EDF Energy says that EDF R&D has signed a £4m strategic partnership with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The agreement will see UK academics joining forces with EDF Group’s world class R&D specialists at the European energy efficiency research centre (ECLEER), to understand how people use energy in their homes now and in the future as new low carbon technologies are introduced.

The results could accelerate the availability and delivery of low carbon technologies within homes and businesses in the UK. An example of this could be “next generation” heating systems in the form of ground and air source heat pumps1.

The agreement will draw on the expertise of researchers in the field of domestic eco-efficient, low carbon energy technologies at universities across the UK.

The four year partnership, will seek to address the barriers affecting the take up of energy efficient technologies and the transition to a low carbon economy.

The agreement will provide funding to research projects, open to all academics in the UK, looking at technical, sociological and economic approaches to accelerate the roll out of energy efficient technologies and local renewables in the UK.

Eric Salomon of EDF Energy’s Energy Services said, “We’re delighted to have our own energy efficiency R&D experts join forces with the leading UK academics in this area.

“The results of this research will help us speed up the delivery of low carbon technology to residential and business customers around the UK, and could help reduce energy costs and their carbon footprints.”

“This is exciting because the research will facilitate the roll out of new technologies, which could see current household boiler systems eventually replaced by low carbon technologies like heat pumps in the same way that DVD’s have replaced videos.”

Dave Delpy EPSRC Chief Executive said, “We are very pleased to be partnering EDF in this important strategic area.

“They have significant expertise in technical, social and economic aspects of home energy efficiency. This expertise, combined with research from leading UK academics, will be essential if the UK is to meet its carbon reduction targets whilst delivering secure and affordable energy to UK homes and businesses.”

Tags: EDF Energy