Past events

Chemical manufacturing is responsible for 26% of the world energy demand. The need to decouple industrial processes from fossil energy sources is growing more and moreurgent in the struggle to mitigate climate change whilst meeting increasedglobal energy demand. The industry requires large amounts of heat derived from fossil sources to drive thermochemical processes. Emerging electrochemical processes which require electricity rather than [...]

Shell’s latest Scenario, called Sky, meets the objectives of the Paris agreement whilst also providing access to energy to the billions of people on the planet who do not currently have it.  The route forward for energy is heavily dependent on renewables. The Sky Scenario illustrates this technologically, industrially and economically and also sees an ongoing role for fossil fuels, even [...]

As we move from demand-led to supply-led electricity systems, the need to match demand to available supply in real time becomes more significant. There is a plethora of research setting out the desirability of ‘active demand’ and modelling potential outcomes and there are also many possible ways of achieving it, with different combinations of technology, pricing and human effort. But [...]

This talk proposes ways of studying fossil fuel consumption through the lens of global history. Study of technological systems, the social and economic systems in which they are embedded, and the interactions between these, can yield insights. These types of history may help us to understand, first, the context for the political history of the international climate negotiations, and, second, [...]

Does high consumption make us happier? As much as we like it not to be true, electricity consumption correlates positively with enjoyment. This is a problem for all who wish we used less. This week we will explore how *valuable* energy is to people, rather than just how costly it is. High resolution data from hundreds of UK households can shine [...]

Changes to energy use are critical to addressing threats to planetary boundaries, especially climate change. Recent cost changes make a combination of energy efficiency and renewable energy the most plausible solution. Their deployment requires a paradigm shift in energy markets and policy, with public policy support at scales from local to global Speaker Nick Eyre is Professor of Energy and Climate Policy [...]

Bill David, ISIS, Ammonia – the quintessetial non-carbon hydrocarbon Geoff Gilley, Technology – Power where the sun doesn’t shine Tristan Davenne, Technology – Pumped termal energy storage

Abstract to follow

Momentum within the current energy system is towards decentralisation, decarbonisation and digitalisation (D3) and this requires a more flexible system operation. Together this is having an impact on market design, network regulation, regulatory mechanisms (ie a move to more performance based outcomes), business models, retail offerings and customer propositions. Whereas in the conventional energy system the links between, for example, [...]

Modelling studies suggest that COP21 targets can be met with global gas demand peaking in the 2030s and declining slowly thereafter. This would qualify gas to be considered a `transition fuel’ to a low carbon economy. However, such an outcome is by no means a foregone conclusion, particularly in Europe where decline may be more rapid post-2030. There are limited [...]