Research Councils UK Energy Programme
The Research Councils UK Energy Programme aims to position the UK to meet its energy and environmental targets and policy goals through world-class research and training. The Energy Programme is investing more than £530 million in research and skills to pioneer a low carbon future. This builds on an investment of £360 million over the past 5 years.
Led by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Energy Programme brings together the work of EPSRC and that of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
Mission
To position the UK to meet its energy and environmental targets and policy goals through high quality research and postgraduate training.
Objectives
- to support a full spectrum of energy research to help the UK meet the objectives and targets set out in the 2007 Energy White Paper
- to work in partnership to contribute to the research and postgraduate training needs of energy-related businesses and other key stakeholders
- to increase the international visibility and level of international collaboration within the UK energy research portfolio
- to expand UK research capacity in energy-related areas.
Working in partnership
The Research Councils UK Energy Programme works closely with more than 500 public and private sector organisations. Major partnerships include:
- £14 million joint funding with E.ON to develop low carbon energy solutions and EDF to reduce energy demand in buildings
- working with AWE, MoD, British Energy and the National Nuclear Laboratory to sustain critical nuclear research and training capability
- projects with Sustrans to increase levels of walking and cycling and reduce energy demand from transport
- we are the largest public funder of the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) – a public-private partnership of up to £1 billion to accelerate the deployment of new energy technologies
- working with the Living with Environmental Change Programme (LWEC) to ensure a whole systems response to climate change.
Current priorities
- taking a whole systems approach to energy options, supply and usage
- ensuring a rapid exploitation through collaboration with ETI
- growing our portfolio in demand reduction and transport
- focusing our postgraduate training through energy themes
- continuing to support research in sustainable power generation and supply and alternative sources.
Priorities for the future
Securing energy supply
- Fund world-class, speculative research to define future energy supply options, including nuclear fusion, hydrogen and renewables.
Low carbon innovation
- Work with Energy Technologies Institute, the Technology Strategy Board, Department of Energy and Climate Change and Carbon Trust through the Low Carbon Innovation Group to ensure deployment of alternative energy technologies is informed by physical, economic, social and natural sciences research.
Enhance understanding
- Enhance understanding of the social, environmental and economic implications of future energy options such as the sustainability of Carbon Capture and Storage.
Reduce energy consumption
- Help to reduce energy consumption and demand through the development of behavioural, governance, market and technological advances informed by a whole system understanding.
Generate new skills
- Build capacity of skilled people to deliver new energy futures through training and development of new researchers, policy makers and business leaders.
Build international partnerships
- Continue to build and sustain international links with key countries.