| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/C519221/1 |
| Title: |
HERE BE DRAGONS! Sustainable Energy Systems Research Explored |
| Principal Investigator: |
Mawby, Professor P |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
College of Engineering |
| Organisation: |
Swansea University |
| Scheme: |
Overseas Travel Grants Pre-FEC |
| Starts: |
13 April 2005 |
Ends: |
12 April 2006 |
Value (£): |
11,074
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Bioenergy |
Energy - Conventional |
| Energy - Marine & Hydropower |
Energy Efficiency |
| Fuel Cell Technologies |
Power Systems Plant |
| Solar Technology |
Wind Power |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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There is broad consensus in the scientific community that climate change is happening faster and to a greater extent than previously expected, leading to estimates that the world's climate could warm up by up to 5.8C by the end of this century. It is also widely forecast that there will be a 40% increase in energy demand over the next 15 years. With renewable energy development still in its infancy, only a small amount of this will be available from nonpolluting sources. Ensuring the efficient use of energy through power management technologies can provide up to 80% increases in efficiency without any visible difference in the modified product, and developing and integrating this technology wherever electrical energy is used will be critical in the short term to mitigating the potential for a severe increase in C02 emissions over the same time period.The EU is committed under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8% by 2008-2012. As a developing country China is not yet required to reduce its emissions, nevertheless, it is reported to have cut its C02 emissions by 17% since the mid-1990s (in the same period, its economy has grown by one-third). Accounting for a fifth of the world's population, China could soon emit enough C02 to dwarf any reductions agreed by the Annex I countries, but its leaders recognise that climate change could devastate their society. Thus, China ratified the protocol in 2002 and this encourages Kyoto's supporters to believe that the agreement will make a signicant difference to greenhouse gas emmissions.Economic research has shown that environmental technologies, in particular those relating to renewable energy, are likely to have significant worldwide commercial application over the next 20 years, a view supported by technological forecasting agencies such as Battelle and Darnell, and mirrored in the findings of the DTI and the WDA Future Technology Programme. Geographically within Wales there are significant opportunities to develop renewable energy resources. The clean energy sector and related support industries are one of the few to show significant potential for growth in the next few years, and now is a critical time to support this emerging cluster at the R&D level. By integrating these technologies from the bottom up, there is a real opportunity to become world leaders in this rapidly expanding marketplace.A number of key research groups in the Principality have started working together to develop a multidisciplinary approach to research in this area, and the development of the Welsh Energy Research Centre (which hopes to become the regional spoke of the UK Energy Research Centre) is practical evidence of the commitment to this working arrangement. The proposed visit will develop research links between three Universities in Wales (with specific expertise in Power electronics, Fuel Cells, Renewable Energy and Carbon Sequestration) and a number of research and policy making institutions in China. The research links developed will seek to tackle the necessity for a step-change in energy efficiency (both in production and use) within the decade, whilst also addressing longer-term goals to develop sustainable energy sources for the future.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.swan.ac.uk |