Energy Transition

For more than 40 years experts at the University of Aberdeen have been combining our academic excellence with industry expertise to innovate and make positive change for the future of global energy. Our Schools are at the heart of what we do - why not find out how you can study with us?

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Accelerating the Energy Transition

"The University of Aberdeen has a long history of delivering innovative solutions that address current and future energy challenges. Being situated in Aberdeen, Europe’s Energy Capital and a city renowned throughout the world for technological development and inspiring solutions, we are best placed and well connected to understand the needs of the industry and make a real difference.

Our energy work provides a focus for all areas of energy-related research, with an emphasis on supporting industry and policy makers in the transition to clean, sustainable energy and renewables. Our expertise is hugely varied and spans the generation and storage of energy, reuse of materials and the challenges of decommissioning, the requirements of technology and digitalisation. We also address the energy transition within the oil and gas industry and inform the policy, societal and environmental impact and sustainability of our future energy requirements."

Professor John Underhill, Director of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Energy Transition

Watch Professor Underhill discussing our research into energy transition here.

Download the Centre for Energy Transition Brochure (PDF)

The Energy Trilemma

How do we ensure communities have access to the energy they need at a cost they can afford whilst not destroying the planet and its climate in the process? The University of Aberdeen can play a key role in meeting this challenge.

Security of Energy Supplies

Supplies need to be consistent & uninterrupted

Affordability

Energy must be financially accessible to all

Environmental Sustainability

Energy supplies need to be environmentally clean

Interdisciplinary Energy Transition Projects

Energy transition is a challenge affecting all of us and is necessarily commanding research across many disciplines. Browse the project summaries in our Interdisciplinary Research Project Database to find out more about how the topic feeds into the work of researchers across the University of Aberdeen.

Comparing rural attitudes to solar PV farms and windfarms in the UK

A new scoping study will allow us to better understand how photovoltaic solar energy farms might affect relationships with rural environments.

Multiphysical assessment and monitoring of flooded underground coal mines for sustainable geothermal energy use

A new project aims to explore the hydrological and environmental impact of using the floodwater found within the UK’s abandoned coal mines to provide geothermal energy.

Research

Discover how research across the University is informing the wider conversation around energy transition.

Driving down the cost of windfarm decommissioning

Our scientists are involved in research to assess the cost of windfarm decommissioning. Here we take a closer look at their work to create a ‘playbook’ for industry, in the most detailed study of its type in the world.

Using new methodology to improve renewable energy efficiency

A new software tool has been developed to improve the design and efficiency of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems.

Transforming decommissioning with academic and industry collaboration

The National Decommissioning Centre is a £38 million partnership established to support decommissioning activity by combining academic excellence and industry expertise.

Transforming oil analysis with a lab-on-a-chip

An advance in cutting-edge technology is reducing downtime and costs by allowing companies to analyse oil samples on site.

Using renewable energy to produce sustainable materials

The Leverhulme Centre for Doctoral Training was established to equip a new generation of researchers with the expertise required to convert organic waste into sustainable materials.

Reducing environmental impacts with ‘stackable’ cars

Our researchers are supporting a groundbreaking project to reduce pollution, congestion and emissions in urban areas.

Planning peatland windfarms with carbon calculations

An innovative tool has been developed to examine the environmental impact of peatland windfarms on carbon emissions.

Unearthing oil and gas potential within volcanic landscapes

By analysing volcanic rocks under the seabed, our researchers are identifying areas for oil and gas exploration.

Videos

Blogs & Opinions

Experts from across the university share their views on energy transition

Opinion

National energy strategy long overdue but good news for the north-east

John Underhill, the University's Director for Energy transition, welcomes the recent publication of the UK's new national energy strategy.

Blog

Just Transition workshop brings together scholars and Aberdeen's civil society

Achieving climate goals is impossible without significant transformation of our energy systems in a way that increases the share of low-carbon energy, says Dr Daria Shapovalova.

Blog

Is there a role for blue hydrogen in a green energy transition?

Russell McKenna, Anna Peecock, Alfonso Martinez-Felipe and Angel Cuesta debate whether low-carbon hydrogen is a distraction in the journey towards a zero-carbon future.

Podcast

Financial Security in Offshore Decommissioning

PhD Student Arturo Regalado discusses his National Decommissioning Centre-led project which seeks to find out how different instruments used to ensure financial security impact the oil and gas industry and government.

Energy Transition - Interdisciplinary Fellows

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Our interdisciplinary challenges

Our interdisciplinary challenges represent research areas of historic and emerging excellence that are capable of supporting a diverse research portfolio and delivering globally excellent and measurable benefits to society, the economy and health. Explore how we are working towards a brighter future, while actively supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Energy Transition

For more than 40 years we've combined our academic excellence with industry expertise, to innovate and positively affect the future of global energy.

Social Inclusion and Cultural Diversity

In a rapidly changing world, we aim to be open to other perspectives and understand how culture and diversity shape human experience.

Environment and Biodiversity

By making the most of our proximity to nature, our researchers are addressing major environmental challenges both close to home and far afield.

Data and Artificial Intelligence

We have carried out research in data science and AI for more than 30 years, discovering new ways to improve health and daily life with this technology.

Health, Nutrition and Wellbeing

Our interdisciplinary strengths, healthcare expertise and industry collaborations underpin our commitment to addressing major health challenges with our research.