Hosted by the University, the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) and the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the forum aims to address the key technological and policy challenges associated with energy storage.
The five-day event, which started today(Monday 26 June), will provide a crucial platform for renowned researchers and practitioners to showcase their work, and will explore how new and innovative energy storage technologies could be adapted to help developing countries reduce their carbon emissions.
The organisation of the forum has been led by Loughborough’s Centre for Sustainable Transitions: Energy, Environment and Resilience (STEER), an internationally renowned multi-million-poundresearch centre working with partners across the world, from decision-makers to energy-poor communities, to make the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 a reality.
Building on Loughborough’s reputation for energy storage research, the programme will feature talks from experts at Loughborough’s Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST), as well as Loughborough’s Climate Compatible Growth Programme, a FCDO-funded programmewhich supports investment in sustainable energy and transport systemsacross the Global South.
Professor Dan Parsons, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Loughborough, said: “We're delighted to be hosting the Energy Storage Partnership Stakeholder Forum here at Loughborough University this week, bringing together experts from around the world to tackle the pressing challenges of energy storage as part of a net zero future.
“At Loughborough, we're proud to be leading the way in sustainable energy research, and we're fully committed to advancing affordable and clean energy solutions on a global scale. This event presents an exciting opportunity for us to further contribute to the transition towards a more sustainable future.”
Demetrios Papathanasiou, Global Director for the World Bank's Energy and Extractives Global Practice added: “We are very pleased to bring together multiple energy storage practitioners at Loughborough University. The Energy Storage Partnership Stakeholder Forum promotes the adaptation of new and innovative storage technologies to developing countries’ needs, supporting decarbonization and universal access to clean electricity. It provides best international practices and a platform where World Bank clients and other stakeholders share the challenges and opportunities faced when deploying energy storage systems and renewable energy in developing countries.”
Hosting the forum further highlights Loughborough’s position as a global leader in research and commitment to affordable and clean energy. Earlier this month, the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings placed Loughborough University first in the UK and 15th globally for advancing Affordable and Clean Energy – the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7.