University of Bath Professor of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Marcelle McManus, gave evidence to Parliament’s Energy Security & Net Zero Committee on Wednesday 5 February.

Prof McManus, of the University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, is a Director for our Research Centre in Sustainable Energy Systems, Research Director for IDRIC - the Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre and a member of the University's new Institute of Sustainability & Climate Change.

Questions from MPs during the session ranged from the roll-out of renewable technologies and impacts on local areas, to the ambitions and practicalities of reaching the government’s clean power target by 2030.

Reflecting on the experience, Prof McManus said: “On Wednesday I headed to London to participate in the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee session focusing on whether the UK can really reach its Clean Power 2030 goal. The goal is hugely challenging, but it really is our only option. The questions came at a rapid pace and covered issues such as grid connections, technology requirements, communities and carbon reduction.

“What was clear was that the Committee were listening intently and showed a breadth of understanding of the challenges required. To be able to play a small role in helping determine how we meet our clean power and net zero goals in this way was nerve wracking but also an extreme privilege.”

Local MP for Bath and ESNZ Committee member Wera Hobhouse added: "It was brilliant to hear from the University of Bath's own Professor Marcelle McManus as part of the ESNZ Committee last week. She shared some excellent insights with the Committee about how we can successfully navigate both the opportunities and challenges of decarbonisation.

"I'm proud that Bath is home to such committed pioneers. Whether it is listening to the expert advice of energy engineers like Professor McManus or establishing our new Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change, our city never fails to be at the helm of world-leading innovation.”

Dean of the Faculty of Engineering & Design, Professor Tim Ibell said: "Professor McManus is one of the country’s leading experts in energy and environmental engineering. It was really important that she was able to share her insights with the MPs scrutinising the government’s work in this area to help enhance the policy decisions being made to decarbonise energy systems. This is a hugely important topic and one that will have significant impacts on all our lives."

Marcelle was joined on the panel by Adam Berman, Director of Policy & Advocacy for Energy UK, and Stuart Dossett, Senior Policy Advisor for the Green Alliance. Their session preceded an oral evidence session with Chris Stark, Head of Mission Control for Clean Power by 2030, and Ben Golding, Director at Clean Power 2030.

The Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee is chaired by Labour MP for Sefton Central Bill Esterton.