'Green' electricity to help UK meet 2050 carbon emissions target

Imperial researchers develop new technologies to make 80% carbon reduction possible<em> - Media invitation</em>

Imperial College London media invitation

For immediate release
Monday 24 November 2008

Extensive use of low-carbon "green" electricity could help the UK dramatically cut its carbon emissions by 2050, say the leaders of a new research programme to be announced this week at Imperial College London.

Large-scale use of low-carbon electricity is one technological innovation that Imperial researchers will be developing in the new 'Planet 2050' programme, being set up to help develop the radical approaches needed to achieve the large-scale global emissions reductions sought by 2050. The UK Committee on Climate Change recommended in October 2008 that the UK should aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80 percent by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. In the same timeframe, global emissions will need to fall by at least 50 percent.

Journalists are invited to find out more about Planet 2050 at Imperial at 6pm on Thursday 27 November 2008.

The programme brings together scientists and engineers from Imperial to work on new technologies that can help the UK dramatically reduce its carbon emissions. One element is the 'Electric Futures' project which will explore the use of low carbon electricity to meet a large part of the UK's energy needs, in particular to replace liquid fuels for ground transport and natural gas for heating buildings.

Researchers think "green" electricity could hold the key to our transport and evergy needs

Low carbon electricity is produced using methods that emit minimal carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. These could include wind, tidal, solar or nuclear power, and even fossil fuel or biomass burning power stations that have been designed to capture the emitted carbon dioxide for storage deep underground.

The scientific and engineering challenges associated with a low-carbon all-electric economy are significant, because the current electricity supply system could not cope if most cars and homes in the UK relied on it for energy.

At the Planet 2050 launch event, researchers from Imperial's Grantham Institute for Climate Change, and Energy Futures Lab will explain how the technical problems can be overcome and invite audience members to imagine what life would be like in 40 years if the 80 percent carbon emissions reduction target is achieved.

Professor Nigel Brandon, Director of Imperial's Energy Futures Lab, explains:

"A lot needs to be done over the next few decades to develop new ways of producing and supplying electricity, and to investigate how it could be used to replace the gas in our homes and petrol in our cars.

"At Imperial we have a large number of researchers working on technologies to provide solutions. 'Planet 2050' brings them together and, through 'Electric Futures' and other projects, builds on their existing work to help achieve significant carbon reductions over the next 40 years."

Speakers at the launch event will focus on topics including:

• All-electric buildings

Professor David Fisk from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering will discuss how all-electric buildings of the future could become a reality. He will outline changes to personal and corporate electricity consumption, national power generation and distribution necessary for all buildings were to source all their heat and energy from "green" electricity.

• Electric Mobility

Professor John Polak, Head of Imperial's Centre for Transport Studies, will discuss how the planning and operation of transport systems might change in an all-electric future. Conventional concepts of ownership and use could be replaced by more flexible concepts of shared or fractional ownership, where mobility and access are seen as services flexibly provided by an ensemble of modes and vehicle types. Such a service-oriented model would be underpinned by advanced systems for communication and control, designed to balance mobility, environmental and energy management objectives.

The event will also include an introductory talk by Professor Sir Brian Hoskins, Director of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change at Imperial, who will outline the climate motivation for an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Nearly 60 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are due to CO2 emissions from fossil fuel use. Sir Brian, who is also a member of the UK Committee on Climate Change, stresses that big reductions in all sources of CO2 emissions from fossil fuels are necessary:

"If we are to meet the UK carbon reduction targets by 2050, we need to tackle this 60 percent through a transformation of our energy and transport systems and other infrastructure," says Sir Brian. "The ambitious and visionary research that the 'Planet 2050' programme will deliver will be vital in helping shape an effective and affordable response to the climate challenge."

The launch event will take place in 170 Queen's Gate, Imperial College London at 6pm on Thursday 27 November. Journalists wishing to attend must register in advance by contacting:

Danielle Reeves, Imperial College London press office
Tel: +44 (0)20 7594 2198
Out-of-hours duty press office: +44 (0)7803 886248
Email: Danielle.reeves@imperial.ac.uk

Notes to editors:

1. About the Energy Futures Lab

Launched in November 2005, following the identification of energy as one of the College's strategic priorities, the Energy Futures Lab is the hub for multidisciplinary teaching and research in energy at Imperial College London. Building on the already impressive capabilities, the Energy Futures Lab, brings together the College's expertise in energy efficiency, fossil fuel decarbonisation, transport, the urban environment, nuclear energy, electrical networks, power generation, renewable energy technologies, as well as the analysis of energy systems, policy, economics and risk.

It has already drawn in over £45M of funding as well as launching the College's first interdisciplinary masters programme, the MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures. The Energy Futures Lab plays a key role in communicating the College’s energy research and teaching internally and externally and has an award winning outreach programme.

Website: www.imperial.ac.uk/energyfutureslab

2. About the Grantham Institute for Climate Change

Imperial established the Grantham Institute for Climate Change in February 2007 following a £12.8 million donation over ten years from the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment. The Institute is stimulating a multidisciplinary research drive on fundamental climate science, its impacts on ecosystems and human wellbeing, and how we might mitigate these risks and adapt to the changes already taking place. The Institute aims to have a direct impact on public and private policy.

So far, it has funded 19 PhD studentships on subjects including ocean modelling, carbon sequestration, flood and drought risks, novel photovoltaics, climate impacts on biodiversity, climate/health and carbon finance. A number of new academic appointments are also in the process of being finalised.

The Grantham Institute for Climate Change at the heart of Imperial's South Kensington Campus provides a focus for multidisciplinary research building on the existing expertise across the College’s Faculties of Natural Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and the Business School.

Website: www.imperial.ac.uk/climatechange 

3. About Imperial College London

Consistently rated amongst the world's best universities, Imperial College London is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research that attracts 12,000 students and 6,000 staff of the highest international quality.

Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and business, delivering practical solutions that improve quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture.

Since its foundation in 1907, Imperial's contributions to society have included the discovery of penicillin, the development of holography and the foundations of fibre optics. This commitment to the application of research for the benefit of all continues today, with current focuses including interdisciplinary collaborations to improve health in the UK and globally, tackle climate change and develop clean and sustainable sources of energy.

Website: www.imperial.ac.uk