Published on 16/08/2021
EBRI Aston University COP26

 

•     The United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26 being hosted in Glasgow this winter

•     The Supergen programme, which is lead in part by Aston University’s EBRI, will be exploring the role of energy research in September ahead of COP26

•     Programme of online events will take place between 1 – 3 September 2021

 

An online conference exploring the role of energy research in the pathway to net zero will be taking place this autumn from the Aston University’s Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute.

EBRI is one of a handful of research institutes across the country which house the Supergen programme, set up in 2001 to deliver sustained and coordinated research on SUstainable PowER GENeration and supply, focusing on several key research areas, including bioenergy; energy networks; energy storage; hydrogen and fuel cells; solar technology; and offshore renewable energy.

The Net Zero Conference will take place online between 1 – 3 September featuring experts from the Supergen Hubs who will be showcasing their research. There will also be a number of cross-cutting panel discussions exploring topics such as equality, diversity and inclusion in energy research, international perspectives on Supergen work, early career researcher activities and also outlining the policy implications of Supergen research ahead of COP26.

Professor Patricia Thornley, director of EBRI and the Supergen Bioenergy Hub said: “Achieving our climate targets requires total transformation of our energy system. Doing that in a cost effective manner that maximizes environmental and social benefits requires mutual understanding of what different technologies can deliver, so that we can prioritize the most strategic options for the UK. This conference will convene the very best of the UK’s energy research base to focus on how we can leverage our knowledge and findings to deliver a sustainable future for us all.”

Dan Taylor, COP26 Engagement Manager at the Supergen Bioenergy Hub said: “We are really excited to be bringing together the Supergen programme to explore their vision for a net zero energy future. We have had over 300 registrations so far and we are looking forward to showcasing how energy research is delivering impact in the global fight against climate change.”

For more details, or to register for the free event, visit this link.

 

Notes to Editors

About Aston University

Founded in 1895 and a University since 1966, Aston is a long established university led by its three main beneficiaries – students, business and the professions, and our region and society. Aston University is located in Birmingham and at the heart of a vibrant city and the campus houses all the university’s academic, social and accommodation facilities for our students. Professor Alec Cameron is the Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive.

Aston University was named University of the Year 2020 by The Guardian and the University’s full time MBA programme has been ranked in the top 100 in the world in the Economist MBA 2021 ranking. The Aston MBA has been ranked 12th in the UK and 85th in the world.

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ABOUT

The EPSRC Supergen Programme

The Supergen programme was set up in 2001 to deliver sustained and coordinated research on SUstainable PowER GENeration and supply, focusing on several key research areas, including bioenergy; energy networks; energy storage; fuel cells; hydrogen and other vectors; marine, wave and tidal; solar technology; and wind power.

Supergen ORE Hub

The Supergen ORE Hub is a £9 Million Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funded project. Led by Prof. Deborah Greaves OBE, Head of School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics at the University of Plymouth, the Hub is a consortium of Universities researching Offshore Renewable Energy which also includes University of Aberdeen, University of Edinburgh, University of Exeter, University of Hull, University of Manchester, University of Oxford, University of Southampton, University of Strathclyde and University of Warwick.

The Supergen ORE Hub brings together and builds on the work of the former Wind and Marine Supergen Hubs following consultation with the research community. The new hub looks for synergies between wind, wave and tidal technologies as well as building on current research in each area.

Supergen Bioenergy Hub

The Supergen Bioenergy Hub works with academia, industry, government and societal stakeholders to develop sustainable bioenergy systems that support the UK’s transition to an affordable, resilient, low-carbon energy future. The Hub is funded jointly by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and is part of the wider Supergen Programme.

Supergen Energy Networks Hub

The Supergen Energy Networks Hub brings together the vibrant and diverse energy networks community to gain a deeper understanding of the interactions and inter-dependencies of energy networks. Led by Hub Director, Professor Phil Taylor from Bristol University, the Hub integrates a wide range of industrial and academic partners with other energy network stakeholders. The Hub’s research is carried out by a consortium of Universities: Newcastle, Bristol, Manchester, Cardiff, Bath and Leeds. The research addresses the challenges of technology, policy, data, markets and risk for energy networks.

Supergen Energy Storage Network+

The Supergen Energy Storage Network+ is an integrated, forward-looking platform that supports, nurtures the expertise of the energy storage community, disseminating it through academia, industry, and policy, at a particularly important time when decisions on future funding and research strategy are still being resolved. The Supergen Network+ has secured £1M in funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and has a core partnership of 19 investigators from 12 UK institutions, all focused on the wider advancement, exchange and dissemination of energy storage expertise. A further 100 organisations from the UK and abroad have pledged their support for the network. The Supergen Storage Network+ is led by Professor Yulong Ding (University of Birmingham). Dr Antzela Fivga manages the Supergen Network+, leading on project management and day-to-day operations.

Supergen SuperSolar Hub

The Supergen SuperSolar Hub started in May 2012 and has since successfully formed an inclusive solar community that links research carried out by universities and industry. Led by Loughborough University’s Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST) the Hub comprises the Universities of Bath, Cambridge, Imperial College, Liverpool, Oxford, Sheffield and Southampton and the Solar Fuels Network. SuperSolar is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council’s (EPSRC) RCUK energy programme. In 2018, the universities of Swansea and Warwick joined the core members.

H2FC Supergen

The Hydrogen and Fuel Cells (H2FC) Supergen Hub is funded by the Research Councils UK Energy Programme, as part of the government’s Sustainable Power Generation and Supply initiative. It was set up in 2012 to address the key challenges facing the hydrogen and fuel cell sector as it strives to provide cost competitive, low carbon technologies in a more secure UK energy landscape.

 

 


 

 

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