The fourth phase of the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) will see £22 million allocated to UK institutions to undertake research on the decarbonisation of key sectors such as industry, transport and heat, and explore the role of local, national and global changes in energy systems.
The centre has also today announced that Dr Robert Gross, from Imperial College London, has been appointed as its new director. Dr Gross, who is one of UKERC’s co-directors, succeeds Professor Jim Watson, who has been UKERC director since 2015.
Hosted by UCL, UKERC encompasses 17 universities, the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chatham House and the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies and is funded through the UKRI Energy Programme by UKRI’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Natural Environment Research Council and Economic and Social Research Council.
UKRI is providing £18 million support for the fourth phase of UKERC, with partners contributing £4 million.
UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive, Professor Sir Mark Walport, said: “Moving the UK to a sustainable and resilient energy system that delivers on our net zero ambitions requires collaboration, better data and expertise across the research and innovation ecosystem.
“UKERC plays an important role in supporting this transition, delivering world-class research, facilitating national and international collaboration and generating evidence that informs real-world major policy decisions.”
UKERC’s research programme will build evidence to inform decisions that shape the UK's transition towards a net zero energy system and economy. It will explore the potential economic, political, social and environmental costs and benefits of energy system change, and consider how these impacts can be distributed equitably. UKERC will also host and curate energy data, map and monitor public engagement, carry out systematic evidence reviews and improve the transparency and understanding of energy models.
UK Energy Research Centre Director, Dr Robert Gross, said: “The UK’s net zero emissions target for 2050 requires urgent and ambitious action now, particularly by government.
“UKERC already has a strong international reputation for ground breaking interdisciplinary research on the transformation of energy systems. This new phase of funding will enable us to implement an exciting new agenda of research and engagement, and to inform the decisions that need to be made over the next five years.”
UKERC will also continue to support the wider energy research community by facilitating engagement with other stakeholders, supporting career development and capacity building, and enhancing international collaboration.
Partner institutions and leads:
- UK Energy in a Global Context, Professor Michael Bradshaw, Warwick Business School
- Local and Regional Energy Systems, Professor Janet Webb, The University of Edinburgh
- Energy, Ecosystems and Resources, Dr Nicola Beaumount, Plymouth Marine Laboratory
- Energy Infrastructure Transitions, Professor Keith Bell, University of Strathclyde
- Energy for Mobility, Professor Jillian Anable, University of Leeds and Dr Christian Brand University of Oxford
- Energy Systems for Heat, Professor Jianzhong Wu, Cardiff University
- Industrial Decarbonisation, Professor Peter Taylor, University of Leeds
- Evidence for Decision Making, Dr Rob Gross, Imperial College London
- Observatory for Societal Engagement with Energy, Professor Jason Chilvers, University of East Anglia
- Energy Data Centre, Dr Jim Halliday, Science and Technology Facilities Council
- Energy Modelling Hub, Professor Neil Strachan, UCL