Independent whole systems research for a sustainable energy future

UKERC Annual Assembly 2026 – Energy Minister to UKERC: “We Will be Relying on you More Than Ever”

The two-day event provided an opportunity to share progress across UKERC’s research programme, discuss current energy policy challenges, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration across our research…

03 June 2026

Publications

Journal article

A Critical Geopolitics Analysis of “Critical Minerals” Discourses from Formal Geopolitics, Indigenous and Civil Society Actors

Steps for strengthening recognition of Indigenous perspectives in critical minerals are discussed in this journal article, and the research introduces a proposed new perspective of ‘geos-politics’ – the politics of minerals, nature and the geosphere that merge Western and Indigenous perspectives.

11 August 2026

Briefing paper

The Cost of Electricity in the UK: Drivers, Challenges and Opportunities for Reform

This UKERC Briefing Paper provides an analysis of the drivers behind high electricity bills, the expected trajectory of bill components through 2030, and the policy and market reforms that could meaningfully reduce costs for UK households.

28 July 2026

Journal article

From Coal Town to Smart Town: Place, Power, and the Politics of Energy Decentralisation

This paper explores the local politics of potential top-down decentralised energy systems, by focusing on a zero carbon project in Rugeley.

22 July 2026

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News

Article

New Funding Launches for Ultra Long Duration Energy Storage Projects

New funding has been made available through Innovate UK to support the development of ultra long…

04 August 2026

Article

From Coal Town to Smart Town: Place, Power and the Politics of Energy Decentralisation

A new study published in Energy Research & Social Science asks an uncomfortable question — what…

04 August 2026

Article

Press Release: New UKERC report identifies reforms for reducing UK electricity bills

A new report from the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) sets out practical reforms that could…

29 July 2026

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Events

UKERC hosted

17 November 2026 – 18 November 2026

UKERC Inclusive Writing Retreat 2026: Applications Now Open

UKERC is delighted to open applications for the 2026 Inclusive Writing Retreat, taking place in…

10 August 2026 – 14 August 2026

Modelling Behaviour for Global Challenges: Epidemics and Energy Systems Workshop

Hosted by Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences Background This is a satellite…

19 August 2026

The Practice of Community Development: a SCDC perspective’ (hybrid event)

Wednesday the 19th of August, from 12:30 to 13:30 Location: Level 8, Strath Union, University…

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