skip to content

Energy

Interdisciplinary Research Centre
 
  • 28Mar

    Playwright Steve Waters from the University of East Anglia, researcher Ari de Fauconberg, winner of the FT's Bracken Prize for her book proposal on climate change entrepreneurs, and Ramit Debnath, Cambridge Zero's first Research Fellow, discuss how climate change activism is not just for scientists and how social entrepreneurs, writers and artists are taking action.

    Steve Waters' many plays include Limehouse (2017) and Temple (2015) for the Donmar, and The Caucasian Chalk Circle for the Rose Theatre, Kingston, (2022); and for the Bush Theatre, The Contingency Plan (2009) (revived at Sheffield Theatres in 2022) and Little Platoons (2011). Steve's work for radio includes the acclaimed four-part drama Song of the Reed for Radio 4, Miriam and Youssef and Fall of the Shah for BBC World Service, and #Public Enemy, inspired by Ibsen’s play for Radio 3. He is Professor of Scriptwriting at the University of East Anglia and his books include A Life in 16 Films: How Cinema Made me a Playwright (Methuen, 2021) and The Secret Life of Plays (Nick Hern Books, 2010). His plays are published by Nick Hern Books.

    Ariel de Fauconberg is a Gates Cambridge Scholar and PhD student in the Organisational Theory and Information Systems group at Cambridge Judge Business School. Her research focuses on understanding the challenges that large organisations – particularly those in the oil and gas industry – face as they pursue alternative energy-related innovation. She won the 2022 Financial Times’ Bracken Prize, a prestigious award given to the best business book proposal of the year by a young writer, as determined by the Financial Times and McKinsey & Company, for her book proposal on climate change social entrepreneurship, titled Before the Dawn: Racing to net zero on the front lines of climate innovation.

    The event is chaired by Emily Farnworth, Cambridge Zero Fellow and Director of the Centre for Climate Engagement. Emily is the Director of the Centre for Climate Engagement at Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge. She has over 25 years of experience working with businesses, governments and non-profit organizations to support the transition to a low-carbon economy and has worked across multi-stakeholder groups and within specific industry sectors to collaborate on solutions to tackle climate change.

  • 10Apr

    Join us in Nottingham for the highly anticipated UK Energy Storage conference, where innovation converges with expertise. Having graced renowned venues like Imperial College, Birmingham, Warwick, and Newcastle, this year, Nottingham takes the stage as the host city for this prestigious event. UKES stands as the nexus for discussions spanning the entire Energy Storage spectrum, from cutting-edge battery technologies to novel approaches like compressed air, liquid air, gravitational potential, CO2 liquefaction, pumped thermal, and synthetic fuels.

    Our conference delves into market structures, policy considerations, future cost and performance projections, and addresses the imperative "just transition" of a substantial workforce into this pivotal industry. As we gather under the theme "Energy Storage to support affordable Net-Zero - as soon as possible," prepare to be immersed in the forefront of the energy revolution. Don't miss your chance to be part of the dialogue shaping the future of sustainable energy solutions at UKES2024!

    While we're fine-tuning the agenda, confirming stellar speakers, and locking in the exact venue, stay tuned and watch this space for updates on how you can be part of the dynamic conversation. The countdown to an electrifying event discussing 'Energy Storage to support affordable Net-Zero - as soon as possible' has begun, and you won't want to miss a moment of it!

    https://supergenstorage.org/events/ukes-conference-nottingham

  • 23Apr

    Prepare to be amazed as MRE 2024 delves into a diverse range of materials, from nanotechnology to biomaterials, textiles, polymers, metals, glass, and more. These materials are not just theoretical concepts but critical building blocks for real-world applications, including energy, construction, packaging, marine, automotive, and low carbon technologies.

    MRE is a catalyst for progress. Through cross-cutting presentations, thought-provoking panel discussions, and an investor showcase brimming with potential, MRE fosters an environment of knowledge-sharing and cross-sector interactions. MRE is where the UK’s research and innovation excellence in materials meets the world of UK product manufacturers and forward-thinking investors.

    This is your chance to connect with the materials community to collaborate, exchange ideas, and adopt the latest advances in materials science.

    Why attend?

    MRE brings an opportunity to network with over 1500 delegates from the materials community: researchers, academics, industry, government, investors and innovators from various fields to explore and discuss cutting-edge developments in materials science and technology. For our international attendees, this is a unique opportunity to witness the UK’s world-leading capability in new materials development and meet with potential collaborators.

    Register to attend: https://web-eur.cvent.com/event/bc39ce6d-cfdb-4d05-8abe-30b5b5575ddf/sum...

  • 24Apr

    Our next Annual Cleevely Lecture will be delivered by Dr Dave Smith, National Technology Adviser at the Department for Science Innovation and Technology.

    Dave Smith was appointed the UK National Technology Adviser in September 2023. He advises the Technology Secretary on the best approach to building and enhancing the UK’s technology strengths, working across government to champion the science and tech industries, and build networks across industry and academia to draw the best minds into policy making.

    Dave Smith uses his decades of experience working across the technology industry, which has most recently seen him lead Rolls-Royce’s approach to innovation as Technology Director. His career has otherwise seen him sit as the Managing Director of a British tech firm working across cyber-security, networking and more, before taking up key leadership roles in renowned public sector and technology consultancies.

    Dave reports directly to the Department for Science Innovation and Technology’s Permanent Secretary to drive forward the work of the newest government department to drive innovation, create better paid jobs and grow the economy.

    PLEASE REGISTER HERE

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Annual Cleevely Lecture Series

    In 2021, the inaugural Cleevely Lecture was given by Angela McLean. CSaP's Annual Lecture Series began in 2011 with a talk by John Beddington (then GCSA). Lectures since then have included Chris Whitty (2017), Ed Humpherson (2019), Sally Davies (2020), Indro Mukerjee (2022) and in 2023 by Sarah Sharples.

    Dr David Cleevely was CSaP’s Founding Director from its inception in 2009 until he stepped down in 2015. We are very grateful to David for supporting and giving his name to this lecture series.

  • 10May

    Speaker: Dr emke Nijsse, University of Exeter

    Abstract:

    Solar power has seen massive and unexpected growth over the last decade. It developed from a niche technology used by ambitious citizens to a utility-scale resource used all over the world. Net-zero plans across the globe aim for 2050 or 2060. Solar energy is the most widely available energy resource on Earth, and its economic attractiveness is improving fast in a cycle of increasing investments.

    During my talk, I will discuss a data-driven technology and economic forecasting model to establish which zero carbon power sources could become dominant worldwide. The simulation models seeks to explore likely future scenarios, based on historical trends, rather than exploring “least-cost” configurations of a future clean energy system, as is usually done in energy modelling.

    We find that, due to technological trajectories set in motion by past policy, a global irreversible solar tipping point may have passed where solar energy comes to dominate global electricity markets, without any additional policies directly supporting solar. Uncertainties arise, however, over grid stability in a renewables-dominated power system, the availability of sufficient finance in poorer economies and the capacity of supply chains. Policies resolving these barriers may be more effective than price instruments to accelerate the transition to clean energy.

    Bio:

    Dr. Femke Nijsse specializes in modelling climate, energy systems, and the economy. With a background in climate physics, they earned a Ph.D. in mathematics, focusing on multi-model comparisons and statistical techniques related to decadal variability, historical warming, and climate sensitivity. In energy research, Dr. Nijsse contributed to the Economics of Energy Innovation and System Transition project, informing energy policies in China, Brazil, India, the UK, and the EU. They improved the E3ME -FTT model’s power sector representation, using evolutionary economics for technology diffusion. Currently, they’re working on cascading tipping points across sectors and a stronger implementation of hourly supply and demand in E3ME -FTT.