17 June 2021
We’re incredibly honoured and proud to have won the ADE’s Special Contribution to Net Zero Award. This new category was introduced to recognise projects that are helping the energy system and energy users as we strive towards net zero.
Energy Superhub Oxford is a four-year project, part-funded by government, which is pioneering an integrated approach to decarbonising power, transport and heat, to accelerate Oxford’s zero carbon journey.
It is being delivered by Pivot Power, part of EDF Renewables, Oxford City Council, Habitat Energy, Invinity Energy Systems, Kensa Contracting and Oxford University. The project’s unique approach aims to save 10,000 tonnes of CO2 per year once fully operational, rising to 25,000 tonnes per year by 2032.
Here’s what the judges had to say:
Dr Alice Owen, Leeds University
“What we liked about the Pivot Power project is the way it integrated across the really big problems that we know we have to handle in the energy system, which is buildings and heat, but also the transport and mobility systems. And it does it in a way that is properly about place, using the assets of place, Oxford, but doing it in a way that you can imagine it happening in other locations as well. So place-based but transferable, and I think that’s really encouraging about this project. Plus, who doesn’t like an itsy-bitsy shoebox-sized heat pump!”
Rachel Hayes, Regen
“I was really pleased to see the Energy Superhub Oxford project, a world first project pioneering an integrated approach to decarbonising power, heat and transport, so across those three vectors, a whole system approach that looks replicable. It’s got significant carbon savings and they’re doing some really great things. It’s a great team working on this project.”
Accepting the award, Millie Pardoe at Pivot Power said:
“This project really is a huge team effort so special thanks go to all six of our project partners, including Innovate UK without whom the project woudn’t have been possible. Also to Oxford City Council who have shown massive ambition in making the project a core element of their vision to be net zero by 2040, and who have been a fantastic project partner to work with. We really hope that this innovative and pioneering project will create a model for other towns and cities across the UK to follow. Thank you and congratulations to everyone else nominated.”
You can watch the awards ceremony here.