Information on Loughborough

E.ON sponsors University research chair

Posted on 18/07/2007
Loughborough Newsdesk

eonSmarter ideas for summertime cooling of buildings are among projects being researched through a new E.ON sponsored university professorship for innovative energy use at Loughborough University.

To steer the new groundbreaking research, a leading expert in buildings and their energy systems, Professor Dennis Loveday, has been appointed to the post which has been established under the Research Chair Scheme of the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE).

The sponsorship of the Loughborough University Chair is a first for E.ON UK and part of the companys multimillion R&D programme. The research programme focuses on developing new innovative ways of producing, distributing and using energy in a climate friendly way.

Bob Taylor, Managing Director of Energy Wholesale and Technology, said: Our sponsorship of the Loughborough University research chair is an exciting step for E.ON UK. The investment highlights E.ONs commitment to changing energy and finding climate friendly solutions for generating and using energy today and tomorrow.

"It also underlies our continuing support for Loughborough University and finding and nurturing tomorrows talent and expertise.

Professor Lovedays role is to provide leadership in research focused on the built environment and how energy can be used more efficiently. He will create a world-class team, including academic staff and students. The team will investigate innovations and technologies and develop their commercial potential in collaboration with industry.

Professor Loveday said: "Collaboration between E.ON, the Royal Academy of Engineering and Loughborough University brings together outstanding expertise to help develop innovative low carbon energy solutions.

"Having the opportunity to demonstrate leadership in climate friendly technologies is also a tremendous recognition of Loughborough Universitys capabilities in this vital field, together with those of the region as a whole.

"This exciting development fits closely with Loughborough Universitys research strategy and will enhance our ability to attract the best researchers and thinkers, so that we achieve a capability that is recognised in the UK and worldwide as one of the focal points of low carbon energy research for the future.

The research programme will last five years and during the first 12 months will focus on low energy cooling for buildings with two of the projects involving an innovative cooling system installed in ceilings and the use of natural ventilation to control house temperatures.

Other themes are integration of renewable energy into buildings, IT and intelligent controls for buildings and the impact of climate change on building design, occupier comfort and energy demand.

Rob Barrett, Manager of the Royal Academy of Engineering Research Programme, commented: "The Academy is delighted to be supporting this important area of research and it coincides with one of our initiatives to provide engineering-led advice on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from energy production and usage, and the sustainability of both.