ºÚÁÏÍø hosts UK’s first World Bank Energy Storage Partnership Stakeholder Forum

Sustainable energy experts from across the globe have arrived at ºÚÁÏÍø for the World Bank Energy Storage Partnership (ESP) Stakeholder Forum – the first time the event has ever been held in the UK.

Hosted by the University, the World Bank’s  (ESMAP) and the UK , 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 ºÚÁÏÍø’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  a reality. 

Building on ºÚÁÏÍø’s reputation for energy storage research, the programme will feature talks from experts at ºÚÁÏÍø’s Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST), as well as ºÚÁÏÍø’s , 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 ºÚÁÏÍø, said: “We're delighted to be hosting the Energy Storage Partnership Stakeholder Forum here at ºÚÁÏÍø 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 ºÚÁÏÍø, 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 ºÚÁÏÍø. 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 ºÚÁÏÍø’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 ºÚÁÏÍø first in the UK and 15th globally for advancing Affordable and Clean Energy – the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7.