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January 2012

UK to help development economies move towards low carbon energy

Experts at Loughborough University are part of a new network designed to link British energy experts to those in developing economies.

The network being launched by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and leading UK energy institutions to ensure the UK’s world-class expertise in sustainable energy solutions helps developing countries achieve their low carbon goals.

The Low Carbon Energy for Development Network (LCEDN), which has been made possible by a £100k grant from DECC, will identify UK-based skills and knowledge that could help developing economies achieve low carbon developments.

LCEDN is led by Durham University Energy Institute (DEI), the Midlands Energy Consortium (comprising Loughborough, Birmingham, and Nottingham universities), Sussex University, Imperial College London and UKERC (UK Energy Research Centre).

The grant will be used by LCEDN to examine the use of new technologies in different developing economies to assess their potential in the creation of low carbon energy.

The research will aid in the transition to low carbon economies, as well as help to tackle the chronic problem of energy poverty.

The network will pinpoint UK strengths, identify where they could be deployed and highlight areas where expertise needs to be further developed, particularly in relation to UK policymakers. It will also identify opportunities for enhancing research collaborations between UK experts and those in other parts of the globe. 

Dr Ed Brown, Associate Director of Loughborough University’s Sustainability Research School and representative of the Midlands Energy Consortium, said:

“The international community is committed to investing significant resources into low carbon energy technologies over the next few years, it is really important that these resources are invested wisely in ways that will truly help meet the energy needs of those currently without access to modern energy services and aid in the transition to a low carbon future.

“This network has been set up to facilitate meaningful research collaboration and interaction that will help to ensure that this occurs.”

Professor Richard Davies, Director of Durham Energy Institute (DEI), said:

"This is another opportunity for the UK in low carbon energy development. There is a lot the UK can offer and the network could be the first step in doing this.”

"It will allow us to meet and work closely with colleagues elsewhere in the world, to understand their priorities and how they are driving their developing economies forward, feeding from each other's expertise.”

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said:

“International collaboration on energy research is vital to support low carbon options for developing countries and help tackle climate change.  Through this initiative we can offer our world-leading expertise in sustainable energy solutions and learn valuable lessons from countries that are undergoing rapid change.”

 

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