Topic

The Economics of Flexibility Service Contracting in Local Energy Markets: A Review

Using insights from transaction cost economics, this review adapts a theoretical model to analyse the contractual arrangements underpinning both local energy markets, the delivery of flexibility services therein, and the end-to-end process of flexibility service delivery.

01 April 2025

Regulating Electricity Distribution Networks for Net Zero

This study analysed uncertainties around the uptake of low carbon technologies (LCTs) across the British electricity distribution networks and how they are being managed within the existing regulatory framework known as RIIO-ED2.

07 March 2025

Consultation response

Call for Evidence response: Energy Security and Net Zero Committee on ‘Unlocking community energy at scale’

UKERC welcomes this inquiry and the UK government’s ambition to achieve clean power by 2030, including 8GW of local and community-owned energy.

12 February 2025

Rethinking retrofit: Relational insights for the design of residential energy efficiency policy

This research develops an alternative ‘relational’ framing to re-examine the assumptions surrounding the retrofit ‘customer journey’ and the accompanying policy framework. In doing so, the study draws on three United Kingdom (UK) case studies, exploring the customer journey of households self-funding renovations and retrofit through semi-structured interviews.

22 January 2025

Accelerating transitions? Planning for decarbonisation in local and regional energy systems

In this paper, UKERC researchers frame local and regional energy systems as experimental spaces for the introduction of new technologies and processes.

10 January 2025

Public perceptions of heat decarbonisation in Great Britain: Awareness, values and the social circle effect

This journal article explores public attitudes of three decarbonised heating technologies currently being trialled or entering the market: heat pumps, hydrogen heating, and district heating networks. It found that network modelling estimated normative social forces (ie the ‘social circle’ effect) were highly influential in shaping attitudes to decarbonised heating.

26 November 2024

Financing community energy case studies: Edinburgh Community Solar Cooperative

This report presents a case study of Edinburgh Community Solar Cooperative, exploring how it financed the project against a backdrop of diminishing government support for grassroots sustainable development.

Financing community energy case studies: Green Energy Mull

This report presents a case study of community energy project Green Energy Mull, exploring how it was financed against a backdrop of diminishing government support for grassroots sustainable development.

Financing community energy case studies: Gwent Energy

This report presents a case study of Gwent Energy, exploring how it was financed against a backdrop of diminishing government support for grassroots sustainable development.

Financing community energy case studies: Brighton and Hove Energy Services

This report presents a case study of Brighton and Hove Energy Services co-operative, exploring how it was financed against a backdrop of diminishing government support for grassroots sustainable development.

Meeting report

Meeting report: heat networks and governance

UKERC partnered with DECC and ETI last month to seek input and feedback on plans for the £300 million in heat network capital expenditures announced in the government's Spending Review. Amber Sharick, UKERC Business Engagement Manager, and Jan Webb, UKERC Researcher & Professor of Sociology of Organisations at the University of Edinburgh, report on the discussions.

19 May 2016

News

UKERC Researchers Give Evidence to Select Committee Inquiry on Clean Energy Workforce Planning

Earlier this month, UKERC researchers Dr. Richard Hanna (Imperial College London) and Dr. Christian...

25 March 2025

UKERC research informs Climate Change Committee’s advice on the Seventh Carbon Budget

UKERC research on the availability of future electricity network infrastructure has been cited in...

26 February 2025

UKERC’s Public Engagement Observatory is looking for Norfolk residents to take part in climate engagement survey.

The survey is on public engagement with energy, climate change and net zero in the UK.

25 February 2025

UKERC Responds to Energy Security and Net Zero Committee call for evidence on ‘Unlocking community energy at scale’

UKERC welcomes this inquiry and the UK government’s ambition to achieve clean power by 2030,...

12 February 2025

Accelerating transitions? Planning for decarbonisation in local and regional energy systems

This blog summarises a synthesis paper based on research completed in the UKERC Local and Regional...

08 January 2025

Blog

UK energy governance is changing fast, here’s what’s needed to get it right

In this blog, Jess Britton and Richard Lowes discuss Ofgem's Regional Energy Strategic Plan policy...

28 November 2024

Talking Energy: The UKERC Podcast – The Crunchy Decade for Energy Policy with Dhara Vyas

Check out the latest episode of the UK Energy Research Centre podcast with the new Energy UK CEO...

26 November 2024

Blog

Clean Heat without the Hot Air: British and Dutch lessons and challenges

This blog reflects on the evolving approach to heat decarbonisation in Britain and changes needed...

30 May 2024

Making local authority energy ambition a reality

In this blog Mags Tingey and Jan Webb highlight how supportive policies will be necessary for local...

17 June 2020

Financing community energy in a brave new world

This article draws on four community energy case studies to explore how projects are financed...