People, policy and technology: why innovation needs a joined-up approach

"A net zero that doesn’t work for those in less advantageous socio-economic situations is not a net zero that works at all.”

That’s the view of  Natasha Ackroyd - Head of Propositions in the Electrification of Heat team at E.ON Next  on how partnerships, new ways of thinking, and of course new tech, must all work together in supporting people and in making sure energy can be as sustainable as it is affordable.

Decarbonising heat remains one of the most critical – and complex – challenges. But according to Natasha, it’s also one of the most exciting frontiers for innovation and collaborative progress.

“Heat accounts for a significant proportion of our emissions,” she told the latest Womens Utilities Network podcast. “It’s long been viewed as a tough problem to crack, but that’s beginning to change – and fast.”

Natasha highlighted the scale and diversity of innovation happening across the sector, pointing to E.ON’s Citigen combined heat and power (CHP) plant in central London as a standout example of technical innovation at scale. Citigen uses geothermal energy and heat pumps to provide heat and cooling for a range of historic and modern buildings in one of the city’s busiest districts – buildings such as the Barbican, Guildhall and JJ Mack developments – proving that scalable, sustainable solutions can thrive even in high-density urban environments.

Complementing these large-scale initiatives, Natasha also spotlighted early-stage innovators to improve the millions of existing homes around the country currently relying on fossil fuel heating like gas boilers and how heat pumps can overcome consumer concerns around space and disruption.

“It’s precisely these kinds of design-led, consumer-focused innovations that will help unlock real progress on domestic heat electrification,” she said.

Yet Natasha is clear: technology alone isn’t enough. The path to net zero requires coordinated action across policy, funding, and consumer engagement.

“There’s a lot of brilliant innovation happening, and the UK is fortunate to have strong funding mechanisms to support it,” she noted. “But unless all parts of the system work in sync – innovation, regulation, incentives, and public understanding—we risk falling short.”

For Natasha, fairness is non-negotiable in the net zero journey. “A transition that doesn’t include everyone – especially those in disadvantaged or vulnerable communities – simply isn’t a transition that works,” she said. “We need to design for everyone from the outset.”

One such opportunity singled out for praise is the Warm Home Prescription, a partnership between the NHS and Energy Systems Catapult which funds energy-saving home improvements as part of a health-based prescription – with Natasha calling it a prime example of cross-sector collaboration that truly centres on the people who need support the most.

As the sector continues to evolve, Natasha remains optimistic about the role of energy professionals, particularly women, in shaping the future. “The opportunities are vast. We’re not just solving technical problems—we’re driving social change with global impact.”

You can watch the podcast in full here: https://lnkd.in/eZSdJiGR where WUN Advocate Kerris Mackley chats with WUN partners Hayley Monks, WUN Co-Founder & Director and Managing Director ECHO, Rebecca Teasdale, Director, Baringa and Natasha Ackroyd, Head of Proposition (Electrification of Heat), EON.

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