England (Commonwealth Union) – Decarbonization has been much in focus in the last few years, with efforts like the insulation of cavity walls in British homes to save on energy bills. However, not all efforts in the pretext of decarbonization may be met positivity, with many Dutch farmers have been protesting government measures imposed on farmers who have stated that the new regulations imposed on them will force them to shut down their farms.
With decarbonizing energy system remaining a tough task, the Cambridge’s Institute for Energy and Environmental Flows, the world top scientist in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and surface science, are engaged in producing solutions needed to bring in new solutions to replace fossil fuels and preserve the planet. Possible new solutions may include options in all sectors to largely bring down carbon emissions.
Large cost and efficiency enhancements in wind and solar power have been adding up the renewable electricity supply. However, the associated intermittency needs essential energy storage infrastructure to replace the gas-fired power stations that protect from this intermittency. Other industries, like worldwide shipping, aviation, cement, fertilizer, and iron and steel need thorough solutions, like the possible application of hydrogen and carbon capture and storage mechanisms.
Professor Andy Woods, Director of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Flows (IEEF) said: “We need to transition our economy to low carbon sources of power as a matter of urgency. Universities like Cambridge are working hard to develop the science and technology to underpin this industrial revolution, in collaboration with industry.”
The Institute was set up at Cambridge in 2000, which was then referred to as the BP Institute. The IEEF’s researchers have joined hands with academic and industrial collaborators from across the globe, applying fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and surface science to assist in some of the prominent obstacles in decarbonization like geological carbon storage, superfast battery charging, efficient building heating systems and lubricants that bring down drag.
