November 2010

 

Seven new Energy and Communities initiative projects have been formed as part of an Energy Research Programme which will work with communities from the outset to find out how individuals and communities use energy, their understanding of energy use, effective community management of energy, energy regulation as well as appropriate ways to reduce energy demand. 

The research agenda for these projects was developed through workshops and extensive dialogue with stakeholders, such as interest groups, social enterprises and policy makers, at a national and local level. Government targets for reducing carbon emissions require changes to every aspect of energy generation, supply, use and regulation.

 

Led by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Energy Research Programme brings together the work of the EPSRC and that of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). A total £4 million investment in the projects is expected to have significant impact within the communities that they are working with and beyond, to other communities looking to address energy demand reduction in the context of increasing challenges in energy security and equity.

This news item was initially published by the Economic and Social Research Council under the same title on Monday 11 October 2010. The original article can be accessed here.