Policy and Innovation
Science and engineering alone cannot solve the climate crisis or ensure energy security. New technologies and services count for little without policy and regulatory frameworks that support their diffusion, promote investment, manage energy demand and protect both consumers and the natural world. Our Policy and Innovation theme reflects the need to reshape our institutions and governance systems and design new policy frameworks and strategies to unlock the full potential of the energy transition.
Working in collaboration with social scientists, economists and lawyers across the UK and around the world, Imperial’s policy experts draw on our world-leading science and engineering expertise to produce multidisciplinary research that identifies solutions to complex policy problems. Our researchers produce rigorous analysis of the economic, social and environmental implications of policy and market interventions and investment options, helping to lay the groundwork for change.
Theme Lead and Champion
Dr Aidan Rhodes - Research Theme Lead, Policy and Innovation
Dr Aidan Rhodes is a Research Fellow based at Energy Futures Lab where he leads the preparation of a range of accessible briefing papers on topics of relevance to energy sector policymakers and stakeholders. Previously, he was part of the Energy Strategy Fellowship team for the UK Research Councils, which was tasked with creating a prospectus of future skills, research and training needs for the UK energy sector, as well as carrying out a large-scale research project on comparing the effectiveness of national energy innovation systems across the world. Dr Rhodes is an expert on UK energy policy and innovation strategy, with a particular emphasis on smart systems and networks.
Dr Gbemi Oluleye - Research Theme Champion, Policy and Innovation
Dr Gbemi Oluleye's research aims to pioneer cost optimal, innovative ways to decarbonise residential and industrial energy systems through the deployment of low to negative carbon technologies for electricity and heat provision. Her work to date has centred on two major themes. The first is modelling of low to negative carbon technologies. The second theme is the development of quantitative decision-support frameworks for energy systems design.
Research Groups
Centre for Energy Policy and Technology
Led by Dr Rob Gross, the Imperial College Centre for Energy Policy and Technology is based in the Centre for Environmental Policy. The team works at the interface between technology, policy and economics to provide objective research, analysis and policy advice to governments, industry, NGOs, international organisations and other stakeholders. The group has extensive expertise in energy system modelling, innovation theory, economics, technology assessment and policy analysis. Their work centres on five main areas: biomass and bioenergy; renewable energy and low carbon systems; energy in developing countries, markets, policy and systems transitions; and fossil fuels and resources for energy systems.
Centre for Climate Finance & Investment
Led by Michael Wilkins, the Centre for Climate Finance & Investment is based in the Imperial College Business School. Its work rigorously analyses investments in clean energy, energy efficiency and low-carbon infrastructure globally. The team builds on the College's global reputation for innovative, multi-disciplinary research on climate change, supporting research on the business models, financial instruments, and investment strategies that are taking shape in a global economy adapting to climate change.
Energy Markets
Led by Dr Almut Veraart, the Energy Markets group is based in the Department of Mathematics. The research of the group focusses on the characterisation and modelling of electricity prices and (renewable) sources of energy. They also develop statistical inference methods and stochastic simulation tools which are widely applicable in the context of energy markets. Moreover, they are interested in deriving pricing formulas for carbon derivatives and other energy related financial contracts.