Research highlights and Blogs

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT - Insulation only provides short-term reduction in household gas consumption

First study to look at long-term effect of home insulation in England and Wales finds fall in gas consumption per household was small and only lasts a few years.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT - £200bn annual opportunity for energy sector to deliver energy savings

The UK’s legal commitment to zero emissions by 2050 requires substantial growth in renewable electricity generation, but rapidly expanding demand is still likely to exceed supply.

BLOG - Cambridge Zero Research Symposium Wrap-up: Economic & Societal Change

Cambridge Zero in collaboration with Hughes Hall Centre for Climate Engagement are running four half day research symposia. The aim of these symposia is to showcase the ground-breaking research related to sustainability, climate change, and net-zero that is happening across Cambridge.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT - Pathways for meeting England's housing needs

A home for all within planetary boundaries: Pathways for meeting England's housing needs without transgressing national climate and biodiversity goals

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT - Competition with China a ‘driving force’ for clean energy funding in the 21st century

Analysis of energy RD&D investment in major economies also found that commitments at COP21 yielded some positives. Ultimately, however, trends over this century are not consistent with the ‘cleantech’ funding levels needed to meet climate goals, say researchers.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT - New approach to ‘cosmic magnet’ manufacturing could reduce reliance on rare earths in low-carbon technologies

Researchers have discovered a potential new method for making the high-performance magnets used in wind turbines and electric cars without the need for rare earth elements, which are almost exclusively sourced in China.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT - Offshore carbon storage deployment and research needs to scale up for UK to deliver net zero pledge

The UK will need to step up research and deployment of new offshore carbon storage wells if it is to achieve the capacity required to deliver its net zero emissions plans, a new report says.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT - Watching lithium in real time could improve performance of EV battery materials

Researchers have found that the irregular movement of lithium ions in next-generation battery materials could be reducing their capacity and hindering their performance. The team, led by the University of Cambridge, tracked the movement of lithium ions inside a promising new battery material in real time.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT - Machine learning algorithm predicts how to get the most out of electric vehicle batteries

Researchers have developed a machine learning algorithm that could help reduce charging times and prolong battery life in electric vehicles by predicting how different driving patterns affect battery performance, improving safety and reliability. The researchers, from the University of Cambridge, say their algorithm could...