Energy

Topic description and stories

Research is tackling the need to reduce energy demand, maintain energy supply, increase the efficiency of energy-requiring processes, and develop policy and pricing strategies. To find out more about our research in energy, visit the Energy Interdisciplinary Research Centre (IRC) website.

Initial ISI-MIP simulation showing the effects on vegetation productivity at the highest emissions scenario (reduction: red to yellow; increase: green to blue)

Modelling impacts of a warming world

03 Oct 2012

A community-driven modelling effort aims to quantify one of the gravest of global uncertainties: the impact of global warming on the world’s food...

Scientists produce H2 for fuel cells using an inexpensive catalyst under real-world conditions

23 Aug 2012

One of the first stages of developing the new renewable energy source under an industrially relevant environment.

Wind turbines in the Thames estuary with heavy supporting structures under water.

How offshore wind turbines could be more efficient

17 Aug 2012

A Cambridge University study suggests that offshore wind farms could be 100 per cent more efficient in terms of energy payback if manufacturers...

Major investment will lead to new materials for the energy industry

07 Aug 2012

As energy companies begin to exploit resources located deeper in the sea bed, scientists at Cambridge University are taking part in a major...

Cambridge Ideas - The future of energy?

30 Jul 2012

Today, we consume a truly vast amount of energy - with demand continuing to skyrocket at an alarming rate.

Energy efficiency symposium - new attendees welcome

24 Jul 2012

Inaugural event will explore some of the latest in energy research.

Thermal image of two people standing outside a building. The study found that in many European countries, including the UK, predicted energy usage in homes bears little resemblance to the amount used in practice.

The prebound effect

03 Jul 2012

Many homes with poor energy efficiency are actually consuming far less energy than predicted, new research has found. The study has implications for...

Into eternity: the nuclear waste challenge

01 Jun 2012

How can we make nuclear waste safe for millennia? Fundamental research led by the University of Cambridge will help find the answers.

The galaxy NGC 4151. Researchers were able to use this galaxy to accumulate data about flares coming from a mysterious X-ray source close to the giant black hole at its centre.

“Echo” of light augurs new era in study of black holes

31 May 2012

A long-sought “echo” of light that promises to reveal more about supersized black holes in distant galaxies has been identified by an international...