The UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) carries out interdisciplinary research into sustainable future energy systems. It's whole systems research programme addresses the challenges and opportunities presented by the transition to a net zero energy system and economy.
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The centre is funded by the UK Research and Innovation Energy Programme. UKERC is a distributed centre with researchers at over 20 different institutions throughout the UK, its headquarters are based at University College London.
Currently in its fourth phase of funding (2019-2024), UKERC’s activities are overseen by a committee consisting of the UKERC Director, Professor Rob Gross, and eleven Co-Directors, and is advised by an independent Advisory Board.
UKERC was established in April 2004, following a recommendation from the 2002 Energy Review initiated by Sir David King, the UK Government's Chief Scientific Advisor.[1] The centre was set up to address key controversies in the energy field through comprehensive assessments of the current state of knowledge.[2] The first phase of the Centre ran from 2004 - 2009.
In March 2009, £18.5 million was allocated to support the second phase of work at the UK Energy Research Centre for 2009 – 2014.[3] Under the second phase of funding, UKERC focused on five themes: Energy Demand, Energy Supply, Energy Systems, Energy and Environment, and Technology and Policy Assessment.[4]
In May 2014, the UK Energy Research Centre was awarded funding for a third phase of work, which ran from 2014 to 2019.[5] This research programme focused on six core themes: future energy system pathways; resources and vectors; energy systems at multiple scales; energy, economy and societal preferences; decision making; technology, policy and assessment - with an HQ function aimed at engaging with the wider UK energy research community, policy makers and energy industry.
UKERC's interdisciplinary research studentships have enabled whole-systems interdisciplinary research across scientific, engineering and socio-economic boundaries.