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Durham Energy Institute
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How our energy research is making an impact

Durham Energy Institute are very proud of the impact that our projects achieve.

We ensure we achieve maximum impact by engaging collaboratively with partners and stakeholders from government, energy industry and local communities to address key energy challenges.

Below you can see some of the many projects that are producing that step change needed to achieve a net-zero world.

Our energy research is making a real impact in the world

Innovative wind turbine testing now used on world's largest turbines

The more accurate dual axis wind turbine test developed at Durham University is now being used by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.
OREC Blyth welcomes the longest wind turbine blade

Putting power in the hands of households

Our innovations are making the energy system flexible and safe enough so households can trade the energy they generate with each other and the grid
SWii project Hong Chris and Tai holding Smart energy equipment

Addressing energy vulnerability in Haringey Borough Council

DEI have worked with Haringey local authority and communities to develop the borough’s Affordable Energy Strategy (2020-2024).
People listening to speaker on DEI Coal Day Tour

Transforming how we heat and power our homes

An innovative design for a highly efficient and flexible electrical generator which can convert hydrogen or other fuels into electricity and heat.
FPEG Free Piston Engine technology picture

Monitoring carbon storage sites using cosmic rays

DEI has developed a novel and cheaper way to monitor captured carbon stores deep under the ocean.
Cosmic Ray Cosmo Simulation

Developing a whole systems approach to energy vulnerability

InCluESEV developed a whole systems methodology to ensure equity and justice are considered across the whole life-cycle of a technology or policy
Solar panels and windfarm

Game changing heat recovery and storage technology

A zero carbon emission solution using low-grade heat sources to deliver heating, cooling, electrical power and storage in one integrated system.

Sustainable plastic using biowaste and captured CO2

A DEI project looking at CCS from Industrial clusters proposes a new way of making plastic which uses waste materials and emits less greenhouse gases.
Plastic bottles

Addressing uncertainties in Offshore Wind planning

A new methodology enables better risk-informed decisions to be made for long-term investment and short-term operations planning in offshore wind farms
An offshore wind farm

Supporting the UK to build its Geothermal resource

DEI are working with policy and research partners in UK and across Europe to research and develop the potential of Geothermal Energy in the UK.
Geothermal energy icon blue

ECO2 COP Schools Climate project

Ahead of COP26 over 4000 pupils from 130 schools in 13 countries took part in the ECO2 Climate Conference to learn about COP.
ECO2 Smart Schools COP Climate Conference logo

Examples of our Research Impact

Action in Communities: Access to Energy and Addressing Fuel Poverty

Durham Energy Institute works with communities to support local energy projects and to inform local discussions on energy issues such as fracking and heat networks. It also works with local authorities and regional bodies on regional energy projects and has a schools outreach programme on energy education and encouraging engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths subjects. Read more

Sustainable Transport - Hydrogen and Electric Vehicles

DEI is supporting the transition to low-carbon forms of transportation. Our research includes new fuels for transportation, new engine designs, electrifying transportation and the infrastructure required for these transformations.

Putting Power Back in the Hands of Households

Durham is leading on innovations to make our energy system flexible enough and safe enough so that future households can begin to trade the energy they generate with each other as well as to the national grid.

Clean Growth: A Partnership for the Future in Offshore Wind

We are supporting the UK Offshore Wind Industry to become a global leader. Working with industry leaders, our research is helping to reduce costs, improve turbine design and enhance maintenance and operation in the sector. 

Geothermal Energy for the UK: Clean Growth and Innovation

The UK's geothermal resources are significant and could supply heat to the UK for over a century. Durham University leads research into the potential for geothermal energy in the UK and beyond.

Completed Projects

Addressing public concerns around fracking

  • ReFINE - Researching Fracking In Europe Exploring the risks of hydraulic fracking
  • Framing “Fracking”: Public concerns surrounding hydraulic fracturing and unconventional fossil fuels in the UK.

Partnerships for sustainable development 

  • The Rising Powers, Clean Development and the Low Carbon Transition in Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Transforming Energy Access (TEA) initiative.

People-centred Development and Design

  • PEOPLE project: (People-Centred Development Approaches in Practical and Learning Environments)
  • Customer Led Network Revolution (CLNR)
  • Haringey community-based initiatives and energy vulnerability
  • Sustainable Futures for solar and battery systems network

Technical solutions to global energy challenges