Emerging Technologies
New ideas shaping energy
Emerging technologies introduce fresh ways to create, store and manage energy. They focus on new ideas that improve efficiency, support cleaner systems and help prepare for the energy needs of the future.
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Energy Storage
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Green Fuels
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Smart Grids
Energy storage is the ability to save energy for use at a later time. It helps match supply with demand, especially when using renewable energy sources like wind and solar that change with the weather.
One of the most familiar forms of energy storage is the battery - from the one in a phone to the large batteries used in electric cars. These batteries store electricity so it can be used whenever it’s needed.
Energy storage also supports the wider electricity grid. When there is more energy available than people use, storage systems can hold it and release it when demand rises. This helps keep electricity supplies steady and reliable.
As more renewable energy is added to the energy mix, storage becomes increasingly important for making the whole system more flexible and efficient.
Green fuels are fuels made from renewable materials such as plants, crops, algae or waste. They are designed to offer a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
Many green fuels can be used in existing engines, which makes them helpful for transport sectors that are harder to electrify, such as aviation, shipping and heavy goods vehicles. Biofuels, for example, can be blended with petrol or diesel to reduce overall emissions. Another type, known as synthetic fuels, is created using renewable electricity and captured carbon dioxide.
Although green fuels still release some emissions when burned, they usually produce less pollution than traditional fuels. They also help make use of materials that might otherwise be wasted. As technology improves, green fuels could play a bigger role in reducing emissions from vehicles and industries that need high‑power fuels.
A smart grid is an electricity network that uses digital technology to monitor, manage and move energy more efficiently. Unlike traditional grids, which mostly send electricity in one direction, smart grids can respond to how much energy people are using in real time.
They help balance supply and demand by gathering data from homes, businesses and energy sources. Smart meters, sensors and automated systems all play a part in providing this information.
With more renewable energy on the system, smart grids help make sure electricity flows where it’s needed, even when the weather changes.
They also support new technologies such as electric vehicles by helping manage charging at busy times. Overall, smart grids create a more flexible, reliable and efficient energy system that can adapt to future needs.
Got questions?
We’ve got answers
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What is energy storage?
Energy storage means saving energy now so you can use it later. Think about charging the battery on your phone during the day so you can use it at night.
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Why are green fuels useful?
They can be a cleaner swap for some alternatives, and many can work in the engines we already have. This helps especially in areas where it’s hard to electify.
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What makes a grid “smart”?
A smart grid uses digital tools and data to manage electricity in real time. It helps balance supply and demand, a bit like traffic lights controlling vehicles on the road.
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Are these technologies new?
They’re not brand new. Some have been around for years, but they’re getting better and are being used more widely.
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Why do they matter?
They help make our energy systems more flexible and reliable — we all want power to be there when we need it — especially when sources like wind and solar produce different amounts of energy depending on what’s happening with the weather.
Could the streets beneath your feet generate electricity?
The Sun sends huge amounts of energy to Earth every day. So what if our roads and pavements could capture some of it?
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