The University of Aberdeen will showcase its world-leading research at Offshore Europe this week, focusing on key areas of the energy transition including offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, and data and artificial intelligence.
The University will also highlight how it is equipping the workforce of the future with the skills essential to meeting the key energy challenges of our time.
A series of talks will take place on the University’s stand (2E68), as part of a programme of events highlighting how the University is ‘breaking boundaries’ in its research and teaching with its focus on maximising impact by working across traditional academic disciplines.
This will include inputs from leading academics who are presenting their research as part of the conference’s technical programme.
Topics under discussion include how research is helping companies harness the opportunities presented by data and artificial intelligence, with talks taking place on Wednesday that will highlight current projects where the University’s expertise is helping businesses digitalise their products.
On Thursday, activity on the stand will highlight research investigating the hydrogen storage capacities of UK offshore hydrocarbon fields and potential synergies with offshore wind, as well as possibilities for the co-storage of hydrogen and CO2.
The University’s focus on skills will also see talks on the stand highlight current programmes and partnerships, including with the National Energy Skills Accelerator (NESA) which has provided funding for selected on-demand learning courses to help people upskill for the energy transition.
Other activity taking place as part of the programme include evening events being held by the National Decommissioning Centre (stand 1S40), which will host a panel discussion at the NDC on Wednesday exploring the challenges and opportunities in establishing a sustainable and truly integrated UKCS energy basin.
Meanwhile, the University’s School of Engineering will mark its 100-year anniversary on Thursday with a celebration event which will see alumni, students, staff, partners and supporters come together to celebrate a century of achievement. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the University’s Integrated Petroleum Geosciences (IPG) MSc programme, internationally regarded as one of the top vocational training pathways into the energy industry.
Professor John Underhill, Director of the University’s Centre for Energy Transition, said the University’s activity at Offshore Europe will highlight the valuable impact of its energy-related research and teaching activities in supporting the energy sector now and into the future.
He said: “50 years on from when Offshore Europe was first held at the University of Aberdeen, we are pleased to continue to play an active role at the conference with a busy schedule of events highlighting how our research and teaching is helping to accelerate the energy transition.
“Many of our academics are presenting their research as part of the conference’s technical programme, which is testament to their expertise as well as to the University’s focus on supporting the energy sector in the transition to net zero.
“Meanwhile, our partnerships with bodies such as NESA and with a range of energy companies who support student scholarships demonstrate our shared commitment to producing the skills and talent that is vital to meeting these ambitions.
“We are looking forward to welcoming people to our stand to hear from our staff about their work in helping the sector navigate the key energy challenges of our time – as well as how we might be able to help their company or organisation adapt to a fast-changing energy landscape.”