Summary

The LCRI comprises staff from:

• Welsh School of Architecture (WSA), Cardiff University (lead partner),
• Cardiff School of Engineering (CSE), Cardiff University,
• Sustainable Environment Research Centre (SERC), University of Glamorgan,
• School of Engineering (SoE), University of Wales, Swansea,
• School of Chemistry (SoC), University of Wales, Bangor,
• The Centre for Solar Energy Research (CSER), Glyndwr University,
• Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University.

This group of partners is not considered exclusive and actively seeks to extend its membership through collaborative research programmes with other high quality research groups.

Over £5.1 million has been received from the Higher Education Funding Council For Wales (HEFCW) under the Reconfiguration and Collaboration Fund to develop the LCRI for 5 years from April 2008.

This funding is to establish a multi-centre, multi-disciplinary research collaboration which is:

• recognised internationally as an research institute promoting excellence in research and contributing to the future direction of energy research and strategic thinking,
  
• recognised by, and interacts with, other international centres of excellence,
  
• a regional partner to UK government energy research initiatives such as the UK Energy Research Centre.
• Provide independent authoritative advice to the Government in respect of its energy policy and related issues.
• Encourage and guide interdisciplinary collaborative research, development and technology transfer via integrated programmes of work.
• Contribute to the national and international economy through the application of low carbon research in industry, government, and at an individual level.
• Develop partnerships among University researchers and end users in industry and government.
• Develop capacity and facilities around the existing areas of low carbon and energy expertise in Wales whilst expanding research activities into other energy related areas.

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The Low Carbon Research Institute (LCRI) has secured £34M, over the next three years, from the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO).

Part of the European Research Development Fund (ERDF’s) Convergence and Regional Competitiveness and Employment programmes, the cash injection will enable Wales and Welsh Universities through the LCRI and its industry partners to lead the way in the development of new research to cut carbon emissions.

The funding will provide a strategic, coordinated approach for interdisciplinary industrial energy research in Wales and provide a research base for the energy sector industries to help them deliver government targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions and enable these industries to compete on an international stage.

Announcing the funding at Cardiff University in October 2009, the then First Minister for Wales Rhodri Morgan said: “Wales has a vital role to play in tackling global environmental changes.

“This programme will place Wales at the forefront of industry led research to achieve more affordable low carbon energy, improve energy efficiency from a range of sources and reduce energy demand across all sectors.”