Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford
Conversion and use of energy are associated with many environmental problems, notably the ‘wicked problem’ of climate change. The ECI’s energy research programme focusses on the issues raised by our need for transition to secure, low-environmental-impact and equitable energy systems. This will involve changes in technology, skills, activities, knowledge, markets, policy and governance.
RESEARCH THEMES
Our work is organised into themes each led by a senior researcher, and with extensive collaboration across the programme.
Energy Systems and Governance
Focuses on major changes to whole energy systems, including the way they are organized and how decisions are made. Led by Nick Eyre.
Projects +Energy Demand Policy
Focuses on existing and potential policies to reduce energy demand, including work on equity and fuel poverty issues. Led by Tina Fawcett.
Projects +Energy Monitoring and Analytics
Focuses on developments in energy and environmental monitoring.
Projects +Flexibility
Focuses on ways to balance supply and demand, including storage, demand response, networks and generation.
Projects +Smart systems and everyday life
Focuses on human dimensions of energy systems, including human-technology interfaces, the relationship between everyday practices and energy use, decision-making, social learning and the role of ICT. Led by Sarah Darby.
Projects +Builders and Buildings
Focuses on the practices and processes of innovation in the construction industry, and its potential role in delivering and maintaining low-energy buildings. Led by Gavin Killip.
Projects +Energy, Organisations and Society
Focuses on the dual role of organisations as energy consumers and as providers of energy-consuming goods and services.
Projects +Transport and Mobility
Focuses on reduced energy consumption, behavioural change and socio-technical transitions towards low-carbon, clean and energy efficient transport systems. Led by Christian Brand across ECI/TSU.
Projects +Energy news
Research outputs
Strategic review of UK energy efficiency programmes finds savings of upto 10%
A new study co-authored by Dr Nick Eyre sheds light on what works, where the gaps are, and future priorities for researchers and policy makers.
- Jun 2015
Dr Sarah Darby reviews progress towards the planned roll-out of smart energy meters by 2020.
The report, led by Sarah Darby, was commissioned by DEFRA and gathered evidence from projects around the UK which looked into householder engagement with smart meters, evidence around changing behaviours and energy feedback among others.
- Mar 2015
Latest publications
- Brand, C. (2021) Focusing just on electric cars could impede race to net zero. UKRI (EPSRC, ESRC, NERC) Impact Case Study, 26 August 2021
- Logan, K.G., Nelson, J.D., Brand, C. and Hastings, A. (2021) Phasing in electric vehicles: Does policy focusing on operating emission achieve net zero emissions reduction objectives? Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 152: 100-114.
- Brand, C. (2021) Active Travel's Contribution to Climate Change Mitigation: Research Summary and Outlook. Active Travel Studies, 1(1).
- Goodhew, J., Goodhew, S., Fox, M., Alencastro, J. and Killip, G. (2021) Visualising Defects via Thermography (DeViz): A combined technological, behavioural and quality systems approach to achieving near zero defect buildings. Proceedings of ECEEE Summer Study (online), 7 - 11 June 2021. paper 8-091-21.
- Hampton, S., Knight, L., Scott, H., Budnitz, H., Killip, G., Wheeler, S., Smith, A., Eyre, N. (2021) Pathways to a zero carbon Oxfordshire. Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford
- Hampton, S., Killip, G., Smith, A., Eyre, N., Knight, L., Scott, H., Budnitz, H., Wheeler, S. (2021) Pathways to a zero carbon Oxfordshire. Proceedings of ECEEE Summer Study (online), 7 - 11 June 2021. paper 5-096-21.
