SDG7: Affordable and Clean Energy FAQs
In addition to minimising our own energy usage and supporting cleaner energy provision and use, we have a strong reputation for our outstanding research and education in the field of future energy. The following section describes how our research and operations support SDG7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
Local Community Outreach
We provide local community outreach on energy efficiency and deliver programmes that help local communities to learn about and understand the importance of climate change and clean energy. Our Building Advice Centre is a free service open to the public run by final-year Building Surveying students and supervised by experienced staff in the Department of Architecture and Built Environment, who provide free advice on making homes or community buildings more energy efficient and reducing their carbon footprint.
Recently, we hosted the Hope Not Heat event for students and local schools which offered discussions and resources to help pupils explore positive developments in the fight against climate change, and how clean energy supports climate goals.
Energy Efficiency Services for Industry
Northumbria provides direct services to local industry aimed at improving energy efficiency and clean energy. We provide free energy efficiency assessments, workshops, research renewable energy options. For example, our Economists and Environmental Scientists worked with the local farming industry to design a renewable energy toolkit. Working with local authorities, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), the National Trust and industry experts, our academics developed a renewable energy toolkit which provides clear and accessible guidance to those interested in developing renewable energy projects on their agricultural land. The toolkit includes energy efficiency assessments and provides options for farm based renewable energy schemes. Advice is tailored for use at a local level, prioritising individual farms or smallholdings, and takes into account the region’s diverse energy needs, considering not only electricity generation, but also heat, energy efficiency and energy storage for farming. The toolkit is the product of a series of online and in-person workshops at Northumbria. It covers the logistics, finance and planning for solar panels, onshore wind turbines, heat pumps, hydropower and anaerobic digestion.
Policy Development For Clean Energy Technology
We collaborate with government partners to support clean energy and energy efficient technology policy development.
On local/regional policy, Northumbria is part of the 'Northern Net Zero Accelerator - Energy Systems Integration for a Decarbonised Economy', an initiative that translates knowledge from research on clean energy technologies into policy development, energy and industrial systems. The theme of the Northern Net Zero Accelerator has three pillars: Low Carbon Energy Generation; Clean Energy Storage and Distribution; and Integration into End Use Sectors.
Nationally, our Energy Northumbria supports the UK government in developing policies for clean and efficient energy systems. Energy Northumbria is a community of research excellence in renewable and sustainable energy at Northumbria University. It is one of the country’s leading providers of renewable and clean energy research and development, with a goal of driving forward innovative research-driven approaches to create a cleaner energy future for all. Energy Northumbria includes our Renewable Energy Northeast Universities (ReNU) programme, which is creating a team of future leaders and policy makers in the renewable and sustainable energy fields with excellent scientific, engineering and problem-solving skills.
Globally, Northumbria’s Energy Materials and Systems research centre is contributing to clean energy policy through research on the integration of energy technologies, such as battery storage and electric vehicles into the whole energy system, to deliver tangible carbon dioxide savings. Collaboration is key to our success, and we work with a range of partners, from industry heavyweights like Shell, Siemens, Airbus and Arup to other universities, governments and many small to medium enterprises.
Assistance to Low-Carbon Innovation
We support low-carbon innovation and provide assistance for start-ups that foster and support a low-carbon economy or technology. As part of the 21st Century Workforce Development Initiative, Northumbria is delivering a mini-exec MBA programme to help local business leaders and start-ups to develop both their leadership skills and their knowledge of the low-carbon economy and carbon reduction technology. Local to Northumbria University are several key investment sites planned to help in the drive toward clean energy and net zero and the 21st Century Workforce Development Initiative courses support what is required for this drive, including; enhancing digital and data capabilities, management skills and the Mini Exec-MBA. The initiative is the first of its kind, being place-based and employer-led with the goal to equip recently promoted senior leaders, or those ready to take on senior roles, with the business skills needed to ensure Northumberland fulfils its potential in the rapidly emerging low carbon economy.
