UoN Energy Institute

A new research project will investigate an emerging, sustainable waste treatment technology based on smouldering combustion to efficiently treat nuclear graphite waste.

Researchers from the University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Engineering have been awarded funding to explore the use of applied smouldering, or flameless combustion, as a novel thermal method to reduce nuclear graphite waste bricks to ash. This process will harness the energy contained within the graphite to destroy itself.

News - New research will use sustainable smouldering technology to tackle nuclear waste - University of Nottingham A new research project will investigate an emerging, sustainable waste treatment technology based on smouldering combustion to efficiently treat nuclear graphite waste.

We’re pleased to share that Jo Darkwa and co-investigators John Calautit and Rabah Boukhanouf have secured £54,000 from the East Midlands Investment Zone Innovation Accelerator Fund for the ITESS-DH project. An additional £55,000 of industrial support has also been provided by NRG Sense Ltd

The project will assess a variable-temperature thermochemical energy storage system (VTTESS) for Nottingham’s district heating network, supporting the city’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2028.

The technology offers high energy density, low thermal losses and flexible long-duration heat storage, helping district heating networks better integrate renewable energy, waste heat and excess electricity while improving resilience and reducing peak demand.

The feasibility study will include site assessment, operational analysis and prototype calibration, with the goal of delivering a demonstrator-ready specification for future deployment.

⚡ From clean energy installations in Nairobi to cutting-edge fusion manufacturing research, the latest edition of the Energy Institute newsletter showcases the growing impact of our community.

This semester’s highlights include:
🌍 Delivering reliable solar power to schools through the African SCENe project
🔬 Advancing fusion energy manufacturing and sustainable materials research
♻️ Building momentum around sustainable lab practices
🎤 A packed programme of major conferences, workshops and innovation events

Read how our researchers, partners and students are helping shape the future of low-carbon energy systems and delivering real-world impact across the globe.

http://eepurl.com/jDtHZg

Energy Innovation & Collaboration Find out about the latest energy research, news and events taking place at the University of Nottingham.

In the media: Energy Institute member, Dr Hafez Abdo, contributes expert commentary to a Channel 4 News FactCheck analysing whether reopening or expanding North Sea oil production could ease the UK’s current energy price pressures.

FactCheck: would opening up North Sea oil again resolve the current energy price problems for the UK? A number of prominent political voices have said drilling in the North Sea is the answer to the energy crisis. We’ve spoken to experts to find out more.

The underground hydrogen transmission pipe will connect some of the country's most important industrial regions.

National Gas programme director for hydrogen, Corinna Burger, said the project would drive "decarbonisation of one of the nation's most strategically important industrial corridors".

It is hoped Project Union will become the blueprint for a national hydrogen network for Britain.

National Gas plans hydrogen pipe from Teesside to the Midlands The pipline will run through Teesside, Yorkshire and the Humber and into the East Midlands.

On Thursday morning, the Cornish plant will be switched on after nearly two decades in development which required Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL) to drill the deepest on-shore well in the UK.

The water, super-heated by rocks, will help drive turbines to generate electricity for 10,000 homes, but will also provide the UK's first domestic supply of lithium - a critical mineral used in green technology.

Earth's heat to produce electricity for homes in UK clean energy first Water super-heated by rocks will also provide the UK's first domestic supply of the critical mineral lithium.

The research found that the emissions from any one of the 14 biggest companies were by themselves enough to cause more than 50 heatwaves that would otherwise have been virtually impossible. The study shows, in effect, that those emissions caused the heatwaves.

Carbon emissions from oil giants directly linked to dozens of deadly heatwaves for first time Study shows how individual fossil fuel companies are making previously impossible heatwaves happen and could have to pay compensation

The UK and US are set to sign an agreement focused on accelerating the development of nuclear power.

The agreement aims to generate thousands of jobs and strengthen Britain's energy security.

But how many years will it take before the nuclear projects generate energy for homes and businesses?

UK and US unveil nuclear energy deal ahead of Trump visit Key among the plans is a proposal to build up to 12 advanced modular nuclear reactors in Hartlepool.

Researchers at the University of Nottingham Energy Institute have investigated the implementation of ice-source heat pump systems in urban areas and residential buildings and have proposed a new system design.

“Ice-source heat pumps can be easily combined with solar power production,” the research's corresponding author, Ramin Mehdipour, told pv magazine. “The continuous and stable operation of the ice-source heat pump makes it more suitable to PV compared to other heat pumps.”

Find out more >

New research shows viability of residential ice-source heat pumps Scientists in the United Kingdom have demonstrated the feasibility of residential ice-source heat pumps in cold climates and densely populated areas. They designed a heat pump system that utilizes existing gas pipelines to transport water.

Forster said the CCC had found that reaching net zero would not destroy the UK’s economy, contrary to some claims. “We think it will be beneficial to our economy – not instantly, but by the seventh carbon budget [from 2038] the economy will be receiving significant benefits, and we expect that to continue [to 2050],” he said, referring to previous research ahead of the assessment report published on Wednesday.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jun/25/uk-can-reach-net-zero-by-2050-climate-report-finds

Big news for the UK’s hydrogen sector!

The UK Government has announced a £500 million investment to accelerate hydrogen production and infrastructure, aiming to support over 12,000 jobs and drive the country’s transition to cleaner energy.

This is a significant step toward net zero and a strong signal of confidence in the role hydrogen will play in our future energy mix.

🔗 Read more:

£500m boost for hydrogen to create thousands of British jobs Thousands of clean energy jobs to be created through new hydrogen funding.