Alongside the Imperial College research that falls within our Policy and Innovation theme, Energy Futures Lab undertakes work in its own right in the area of policy. This work is led by Dr Aidan Rhodes and includes a regular series of Briefing Papers aimed at all stakeholders in the energy sector. This is a selection of the various ad-hoc reports and documents published by the institute addressing particular topics or calls-for-evidence.
- Net Zero Skills - Policy Brief
This policy brief is based on our briefing paper, Net Zero Skills: Jobs, skills and training for the Net-Zero energy transition, which investigates the evidence for low-carbon jobs, training and skills requirements in the UK’s energy system, with a deeper focus on Net-Zero skills in England. Through an extensive literature review and interviews with experts and practitioners, it analyses how the skills landscape is adapting to support the growth of low-carbon energy sectors, including both energy supply and end-use. Three case studies in sectors with high expected jobs growth are then presented to investigate challenges and opportunities for improving the supply of skills and training and demand for low-carbon energy careers. The paper culminates with a set of policy recommendations to create clear, inclusive training pathways into low-carbon energy jobs.
- The Role and Value of Hydrogen in Future Zero-Carbon Great Britain's Energy System
Achieving the UK’s long-term climate targets will require holistic strategies for decarbonising electricity, transport and heat while maintaining energy security and minimising system costs. This analysis re-evaluates the value of hydrogen holistically by conducting a series of whole-system studies to provide fundamental and robust evidence about hydrogen’s role and system benefits under different energy system scenarios.
- Whole Energy System Modelling for Heat Decarbonisation report
The heat sector (heat in buildings and industrial processes) accounts for more than half of the UK's energy consumption and contributes to around a third of its total carbon emissions. This report presents the key results and the findings of analyses and studies focusing on understanding and quantifying the long-term cost drivers for decarbonising the heat sector. This modelling and analysis of heat decarbonisation scenarios was supported by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
- Flexicell Report - Whole System Assessment of the Potential Benefits of the FlexiCell concept
The focus of this report is to assess the environmental and economic values of the FlexiCell concept, which involves the technology combination of micro-combined heat and power, air source heat pumps and thermal energy storage, for energy system decarbonisation from the whole system perspective.
- Realising the Opportunities and Managing the Risks of Digitalisation in Electricity Networks
Digitalisation brings the potential for new risks to the stability of electricity networks, to the quality of consumer supply and to business reputation. This report aims to provide an overview of major risk categories relating, based on the experiences of other sectors.
- Data-Driven Security Rules for Real-time System Prediction and Control
In this project summary report, machine learning is investigated for supporting real-time operation and control of the power system while maintaining security of supply.
- Whole-System Value of Long-Duration Energy Storage in a Net-Zero Emission Energy System for Great Britain
This report describes the role and value of new long-duration energy storage in facilitating a cost-effective transition to a net-zero carbon Great Britain (GB) energy system.
- Electricity markets with a high share of variable renewables: A review of issues and design options
This report aims to identify, critique, and discuss how electricity markets can be reimagined for a significantly decarbonised electricity production mix in the mid-21st century
- Response to “Cost of energy review: call for evidence”
A joint submission, with the Grantham Institute, to a Government call for evidence around the 2017 cost of energy review undertaken by Dieter Helm.
- Synthesis on energy and climate change
A wide-ranging and in-depth report that draws together key considerations on energy, technological progress and climate change.
- Smart and Just Grids: Opportunities for sub-Saharan Africa
Reviews current Smart Grid concepts, technologies and related costs and benefits and places them concept in the context of sub-Saharan African.
- Energy storage systems report
A study of the key questions in relation to the future role of electricity storage in the UK.
- Enabling a transition to low carbon economies
An examination of options for meeting the expected energy demand for 2050 on the assumption that economic growth will continue is necessary in order to plan infrastructure investments that will still be functioning in 2050.