UK Energy Research Centre
The UK Energy Research Centre carries out interdisciplinary research into sustainable future energy systems. Its whole systems research programme addresses the challenges and opportunities presented by the transition to a net zero energy system and economy.
The centre is funded by the UK Research and Innovation Energy Programme. UKERC is a distributed centre with researchers at over 20 different institutions throughout the UK, its headquarters are based at Imperial College London.
Currently in its fifth phase of funding, UKERC’s activities are overseen by a committee consisting of the UKERC Director, Professor Rob Gross, and eleven Co-Directors, and is advised by an independent Advisory Board.
History
UKERC was established in April 2004, following a recommendation from the 2002 Energy Review initiated by Sir David King, the UK Government's Chief Scientific Advisor. The centre was set up to address key controversies in the energy field through comprehensive assessments of the current state of knowledge. The first phase of the Centre ran from 2004 - 2009.In March 2009, £18.5 million was allocated to support the second phase of work at the UK Energy Research Centre for 2009 – 2014. Under the second phase of funding, UKERC focused on five themes: Energy Demand, Energy Supply, Energy Systems, Energy and Environment, and Technology and Policy Assessment.
In May 2014, the UK Energy Research Centre was awarded funding for a third phase of work, which ran from 2014 to 2019. This research programme focused on six core themes: ; ; ; ; ; technology, policy and assessment - with an HQ function aimed at engaging with the wider UK energy research community, policy makers and energy industry.
UKERC's interdisciplinary research studentships have enabled whole-systems interdisciplinary research across scientific, engineering and socio-economic boundaries.
Current Activity
Currently in its fifth phase of funding, UKERC'S research programme encompasses a variety of different activities that address the challenges and opportunities presented by the transition to a net zero energy system.This research includes major themes on ; the ; interdependencies between ; decarbonisation of specific sectors including, and ; and .
Alongside these activities UKERC undertakes,,, and improves the .
In July2022, the UKERC launched a socalled public engagement observatory designed to track public engagement efforts across the United Kingdom.
In 2024, UKERC entered its fifth phase of operation, conducting research up until 2029.
Recent Research
**
*
*
*
*
*
*