The world’s largest pure-play sustainability advisory firm, ERM, has acquired Element Energy, a specialist energy consultancy that works with organizations to implement integrated low-carbon technology solutions that help solve their net zero and decarbonization challenges.

The acquisition brings deep expertise to ERM in the development, commercialization and implementation of emerging low-carbon technologies, such as hydrogen and fuel cells, electrification, energy storage and carbon capture use and storage (CCUS).

With extensive experience across the built environment, transport and mobility, energy and wider industrial sectors, the company adds approximately 90 employees, based in the UK, France and Australia, to ERM’s +5,500-strong firm.

The deal follows recent acquisitions of renewable energy consulting firm RCG, and energy and sustainability strategy consultancy E4tech. Overall, ERM has announced seven acquisitions so far in 2021.

Keryn James, CEO, ERM said: “As companies look to deliver on their net zero commitments, low-carbon technologies will play a critical role in accelerating the clean energy transformation. With this latest acquisition, we are further strengthening our leadership in this rapidly expanding sector.

This puts us in a unique position to help our clients unlock the huge potential of current and disruptive low-carbon technologies, and to support them at all phases of their decarbonization journeys. We are thrilled to welcome Element Energy to the ERM Group.”

Ben Madden, Director, Element Energy: “We are delighted to be joining ERM. We are very much looking forward to deepening our relationship with the ERM Group over the coming months, following numerous successful collaborations pre-acquisition. We are confident that the alignment in values between our organizations means that we will have a successful future serving the needs of our clients and bringing about the change required to achieve the global energy transition.”

About Element Energy

Element Energy provides integrated solutions to help clients deploy low-carbon technologies and supporting systems on a large scale. The company drives the development, commercialization and deployment of emerging low-carbon technologies, often for the first time, through its work with organizations, and its leadership role in international research and development consortia.

The company was founded in 2003 in Cambridge, England. Low-carbon energy expert and co-founder, Ben Madden, will form part of the leadership team, along with Celine Cluzel, Ian Walker, Alex Stewart, Lisa Ruf, Sam Foster, Mike Dolman and Mark Hughes. 

About ERM

Founded 50 years ago, ERM is the largest global pure-play sustainability consultancy. The firm employs more than 5,500 consultants across 160 offices in over 40 countries. It reported gross revenues of over $1 billion in the 2020 financial year (ending March 2020).