Imperial academic named as new Director of £22m energy research centre

The UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) will help the UK work towards its net-zero target under the new leadership of Imperial's Dr Rob Gross. The UK has pledged 'net-zero' emissions by 2050, which requires decarbonizing key sectors such as industry, transport and heat, alongside developing and rolling out technologies that remove carbon from the atmosphere. This new phase of funding will enable us to implement an exciting new agenda of research and engagement, and to inform the decisions that need to be made over the next five years. Dr Rob Gross UKERC 's research programme aims to help the UK's transition towards a net-zero energy system and economy. It will explore the potential economic, political, social and environmental costs and benefits of energy system change, and consider how these impacts can be distributed equitably. Dr Rob Gross , from the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial, has been named the new Director for UKERC's fourth phase, which is supported by £18m funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) with partners contributing £4 million. The funding will enable engineers, social scientists and natural scientists to conduct vital research on global energy challenges and their implications for the UK.