Oxford announces launch of the ZERO Institute
The University of Oxford announced the launch of the Zero-carbon Energy Research Oxford (ZERO) Institute.
The ZERO Institute will bring together leading academics and address questions surrounding zero-carbon energy systems and how they will be implemented.
Oxford’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patrick Grant, commented: “International and national assessments agree that practical solutions to the climate crisis will involve increased use of renewable energy sources, storing the energy effectively, and using it efficiently.
“Only by doing this can we supply everyone in the world with the energy services needed to live well and to stop climate change. The university is rising to the challenge of zero-carbon energy systems by investing in the ZERO Institute to help coordinate and increase the reach of our ever growing zero-carbon energy research.”
More than 70% of the greenhouse gases come from converting and using energy according to multiple sources.
Switching from carbon-based energy to zero-carbon energy is expected to help achieve the Paris Agreement’s (an international treaty on climate change) global warming limits.
The launch of the ZERO Institute will enable 20 departments and 200 researchers to continue their extensive research on energy systems.
In addition to this, ZERO has secured a £3.25m investment from the University’s Strategic Research Fund (SRF) to help recognise Oxford as a centre of research excellence.
Professor Malcolm McCulloch from the Department of Engineering Science is one of the launch co-heads. He said: “This challenge requires a major transformation in global energy conversion and use, requiring systemic change in the energy sector, transport and buildings, and therefore in technology and society.
“In complexity and reach, the zero-carbon transition will be a change of the same magnitude as the Industrial Revolution.”
The other of the Institute's co-heads, Professor Nick Eyre, of the Environmental Change Institute, commented: “The history of energy system change shows it is closely associated with social change, and the timeframe for the zero-carbon transition closely matches that for delivery of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“The zero-carbon transition will therefore need to ensure delivery of basic energy services globally, and radical changes in energy using practices worldwide.”
The leaders of the ZERO Institute will include Associate Professor Robert Weatherup, Associate Professor Radhika Khosla, and the Convenor for Oxford Energy Robin Morris.
