UK Energy Research Centre
Encyclopedia
The UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) is the focal point for UK research on sustainable energy
, and is central to the Research Councils' Energy Programme. The centre has its administrative hub at the campus of Imperial College, London, with research and networking activities taking place in a number of institutions throughout the UK.
The organisation takes an independent, whole-systems approach, drawing on technical and non-technical disciplines including engineering, economics and the physical, environmental and social sciences. The Centre helps to co-ordinate the overall UK energy research effort and acts as a bridge between the UK energy research community, the international research community, business and policymakers.
The Centre was set up to address key controversies in the energy field through comprehensive assessments of the current state of knowledge.
Under the Phase II funding, from May 2009 the UKERC has focused on 5 themes:
Sustainable energy
Sustainable energy is the provision of energy that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainable energy sources include all renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectricity, solar energy, wind energy, wave power, geothermal...
, and is central to the Research Councils' Energy Programme. The centre has its administrative hub at the campus of Imperial College, London, with research and networking activities taking place in a number of institutions throughout the UK.
The organisation takes an independent, whole-systems approach, drawing on technical and non-technical disciplines including engineering, economics and the physical, environmental and social sciences. The Centre helps to co-ordinate the overall UK energy research effort and acts as a bridge between the UK energy research community, the international research community, business and policymakers.
History
The UKERC was established in April 2004, following a recommendation from the 2002 Energy Review (see p146) initiated by Sir David King, the UK Government's Chief Scientific Advisor.The Centre was set up to address key controversies in the energy field through comprehensive assessments of the current state of knowledge.
Phase II
In March 2009, £18.5 million was allocated to support the second phase of work at the UK Energy Research Centre for 2009 – 2014.Under the Phase II funding, from May 2009 the UKERC has focused on 5 themes:
- Energy Demand
- Energy Supply
- Energy Systems
- Energy and Environment
- Technology and Policy Assessment
See also
- United Kingdom Energy Technologies InstituteUnited Kingdom Energy Technologies InstituteThe Energy Technologies Institute is a UK based company formed from global industries and the UK government. It brings together projects that create affordable, reliable, clean energy for heat, power, transport and associated infrastructure....
- Energy policy of the United KingdomEnergy policy of the United KingdomThe current energy policy of the United Kingdom is set out in the Energy White Paper of May 2007 and Low Carbon Transition Plan of July 2009, building on previous work including the 2003 Energy White Paper and the Energy Review Report in 2006...