Energy Minister to appear before Lords Science and Technology Committee

His appearance follows the committee’s Long-duration energy storage: get on with it report which said the Government must “act fast” to ensure long-duration energy storage technologies can scale up and contribute to the decarbonisation of the electricity system.  

The Lords will also hold an evidence session as part of its continuing inquiry into engineering biology. 

At 10.15am, those giving evidence on engineering biology are: 

• Dr Michael Adeogun, Head of Strategy (Life Sciences and Health), National Physical Laboratory
• Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Adviser, Food Standards Agency
• Professor Isabel Oliver, Director General of Science and Research and Chief Scientific Officer of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) 

At 11:15am, the committee, chaired by Baroness Brown, will hear from:

• Justin Tomlinson MP, Minister of State, Department of Energy Security and Net Zero 
• Dan Osgood, Department of Energy Security and Net Zero  

The evidence sessions will be available to watch live or on demand on Parliament TV or in person in Committee Room 1, Palace of Westminster. 

Questions which the committee will ask the Energy Minister are likely to focus on:  

• The overall plan for a Net Zero grid by 2035; the mix of technologies that will provide low-carbon flexibility; progress with developing the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan and launching the National Energy System Operator
  
  
• The role of long-duration energy storage in a net zero grid; government support for long duration energy storage
  
  
• The concept of a strategic reserve for energy storage and electricity generation
  
  
• Ensuring security of supply in the energy system and the role of Capacity Market reforms in ensuring this
  
  
• The “net zero ready” requirements for new-build gas plants  

On engineering biology, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has said that engineering biology is one of five key technologies for the UK and published its National Vision for Engineering Biology in December 2023. The Government defines engineering biology as the design, scaling and commercialisation of biology-derived products and services that can transform sectors or produce existing products more sustainably. 

The committee’s findings will inform a report which makes recommendations to the Government and key organisations.  Among the questions the committee wants to address are: 

• How are companies hoping to innovate on existing processes or products using engineering biology?
  
  
• What are the major challenges they face in scaling up to large-scale, industrial processes?
  
  
• What is the role of regulators and public bodies in supporting the engineering biology sector, and responding to biosecurity risks?  

To arrange interviews or other media activity, please contact Sarah Womack: womacks@parliament.uk