Research Councils UK Energy Programme and CCS. Jacqui Williams

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1 Research Councils UK Energy Programme and CCS Jacqui Williams

2 UKCCSC network Our vision for this network is that it will enable: Coordination within the research community and sharing of results in this fast growing field Engagement with stakeholders and pilot projects International engagement Development of researchers Encourage involvement from researchers new to the area Easy route in and information source.

3 EPSRC From Strategy to Delivery V0.5 3

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5 Indicative Expenditure by Theme ( M) Theme 2011/ / / /15 National Capability Manufacturing the Future Energy (excl ETI) Digital Economy Healthcare Technologies Other Themes

6 Our three Strategic Plan goals Delivering Impact Embedding impact throughout our portfolio by creating an environment in which it arises naturally, in whatever form, from the knowledge base Shaping Capability Ensuring we have the right people, with the right resource, in the right places to deliver the highest quality long-term research in areas where the UK leads internationally and where there is current or future national need Developing Leaders Nurturing the visionary leaders who set research agendas and inspirational team leaders who act as role models 6

7 Delivering Impact Long term science and engineering research is at the heart of discovery and innovation. Drive culture change in universities: Embed resources for impact within our research grants rather than having distinct add-on schemes; Pathways to impact at all stages of the research programme Encourage alignment key partners strategies to a national agenda Enhance accessibility of data and knowledge about our research and its outcomes to accelerate its exploitation Enhance research mobility. 7

8 Shaping capability Our ambition is to use our comprehensive view of the EPS portfolio to bring greater coherence to the research base, reflecting national needs and maximising limited resources Co-define the landscape of research and training we wish to support focused on strategic UK needs the areas where the UK is an acknowledged leader excellent centres of critical mass Reduction of the breadth of our portfolio in favour of areas of strength More coordination and collaboration between universities rather than competition. Enable the researchers we sponsor to raise their ambitions and maximise their creativity. 8

9 Developing Leaders We will support and promote leadership role models who can inspire others and can integrate the efforts of their peers to deliver greater impact from our investment. Increase support to individuals not projects; Identify and invest preferentially in current leaders Develop by broadening their experience our near-future leaders Identify and support early career researchers with the greatest potential (stage-gating approach) Tailor our support for individuals with leadership potential across all career stages 9

10 From Funder to Sponsor Applies across all three Strategic Plan goals Cultural and behavioural challenges on both sides Needs a clear statement of expectations and requirements More active and effective relationships to develop shared agendas and capture and promote outputs and benefits Constrained financial environment; more active leadership of national agenda in the context of wider societal benefit Recognition that financial support is a national resource which has responsibilities as well as rights Continued funding dependent upon demonstrable benefits from previous support

11 Implementing the Delivery Plan Published today on our website Sets out priorities for the next four years Gives an overview, including the revised organisation structure and budgets for the first 6 months Our approach to transformative change, including further detail on our move from funder to sponsor Strategic goals The plan will be updated over the delivery plan period and further theme plans included around June

12 International Review of Energy Benchmark the strength of UK research activity compared to world competitors and highlight any gaps or missed opportunities Provide a broad perspective on the UK s research activity and aid with future planning Visiting international panel of 16 experts October 2010 led by Carsten Westergaard, Vestas. Rosemary Falcon (Witwatersrand) and Dongxiao Zhang (Peking) for CCS and coal Town meeting held to present results 18 January 2011 Action plan in response being developed

13 High level findings Across almost all areas the panel found interesting, leading-edge and world class research. The excellent international reputation of UK research is deservedly earned. Good value is being delivered but in terms of impact on economic benefit, industry development and quality of life much more can be done. Weaknesses arise because of a lack of a sustained long term coherent energy research programme across the different funding bodies and the lack of clear mechanisms for moving from research to early demonstration, application and deployment.

14 High level recommendations A fully integrated roadmap for UK research targets A single, well defined, cross-councils energy research budget to provide a common vision and strategy to the research community and to avoid conflicting priorities More transparent allocation process for strategic programmes to ensure better/optimal research community involvement, thereby secure deliverables There needs to be increased efforts to identify opportunities, provide funding and then promote, recognize and reward interdisciplinary R&D. More attention and resources directed to career paths both in industry and academia for multidisciplinary work R&D on demand reduction needs a higher profile in the R&D portfolio, and may warrant a dedicated programme.

15 CCS and coal research specifics UK has produced some excellent examples of world class CCS and coal research and training on interdisciplinary and inter-organisational basis. Needs a long term vision on roadmap basis including a route to carrying these activities into large scale pilots. Little if any broad-scale intercontinental understanding of coals qualities, performances and emission characteristics of lower grade coals Coal research should include programmes that cover alternative coal-based energy technologies, such as fluidised bed combustion and gasification. See for further information

16 CCS: Activities 2011/12 Projects Likely to be one call in CCS from EPSRC natural gas CCS or engineering challenges of storage. NERC developing plans for future funding of CCS. Community coordination Continue to work with the research community, DECC, TSB, ETI and NERC to help create a coordinated community. EERA role FENCO net Other EPSRC Review of Centres for Doctoral Training ESRC seeking input on their strategy ETI support and funding