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FT Hydrogen Summit: Strategic Talking Points: Core Message Framework
"I'm not anti-hydrogen - I'm pro-sequencing. Biomethane CHP is the intelligent bridge to hydrogen fuel cells. Why waste 15-20 years when we can deploy 90% efficiency systems today and transition to H2 fuel cells when they're genuinely ready?"
Primary Elevator Pitch (60 seconds)
*"I'm here because I believe in hydrogen's future - but through fuel cells, not current electrolysis systems. The intelligent pathway is biomethane CHP as the immediate bridge solution. We're literally flaring waste biomethane while debating green hydrogen infrastructure.
My specialty is Combined Heat and Power systems using biomethane - 90% efficiency available today. I'm developing a £50m care home portfolio that proves this concept. In 15-20 years, when hydrogen fuel cells achieve 50-60% efficiency, we can transition. But meanwhile, we're capturing waste energy that's currently lost. The UK has successful CHP installations in Islington, Southampton, and Woking proving this bridge strategy works now."*
Key Statistical Ammunition
- Current hydrogen electrolysis: 25-35% efficiency vs Biomethane CHP: 80-90% efficiency
- Future hydrogen fuel cells: 50-60% efficiency (15-20 years) vs CHP available now: 80-90%
- UK transmission losses: 8-10% annually vs Local CHP: Zero transmission losses
- Hydrogen infrastructure cost: £100+ billion vs CHP leveraging existing gas grid + biomethane: Fraction of the cost
- Timeline: Green hydrogen commercial viability 2030+ vs Biomethane CHP deployment: Immediate
- Waste biomethane: Currently flared or released vs CHP utilization: Captures waste energy streams
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Why the HYDROGEN Summit is Important:
Having attended the World Bio-Gas Summit at the NEC, last year it is important to keep all viable innovative options open. Whilst a big fan of Bio-Methane, we are interested to hear about Hydrogen as a fuel (but presumably not for FUSION just yet!!) Will be attending the World Bio-Gas Summit this year too [9th-10th July 2025 - Birmingham NEC]
FT Sponsored Summit:
24th June 2025; Marriott Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, London W1K 6JP
Hear from 50+ CEOs, energy innovators, policymakers and financiers
- Explore practical hydrogen solutions that are moving from ambition to execution—addressing cost, efficiency, and real-world scalability.
- Delve into the global hydrogen landscape and dive into regional insights from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
- Unlock strategies and financial mechanisms needed to de-risk hydrogen projects, secure long-term offtake agreements, and accelerate Final Investment Decision.
Meet 250+ hydrogen pioneers under one roof
- Access exclusive delegate matchmaking with C-suite leaders via the FT Live app—ensuring high-impact connections.
- With 75% of attendees holding senior job titles, this is where the industry’s most influential leaders connect.
- In an intimate setting, build business-critical relationships and kick start new business deals.
A one-day strategic agenda on transitioning from hype to realism
- Focused debates and case studies will explore hydrogen s real-world applications including success’ and setbacks.
- Spend less time out of the office and walk away with the knowledge and clarity needed to future proof your strategy.
- Moderated by senior FT journalists to cut through the jargon and bring you realistic opinions.
What’s new for the Hydrogen Summit in 2025 Watch on demand
- Hydrogen vs. Electrification Debate: A first-time discussion on where hydrogen fits in the future energy mix.
- Success & Failure Case Studies: Learn from real-world project successes and mistakes.
- Expanded Global Focus: Insights from Africa, the Middle East & Southeast Asia, alongside Europe & North America.
- Dedicated Financing Discussions: New panels on addressing bankability, securing offtake agreements, and exploring alternative & blended funding models.
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We will be attending this First Ladies Africa Summit - 17th and 18th June 2025.
Looking forward to expand our Africa engagements with: FLAIR SUMMIT - Speakers
Alignment with Sun Earth Energy Ltd’s Expertise
Location: Royal Leonardo Hotel, 45 Prescot St, London E1 8GP - near Tower Bridge, London
Our strengths include:
- Renewable Energy: Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Bio-digesters and hybrid systems for residential, commercial, and community use.
- Energy-Efficient Construction: Green building materials, smart insulation, and low-carbon designs.
- Joint Funding: Structuring public-private partnerships, grants, and investor-backed models.
At the Flair Summit, we will emphasize how these align with Africa’s needs:
- Energy Access: 600 million Africans lack electricity (IEA, 2024). Our microgrids and solar solutions address this gap.
- Sustainable Infrastructure: Urbanization drives demand for green buildings, where your construction expertise adds value.
- Investment Appeal: Joint funding models reduce risk, appealing to investors and governments at the summit.
Competitive Advantage
Sun Earth Energy Ltd is Differentiated by:
- Our global reach (e.g., UK and Malaysian Based with African market focus).
- Showcasing measurable impacts (e.g., “Our solar and/or bio-digester projects cut energy costs by 40-70% for communities”).
- We are positioning as a collaborative partner, not just a vendor, by proposing co-funded, scalable projects.
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AI Sys: AND Based on My Experience
1. Context of Centralized vs. Decentralized Electricity Production
Centralized Electricity Production:
In the UK, electricity is predominantly generated by large-scale centralized power stations (e.g., gas-fired Combined Cycle Gas Turbines (CCGT), nuclear plants, and large renewable installations like offshore wind farms).- These plants are typically located far from urban centres, leading to significant transmission and distribution losses (approximately 7-10% of generated electricity is lost in the grid).
- Centralized systems are designed primarily for electricity generation, and waste heat (e.g., from gas or nuclear plants) is often dissipated into the environment rather than utilized, resulting in low overall fuel utilization efficiency (typically 40-50% for CCGT plants, though some modern plants can reach 60%).
Decentralized Electricity Production:
- Decentralized systems involve smaller-scale generation units (e.g., Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants, microgrids, local renewables) located closer to end-users.
- These systems can utilize waste heat from electricity generation for heating purposes via heat networks (district heating), significantly increasing overall fuel utilization efficiency (up to 80-90% in well-designed CHP systems).
- Decentralized systems can also integrate local renewable energy sources (e.g., solar PV, small wind turbines) and energy storage technologies, including heat storage.
2. Fuel Utilization Efficiencies
One of the primary benefits of moving to decentralized electricity production, coupled with heat networks, is the dramatic improvement in fuel utilization efficiency. Here's how:
- Centralized Systems:
- In a typical centralized CCGT plant, electricity is generated with an efficiency of around 50-60%. The remaining energy is lost as waste heat, often vented to the atmosphere or dissipated into water bodies.
- If natural gas is used solely for electricity generation, the overall system efficiency is limited to this range, and additional gas or electricity is required to meet heating demands (e.g., via domestic gas boilers or electric heating), further compounding energy losses.
- Decentralized Systems with CHP and Heat Networks:
- In a decentralized CHP system, the same amount of natural gas can be used to generate both electricity and heat. Modern CHP systems can achieve overall efficiencies of 80-90%, as waste heat is captured and distributed via heat networks to provide space heating, hot water, or industrial process heat.
- For example, a CHP plant generating 40% electricity and capturing 45% of the energy as usable heat achieves an overall efficiency of 85%, compared to 50% in a centralized system where heat is not utilized.
- This higher efficiency reduces the total amount of fuel (e.g., natural gas) required to meet the same electricity and heating demands, directly lowering fuel costs and reducing exposure to volatile gas prices.
- Economic Implications:
- By reducing fuel consumption, decentralized systems lower the operational costs of energy production. For instance, if a CHP plant requires 15-20% less gas to deliver the same energy services (electricity + heat) as a centralized system, this translates into significant savings, especially given the high cost of natural gas in the UK.
- Additionally, the reduced reliance on grid electricity (subject to transmission losses and high retail tariffs) further lowers costs for end-users.
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Our article entitled "Net Zero they do not have a Clue" has garnered a big responce, we penned it on 22nd June 2023 with a big section devoted to the Parliamentary debate covered by Hansard.
The image shown is part of the problem: 8 cooling Towers sending 65-70% of the Heat Energy in a Centralised Electricity Generating plant up into the sky! This cannot continue - Generation INEFFICIENCY is a major issue with the Centralised Power Network, both in the UK and other nations. It is too inefficient - so those EV vehicles getting their {electrical} charge from the 'mains' are just "importing" their waste.
But now Reuters reports, of news from Shell and BP, tends to indicate serious reservations - and thus COLD FEET!! Litterally!
See the Reuters Report in Full below: Web Linkage: https://1.reutersevents.com/LP=36061,
""Net zero and hydrocarbons – a case of and, not or""
""Media reports that Shell is taking an axe to jobs in its low-carbon solutions and hydrocarbon units -- Reuters reporting in October that around 15% of the Anglo-Dutch supermajor’s workforce would be cut -- have reinforced concerns that the industry’s commitment to net zero may be eroding in a high commodity price climate.
According to the reports, 200 jobs will go in 2024, with another 130 will be placed under review by the company.
The news represents a potential challenge for a company whose low-carbon division was intended to spearhead a transition to clean energy.
But it is not alone. BP – the first oil major to set a course to net zero back in 2020 – has also faced criticism from environmental activists over a scaling back of ambitious emission reduction targets. Climate-focused investors reacted negatively to BP’s February 2023 announcement that it would aim for a 20-30% cut to emission by 2030, compared to 35% previously.