Welcome to the latest edition of the Birmingham Energy Institute bi-monthly newsletter.
In this edition, I am pleased to highlight, among a number of updates, that the first European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) Conference since its establishment, will be hosted by the University of Birmingham on 24 - 25 November 2016. The conference will be a forum for over 200 researchers in academia, industry and policy, representing more than 175 research organisations, to discuss low-carbon research.
In October, Dr Ashwani Kumar, one of India’s most eminent political and diplomatic figures, delivered a keynote lecture at the University of Birmingham. Dr Kumar discussed complementary objectives and interests between the UK and India – outlining key areas of future co-operation, including economic growth, nuclear and renewable energy.
The second part of this newsletter highlights upcoming events in the Institute.
As ever, I look forward to receiving your thoughts, comments and opinions, but, most of all, your involvement.
Martin Freer, Director of the Birmingham Energy Institute
Birmingham set to host first European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) Conference
The University of Birmingham is set to host the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) Conference on 24 - 25 November 2016. In the first conference since the Alliance was established, over 200 researchers from industry, academia and policy will discuss low-carbon research.
A key objective of EERA is to accelerate the development of new energy technologies by conceiving and implementing Joint Research Programmes in support of the Strategic Energy Technologies (SET) plan. This will be achieved by pooling and integrating activities and resourced; combining national and community sources of funding, and maximising complementary initiatives.
University of Birmingham and Chinese Academy of Sciences establish joint centre for physical energy storage research
The University of Birmingham signed an agreement with the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics (IET) of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) to form a joint centre for mechanical energy storage technologies.
The agreement marks the start of a formal partnership between IET, a top research institute in compressed air energy storage and associated technologies in China, and the University of Birmingham, a leading organisation in thermal and liquid air energy storage research.
Hinkley Point: For a prosperous, low-carbon future, the stakes could not be higher
UK Government gave final approval for the £18m Hinkley Point C (HPC) nuclear plant in Somerset - Britain's first new nuclear plant in a generation.
The approval of the 3.2 gigawatts twin-reactor power station marks the conclusion of ten years of preparation and rigorous planning. It will benefit from the joint strengths of the British and French nuclear industries, and will lead to the creation of 25,000 job opportunities on the site during construction. It will also offer numerous opportunities for local and national businesses.
Britain and India must forge bold relationships to shape new world
“India and Britain must stand together and face future challenges in shaping a new world”, one of India’s most eminent political and diplomatic figures told an audience at the University of Birmingham.
Dr Ashwani Kumar delivered a keynote lecture in an event jointly hosted by the Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham. Dr Kumar’s address focused on complementary objectives and interests between the UK and India. He outlined key areas of future co-operation, including economic growth, nuclear and renewable energy.
Research Frontiers in Decommissioning and Waste Management Conference
In October 2016, the University of Birmingham hosted the Sixth Annual Research Frontiers in Decommissioning and Radioactive Waste Management Conference.
The conference, organised by the Nuclear Waste and Decommissioning Research Forum (NWDRF), was attended by over 100 delegates, including senior figures within the UK civil nuclear industry to showcase innovation across the sector.
The Birmingham Centre for Nuclear Education and Research was launched in 2010 to provide the investment and infrastructure to grow the nuclear expertise and capacity that has existed at Birmingham for over 50 years.
HFC deal is far from 'job done'
Toby Peters, Founder of Dearman Engine Company and Visiting Professor in Power and Cold Economy, University of Birmingham discusses the global deal to phase out HFC refrigerant gases signed in Rwanda.
“The good news is that clean cold technologies are beginning to be developed with the potential to dramatically reduce the environmental damage of cooling. The Dearman engine, for example, which is being commercialised first as a zero-emission transport refrigeration unit (TRU), is powered by the expansion of liquid nitrogen, to generate both cold and power…”
Clean cold sits at the heart of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals
Toby Peters also debates that the humble fridge is the key to meeting the UN’s Global Sustainable Development Goals.
“Until recently, cooling was the Cinderella of the energy debate – but it is a pillar of civilisation. Without it, the supply of food, medicine and data would simply break down. And life in many parts of the world would be scarcely tolerable without air conditioning…”
European Energy Research Alliance Conference 2016
Thursday 24 - Friday 25 November 2016
Great Hall, Aston Webb Building (R6 on campus map)
University of Birmingham
The conference is an opportunity for UK energy stakeholders to network and form new partnerships with over 250 representatives of universities, national laboratories and industry members from across Europe.
To attend, please register online
UK Energy Storage (UKES) 2016 Conference
Wednesday 30 November - Friday 2 December 2016
Great Hall, Aston Webb Building (R6 on campus map)
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is set to host the third UKES 2016 Conference for the second year running.
The conference is an opportunity for UK energy stakeholders to network and form new partnerships with over 250 representatives of universities, national laboratories and industry members from across Europe.
To attend, please register online
Challenges and Progress in Chemical Energy Storage
Monday 28 November, 17:15 – 18:00
G35, Chemical Engineering Building (Y11 on campus map)
University of Birmingham
In this lecture, Karsten Muller, Leader of Energy Research, Institution of Separation Science and Technology at the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg will explore the challenges and advancements in energy storage research.
He will discuss the current issues in the fields of dynamics, efficiency and cycle stability research, and ways these should be addressed. He will also highlight the potential development of new chemical energy storage technologies, including liquid organic hydrogen carrier and thermochemical storage systems based on innovative adsorption pairs.
If you wish to attend this event, please complete the online registration form
Heavy oil extraction and in-situ upgrading using THAI-CAPRI process
Thursday 8 December, 12:30 – 13:30
G51, European Research Institute (G3 on campus map)
University of Birmingham
The Birmingham Energy Institute seminar series is cross-disciplinary and focuses on energy research from across the University. The seminars are open to all staff, students and external visitors with an interest in energy.
Professor Joe Wood (School of Chemical Engineering) will discuss the challenges of heavy oil extraction from remote locations and will address in-situ upgrading using THAI-CAPRI processes.
To register your attendance, please email: energy@contacts.bham.ac.uk