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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/Y035542/1
Title: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Renewable Energy Northeast Universities Plus (ReNU+)
Principal Investigator: Beattie, Professor NS
Other Investigators:
Phan, Professor A Mendis, Dr B Johnston, Dr KE
Ireland, Dr MT Zoppi, Professor G Barrioz, Dr V
Gibson, Professor EA Groves, Professor C Xing, Dr L
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Centre for Process Innovation CPI (UK) CPACT Durham County Council
Emerald Green Power Forge Nano Horiba UK Ltd
Johnson Matthey Kurt J Lesker Co Ltd National Energy Action
National Nuclear Laboratory Net Zero North East England Newcastle City Council
North East LEP (Local Enterprise) North Tyneside Council Northern Gas Networks
Northern Lithium Northern Powergrid Northumberland County Council
Northumbrian Water Group plc NSG Group (UK) Port of Tyne
Procter & Gamble Royal Air Force (RAF) Royal Society of Chemistry Publishing
SCG Chemicals Co. Ltd South Tyneside Council SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd
Tescan UK Ltd University of Calgary University of Johannesburg
Department: Fac of Engineering and Environment
Organisation: Northumbria, University of
Scheme: Centre for Doctoral Training
Starts: 01 July 2024 Ends: 30 September 2032 Value (£): 5,289,248
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Energy Efficiency Materials Synthesis & Growth
Sustainable Energy Networks Sustainable Energy Vectors
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Energy
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
20 Nov 2023 EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training Interview Panel O November 2023 Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
The ESPRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Renewable Energy Northeast Universities Plus (ReNU+) is a transformative programme that will train a new generation of Doctoral Carbon Champions (DCCs) who are characterised by scientific and engineering excellence and capable of interdisciplinary systemic thinking to accelerate Net Zero. The outcome from ReNU+ will be that DCCs will meet critical needs in high-skill employment across industry, policy, education and government and convert key challenges in resilience and equity into economic opportunities for the United Kingdom. This will be achieved through a professionally accredited training programme in a thriving environment of research excellence led by Northumbria, Newcastle and Durham universities.

The 2023-2035 energy landscape sets a compelling context for ReNU+ and in particular, the need for future leaders in this space in the United Kingdom. Locally generated renewable energy will provide the UK with increased energy security and critically important additions in electricity capacity to meet domestic and industrial demands. This is only one piece of the landscape however, which also includes sustainability (e.g. critical materials supply), resilience (e.g. climate change mitigation) and an equitable transition to Net Zero, which offers both economic and health benefits. The absorptive capacity for ReNU+ DCCs is partly evidenced by the forecast of 694,000 new UK jobs in the low carbon and renewable energy economy by 2030 (source: UK Local Government Association).

The ReNU+ training programme has a core focus on developing key skills that facilitate understanding of and engagement with the wider Net Zero system including investment, regulation and end-user engagement. It will become a reference for high-skill training in Net Zero that redefines the role of scientists and engineers as critical catalysts for decarbonisation who deliver impact well beyond technology. ReNU+ identifies a critical link between equality, diversity and inclusivity and decarbonisation and includes key innovations to leverage this link. Consequently, DCCs will also develop societal and citizenship values as they become living examples of the future workforces to enable an equitable and sustainable transition to Net Zero. This approach has been validated by our partners who have co-designed and will co-deliver the ReNU+ training programme. This support includes national and local Government, multinational companies, small-to-medium enterprises and charity organisations.
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Summary
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