UK Energy Research Centre Phase 4

英国的能源系统正在迅速变化。从1990年到2017年，温室气体排放量下降了43%，可再生能源现在占发电量的30%。尽管取得了这一进展，但在电力部门以外实现减排一直很困难，如果不采取更有效的政策行动，进展可能会停滞。《巴黎协定》意味着英国可能必须比目前的目标走得更远，以实现净零能源系统。减少排放并不是唯一重要的能源政策目标。此外，还需要取得进展，同时最大限度地减少消费者和纳税人的成本;保持高水平的能源安全;并最大限度地提高经济，环境和社会效益。显然需要进行研究，以了解影响能源系统的技术、经济、政治、环境和社会动态的性质，包括这些动态的地方、国家和国际组成部分。该提案列出了UKERC第四阶段研究和参与（2019-2024）的计划，以应对这一挑战。它包括一个关于可持续未来能源系统的跨学科研究方案。这是由现实世界的能源挑战驱动的，同时探索新的问题，方法和议程。它还解释了如何进一步发展UKERC的核心活动，包括支持能源研究人员和决策者的新能力。UKERC第四阶段研究计划将专注于实施能源转型的新挑战和机遇，并将关注三个主要问题：-全球，国家和地方的发展将如何影响英国向低碳能源系统转型的形状和步伐？能源系统变革的潜在经济、政治、社会和环境成本和收益是什么？如何公平分配？-哪些参与者可以带头实施英国能源转型的下一阶段，以及对政策和治理的影响是什么？为了解决这些问题，该研究计划包括七个相互关联的研究主题：全球背景下的英国能源;地方和区域能源系统;能源，环境和景观;能源基础设施转型;移动能源;热能能源系统;和工业脱碳。该提案列出了这些主题内的研究细节，相关博士生奖学金计划以及灵活研究基金的细节，该基金将用于委托额外的研究项目，范围研究和支持整合。第一个关于能源和经济的整合项目将在UKERC第四阶段开始时进行。研究主题由四个国家能力补充，这些能力构成研究计划的一部分：扩大的技术和政策评估（TPA）能力;新的能源建模中心; UKERC能源数据中心;和新的公众参与观察站。TPA和天文台内部的研究将与主要研究主题保持一致并结合起来。这四项能力也将增强UKERC为学术界、政策界、产业界和其他利益相关者提供证据、数据和专业知识的能力。UKERC总部团队将支持研究计划的管理和协调;还将承担一系列其他职能，以支持更广泛的英国能源研究界及其主要利益相关者。这些职能包括促进学术界、政策界、工业界和第三部门利益攸关方之间的联网和参与（包括通过联网基金），支持职业发展和能力建设，以及加强国际合作（包括通过联合王国参与欧洲能源研究联盟）。

The UK energy system is changing rapidly. Greenhouse gas emissions fell by 43% between 1990 and 2017, and renewables now account for 30% of electricity generation. Despite this progress, achieving emissions reductions has been difficult outside the electricity sector, and progress could stall without more effective policy action. The Paris Agreement means that the UK may have to go further than current targets, to achieve a net zero energy system. Reducing emissions is not the only important energy policy goal. Further, progress need to be made whilst minimising the costs to consumers and taxpayers; maintaining high levels of energy security; and maximising economic, environmental and social benefits. There is a clear need for research to understand the nature of the technical, economic, political, environmental and societal dynamics affecting the energy system - including the local, national and international components of these dynamics. This proposal sets out UKERC's plans for a 4th phase of research and engagement (2019-2024) that addresses this challenge. It includes a programme of interdisciplinary research on sustainable future energy systems. This is driven by real-world energy challenges whilst exploring new questions, methods and agendas. It also explains how UKERC's central activities will be developed further, including new capabilities to support energy researchers and decision-makers.The UKERC phase 4 research programme will focus on new challenges and opportunities for implementing the energy transition, and will be concerned with the three main questions:- How will global, national and local developments influence the shape and pace of the UK's transition towards a low carbon energy system?- What are the potential economic, political, social and environmental costs and benefits of energy system change, and how can they be distributed equitably?- Which actors could take the lead in implementing the next stage of the UK's energy transition, and what are the implications for policy and governance?To address these questions, the research programme includes seven interrelated research themes: UK energy in a global context; Local and regional energy systems; Energy, environment, and landscape; Energy infrastructure transitions; Energy for mobility; Energy systems for heat; and Industrial decarbonisation. The proposal sets out details of research within these themes, plans for associated PhD studentships and details of the flexible research fund that will be used to commission additional research projects, scoping studies and to support integration. A first integration project on energy and the economy will be undertaken at the start of UKERC phase 4.The research themes are complemented by four national capabilities that form part of the research programme: an expanded Technology and Policy Assessment (TPA) capability; a new Energy Modelling Hub; the UKERC Energy Data Centre; and a new Public Engagement Observatory. Research within TPA and the Observatory will align and integrate with the main research themes. These four capabilities will also enhance UKERC's ability to provide evidence, data and expertise for academic, policy, industry and other stakeholder communities.The UKERC headquarters (HQ) team will support the management and co-ordination of the research programme; and will also undertake a range of other functions to support the broader UK energy research community and its key stakeholders. These functions include promoting networking and engagement between stakeholders in academia, policy, industry and third sector (including through a networking fund), supporting career development and capacity building, and enhancing international collaboration (including through the UK's participation in the European Energy Research Alliance).