Our publications

Energy Futures Lab Briefing Papers

Drawing on research from across the College and beyond, the Energy Futures Lab Briefing Papers aim to bring clarity to topical energy issues. Led by Dr Aidan Rhodes, the reports provide recommendations for policymakers and other energy sector stakeholders based on thorough assessments of the evidence base. The Briefing Papers are available to download from the Energy Futures Lab website. Recent such reports include: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/energy-futures-lab/ reports/briefing-papers/paper-11/ https://www.imperial.ac.uk/energy-futures-lab/ reports/briefing-papers/paper-10/ https://www.imperial.ac.uk/energy-futures-lab/ reports/briefing-papers/paper-8/ https://www.imperial.ac.uk/energy-futures-lab/ reports/briefing-papers/paper-9/ https://www.imperial.ac.uk/energy-futures-lab/ reports/briefing-papers/paper-5/

Materials for Energy: This Briefing Paper investigates the current availability and development of materials for the energy sector. It assesses the likelihood of supply chain issues as demand for low-carbon energy grows and examines the state of development of novel materials in the sector. The report makes policy recommendations to strengthen the security of critical material supplies.

Accelerating the transition to heat pumps: This Briefing Paper explores the potential impacts and feasibility of one approach to supporting the transition to heat pumps: leveraging early adopters by measuring in-situ heat pump installation outcomes and sharing these as case studies to enable peer-to-peer learning among consumers and installers.

The Future of Home Heating: This Briefing Paper explores the prospects for the future of home heating with specific reference to heat pumps and hydrogen. The advantages, challenges, and technicalities of the two technologies are investigated and a series of policy recommendations are made to accelerate the decarbonisation of the UK's heating sector.

Balancing Privacy and Access to Smart Meter Data: This Briefing Paper investigates four key elements of smart meter data privacy: existing data protection regulations; the personal information embedded within smart meter data; consumer privacy concerns; and privacy-preserving techniques that could be incorporated alongside existing mechanisms to minimise or eliminate potential privacy infringements.

Digitalisation of Energy: This briefing paper investigates the impact of new digital technologies on energy applications. The overarching objective is to understand the effects these technologies will have on the current energy system, the new challenges they will pose, and the policies and regulatory measures which will assist in making them a success.

Energy Futures Lab White Papers

Aimed at industry stakeholders and policymakers, the Energy Futures Lab White Papers leverage the expertise of the energy community at Imperial to offer timely, impartial and academically rigorous assessments of energy technologies and reliable analysis on important energy topics. Recent White Papers include: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/energy-futures-lab/ reports/white-papers/net-zero-gb-electricity/ https://www.imperial.ac.uk/energy-futures-lab/ reports/white-papers/sustainable-batteries/

Net-zero GB electricity: cost-optimal generation and storage mix: Using modelling from the IDLES Programme at Imperial College London, this White Paper sets out how Britain's electricity system can be transformed to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, detailing a range of cost-efficient portfolios of electricity generation and storage technologies. The report finds the capacity of offshore wind needed to achieve net-zero electricity for Great Britain in 2035 is at least twice the existing 2030 target and that a substantial increase in the volume of energy storage is needed to support a system dominated by wind and solar energy.

Safe and sustainable lithium-ion batteries: This White Paper from Energy Futures Lab and the Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering investigates the safety and sustainability of lithium-ion batteries, exploring ways of reducing their impact on the environment and ensuring they do not pose a danger to the health of workers or users. The report calls for the implementation of sustainable procurement principles that can ensure the sourcing of battery materials with reduced environmental footprints. This requires the establishment of traceability and audit mechanisms, which also can provide essential information for end-of-life management that can contribute to the establishment of a viable circular battery economy.