The University’s Chancellor, Professor Sir David King, will open the University of Liverpool’s £10M Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy, an interdisciplinary research centre dedicated to renewable and sustainable energy sources.
Sir David King will formally open the Institute before he takes up his new role as Foreign Secretary William Hague’s new special representative for climate change where he will lead the UK’s overseas work on promoting low carbon growth.
Broad range of renewable energy research
The University has invested in the Institute, which undertakes research across a broad range of renewable energy technologies including solar electricity, biofuels and renewable chemicals. Researchers will also explore issues like energy storage, energy conversion and energy distribution which will drive forward the renewable energy sector.
Professor Werner Hofer, Director for the Stephenson Institute, said: “It is an honour to have Professor Sir David King to formally open the Stephenson Institute.
“The Stephenson Institute’s multidisciplinary team of researchers is focused on developing future energy technologies and behaviours. Our state-of-the-art facilities and unique pool of research expertise are at the forefront of research and teaching in areas including photovoltaics, thermoelectric materials, photocatalysis and lithium and sodium battery storage.”
Named after the 19th century engineering pioneers George and Robert Stephenson, the Institute brings together research, technologies and expertise from a broad mix of disciplines from across the University including Chemistry, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Engineering and Biology.
Training the next generation
In addition to its research programme, the Stephenson Institute will be a hub for training the next generation of scientists to meet the global demand for skills and knowledge in this emerging job market. It is leading the University’s recently announced `Centre for New and Sustainable Photovoltaic’, which will fund PhD students to work specifically on solar energy technologies.
The Institute is working with local, national and international partners from academia, industry and policy makers to develop an expert network to highlight energy research, technology and development issues and challenges.