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Current Centres and Networks
Centre for Energy Systems Integration (CESI)
As the availability of fossil fuels declines and traditional energy structures become obsolete, it is essential we develop new energy sources that can also help counter the threat of climate change, as well as building smarter, flexible and integrated energy systems. Durham’s experts are at the forefront of developing these new energy solutions, which has been further enhanced by the University’s role in CESI.
Hydrogen Transportation - Network H2
Durham Energy Institute are leading this national network which has a leadership role in advancing the rapidly advancing hydrogen-enabled transport sector across the energy, marine, on-road, rail and aviation sectorsNorth East Centre for Energy Materials
Low Carbon Energy for Development Network (LCEDN)
LCEDN is a platform for academics, practitioners, policy-makers and private sector organisations to interact and cooperate on research for low-carbon development. It has undertaken a variety of porjects including the Low-Carbon Energy Cooking Services project and Energy on the Move. The Low Carbon Energy for Development Network (LCEDN) was launched in January 2012 centred around hubs at the Durham Energy Institute and Loughborough University (on behalf of the Midlands Energy Consortium).
Network for Heating and Cooling research to enable a net-zero future
Durham Energy Institute are leading this national network which facilitates the advancement of decarbonisation of heating and cooling internationally through funded workshops, conferences and secondments which in combination will enable researchers, technology developers, managers, policymakers and funders to come together to share their progress, new knowledge and experiences.
Regional Offshore Wind Clusters
Durham Energy Institute is a key partner in two of eight regional clusters developed as part of the Offshore Wind Sector Deal UK - the North East Cluster Energi Coast and the Humber Cluster - Aura. These regional collaborations between major companies in the offshore wind industry, leading academic institutions and government and non-governmental organisations have a key role in driving forward the ambitions of the UK offshore wind industry and regional economic development. Durham’s Professor Simon Hogg, Ørsted Chair in Renewable Energy, is leading on innovation in both clusters.
Aura - The Humber Regional Offshore Wind Cluster
Aura is the offshore wind energy cluster for the Humber region. This includes Durham University and our strategic partner Ørsted, the biggest wind developer in the world, along with Siemens Gamesa. Aura aims to act as a catalyst for collaboration and innovation to support the sector’s growth. Since its inception in 2015 Aura has created an Innovation Centre and the Aura Centre for Doctoral Training where Durham University are leading 15 PhD projects in offshore wind energy and the environment.
Energi Coast North East Offshore Wind Cluster
Durham Energy Institute are leading the Innovation Group within Energi Coast which aims to identify and address innovation challenges for the Offshore Wind sector in the North East of England to maximise the opportunities the sector presents.
Current Projects and Activities
Geothermal Energy
Durham University leads research into the potential for geothermal energy in the UK. The UK's geothermal resources are significant could supply heat to the UK for over a century. Our innovative research considers water in abandoned mines as a future low carbon heat source. We are working with the Coal Authority, Regional Local Enterprise Partnerships, Durham County Council, the BritGeothermal research partnership and Industry to explore this potential and develop demonstrators in the UK.
Geothermal Energy from Mines and Solar-Geothermal heat (GEMS)
A project exploring the technical, regulatory, political, financial and social dimensions of mine water geothermal. From the initial geothermal heat extraction, to the logistics of heat storage and delivery, the political and financial landscape, and involving local communities in all these aspects.
Advanced hybrid thermochemical-compression seasonal solar energy storage and heat pump system (Solar S&HP)
Church of England - Decarbonising the estate
COP26 and responding to Climate Change
COP26 Decarbonising Heat and Cooling campaign
COP26 international schools climate education and conference
DEcarbonisation of Low-TemperAture Process Heat Industry, DELTA PHI
DecarboN8 - An integrated network to decarbonise transport
Durham Heat Hub
Fraying Ties? Networks, Territory and Transformation in the UK Oil Sector
Free-Piston Engine Technology
Gold Hydrogen
High-efficiency fuel flexible free-piston engine generator
Hydrogen for Heat: a hydrogen powered Combined Heat and Power System
ICHP: Zero Carbon Emission Integrated Cooling, Heating and Power Networks
INCLUDE - a research centre for socially inclusive energy transitions
Low Carbon Energy for Development Network (LCEDN)
Marine Small-ship Zero-carbon H2 Demonstrator
MARLIN STAR - New Innovative Floating Renewable Energy Platform.
Development and commercialization of an innovative modular, floating renewable energy platform with sociotechnical research in island communities in Bangladesh and India led by DEI.
MOO-Thane
PEOPLE: PEOple-centred development approaches in Practical and Learning Environments
Solid Wall Insulation Innovation
Solar car design and racing: Durham University Electric Motorsport
TOPMOST -Towards Joint Power-Communication System Modelling and Optimisation for Smart Grid Application: Virtual Power Plant
TESTBED2 "Testing and Evaluating Sophisticated information and communication Technologies for enaBling scalablE smart griD Deployment"
This project led by Professor Hongjian Sun is a Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) project under Horizon2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)