New
and Renewable Energy Research at RAL:
The Energy Research Unit (ERU)
specialises in performing and enabling innovative research on new and renewable
energy technologies. The Unit, which was established over 20 years ago, has an
international reputation in wind energy research covering a broad range of
topics including:
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aerodynamics |
» |
materials
testing |
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power
electronics |
» |
power
output and demand forecasting |
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flywheel
and battery energy storage |
» |
wind
flow modelling and computer simulation |
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control
systems |
» |
integration
into electricity supply system |
More recently, ERU has
broadened its research activities to include:
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photovoltaics |
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hybrid
renewable energy systems |
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development
of marine renewable energy systems |
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acoustic
emission monitoring and other non-destructive testing techniques |
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hydrogen
energy technologies |
| » |
integration
of wind turbines into buildings |
| » |
effects
of climate change on energy usage, sustainability and efficiency |
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The
ERU Test Site Facility:
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The ERU maintains
and operates the ERU Test
Site facility on behalf of the Engineering and Physical Sciences
Research Council (EPSRC) for use
by UK-based academic researchers and students. The site boasts a wide
range of equipment including two major experimental wind turbines, two
diesel generators, two flywheels, battery storage, a photovoltaic
panel and three meteorological masts. These experimental
facilities are suited to investigating technical, integration and
control aspects of new and renewable energy exploitation. The site
regularly hosts innovative experimental structures such as wind
concentrators and other experimental wind turbines. The site's
meteorological record dates back to 1987.
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Download a technical
specification (pdf format) of the ERU Test Site facilities .
Examples of experiments
performed at the facility include:
Tests of an
instrumented wind turbine to identify key condition monitoring
parameters
Imperial
College London/University of Loughborough/EPSRC
Monitoring and development of
battery charge management systems for stand-alone PV systems
University of
Southampton/RAL(ERU)/EPSRC
Testing of vertical- and
horizontal- axis wind turbines in a wind concentrator structure
Imperial College
London - as part of a project funded by the European Commission
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If you are interested in using the ERU
Test Site facilities please contact Dr
Jim Halliday or Dr Geoff Dutton.
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ERU
and The Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research:
The ERU is one of nine
UK-based research institutions that together form The
Tyndall Centre - a new, inter-disciplinary research initiative dedicated to
the identification, promotion and facilitation of sustainable solutions to the
climate change problem. The overall aim is integration of a wide range of
innovative scientific and technological research, including economic and social
research, to explore and develop sustainable solutions to the climate change
challenge. The Centre is scheduled to become operational on 1 October 2000 and
is funded through an initial five-year grant of £10m from three of the UK
research councils, together with initial co-funding commitments from the Department
of Trade and Industry and the University of
East Anglia.
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Engineering
Instrument Pool:
The ERU also manages the Engineering
Instrument Pool on behalf of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research
Council (EPSRC). The Instrument Pool
consists of portable research instruments for use by research grant and
studentship holders. These instruments are available for short term use (1
month) to those have a current EPSRC grant, and also to Biotechnology and
Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
funded users, at no charge. Other members of the academic community may be
required to have a hire fee paid as appropriate. Instruments will be transported
and demonstrated but it is the responsibility of users to insure them, apply
them to their own work and to operate them whilst on loan.
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ERU
staff
Staff contact details
For more
information about ERU and its activities, please contact Dr
Jim Halliday
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