07 August 2008
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS)
 
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Energy & Environment Research Programme

The Energy & Environment Research Programme is designed to supplement:

  • scientific and economic analysis carried out by BERR and other government departments to support and inform energy policy (especially encompassing issues of security and diversity of supply)
  • resources to support sustainable development and environmental research
  • support for the maintenance and development of BERR's Energy Model

The Programme has been running since 1990 and seeks to inform BERR's position regarding proposed energy and environmental policies, in particular by assessing their potential impact on industry. Where possible, collaborative projects are undertaken with industry and other parties, as well as other Government Departments.

The Programme is funded by and managed by BERR and previously with the support of Future Energy Solutions (now AEA Energy & Environment), part of AEA Technology.

The main themes of the Programme's research are:

  • energy issues - e.g. review of gas and electricity security of supply issues; investigating the costs of moving to a low carbon dioxide emission energy system; development of the Energy Model, research into the relative competitiveness of the UK energy market, and providing support to energy review teams within BERR and other government departments
  • climate change - e.g. guidance for emissions trading scheme projects; investigating technologies for the capture and disposal of carbon dioxide
  • other environmental issues - e.g. critical loads for sulphur and nitrogen deposition; modelling to predict the recovery of sensitive ecosystems from acidification, and supporting research in sustainable development and corporate responsibility

Recent project reports include the analysis of options for a low carbon future; quantifying the system costs of additional renewables in 2020, and security in gas and electricity markets.

A number of projects under the EERB support analysis on the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and the budget also supports work on the energy and emissions projections used to support energy policy.

 

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