Energy innovation

Energy innovation

As the way energy is generated, used and optimised changes, the use of innovative technologies is driving more efficient business models and helping to tackle the decarbonisation challenge. Understanding the way legal frameworks are adapting to foster innovation is paramount to success. 

Whether you are a new market disruptor, a 'traditional' energy business looking to keep pace, or a sophisticated prosumer, we can guide you through everything you need to know.  

Hydrogen 

Hydrogen is an important part of the energy transition. It is playing a key role in the global effort to decarbonise the energy system.

Whether you're an investor or an industry supplier, you need to understand the risks and legal developments affecting the hydrogen economy. We work with clients to identify and overcome a wide range of challenges from the evolving regulatory requirements and government incentive schemes, to project structuring and adoption of new technologies.

Our team is passionate about helping clients drive positive change in the energy market. We collaborate with developers and investors to explore the issues associated with using hydrogen across power generation, heating, transport and manufacturing.

Find out more about our experience of advising clients on hydrogen matters. 

Carbon capture, utilisation and storage

The use of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies is critical to the development of a low carbon energy system. Investment in this exciting area of energy innovation is growing rapidly globally.

CCUS projects are often complex and expensive. This means that successful investment and project delivery requires a mix of legal expertise to navigate evolving regulatory and policy frameworks. This is true when converting old assets and developing new projects.

Drawing on over 20 years of experience in energy and power markets, our team includes CCUS specialists from a range of legal disciplines, including planning, construction, project development, regulatory and project financing. The team also includes M&A specialists with extensive experience across the offshore environment.

Together they help investors, developers and other stakeholders deliver CCUS projects: from transport and storage to industrials, gas power, blue hydrogen and the supply chain.

Learn more about our CCUS capabilities and the key project development considerations in this exciting area.

Heat networks

Heat networks (also known as district heating or communal heating schemes) are an integral part of the UK's energy transition. The combination of low or zero-carbon fuel sources and improved thermal efficiency make heat networks a cost-effective and significant contributor towards decarbonising building heat. Government estimates indicate that 18% of the UK's building heat will need to be provided by heat networks by 2050 to meet net zero targets (up from 2% currently). 

The forthcoming regulation of heat networks (under the framework provided by the Energy Act 2023) will bring further parity with traditional utilities. This will impose new requirements on operators of heat schemes including: a new authorisation regime, with mandated authorisation conditions; heat network zoning; and step-in and 'supplier of last resort' provisions.

How we can help you

Our experts advise all stakeholders in the heat network industry on project origination, implementation and regulation on numerous mixed-use developments. This includes advising on:

• planning considerations;
• site set-up (including long-term resident management company processes);
• procuring and implementing ESCO concessions or contracted energy management arrangements and associated supply agreements;
  waste heat offtake arrangements (including data centres);
• fifth generation ambient heat networks;
• government grant funding advice, such as the Green Heat Network Fund and Home Upgrade Grants; and
• new requirements on operators of heat schemes under the the Energy Act 2023 framework.
   

Our energy innovation lawyers

Our extensive energy market experience is complemented by our commitment to being a leading digital firm. Because we embrace digitalisation, we can help our energy and technology clients future-proof their strategically important projects and transactions.

Ensuring energy businesses and technologists talk the same language can be a challenge. Our clients know us for our ability to lead effective communication to get results. We can help you achieve the right outcome for any contractual, transactional, security or advisory concern your organisation is facing.