In this blog, Annum Rafique examines the UK’s solar PV procurement landscape, highlighting how strong SME participation and regional diversity have positioned the sector to support the Government’s 45-47 GW target outlined in the 2025 Solar Roadmap. This blog is part of ongoing work with the Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre (IPEC), which seeks to position … Continue reading “Mapping the UK’s Solar PV Supply Chain: An Analysis of Public Procurement Contracts”
Author: Annum Rafique
Procurement Act 2023 Taking Full Effect in February 2025: How the Act Supports Retrofitting Goals
Dr Annum Rafique explores how the Procurement Act 2023 transforms social housing retrofits to accelerate the UK’s net-zero transition. Dr Rafique is part of a team of researchers from the University of Birmingham and the University of Manchester working on a joint project funded by Catapult Connected Places and Innovate UK to empower councils and … Continue reading “Procurement Act 2023 Taking Full Effect in February 2025: How the Act Supports Retrofitting Goals”
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA): Progress, Challenges, and the Path Forward
The Birmingham Economic Review is out now! It provides a comprehensive analysis of the city’s economy as we emerge from a period of high inflation and local, regional, and national elections, and actionable measures businesses and stakeholders from across the city-region can take to drive economic growth. Read the full Birmingham Economic Review 2024. The … Continue reading “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA): Progress, Challenges, and the Path Forward”
Energy and Housing in Birmingham
Annum Rafique looks at how much energy we are using in the city region, where it comes from and what kind of houses we live in. This article was written for the Birmingham Economic Review. The review is produced by City-REDI / WMREDI, the University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It … Continue reading “Energy and Housing in Birmingham”
Marginal Abatement Cost Curves (MACC): Their Use as Tools for Evaluating Low-Carbon/Net-Zero Interventions and Policies.
Dr Annum Rafique examines the application of marginal abatement cost curves (MACC) to assess low-carbon/net-zero policies and interventions. Introduction Household energy consumption accounts for a substantial portion of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As countries aim to meet emission reduction targets, decarbonising the residential heating sector is key. Marginal Abatement Cost Curves (MACC) have emerged … Continue reading “Marginal Abatement Cost Curves (MACC): Their Use as Tools for Evaluating Low-Carbon/Net-Zero Interventions and Policies.”
The Energy Price Cap and Price Guarantee: What Does it Mean for Your Energy Bill?
Dr Annum Rafique looks at how you can save on your energy bills, what support is available and what to look for looking ahead into the future. The energy price cap sets a maximum price that energy suppliers can charge consumers for each kilowatt hour (kWh) of energy they use. The price cap is for … Continue reading “The Energy Price Cap and Price Guarantee: What Does it Mean for Your Energy Bill?”
Smart Energy – An Energy System for the 21st Century
What is smart energy? Annum Rafique discusses what it is, how it works and its potential to help us achieve net-zero. This blog was first published on the College of Social Science blog. Smart Energy has been identified as an energy system for the 21st Century which utilises digital technologies to monitor energy needs, make … Continue reading “Smart Energy – An Energy System for the 21st Century”
Balancing the Grid: Understanding the National Grid’s Demand Flexibility Service
Annum Rafique looks at how the National Grid’s new initiative can help with our current energy crisis. This blog was originally published on the Birmingham Business School blog, you can view the original article here. What is the “demand flexibility service”? In October 2022, the National Grid warned Britain that the country might face blackouts … Continue reading “Balancing the Grid: Understanding the National Grid’s Demand Flexibility Service”
Birmingham’s Response to Tackling Climate Change
Rafique Annum looks at Birmingham’s response to Climate Change, before and after the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26). This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2022. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by the University of Birmingham’s City-REDI and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It … Continue reading “Birmingham’s Response to Tackling Climate Change”
Exploring Factors Influencing the Adoption of Low-Carbon and Renewable Technologies in Domestic Buildings in Birmingham
The Energy Crisis is on everyone’s minds, to raise awareness of National Energy Saving Week, Annum Rafique discusses the factors influencing the adoption of low-carbon and renewable technologies in domestic buildings in Birmingham. Climate change has been recognised as a global challenge. To combat climate change, the UK government has made ambitious targets for the … Continue reading “Exploring Factors Influencing the Adoption of Low-Carbon and Renewable Technologies in Domestic Buildings in Birmingham”