Shaping a sustainable energy future

Connecting research, policy and society

The Arctic is at the forefront of climate change, and we’re leading thinking across energy policy, law, and a just transition. Researchers from our departments of Geography, Law, and Anthropology came together to take forward the debate at our recent Chancellor in Conversation event.

Advancing clean energy technologies

Innovation is also driving advances in clean energy technologies. Earlier this year, Durham spin-out company H2CHP secured a £1.5 million funding boost to accelerate the development of its next-generation power generation technology. Built on more than a decade of research led by Professor Tony Roskilly, the company's fuel-flexible generators can operate using hydrogen, ammonia, biofuels and e-fuels, supporting lower-carbon and more resilient energy systems.

Rethinking energy storage

Looking ahead, we have a key role in a major £7 million programme to rethink how energy can be stored. The five-year EleComp project, supported by an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Programme Grant, is developing structural power composites that combine storage capacity with mechanical strength. By embedding this capability directly into materials, the project could lead to lighter, more efficient technologies across sectors including transport, aerospace and consumer electronics.

Addressing wider environmental priorities

Our commitment extends beyond energy systems. We are also developing new ways to tackle soil degradation in sub-Saharan Africa, helping to improve environmental resilience, support sustainable agriculture and strengthen food security in communities most affected by climate change.

Delivering interdisciplinary impact

Together, these projects show the value of Durham's interdisciplinary approach: connecting academic expertise across fields to generate new knowledge, develop innovative technologies and deliver practical solutions for a cleaner, more secure future.

Find out more

• Read more about our Arctic-themed Chancellor in Conversation event.
• Explore further Professor Tony Roskilly’s research and his spinout company H2CHP.
• Discover how the EleComp project is rethinking energy storage.