Policy 5.8 Innovative energy technologies

Strategic

A The Mayor supports and encourages the more widespread use of innovative energy technologies to reduce use of fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emissions. In particular the Mayor will seek to work with boroughs and other partners in this respect, for example by stimulating:

a the uptake of electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

b hydrogen supply and distribution infrastructure

c the uptake of advanced conversion technologies such as anaerobic digestion, gasification and pyrolysis for the treatment of waste.

LDF preparation

B Within LDFs boroughs may wish to develop more detailed policies and proposals to support the use of alternative energy technologies (particularly in infrastructure and masterplanning opportunities).

5.43 Use of alternatives to traditional fossil fuels is a way to help improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy security. Opportunities to develop the more widespread use of alternative energy sources include supporting emerging technologies and innovations, and supporting the development of supply chains, infrastructure and associated skill requirements.

5.44 Road vehicles account for around 80 per cent of transport related carbon dioxide emissions, and the Mayor wants to accelerate uptake of greener fuels and vehicles to address this. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are being trialled in London and the Mayor actively supports the greater deployment of electric vehicles. Hybrid vehicles are already widely available and offer carbon dioxide emissions reductions of around 30 per cent over vehicles running on fossil fuels. Electric vehicles emit much less carbon dioxide and other pollutants compared to conventional cars, and have zero emissions at point of use. To promote their uptake the Mayor has set up the London Electric Vehicle Partnership and has published an Electric Vehicle Delivery Plan for London. Policy 6.13 also requires the provision of electrical charging points in new developments as part of parking provision requirements.

5.45 The Mayor will work with the London Hydrogen Partnership, boroughs and others to support the development of a Hydrogen Action Plan, and the development of energy infrastructure based on hydrogen as a principal energy carrier. The Mayor will encourage boroughs to identify capacity for such infrastructure. Advanced conversion technologies for treating waste can be linked to highly efficient energy generation methods such as gas engines and hydrogen fuel cells to achieve greater greenhouse gas savings. Through his chairmanship of the London Waste and Recycling Board, the Mayor will allocate funding to projects supporting the development of advanced conversion technologies in London. The Mayor has also set up a Food to Fuel Alliance Programme to promote the development of exemplar projects turning London’s food waste into renewable energy including renewable transport fuel.