Submission to the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee: Future Energy Technology Mix
Applied Microbiology International’s submission to the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee underscores how microbiological innovation can support a more sustainable and resilient UK energy system.
It outlines existing research and funding gaps around energy-related biotechnology, especially in carbon capture, waste conversion, and bioenergy. AMI calls for more targeted support through UKRI, ARIA and industrial-academic partnerships, and urges greater investment in microbial fuel cells, biogas, algae-based CCUS, and photosynthetic systems. The submission also critiques current reliance on oil and gas-based CCUS, advocating instead for a long-term transition powered by biological systems and a clear timeline for the phase-out of natural gas.