Materials for Energy

The global costs of energy in both commercial and environmental terms have driven a range of developments aimed at enhanced sustainability in energy generation, supply and use. The role of materials in these developments is becoming increasingly critical as more sophisticated technologies are looked to as the key to reducing the environmental impact of the energy sector.

Improved efficiency, clean technologies and renewable energy sources all form part of the drive towards low carbon energy generation and conversion.

Clean and Sustainable Energy

Reduced carbon emissions targets in line with the Kyoto protocol have focussed attention on a range of low carbon energy generation technologies including renewables such as wind, wave, and solar energy, and clean technologies such as fuel cells. The low carbon approach has also driven the move towards development of a future hydrogen economy.

CERAM has expertise in materials and design for clean technologies including:

• Hydrogen generation including direct generation by photoelectrolysis of water
• Alloys for hydrogen storage
• Catalysts for fuel reforming
• Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) materials and design

CERAM, through its subsidiary CICS also provides a verification service for Companies seeking to take advantage of Climate Change Levy and Carbon Trading.

Energy Efficiency

The UK has become more efficient in its generation and use of energy. The Energy ratio – the tonnage of oil equivalent consumed per £1million of GDP has fallen by over 50% since 1970. Nonetheless energy costs have risen significantly over the recent past and remain a major cost for industry – particularly those industries which rely on high temperature processing.

We can help companies improve the energy efficiency of their processes in a number of ways:

• Process design to minimise energy use
• Materials for improved high temperature management
• Thermal and thermomechanical design for furnaces and process equipment

Product and process modelling to optimise energy efficiency even as far as production modelling and factory design.

Related Resources:

• Certification