Welcome to the 18th edition of The Innovation Platform. This issue is jam-packed with exciting updates and explorations of all things innovation.
Heading into summer, we can only hope that the weather will make up its mind – just as we think the sunshine is here to stay, the clouds come rolling in. Last year, the world set climate records, and this year, we are on track to break another record. With 50 countries holding elections in 2024 – nearly half of the global population – this year will be the largest election year in modern history. Such a period of change will be crucial in shaping geopolitical dynamics for years to come, undoubtedly impacting our supply chains, environmental policies, and areas of innovation.
Johan Soderböm from EIT InnoEnergy contributes this edition’s foreword, discussing the ways energy storage can help us navigate the clean energy transition. He emphasises the need for adaptability in preparing for expected demand and the flexibility of storage solutions necessary to cater to the various applications and industries that green energy must support.
Our Electric Vehicles, Battery Research and Development section continues this theme of flexibility, particularly considering the importance of diversifying our global battery metals supply chains. The European Commission discusses the significance of its recently opened Nuuk Office in Greenland and how this new branch of international cooperation will be mutually beneficial in strengthening Greenland’s economy and diversifying EU supply chains. Elsewhere in the section, the Government of Queensland outlines its Critical Minerals Strategy and the importance of the Saint Elmo Vanadium Project in meeting its renewable energy targets.
The content of this edition’s Environment section spans a variety of thought-provoking topics, ranging from the search for sustainable PFAS alternatives, to improving the efficiency of our agricultural and food supply chains. Gaynor Hartnell, Chief Executive of the Renewable Transport Fuel Association, delves into the topic of sustainable aviation, tackling the challenges of decarbonising the industry. Following the revelations about sewage in the UK’s waterways, regulatory body Ofwat considers water pollution and the importance of green infrastructure and innovative technologies in cleaning up our water sector.
Elsewhere in the issue, we speak with Aleko Khukhunaishvili from CERN’s CMS experiment about the recent measurement of a fundamental parameter of the Standard Model. He provides insight into the significance of this result and its ability to unlock a new era of precision physics.
Our Energy section features an interview with André Faaij from the Netherlands Energy Research Alliance detailing the key sustainable energy initiatives currently driving the energy transition in the Netherlands, as well as the organisation’s role in advocating for the industry and contributing to European policy. Also, in this section, the World Nuclear Association tackles the issue of nuclear waste fuel management, discussing existing and future methods of implementing circular practices in the industry.
In our new section, Horizon Europe collaborations, Jackson Howard of EURAXESS discusses the impact of these major global research programmes for researchers and institutions and offers advice on maximising the opportunities presented by the collaboration. The International Energy Agency expands on this subject, providing its perspective on the collaboration as it supports governments and industries in increasing energy efficiency and transitioning to clean energy.
As you can see, our 18th edition is filled with a wide range of exciting content, insightful articles, in-depth interviews, and thought-provoking features. I hope you enjoy the read!
Maddie Hall
Editor
The Innovation Platform
