Imperial receives £14 million funding to boost future energy research

Research Councils UK has committed £14 million to the Imperial-based UK Energy Research Centre to advance future energy systems research.

This new funding comes from three research councils The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) via the Research Councils UK Energy Programme to allow the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) to continue to act as the focal point of UK energy research.

The funding has been welcomed by UKERC Research Director, Professor Jim Watson, based at Imperial's Faculty of Engineering, who said: “This further support for UKERC is welcome, and comes at a critical time in the development of energy systems in the UK and abroad. We know that these systems need to change radically to tackle climate change and other societal goals, but the way forward is increasingly uncertain. UKERC's research and engagement activities will help to inform policy development, industry strategies and wider energy debates.”

Richard Green Professor of Sustainable Energy Business at Imperial College’s Business School said: “UKERC is an organisation that I greatly admire and I’m honoured to be joining the team.  I look forward to exploring how energy trading between the UK and the rest of Europe may increase as we develop a low carbon energy system."

UKERC, which is based at Imperial College London, was established in 2004 and is now in its third phase of support from the research councils. UKERC carries out world-class research into sustainable future energy systems. It is the hub of UK energy research and the gateway between the UK and the international energy research communities. Over the last five years UKERC has supported over 200 researchers based in more than 30 universities and research institutions across the UK.

Science Minister David Willetts said: “The UK is a world leader in future energy systems and the need to find new and innovative solutions has never been greater. We live in a world of climate change and energy supply challenges but with ever-increasing demand put on our energy resources. Funding new research is absolutely vital for providing future certainty for the industry.”