What does it mean to be purpose-led in our sector?

Globalisation has been a key driver of economic and scientific growth for many decades, and most people have benefitted from it in one way or another. The UK certainly operates in a global energy market, sourcing gas and oil via low-cost supply chains and electricity inter-connectors to Europe provide resilience to our supply. Despite significant cost pressures recently, these solutions have helped to mitigate cost and enhance our security of supply. 

Unfortunately, not everyone has or is benefiting equally. Wealth remains unfairly distributed and economic growth has come with huge environmental costs. 10% of the UK population hold 40% of the wealth (Office for National Statistics), and the temperature of the earth's surface has risen by 1.1 degrees Celsius since 1850 (IPCC, 2021). 

The world, however, seems to be on the brink of positive change, with consumers and organisations now searching for solutions which are capable of meeting today's needs, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. Society is increasingly motivated by a greater sense of purpose which is underpinned by a belief that the right solutions are the most sustainable ones.  

A number of years ago, we made it our mission at EA Technology ‘to promote the development of resilient, accessible, low-cost energy networks globally, accelerating the transition to energy decarbonisation’.  

Today, we are delivering on this mission and are proud to be at the forefront of a purpose-led industry.  

Through our VisNet offering, for example, and with support from the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in LV substation monitoring, we are providing an unparalleled view of the network with a range of insights that includes capacity management and condition assessment. Alongside countless other benefits to network operators and energy suppliers, our VisNet offering makes it possible for local communities to go on-line and assess where they can install new technologies such as EV chargers, PV, and heat pumps with minimal impact on the network. 

Another development has been the recent launch of a new network design tool, ConnectGrid, which can rapidly design and model new network connections, in support of the growing demand for electrification. Available now as an online software tool, we’re able to support network operators and connection providers at a time when new connection requests are at an all time high.  

Closer to home, we are leading the Cheshire Sustainable and Inclusive Growth Commission, aiming to develop a decarbonisation plan for the sub-region, while ensuring no one is left behind. Our standing in the sub-region as leading the ‘thinking’, and the ‘doing’, is top notch. 

Lastly, we have been working hard with the support of the LEP to decarbonise our office space. We are making changes to electrical systems, installing an air-sourced heat pump, solar panels, battery storage, EV chargers and an intelligent control system. We’re hoping to a beacon of good practice by sharing with others what we have achieved so that they can also decarbonise their own buildings.  

I’m extremely proud of what we are doing at EA Technology and it’s an exciting time to work with all of our suppliers, customers, partners, and the local community. We can’t claim to get everything right, but by working together we are heading in the right direction!