Imperial College London has a long and distinguished history of conducting pioneering research that has contributed significantly to the development of sustainable energy solutions. One of the earliest areas of focus for the university was solar energy, with researchers studying photovoltaic cells and solar thermal technologies as far back as the 1950s. Imperial explored both silicon-based photovoltaics and early thin-film technologies, making important contributions to improving conversion efficiencies and lowering production costs.
In more recent decades, Imperial has ramped up its sustainable energy research activities substantially. In 2006, the Grantham Institute – Climate Change and the Environment was established to bring together Imperial’s world-leading expertise across many areas relevant to mitigating and adapting to climate change. This includes research focusing on low-carbon energy technologies and systems, energy storage, smart grids and distribution networks, renewable power generation from sources such as solar, wind, marine and geothermal, low-carbon transport, sustainable urban design and planning, climate change impacts and resilience, environmental policy and economics.
One of the key areas Imperial has investigated is solar photovoltaic technology, with a focus on developing new low-cost thin-film technologies that offer huge potential for solar power deployment. Researchers developed some of the world’s most efficient multi-junction solar cells using compound semiconductors like gallium arsenide. They also pioneered the use of transparent oxides as front contacts on thin-film silicon solar cells, enabling manufacturing efficiencies. More recently, Imperial scientists have researched emerging perovskite solar cell materials that could rival silicon-based PV for cost and performance.
Energy storage is another major research theme, especially as it relates to integrating variable renewable power sources like wind and solar into the grid. Imperial has developed advanced lithium-ion batteries, flow batteries, supercapacitors and thermal energy storage technologies. They are also exploring hydrogen fuel cells and production from renewable power as an energy carrier. One notable project involved deploying the UK’s first residential energy storage system linked to rooftop solar PV.
Imperial is a world leader in research into sustainable marine renewable energy sources like wave, tidal, and offshore wind power. Engineers played key roles in developing innovative offshore wind turbine and foundation designs. Oceanographers study resource characterization and environmental impacts. Social scientists investigate community engagement and public policy support. Researchers also work on testing marine energy converters and developing advanced power take-off and control systems.
Energy systems modeling and analysis is another core area of focus. Imperial researchers build sophisticated energy system simulation tools and whole-systems optimization models to design low-carbon, resilient and affordable pathways for countries, regions and cities. This work evaluates integration of renewables, low-carbon heating, electrified transport, grid infrastructure needs, demand-side flexibility and more. Key partnerships include advising policymakers at national and city levels.
Imperial also conducts extensive research regarding low-carbon transport solutions like electric vehicles, vehicle-grid integration, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, advanced biofuels and sustainable urban mobility planning. Other work examines low-carbon heating technologies such as heat pumps, district heating networks and integrated community energy systems combining generation, storage and demand-side response.
Through these many research efforts over decades, Imperial College London has made numerous seminal contributions advancing sustainable energy technologies, systems, policies and solutions. They continue tackling critical challenges as countries worldwide accelerate transitions to net-zero carbon economies powered increasingly by renewable energy. Imperial’s cross-disciplinary expertise will prove invaluable for pioneering the next generation of clean energy innovations needed to mitigate climate change. Their researchers play a leading role in both scientific progress and advising real-world deployment of sustainable energy solutions globally.