energy futures lab An institute of Imperial College London securing our energy future www.imperial.ac.uk/energy-futures-lab
introduction Dr Johannes Spinneken (L), Energy Futures Lab Director of Education, operates the multi-dimensional wave basin at the Hydrodynamics Laboratory. BY 2050, THE UK HAS TO REDUCE ITS CARBON DIOXIDE OUTPUT significantly. Providing a secure and sustainable energy supply for the future is one of society s key issues. The Energy Futures Lab creates a focal point for interdisciplinary energy research across Imperial College London by enabling support, funding, training and global partnerships for our researchers and students. The Energy Futures Lab works with around 600 researchers at Imperial through a series of Grand Challenge research programmes and research networks. Solutions to the energy problem include improving our existing technologies, generating new solutions, and encouraging new collaborations between traditional research disciplines, backed up by sound economics and robust policy advice. By combining research with training, and technologies with advice, the Energy Futures Lab is contributing to the development of a sustainable and secure energy future.
Energy remains a critical global challenge, which Imperial is uniquely placed to address. At the Energy Futures Lab we provide a focus for Imperial s research on a wide range of energy issues, bringing together researchers from different disciplines to address the greatest challenges. We also work closely with policy makers and industry to ensure our research has a real and positive impact. «Professor Tim Green, Director, Energy Futures Lab GRAND CHALLENGES ARE multi-disciplinary, multi-million pound research programmes to help answer the questions of how to generate, supply and utilise our energy in a sustainable way in the future. grand challenges Solar to Fuels This emerging programme seeks to harness solar energy to reduce carbon dioxide into chemical fuels for use in applications such as the aviation sector. The programme incorporates research funded through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in nanotechnology and sustainable hydrogen production. PhD student Saurabh M Shah examines high resolution confocal images of carbonate rocks Energy Storage As a key enabling technology, energy storage devices will facilitate the roll out of intermittent renewable energy technologies. The programme tackles grid scale technologies and the Energy Futures Lab acts as the national focal point for energy storage researchers through its EPSRC funded networking activities. Smart Cities Imperial has concentrated interdisciplinary expertise on how cities can use their resources most efficiently. Researchers have developed state-of-the-art modelling and policy strategies to improve the efficiency of both existing and new-built cities. Clean Fossil Fuels In collaboration with Shell, Imperial researchers are developing ways to improve extraction of difficult hydrocarbons with minimal greenhouse gas release, and enhance efficient delivery of energy and chemicals to the consumer. Sustainable Gas Through the support of BG Group, Imperial has established the Sustainable Gas Institute to deliver world-leading research into sustainable natural gas. Research is concentrated on innovation in gas systems, greater energy efficiency and the clean use of gas through carbon capture technologies.
(Left to right): A bioreactor producing hydrogren from specially bred algae; Copper coils for wireless electricity transmission; The control room of Imperial s four storey tall carbon capture pilot plant; Long range electric car built by students for Racing Green Endurance; Imperial s Mega Ampere Generator for Plasma Implosion Experiments (Magpie), used in inertial confinement fusion experiments Sustainable Power Clean electricity generation is a necessary part of a future low carbon world. At Imperial we are performing ground-breaking research into super-efficient solar cells, plastic photovoltaics, bioenergy, and using algae and chemical catalysts to turn sunlight and water directly into hydrogen fuel. Our Marine Renewable Network also makes extensive use of a 3000m 2 Hydrodynamics Laboratory to investigate tidal power and offshore wind structures. The Centre for Nuclear Engineering works closely with industry and regulators to research the safe and efficient life extension of existing nuclear power plants. Meanwhile our Plasma Physics Group uses a terawatt pulsed power generator to perform research on inertial confinement fusion, a potential clean and abundant power source for the future. research Clean Fossil Fuels Over two thirds of the UK s electricity generation still comes from fossil fuels. To manage this consumption the Energy Futures Lab is performing vital research into carbon capture programmes and cleaner extraction methods. The Qatar Carbonates and Carbon Storage Research Centre is looking at how we can efficiently extract the carbon dioxide from burnt fossil fuels and securely store it underground. Old carbonate reservoirs make the perfect location for this, as the carbon is easily absorbed into porous sandstone and shale rock. Imperial s Carbon Capture Pilot Plant provides researchers and students with an industrial scale facility, helping to secure the necessary training and knowledge for future engineers. Research also takes place on the processing of fossil fuels before they ever leave the ground. Subsurface processing combined with carbon capture and storage can open the way for the clean use of ONGOING RESEARCH traditional sources of energy. is vital to improving our use of existing technology and developing novel and sustainable technologies for the future.
Low Carbon Transport Transport accounts for a quarter of carbon dioxide emissions in the UK, making decarbonisation vital in this fast-changing sector. With concentration on fundamental battery research, Imperial is driving ahead with producing lighter, faster-charging and more reliable batteries for electric vehicles. In addition we have leading expertise in alternative technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells and biofuels. Existing technology can be made more efficient with turbochargers and smaller engines. The Centre for Transport Studies is also looking to reduce congestion and incidents with more organised transport systems, coordinating engine management systems, traffic signal control and vehicle navigation. Imperial students are encouraged to design, build and even race electric and hybrid vehicles through our Racing Green initiative. In 2010 students built a long-range electric vehicle and drove it 26,000 miles from Alaska to Argentina using only electric charging points, proving the technology s potential. Policy and Innovation The future of energy is not decided at the technology level alone. Imperial s Centre for Energy Policy and Technology (ICEPT) provides focus on the economic, legal and institutional aspects of energy and environmental policies, and provides key advice to public and regulatory bodies. Key research is done on important policy areas such as carbon pricing and electricity market reform, helping to inform national and international policy. The Energy Business Research Laboratory developers theoretical, managerial and policy insight into economically creating and implementing sustainable technologies. We also help springboard green technologies through Imperial Innovations and other initiatives. Energy Infrastructure Using energy more intelligently can help reduce our usage drastically and make renewable technologies more viable. The Centre for Process Systems Engineering designs multiscale models for energy usage, showing how cities and buildings can be better designed to consume less. We work with large company such as Sainsburys supermarket to help businesses reduce both their expenditure and their carbon impact. Imperial s Low Carbon Grids project is researching new gridscale energy storage technologies, letting us cope better with intermittent renewables and store energy for when demand is higher.
Professor Nilay Shah teaches modelling of whole energy systems to students on the MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures» See www.imperial.ac.uk/ energy-futures-lab/our-msc/ for more information on our courses investing in the future INSPIRING AND TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION of energy engineers, scientists, policy-makers and business leaders is central to the Energy Futures Lab s mission. Our MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures was one of the first multidisciplinary, energy-focussed masters programmes in Europe. Its unique design provides a strategic perspective on energy issues for students from diverse backgrounds. The course combines the academic and industrial expertise of leading researchers from across Imperial College, with modules that include clean fossil fuels, sustainable transport and entrepreneurship, plus a personal research project. Imperial College offers a range of PhD opportunities across the full spectrum of energy research. Through our Energy Futures Doctoral Training Network we link together over a hundred PhD students from a multitude of disciplines. The Network provides funding for conferences and personal development, exclusive events, career support and taught modules for energy researchers. We also work to develop activities to excite and inspire young people about energy research, collaborating with outreach projects to encourage school children to engage with issues of energy and sustainability.
» Energy-related spinout companies from Imperial include: Ceres Power EVO Electric Mycologix Nexeon Novacem Permasense Plaxica Quantasol WORKING WITH BUSINESS IS VITAL to the development of a sustainable energy future. The Energy Futures Lab promotes a culture of knowledge transfer and offers industry a wide variety of opportunities to collaborate. Innovating for industry The Energy Futures Lab has built on its research strengths and networks to develop collaborative research initiatives with industrial partners at national and international levels. Developing new businesses Imperial has a long tradition of developing new companies, many of which are focused on energy. Imperial s technology transfer company, Imperial Innovations, was the first majority university-owned technology transfer company to float in the UK. Our knowledge transfer activities continue to lead to substantial licensing, spin-out and industryrelevant opportunities. Educating the next generation of experts The world is short of adequately trained energy professionals ready to define and develop a sustainable energy future. Our industrial partners play an important role in providing our students with opportunities to apply their learning to real world problems by offering student projects and internships. Solving problems Energy Futures Lab expertise is available to industrial partners through Imperial Consultants, solving real world technology problems and providing thought-leadership in shaping the future of the energy economy. PhD student Christopher Pentland (L) and Professor Martin Blunt are developing carbon capture technology as part of the Shell Clean fossil fuels Grand Challenge.
our activities» Coordinating the strategic development of interdisciplinary energy research across Imperial College» Working with industry, Government and funding agencies on research addressing the major energy challenges» Training and educating the next generation of skilled researchers and energy policy-makers» Forming national and global partnerships in major energy themes» Supporting entrepreneurship in developing energy technologies» Hosting regular public lectures and events to communicate our vision to the widest audience» Influencing policy with peer-reviewed scientific evidence As the only UK university to focus entirely on science, technology, engineering, medicine and business, Imperial College London offers a critical mass of international research expertise and a vibrant home for innovation and enterprise. Sustained support for Imperial s research at Energy Futures Lab is a sound investment in the UK s economy and in developing the next generation of energy pioneers, researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs. contact If you are interested in working with us by carrying out research, funding us or collaborating with our outstanding researchers, please contact: Tel: +44 (0)207 594 5865 E: energyfutureslab@imperial.ac.uk Become a member of Energy Futures Lab to receive regular updates and invitations to events: www.imperial.ac.uk/energy-futures-lab/get-involved www.imperial.ac.uk/energy-futures-lab