Academics at the cutting-edge of research and developments in renewable energy are discussing the benefits of partnership with industry visitors from fifty countries as the UK's largest renewables show opens in Aberdeen.
The University team is among 600 exhibitors from 19 countries who are filling the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre for the largest All-Energy exhibition and conference to date.
Over 300 speakers include Alex Salmond MSP, First Minister of Scotland, Charles Hendry, the UK Minister of State for Energy, and experts including Professor Paul Mitchell from the University of Aberdeen, and colleague and leading energy industry economist and historian Professor Alex Kemp.
The University will be promoting its wide portfolio of research activity related to renewable energy, and the many opportunities for continuing professional development, business partnerships, and degrees at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Welcoming the opportunities this high-profile industry event presents, Professor Ian Diamond, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, said: “As an internationally-renowned research and teaching institution at the heart of Europe's energy capital and with academic links all over the world, we are ideally placed to work with the energy industry on the challenges it faces. From major research on the environment of the deepest oceans to the latest teaching on global economics, we thrive on developing solutions which will boost the sustainability and competitiveness of the energy sector.
“This is consistent with our aim is to be a partner of choice for the industry at a global level, by giving it the world-leading research, talented graduates, and highly-skilled professional colleagues to unlock and exploit the opportunities that lie ahead.
Professor Paul Mitchell added: “In terms of the breadth of our research activity, no other university has a wider portfolio of topics related to renewable energy than the University of Aberdeen.
“Particular strengths are in biomass and bioenergy, from sustainable land use to catalytic processes for the production of transportation fuels. We are at the forefront of research in fuel cells and hydrogen technologies for a range of applications, in marine energy including the development of a wave energy generator, and how water movement and sediment transport is affected by offshore windfarms. Our engineers are also looking at development of high-voltage DC technological solutions to reduce the costs and increase efficiency of the transmission of electricity generated in offshore wind farms to shore.
“We have a strong focus too on environmental science, much of which is centred on environmental impact of the energy industries, the impact of global climate change on soils and ecosystems and options for mitigation. And we also have health scientists looking at the effects of atmospheric pollution on health, academic colleagues looking at economic issues concerning the transition to sustainable energies, and experts in law who are providing specialist advice and training on emerging issues concerning renewable energy developments.
“We can bring the brightest minds in the business together around challenges our industry colleagues are facing, including the competitive edge of highly trained staff for today and tomorrow. We can help them shape the future - today.”