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Case Study

Scottish Net Zero Roadmap

A collaborative roadmap outlining the technologies, infrastructure, and investments needed to decarbonise Scotland’s East Coast industrial cluster and achieve net zero by 2045.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Scottish Net Zero Roadmap (SNZR) project is part of a government funded challenge to develop net zero industrial clusters across the UK by 2040.

SNZR’s main aim was to identify how the industrial cluster along Scotland’s East Coast can be decarbonised, supporting Scotland’s target of net zero by 2045. The cluster is formed of 28 industrial sites spread across 11 different industrial sectors and 14 local authority areas. It includes most of the top 25 largest emitters in the country, collectively accounting for over 75% (or 8.6Mt) of Scotland’s industrial CO2 emissions in 2019.

The project lasted two years with Optimat performing the role of project designer and manager, working collaboratively with a number of partners, including key emitters, infrastructure owners, and more.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

Engage with industry, infrastructure owners and the public sector to collaboratively develop a decarbonisation blueprint for Scottish industry that all parties are committed to implementing.
Identify a pathway for a selected cluster of large emitters to achieve net zero by 2045
Develop strategies for emitters and infrastructure that other companies can use
Provide a route map for emitters, infrastructure owners and government to jointly deliver a net zero cluster

Engage with industry, infrastructure owners and the public sector to collaboratively develop a decarbonisation blueprint for Scottish industry that all parties are committed to implementing.
Identify a pathway for a selected cluster of large emitters to achieve net zero by 2045
Develop strategies for emitters and infrastructure that other companies can use
Provide a route map for emitters, infrastructure owners and government to jointly deliver a net zero cluster




OUR APPROACH

We took a “bottom-up” approach based on individual company energy use and emission profiles and the use of scenario planning to model several alternative routes to decarbonisation.

As such, we developed an initial understanding of the site level emissions and energy use of the core group of companies, obtained through one-to-one discussions and combined with knowledge of existing and planned infrastructure and current and emerging technologies.

A series of optimum routes to net zero were then modelled including priority decarbonisation options, leveraging existing infrastructure where possible, new infrastructure requirements where necessary, expected scale, techno-economic analysis, estimated investment required, and timescales for action.

DELIVERY TEAM

Iain Weir
Senior Consultant
About>
Mark Morrison
Senior Consultant
About>

OUTPUTS AND IMPACTS

An optimal roadmap for this industrial cluster to achieve net zero by 2045 has been identified based on the analysis of a number of scenarios.  It identifies the core technologies and infrastructure required to deliver net zero.

Key actions identified to deliver net zero for the cluster are as follows:

  • Establish ownership and leadership of the roadmap implementation
  • Develop and operate a co-ordination mechanism to ensure that all stakeholder groups are engaged and committed to delivery of the roadmap
  • Support Project Acorn activities in the North East, to establish an initial focal point for the roadmap
  • Investment in CO2 pipeline infrastructure to support the cluster or, if this does not proceed, investment in CO2 shipping hubs and local transport options
  • Investment in hydrogen manufacturing, transport and supply, linking developing hydrogen manufacturing capacity with industrial users
  • Investment in DACC capacity of at least 500,000 tonnes per annum capacity

A copy of the report can be downloaded here.

Iain Weir

Senior Consultant

I’m Iain Weir, formerly Managing Director of Optimat.  I joined Optimat in 1990 and now have over 35 years’ experience of strategy, innovation and economic development consultancy. I am now working part-time as a senior consultant as a stepping stone to retirement in the future.

During my time at Optimat, I’ve worked to support company growth, innovation and economic development across a range of sectors, and I enjoy working with clients to turn data and insight into meaningful action.  I’m proud to have had an integral role over that time in developing Optimat into an internationally recognised strategy consultancy.

One of my key areas of expertise is the development of the low carbon economy, a topic of increasing importance for today’s industries.  I think this is a challenging area for industry and the public sector to address as there can be several solutions offered to reduce carbon impacts, often without a strong evidence base to support their use. I enjoy pursuing an evidence-based analyses of these options to provide valuable insights to stakeholders.

Before joining Optimat, I worked in research and development in the electro-optic materials sector, developing and marketing innovative high-tech materials for a range of applications.  This industrial experience has strongly influenced my approach to assisting companies with their innovation activities.

I hold a BSc (1st class Hons) in Chemistry, a PhD in Chemistry, and an MBA.  I think this strong scientific background has enabled me to pursue an evidence-based and analytical approach to consultancy.

Mark Morrison

Senior Consultant

I’m Mark, a Senior Consultant at Optimat. I specialise in life sciences and sustainability, working closely with clients to help them understand new technology and market opportunities as well as workforce skills requirements to enable these to become reality.

I’ve been with Optimat since 2015 and worked with a range of public sector clients to deliver insightful market and sector analyses in subject areas including synthetic biology, chemical manufacturing, carbon capture utilisation and storage, medical devices, decarbonised transport, and renewable energy. I’ve also supported private sector clients to secure grant funding from Scottish, UK and European agencies, and have coordinated a number of European Commission funded projects.

Before joining Optimat I was the CEO of the Institute of Nanotechnology, a not-for-profit organisation that was instrumental in raising the profile and opportunities in nanotechnology for UK and European businesses. This provided me with first-hand experience of engaging and collaborating with a range of stakeholders in private, public and third sector organisations across Europe.

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Molecular Biology from the University of Glasgow and a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Manchester.