Durham Energy Institute

As part of East Durham Artists Network (edan) "Stronger Seams: Beyond Coal" exhibition, the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics at Newcastle University and the Durham Energy Institute at Durham University is collecting dialect material associated with the legacies of the coal mining industry in East Durham/Tyne and Wear.

If you would like to take part in this, please click on the link below. The findings will be made available to the public later in the year, forming a record of the linguistic legacies of coal in East Durham in the early 21st century.

All contributions will be treated anonymously and, unless you voluntarily provide one, no email addresses will be collected. You can complete the survey without signing in. If you prefer a paper version, please email for one.

Any questions should be directed to Mike Pearce at [email protected].

Thank you.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwrS0HR_j31VNVDKH7Gmd8ARTWuSQmw_ajGOaSx2cScgAYmw/viewform

📢 We're Hiring: Grade 2 Admin Apprentice 📢

Looking to kick-start your career in administration and communications? DEI is recruiting an Admin Apprentice (Grade 2) to join our team and gain valuable experience while working towards a recognised Level 3 qualification.

About the role:
This is a key training role within DEI, providing administrative and communications support to the Institute's Management and Executive Teams. Working closely with the Institute Manager, you'll help promote DEI's world-leading research, events and activities through digital communications, written content and stakeholder engagement, while also supporting the day-to-day running of the Institute. This is an exciting development opportunity, offering structured training, hands-on experience and a clear pathway to develop your skills and career over a two-year apprenticeship programme.

Why join us?
✔️ 27 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays and 4 customary days (we close between Christmas and New Year!)
✔️ Excellent travel benefits including parking, Cycle to Work scheme, and discounts with local bus and train providers
✔️ Exclusive staff discounts at supermarkets, high street retailers, restaurants, attractions and technology products
✔️ Access to outstanding family-friendly benefits, including an Ofsted-rated Outstanding nursery and children's holiday camps
✔️ Health and wellbeing support, including discounted gym membership and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
✔️ Opportunities to volunteer and make a difference in the local community
✔️ Generous family-friendly policies and pension schemes
✔️ Ongoing learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career

Whether you're leaving school, starting your career journey, or looking for a new direction, this could be the perfect opportunity to build valuable skills in a supportive and innovative environment.

Apply here: https://durham.taleo.net/careersection/du_ext/jobdetail.ftl?job=26000883&lang=en

Don't miss out and please share with anyone who may be interested!

Admin Apprentice Click the link provided to see the complete job description.

Get along to see ‘Stronger Seams, Beyond Coal’ at Washington Arts Centre before it’s too late!

After this, the amazing exhibition will reappear at Beamish Museum later in the year 🖼️

🌊⚡ Offshore wind as the backbone of a secure, affordable and decarbonised grid

Durham Energy Institute was delighted to welcome Benj Sykes, UK Country Chair at Ørsted, and Chair of our Advisory Board, to Durham University for a special public lecture exploring the vital role offshore wind can play in delivering a secure, affordable and decarbonised energy system.

The lecture provided a timely opportunity to consider the future of the UK’s electricity system and the important role of offshore wind as we navigate the interconnected challenges of energy security, affordability and the transition to net zero.

A huge thank you to Benj for sharing his insights and expertise, and to everyone who joined us and contributed to the discussion.

It was great catching up with you too Sam Rushworth, MP for Bishop Auckland!

If you are at Durham Miners' Gala today, pop in and see our stall in the Redhills Village.

This week, we're delighted to welcome three students from UTC South Durham to the Durham Energy Institute for what is our first dedicated Year 10 work experience programme.

Over the next five days they'll experience life at a university research institute through a packed programme of hands-on activities, including meeting researchers, visiting engineering laboratories, analysing real UK energy data, exploring sustainable energy systems, attending a Durham University graduation ceremony, visiting the Botanic Garden, and developing their own low-carbon school design. They'll even spend time in their chosen academic department to experience research first-hand.

We hope this week will inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, researchers and innovators, while giving them a genuine insight into how research can help tackle some of society's biggest energy challenges.

We wish them every success and hope they have a fantastic week with us!

It was a pleasure to welcome KS4 and KS5 students and teachers to Durham University yesterday for our International Women in Engineering Day outreach event.

The day brought together inspiring women from across academia, industry, and technical roles to share their journeys into engineering, what motivates them, and the impact of their work in shaping a more sustainable future. The panel discussion and Q&A sparked thoughtful questions and great engagement from students, highlighting both curiosity and ambition in the next generation.

Alongside the panel, students took part in lab tours and a solar car seminar, offering a hands-on insight into engineering in practice. Our sincere thanks go to the Durham University Department of Engineering Outreach team for coordinating these sessions so effectively.

We are especially grateful to our fantastic chair, Professor Barbara Anne Vest OBE, and to our panellists, Professor Jelena Ninic, Dr Beth Barnes CEng MICE, Dr Huashan Bao, Isha Saxena, and Amanda Hayton for sharing their experiences so openly and inspiring so many young people.

Thank you to all the schools who joined us, and to colleagues across the University who helped make the day such a success. We look forward to building on this momentum and working together again next year.

Could the North Sea have a new use in helping to keep the lights on?

New research from Durham Energy Institute shows how old oil and gas fields in the North Sea could be used to store green hydrogen - enough to support the UK’s future electricity needs for up to 7 years.

This would create a large-scale seasonal energy reserve to help the UK transition to net zero.

Our modelling - from geologists and engineers across Durham University - shows hydrogen could be made using excess wind and solar power. This would then be stored underground until it’s needed, using and adapting infrastructure that already exists in the North Sea.

This would mean reliable energy when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun isn’t shining, and less reliance on imported fuels.

Find out more here: https://www.durham.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/durham-energy-institute/about-us/news/north-sea-hydrogen/