Haldane Energy CEO Lawson Steele joined Aurora Energy Research’s Spring Summit to discuss what the next decade of the power system will demand, and why flexibility is becoming one of its defining challenges.
The UK has made significant progress in scaling renewable generation. Wind and solar are now central to a decarbonising grid, and that progress should continue. But as renewable deployment increases, the challenge is ensuring the system can operate reliably when output is low and demand is high.
As Lawson noted during the discussion: "We've made huge progress on low-regret options around renewable energy penetration, but the question over the next decade will be flexibility. That will be the currency of the power system."
Across the Summit, speakers explored the technologies, investment signals and system changes needed for the next phase of the energy transition. Lawson’s breakout panel focused on where new technologies could help support a more flexible, reliable power system.
From renewable buildout to reliable operation
An existing dispatchable assets age, the UK faces a growing capacity gap that will need to be addressed through new forms of flexible power.
Short-duration batteries and demand-side response have an important role to play, particularly over shorter periods. But the system will also need assets that can operate over longer durations and provide firm capacity when renewable output is low.
Where hydrogen-to-power fits
Haldane’s approach is designed to provide flexible, dispatchable power through a closed-loop system. By converting surplus renewable electricity into hydrogen, storing it safely, and using it to generate power when needed, the model can help shift clean energy across time and support the system during periods of low renewable output.
Hydrogen-to-power can provide the kind of longer-duration flexibility the power system will need as renewables grow, demand rises and existing firm assets retire.
Watch the discussion
The video includes perspectives from across the wider Summit, featuring Aurora, Hitachi Energy, NESO, BeyondNetZero and ENGIE.
Building for the 2030s and beyond
The Aurora Spring Summit reflected a wider shift in the energy debate. The question is no longer only how quickly renewables can be built, but how the system can remain secure, resilient and affordable as it becomes more dependent on variable generation.
For Haldane Energy, that means bringing forward flexible, dispatchable power that can help the system operate reliably through the 2030s and beyond
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