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Dr David Toke's research at the University of Birmingham has contributed to policy made by governments in the UK and EU, and the work and policy of environmentally concerned NGOs. Renewable Energy is a crucial aspect of EU and UK sustainable energy strategies and feed-in tariffs have now become the preferred method of incentivising renewable energy in the UK. Toke made a major contribution to generating this change through his proactive dissemination of research on feed-in tariffs and the publication of a key public policy report, at a time when little was known about this type of policy instrument.
His research has stimulated debate among industry professionals and events organised by him have provided a forum where the industry and NGOs can develop an evidence-based dialogue. Through using popular media to disseminate his research findings, Toke has provided a source for greater public understanding of the related issues, and in particular has challenged the decisions of government. In a broader sense, his research has contributed to improving governmental and financial support for renewable energies in the UK and thus environmental sustainability.
The family of MARKAL-TIMES energy models have successively underpinned every major recent UK government energy policy document on long-term decarbonisation pathways. Enabled by the interdisciplinary critical mass of the UCL Energy Institute, a ground-breaking research programme by Strachan, Ekins et al has taken the UK's energy systems analytical capacity from near zero to world-class. Specific examples of policy impacts include assessment of decarbonisation costs in the DECC Carbon Plan, and the quantification of electricity sector decarbonisation as an essential enabling step to meet the targets set by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) in the legally adopted UK carbon budget periods.
The impact is in the ERPE design of protocols which are subsequently used for evaluation and comparison of the performance of tidal energy converter designs. Researchers within the UK Centre for Marine Energy Research (UKCMER) at ERPE have led much of the fundamental and applied research that has supported the commercialisation of tidal energy technologies through the establishment of new international test standards and protocols.
ERPE researchers have regularly provided evidence which has influenced policy change in marine energy development in the UK and internationally with many ERPE graduating PhD's, subsequently employed in the marine energy sector.
The University of Southampton's pioneering research into energy harvesting has produced proven economic impacts together with impacts on public policy and international standards. Perpetuum, a spin-out from Southampton employing 10 people locally, has attracted £9.6 million in venture capital and developed the world's leading vibration energy harvester. Perpetuum's harvesters are enabling the deployment of zero maintenance, battery-free wireless systems in the rail industry where the technology has revolutionised bearing monitoring. This has enabled, for the first time, real-time monitoring of rolling stock, leading to cost savings, improved reliability, efficiency and safety. Their systems have been deployed on 200 trains across the UK (Southeastern) and Sweden (SJ AB). Southampton's research has driven wider industrial uptake of the technology and Perpetuum's is also the only energy harvester approved for use with the worlds leading suppliers of wireless condition monitoring equipment (GE Bentley Nevada, National Instruments and Emerson). Promotion of the technology has led to a £1.25 million TSB competition on energy harvesting and Southampton researchers are assisting in the development of international standards and increasing public awareness of the technology.
This research has demonstrated the shortcomings of recent changes to UK Government energy efficiency policy, and developed thinking about alternatives, in order to enable governments to provide an effective system of incentives for energy efficiency improvement. Such a system would allow energy sector decarbonisation at a lower cost than with supply side strategies alone. The analysis and concept have both had an impact. In the UK, the team of researchers have secured support from major environmental NGOs, have been included in a UK Government policy consultation, leading to the tabling of an amendment to the 2012 Energy Bill. Internationally, the team's research continues to influence leading policy analysts, including the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
The University of Southampton's research into micro-wind turbines — small-scale devices for generating electricity at the point of use — has been instrumental in the shift away from turbines mounted on buildings in urban areas to more productive pole-mounted devices in the countryside. It has informed public understanding of the potential and limitations of micro-wind power, and helped inject a new realism into the process of micro-wind power generation, forcing manufacturers to retreat from claims that could not be met. The research has been used to help set government subsidy levels for micro-wind power, and as a basis for modelling projections of future energy.
Research at the University of Southampton, into the engineering of complex socio-technical systems, has underpinned new technologies in the area of intelligent energy management, and made Professors Nick Jennings and Alex Rogers trusted sources of advice for energy policymakers, key stakeholders and industrial researchers. The work has had an economic, environmental and societal impact: it has shaped R&D strategies of leading British companies like BAE Systems and Secure Meters; the launch of iPhone apps and websites have supplied private and industrial users with personalised data regarding their energy use, resulting in cost savings and reductions in carbon emissions; it has enabled charities to provide energy-saving advice to households directly; and has won an international technology showcase competition leading to a spinout and commercialisation of research.
Research undertaken on energy policy and sustainability by Prof. Mitchell and the Energy Policy Group (EPG) within Geography at Exeter, has had a major influence on the development and reform of UK, EU and global energy policy. This research has informed policy advice to the UK government on the fundamental re-setting of electricity market reforms and underpinned a number of major policy reports e.g., the 2008 `EU's Target for Renewable Energy' report; the 2010 `Future of Britain's Electricity Networks' report; the 2011 `Electricity Market Reform' report; the 2012 `Draft Energy Bill'; and the 2012 DECC Energy Security Strategy Report. Research by the EPG has also led to numerous engagements with key stakeholders in the energy industry that have influenced policies, procedures and practices, and been used to inform public debate on energy policy.
This case study describes the national and international impact of research undertaken by Professor Chao, as part of an EU funded Framework 7 project, Digital Environment Home Energy Management Systems (DEHEMS). The project has improved existing household energy monitoring, tackling the issues of global warming and CO2 emission reduction in the domestic sector. The research has directly contributed to the development of a product called EnergyHive, subsequently marketed by Small to Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Hildebrand Ltd, who was the industrial partner in the DEHEMS consortium. The research has delivered the following:
Beneficiaries of the research and the subsequent impact include: a commercial business, domestic energy consumers, UK and international energy companies and local authorities.
Since 2007, Edinburgh researchers have played an important role in increasing the use of local, context-specific knowledge in the assessment of technological sustainability and efficiency in the bioenergy and solar sectors in East Africa and South Asia. This has taken the following forms: