Electrification: Riding the fourth wave

Guest blog post by Fraser Harper, co-author of the Green Edge

In 1752, Ben Franklin flew his kite, inviting lightning to dance on a string. By 1800, Volta had his battery, and from there, the charge of progress hasn’t stopped crackling. Today, we’re in the 'fourth wave' of electrification, one that doesn’t just aim to power machines but to power change - environmental and societal - towards a sustainable future. This isn’t the first step of electrification, but it may be the most important, especially for the UK’s small and medium engineering and manufacturing businesses.

We might call this fourth wave Electrification for Sustainability. This is about more than just turning machines on; it’s about turning around the impacts we leave on the planet. And businesses of all sizes who embrace electrified systems can drive down emissions, cut reliance on fossil fuels, and ultimately, bring sustainability into the heart of every workshop, factory, and industrial space.

Sustainability as a core business value

Historically, electrification has been about making things faster, cheaper, and easier. Basic electrification started the journey, and then automation and control systems refined it. Advanced digitalisation pushed it further, taking us to the here and now.

The fourth wave means thinking beyond the next quarter or production target. Instead, it’s about reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality while remaining competitive in an economy that increasingly values green tech and practices. It’s about cutting back on emissions while adding efficiencies, finding ways to manage energy, and baking in sustainability as a way of doing business, rather than simply using it as a buzzword.

Different subsectors have different roles to play in this wave. In the transport sector, electrification has powered a sea change, especially in automotive. But other sectors like basic metals face different challenges, mostly around how to apply electrification for heat processes where the technology is still catching up.

Each sector will have its own unique journey, but all are part of a common destination: a more electrified and sustainable industry landscape.

Building skills for an electrified future

With this transformation comes a parallel revolution in skills. Electrification for sustainability requires a shift not only in technology but in the knowledge and skills that power it.

For businesses that have thrived with legacy systems, there’s a learning curve, but it’s manageable. The key is upskilling and reskilling. High-voltage safety, energy-efficient design, and battery management systems are becoming key skills for the future workforce. Engineers who might be well-versed in the mechanics of combustion engines, for example, will need to add on understandings of things like electric drive units, DC-to-AC systems, and battery safety protocols.

Electrification doesn’t happen in isolation. But you don’t have to go it alone. SMEs have access to rich resources and partnerships through organisations like the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) and Innovate UK.

And then there’s academia - universities across the UK are keen to collaborate with SMEs through Innovate UK and other initiatives. These partnerships are a way to access cutting-edge research, often through funded programs that make advanced training and consulting affordable (or even free). If you’re ready to electrify your business, you don’t need to go far for a spark to get started.

Join the movement

The fourth wave of electrification is here, and the time to ride it is now. As the demands of sustainability grow, so too do the benefits of being an early adopter of electrification strategies. Embracing this shift doesn’t just mean updating your tech stack - it means building a greener, more resilient business model. And with resources like ESN, UKBIC, and UK academic partnerships, getting skilled up and ready is easier than ever.

So, join the movement. Sign up for a UKBIC course, and reach out to local academic institutions. Electrification for sustainability is here, and with the right skills and a little curiosity, you can ride the wave.

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