RCUK Review of Energy - Re-scheduling

Issue date: 23^rd April 2010

The RCUK Review of Energy was due to take place from Sunday, 18th April to Friday, 23rd April 2010. The review had to be postponed due to the travel restrictions arising from the volcanic eruption in Iceland, which made it impossible for the large majority of the review Panel to travel to the UK.

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RCUK position statement on the recent reports regarding the development of a new UK based fusion power station

Issue date: 24^th February 2010

Research Councils UK (RCUK) invests in world-class research and training that aims to position the UK to meet its energy and environmental targets and policy goals.

Recent reports that RCUK is planning to invest in the development of a new fusion power station are inaccurate.

Read more: RCUK position statement on the recent reports regarding the development of a new UK based fusion power station

Habit-learning device will lower energy bills under new clean energy cashback scheme

Issue date: 19^th February 2010

Smart control units that learn householders’ energy habits and provide immediate feedback on consumption could give home energy savings of up to 20% without compromising comfort.

The new energy-saving ‘Wattbox’ device is one part of an innovative approach to energy efficient home improvements supported by a £2.1 million grant funded through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and E.ON Strategic Partnership. The grant is part of a five-year joint programme being run by E.ON and EPSRC. It also forms part of the Research Councils UK Energy Programme.

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UK fusion for energy strategy

Issue date: 18^th February 2010

In July 2009, as part of the RCUK Energy Programme, STFC and EPSRC set up a project to address a series of interrelated fusion issues that affected both councils.

In magnetic confinement fusion (MCF) the issues included funding levels for JET and the MAST upgrade. In inertial confinement fusion (ICF) the focus was on the HiPER project and its role in the international pathway to inertial fusion as an energy source. Underpinning all of this was the need for a long term UK vision for fusion in the international context. To help with the development of this vision, an Expert Group, chaired by Professor Keith Burnett, was convened. The key points of the new strategy, which has been approved by EPSRC and STFC Councils, are now available alongside the Expert Group’s vision document.

Read more: UK fusion for energy strategy