Growing Power, Smarter Heat

We all know the climate crisis demands bold solutions—but what if one answer lies in an ancient, humble crop? Join us to explore how short rotation coppice willow, paired with bioenergy and carbon capture (BECCS), could help remove carbon from our atmosphere. The challenge: we need vast amounts of it, fast. Discover how innovative vertical farming techniques could supercharge the growth of this old‑but‑gold energy crop, transforming how quickly we can plant and harvest it. From cutting‑edge technology to down‑to‑earth climate action, this talk reveals a surprising new way to power a greener future.

Heating our homes creates around 15% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, so most of us will eventually switch to heat pumps. But there’s a twist: while heat pumps are great for the planet, they could double peak electricity demand—right when our increasingly renewable grid is at its most unpredictable. So how do we keep the lights on and the carbon down? In this lively talk, discover why flexible energy use is essential, how it strangely resembles financial derivatives trading, and the simple actions you can take tomorrow to support a cleaner, smarter grid—even if you’re still using a trusty old gas boiler.