It is inconceivable to study energy conversion and provision without consideration of environmental impacts. Our research and knowledge exchange expertise on the impacts of energy is truly interdisciplinary, and includes staff from every Faculty across the University, to answer what are often global challenges.
Our research and knowledge exchange spans a wide range of energy and environmental themes from exploiting new sources of energy in our environment and mitigating the environmental impacts of existing energy conversion technologies, to understanding environmental and climatic changes and assessing their impacts on new generation technologies.
Examples of our work on new sources of energy include exploiting abandoned mine workings as a source of renewable heat for communities. We are also investigating environmentally-sensitive approaches to the use of carbon-neutral biomass or bio-based feedstocks, its sustainable production and transportation, pyrolysis, bio-transformation and utilisation. Our experts are also contributing data and knowledge to inform the debate in contentious areas such as the potential exploitation of the UK’s extensive reserves of unconventional hydrocarbons, specifically addressing the question if this can be achieved in a way that is socially and environmentally acceptable, developing appropriate protocols and a meaningful evidence-based dialogue with stakeholders.
Strathclyde's research and knowledge exchange academics are developing new facilities to forecast and test the long-term impacts of poor weather conditions on wind turbine blades and developing new materials that are more resilient to weather-based erosion and corrosion. We are also investigating the impact of tidal conversion technologies on the aquatic environment, investigating phenomena such as sea bed scouring and the impact of tidal turbines on wildlife.
Turning to mitigating the impacts of energy conversion and utilisation, our researchers are working on solutions for waste disposal from nuclear generation, such as investigating innovative grouting solutions and state-of-the-art environmental monitoring solutions for geological repositories. We also have experts investigating the impact of fossil fuel combustion from transport heating and cooking, specifically measuring the effects of combustion on the air quality of our homes and cities. We are also investigating the nexus of energy, environment and health, monitoring housing to examine relationships between fuel poverty, low indoor temperatures, the resulting poor environmental conditions and their health impacts.