Durham Energy Institute

Durham University is at the forefront of world-leading renewable energy research to help meet global net zero targets and secure a better future for our planet

The University’s Durham Energy Institute is committed to finding solutions to decarbonising energy and is accelerating green energy transitions through pioneering research. It is helping to address the global challenges of reducing greenhouse emissions and addressing climate change through its research into harnessing and developing renewable energy sources.

Delivering net zero in the UK maritime sector

In recognition of Durham’s leadership in this field, the University was chosen to lead a new £21.3 million national research partnership focussed on decarbonising the UK maritime sector. The UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub (UK-MaRes Hub) aims to eliminate air pollution from maritime activity in ports and at sea.

As well as environmental impacts, the Hub will also focus on the potential economic and social benefits of transitioning to a clean maritime future. It will conduct innovative research in the areas of sustainable marine fuels and their safe use, low-carbon power and shipping propulsion systems, decarbonising port operations and infrastructure, improving maritime operations and vessel efficiency.

The Hub is a consortium of 13 universities led by Durham and including researchers from Aston, Birmingham, Brighton, City, Cranfield, Liverpool, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, Solent, St Andrews and Ulster universities. It also brings together over 70 industrial, civic and international organisations as project partners. This includes shipping companies, ports, equipment and service providers, fuel producers and civic bodies.

Key elements of the Hub will be the Clean Maritime Research Partnership that will work with partners across the maritime sector to co-create future research activity. This will include the development of a Clean Maritime Network+, with activity across the UK to share knowledge and best practice, and a Clean Maritime Policy Unit to provide advice, evidence, and briefings to inform policy.

Wind Energy

From the sea to the air, Durham University is also a leader in wind energy research.

The Durham Energy Institute is home to The Wind Energy Group which is recognised globally as a leading academic research group, particularly within offshore wind energy. Its research spans all aspects of wind energy from the design of turbine blades and foundations to cable installation and power electronics. It also explores the reliability and condition monitoring of wind turbines, how turbines interact within wind fields and the environment, as well as the wider supply chain and regulatory contexts of wind farms.

The research group involves researchers from several of the University’s Departments including Engineering, the Business School, Computer Science and Social Sciences.

Reflecting the University’s expertise in this area, Durham 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 have a key role in driving forward the ambitions of the UK offshore wind industry and regional economic development. Made up of more than 30 key regional organisations involved in offshore wind, Energi Coast works to showcase the vast offshore wind supply chain capabilities within the North East. It also aims to promote the region as a key hub for servicing both the UK and International offshore wind markets.

Geothermal Energy

Moving from wind energy to geothermal energy, it was announced in summer 2024 that Durham University will be playing an intrinsic role in harnessing the UK’s potential for geothermal energy advancement, through the launch of a new, collaborative centre. The National Geothermal Centre (NGC) will accelerate research and innovation for the geothermal sector by developing expertise, driving policy reform and promoting investment.

Geothermal energy is derived from the heat of the Earth itself, and is an inexhaustible, ultra-low carbon, secure energy source. The centre will highlight new opportunities for transitioning sectors and is a collaboration between Durham University, the Net Zero Technology Centre and SHIFT Geothermal, with support from The Reece Foundation. It will facilitate collaboration between government, industry, and academia, championing the integration of more geothermal heat and electricity into the renewable energy mix.

Durham’s world-leading research, spearheaded by the Durham Energy Institute, is addressing the most pressing environmental challenges we face and is helping the world move towards a cleaner, greener future.

Facts & Figures

  • Overall, Earth was about 1.36 degrees Celsius warmer in 2023 than in the late 19th-century (1850-1900) preindustrial average (Source: NASA)
  • One wind turbine alone can generate enough electricity to power 1,400 homes. (Source: MyEnergi)
  • The capacity of renewable energy has overtaken that of fossil fuels in the UK for the first time. (Source: MyEnergi)

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