Renewables – Page 3

Generating solutions: responses and reforms for the energy price crisis

By Edward Manderson Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Energy and Environment, Renewables, Science and Technology Posted: October 31, 2022

The UK and Europe are facing rapid increases in energy prices from what were already high levels. While the UK has committed to an energy price cap until April 2023, beyond this date only targeted support for the poorest households is likely to be affordable. In this blog, Dr Ed Manderson explains the impact that […]

On productivity and Net Zero

By Jonatan Pinkse Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Growth and Inclusion, Industry 4.0, OnProductivity, Renewables, Science and Engineering, UK economy Posted: October 21, 2022

The UK government has assigned itself with the tasks of boosting productivity in left-behind areas and transitioning to a net-zero economy. In this blog, Professor Jonatan Pinkse explores how the UK can simultaneously improve its standards of productivity regionally while transitioning to a net-zero economy. His policy recommendations include securing green jobs and not using […]

Fracking’s back on the menu, but is it half-baked?

By Laurence Stamford Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Energy and Environment, Renewables, Science and Engineering Posted: September 30, 2022

The UK and other European countries are facing a severe energy crisis, with the potential to place more than 8 million UK households in fuel poverty this winter. This ‘energy’ crisis is more accurately a natural gas crisis, driven mostly by restrictions on Russian gas supply to Europe. In one of her first initiatives as […]

Making sustainable business models for green electricity attractive to the mainstream

By Jonatan Pinkse Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Renewables Posted: July 4, 2022

Scaling up green electricity is key to achieving net zero. While the government has made progress in supporting solar PV and offshore wind, technologies alone will not make for a successful transition to net zero. To be successful in the market, technologies need an attractive business model. In this blog, Professor Jonatan Pinkse discusses how […]

Indoor and outdoor wood burning needs a new way of thinking

By Amanda Lea-Langton Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Renewables, Urban Posted: February 16, 2022

Biomass combustion, a significant contributor to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), has increased in urban areas due to the growing popularity of wood-burning stoves and biomass boilers. In this blog, Dr. Amanda Lea-Langton, Senior Lecturer in Bioenergy Engineering at The University of Manchester and member of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change, outlines policy recommendations […]

Sustainable engineering – not just engineering for sustainability

By Michael Fisher Filed Under: Digital Futures, Energy and Environment, Renewables, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted: January 25, 2022

Net zero now forms the heart of policies and strategies across government, from “levelling up” to “build back better”. Combined with the UK’s National Infrastructure Strategy, it is clear that engineering – particularly new technologies such as robotics and AI – has a core role in our decarbonisation efforts. But how green are the technologies […]

Controlling degradation of structural materials: A call for leadership in mapping the optimal route to Net Zero

By Andrew Bowfield Filed Under: All posts, Renewables, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted: September 13, 2021

The UK’s legally binding target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 remains world-leading, but the changes required of key sectors are substantial and the date by which such changes need implementing remain shrouded in uncertainty. A strategic approach, directed by senior leadership, offers the best chance of realising the significant economic and societal […]

Decarbonising transport: Inequality, joined-up action, and the risk of technological optimism

By Cristina Temenos and Joe Blakey Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Renewables, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted: August 5, 2021

The Department for Transport (DfT) recently released their long-awaited Decarbonising Transport plan. In this blog, Dr Cristina Temenos and Dr Joe Blakey outline how its technologically-optimistic vision risks locking in high-carbon futures, overlooking transport inequalities, and opportunities for joined-up thinking and the precautionary principle. DfT’s Decarbonising Transport Plan makes some welcome proposals, but it is […]

Taking the lead in hydrogen: next steps

By Phil Withers and Robert Sorrell Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Renewables, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted: June 22, 2021

The deployment of new and existing materials will play a critical role in delivering the growth of the hydrogen sector, identified as a cornerstone of the UK Government’s net zero ambitions. In this blog, Professor Phil Withers and Dr Robert Sorrell, from the Henry Royce Institute, lay out the research priorities on the path to […]

Decarbonising heating: flying by the heat of our pants?

By Laurence Stamford Filed Under: Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Renewables, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted: April 26, 2021

The 26th UN Climate Change Conference – COP26 – is on the horizon, due to kick off in Glasgow on 1 November. It seems that, despite the socio-economic worries brought on by a global pandemic, heightened societal attention to climate change is here to stay. Now, more than ever, climate change is at the forefront […]