New investment for research on local energy systems

The government has launched a £102mn programme of investment in new local energy approaches, and a new research consortium, as part of its Industrial Strategy. The energy revolution research consortium will deliver a suite of projects that ‘address challenges in the development of local, investable energy approaches to create prosperous clean energy communities.’

The research consortium competition builds on a series of previous government announcements that detail how the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund is developing cutting-edge capabilities in local systems that deliver cleaner, cheaper and more resilient energy for consumers. These include:

1. the creation of up to three practical local energy systems demonstrators and a range of whole-system design studies, which could be ready for new consumer energy systems in the 2020s.
2. will develop and commercialise smart local energy system products and services, and help business and researchers engage with the best international innovation opportunities.
3. provide coordination and technical support to demonstration and design projects.

Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation, Professor Sir Mark Walport said: ‘Clean and affordable energy is one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century and one that affects us all. The energy revolution challenge will address this societal and environmental need by unlocking the potential of world-class research and innovation. It will create the new commercial solutions that benefit consumers… and do this at a reduced environmental cost.’