Durham Energy Institute Joint Conference with North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers

Thursday and Friday 15-16 April 2021, 09.30-17.00, Online Zoom Conference

The Transition to NET-ZERO in the North of England

Joint Conference between Durham Energy Institute and North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers. How can the North transition to a net-zero economy by itself, and how can net-zero technologies create jobs in the North. This event is aimed at showing a public/policy/academic audience what is on offer, what can be done and what is being done here in the North.

Day One

Panel1: Geological Record of Climate and Extinctions

The Great Northern Coalfield gave birth to the Industrial Revolution and set in motion an uptick in carbon emissions from fossil fuel which have paved the way for our modern world. To open our conference this session will explore how those coal fields formed, what effect the increase in carbon emissions may be having on the global climate and what the legacy of our ‘Anthropocene’ period might be for the Earth.

Chair: Professor David Harper, Department of Earth Sciences

Panellists:

Dr Chris Cleal (National Museums Wales), Formation of the British/North East Coal Measures

Liz Thomas (British Antarctic Survey), Recent Climate Change

Professor Jan Zalasiewicz (University of Leicester), The legacy of the Anthropocene

Professor Tim Burt (Dept of Geography Emeritus, Durham University), Durham Temperature Record

Panel 2: Geology for the Energy Transition

Much attention on ‘green’ technologies has focused on developments in materials science, but the problems and opportunities surrounding geological resources are just as important to consider. This session will explore how our local geological resources may provide low-carbon solutions and how we still depend on global supplies of metals for our ‘clean’ technologies.

Chair: Laura Brown, Centre Manager, Centre for Energy Systems Integration, Newcastle University

Panellists:

Professor Jon Gluyas (Department of Earth sciences, Durham University & DEI Executive Director), Topic TBC

Dr Charlotte Adams (Coal Authority & DEI Associate Fellow), Minewater Heating in the North East of England

Steve McDonald (Durham County Council), Louisa Centre Mine Water Heat Project

Dr Andrew Bloodworth (British Geological Survey), Critical Metals

Panel 3: Materials for the Northern Energy Transition

The North has long been known for its role coal mining, but many new and exciting low-carbon technologies are being developed and manufactured by researchers and industrial companies across our region. This session focuses on the contributions of Northern academia and industry to new solar and battery materials and the opportunities and challenges faced by industry to successful roll-out of new technologies.

Chair: Dr Douglas Halliday, Department of Physics, Durham University & DEI Co-Director

Panellists:

Dr Budhika Mendis (Department of Physics, Durham University & DEI Fellow), Solar Power Materials

Neil Spann (Power Roll), Unlocking unmet demand in the Solar PV Market – Power Roll a unique solution

Dr Paul McGonigal (Department of Chemistry, Durham University), Battery Materials

Jeet Singh (CPI), Opportunities in battery materials to accelerate electrification of transport

Panel 4: What do we want from COP26 and how do we get it?

The UK will host COP26 in 2021. As the crucial arena for global action to cut carbon emissions, the UK as host has a privileged position to influence debate. What should be highlighted, and how can we ensure that debates are informed by research?

Chair: Helen Stockton, National Energy Action & DEI Advisory Board

Panellists:

Professor Simone Abram (Anthropology Department Durham University & DEI Co-Director)

Professor Gavin Bridge (Department of Geography & DEI Fellow)

Alyssa Gilbert (COP 26 Universities Network)

Henry Carr (President, Student Energy Durham & Ex-Officio Member of DEI Advisory Board)