Electrical Review sits down with Jordan Brompton, co-founder of myenergi, an award-winning British designer and manufacturer of renewable energy products.
Despite Covid-19’s impact on the UK economy, myenergi is going through explosive growth and has its sights set on a brighter future for all of us.
Partially fuelling myenergi’s growth is the UK’s transition to net zero, so we didn’t just want to find out how the company got to its impressive position, but also what Brompton made of the UK’s net zero target and how we can all work towards ‘a kinder, more sustainable future for our planet’.
What first inspired you to co-found myenergi?
We founded myenergi with a simple vision – create a positive impact, push the boundaries of possibility, and change the world through pioneering green technologies. Ever since, we’ve been committed to creating a more sustainable planet for generations to come.
You started with a team of six and have now taken the EV charging and electrical space by storm. EV is a hot topic right now, so what differentiates myenergi from the crowd, or what do you think is the secret to your success?
We’re an experienced team, made up of experts, activists and inventors. While most companies simply sell products, we truly believe in ours. As the myenergi journey has continued, we’ve discovered that this is what sets us apart – a game-changing product range, designed with passion by technology specialists who want to change the world. Our customers and installer network want to join that journey and be part of the future.
The UK has currently set a net zero by 2050 target. Do you think this is overly ambitious and do you think we will achieve it?
High targets are important to keep us striving for more. Is it achievable? Yes, but it will take a monumental effort from industry, government and the general public, working closely together to achieve a brighter future. The benefits are countless – but achieving it will take teamwork.
Sweden has set its net zero target five years earlier than ours at 2045, we always seem to fall behind other European countries when it comes to green initiatives, what do they have that we don’t?
Historically, the Scandinavian countries have always set the standards in sustainability. Prioritising resource efficiency and minimising environmental impact is just a way of life. We’re not as far along the line – there’s still a huge educational job to be done in the UK – so the discrepancy between our target and theirs seems realistic. While we may lag behind in some areas, the UK boasts some of the world’s most innovative environmental technology. This, moving forward, will prove pivotal to closing the gap.
What will have to change within our daily lives in order to make net zero a reality?
In short, everything. Humanity is at a crossroads and we can’t continue our wasteful ways. From what we eat and what we wear, to how we travel and everything in between, net zero requires fundamental change and it’s up to all of us to take up the gauntlet. The companies that will be here for years to come have understood this challenge and are already working in partnership with consumers to proactively help.
How big a role will electric vehicles play in this transition?
Electrification plays a huge role in achieving our net zero target. Currently, we’re far too reliant on fossil fuels and outdated technology. The faster we can embrace more resource efficient methods of transport (such as switching your diesel daily to an eco EV and charging your vehicle with 100% green energy), the better!
What are the main barriers to EV adoption, is there a way people can make it easier for themselves?
The main barrier to EV adoption is perception. Many people are worried about purchase costs, charging costs and suitability for their mileage. However, most of these concerns are unfounded. Indeed, the UK’s charging network continues to improve, with 20,775 publicly-available devices now operational, while grants make purchase costs perfectly realistic. For individuals driving up to 250 miles every day, an EV is the sensible choice.
If you were to try and convince a die-hard petrol head to see the benefits of EV, what would you say to them?
I don’t profess to being a true petrol head, but I do love cars. I find the best way to convince people to see the benefits is by getting them to test drive an EV. The immediate power delivery, high torque figures and relaxing drive is enough to convince any aficionado. Of course, when you’ve won them over with the feeling, it’s the perfect time to show them the environmental and sustainability benefits!
How important is it that we all start acting now in order to see tangible reductions in our CO2 emissions? What are the consequences if we don’t?
Climate change, emissions, carbon footprint, ozone layer – not new words, but ones that have been ignored for far too long. We have to change our behaviours today; it’s not a problem for future generations to worry about, it’s up to us to prevent a climate emergency. Rather than ignoring the issue, we need to make a change today – the consequences if we fail to do so are terrifying.
Ofgem currently wants to bring the UK to green glory and is insisting an independently run grid (rather than National Grid) is needed to achieve this. What are your views on that?
Now, we all agree that the National Grid is unfit for purpose, but would switching to an independently run alternative change our future? Probably not. What we need to work towards is creating our own personal grid networks, whereby we utilise self-generated renewable energy to offset the requirement for a national system.
‘Sustainability’ is the word on everyone’s lips, but you say myenergi’s mission is to create ‘a kinder, more sustainable future for our planet’. Can you please define what that means to you? Particularly the use of the word ‘kinder’, the world could always do with some more of that.
To me, this means a switch from traditional make-use-dispose models, whereby we destroy the natural environment to dig resources out of the ground, and instead embrace a more circular vision – harnessing renewable resources and keeping products in the value chain longer to improve efficiencies and reduce waste. It’s not just sustainable, but kind to the environment too.
How important is it that our sustainability goals are a collaborative effort? This is everyone’s responsibility, and when I read on the myenergi website the quote ‘let’s human better’, that really resonated with me, as this is everyone’s responsibility, with companies like myenergi, and hopefully many others, helping to lead the way.
No one can change the world on their own. However, what they can do is inspire change. At myenergi, we may just be one company, but we’re passionate about driving a global movement – changing the way people think, feel and behave when it comes to sustainability. Collaboration is key – we can’t do it alone – but together, we can change the future for generations to come.
