted to identify the most reliable means of electric vehicle charging for their customers. In response to this need, we investigated the feasibility of wireless EV charging outside St Pancras Station in London, providing them with invaluable insight into their future energy strategy.

It’s this kind of cross-industry innovation and collaboration that will pave the way toward Net Zero and the sustainable development of our country’s infrastructure.

Philip Heathcote, Head of Markets