Recognizing the importance of energy demand, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced a £53 million energy research and development package. This funding will be distributed among six projects, including the establishment of an Energy Demand Research Centre, two hydrogen hubs, and three Supergen research hubs focusing on distribution, renewables, and bioenergy.

With the UK government aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, CEO of UKRI, emphasizes the need for rapid decarbonization and highlights that the funding will enable researchers and innovators to drive transformative ideas for improving energy systems in domestic, industrial, and transportation sectors.

The Energy Demand Research Centre, allocated £15 million and located across Newcastle and Sussex universities, will investigate consumer behavior and evaluate the impact of socio-technical energy demand reduction measures. The center will also explore mechanisms to enhance energy efficiency and examine how to implement demand reduction strategies at local and national levels across the UK.

A total of £20 million will be divided between two hydrogen hubs. The UK-HyRES Hydrogen Hub, led by the University of Bath, aims to advance practical hydrogen and alternative liquid fuel technologies. The HI-ACT Hub, led by Newcastle University, will explore various pathways for integrating hydrogen into the broader energy landscape, including interactions with electricity, natural gas, heat, and transport.

The remaining £17.5 million will support the three Supergen research hubs. The Supergen Energy Networks Impact Hub at Bristol University will focus on modernizing energy distribution systems between suppliers and users. The Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Impact Hub, led by Plymouth University, aims to accelerate the impact of existing and future ORE devices and systems. Finally, the Supergen Bioenergy Impact Hub at Aston University will investigate pathways for bioenergy delivery, with a particular emphasis on social, economic, and environmental benefits.

Professor Philip Taylor, head of the Supergen Energy Networks Impact Hub, highlights the challenges faced by the global energy sector and emphasizes the necessity of modernizing energy networks to meet future requirements. The project aims to expedite the development, deployment, and impact of innovative solutions in the energy sector to drive decarbonization and achieve meaningful scale.