Speaker: John Loughhead BSc(Eng) MSc DIC ACGI, Executive Director, UK Energy Research

The story of energy is one of cycles, from the largest to the smallest scales: economic, technological, chemical, thermodynamic, and biochemical. In this talk we shall explore these cycles, how they are a history of engineering and science, and how they might develop as we look for a new means of energy supply.

From the nano-power stations embedded in plants, animals, and even humans, to schemes on a geological scale, the range is striking. Exploiting these cycles could alter the nature of energy engineering and may, as happened a century ago, become the drivers of a new generation of technologies.

The original development of reliable energy supply is one of the greatest achievements of science and engineering. It is the foundation of advanced economies and brings enormous social advantages, largely taken for granted by the 70% of the world’s population who benefit from it. It was also a key driver of the emergence of engineering, firstly through need for energy and transport, and then in opening up the development of novel devices which exploited the exciting new possibilities of electricity

Recently however there has been growing belief that burning the fossil fuels that provide most of this energy is starting to have an adverse effect on the climate of the planet. Evidence from environmental scientists continues to accumulate, pointing towards potentially damaging changes in weather patterns threatening to alter the very basics of our lives.

Among the responses to this has been a large increase in research efforts to find new means of sourcing and delivering energy with much reduced impact on the environment. If this is successful could we be returning to the energy sources of 200 years ago, those which when replaced by fossil fuels were found to have been the limiting factors on industry and society?

If we are, what can new scientific insights and modern engineering technology do to stop a cycle back to the lower living standards of the early 19^th century?

About the speaker | John Loughhead, Executive Director, UK Energy Research   

John Loughhead is Executive Director of the UK Energy Research Centre. The Centre is charged with conducting whole systems research while ‘networking’ the energy research community. A major part of John’s role is high-level networking with UK and overseas researchers and Governments - particularly in India and China - while ensuring that the Centre continues to operate on the cusp of energy research and policy, with strong ties to Government.

John’s professional career has been predominantly in industrial research and development for the electronics and electrical power industries. He started at the then GEC Mechanical Engineering Laboratory where he developed what still is the standard design code for European space vehicles. He subsequently led GEC’s Thermofluids Division which developed new and renewable energy technologies, and was one of the first UK industrial developers of fuel cell systems.

John then became Director of the GEC Engineering Research Centre before moving to Paris as Vice-President for Technology. In those roles he set up the major European grouping developing solid-oxide fuel cells, pursued the application of high temperature superconductors and co-ordinated all other technology development across the whole product range.

For several years John has been extensively involved in national and European public sector technology programmes, as a member of various advisory committees and chair of policy reviews in the area of future electric power systems.

He is a member of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council Technology Board, Assessor for the DTI Technology Programme, Advisor and Assessor to the European Commission Directorate-General Research, chaired the EC Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Implementation Panel and has recently been appointed co-chair of the Implementation Committee of the International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy. He is a member of several university advisory boards and of the UK’s Energy Research Partnership.

IET London Local Network event

The Institution’s London Local Network would like to invite all guests to join them for a complimentary glass of wine in the Common and Lancaster Rooms at the conclusion of the lecture. The informal networking evening will continue in the Kelvin Bar, where light snacks and drinks can be purchased, once dinner guests have been called to the Riverside Room. Both Institution members and non-members are welcome to attend this event, so please indicate your attendance on the registration form.

Dinner

The Address will be followed by dinner in the Institution’s Riverside Room, which offers spectacular views over the River Thames. Why not take the opportunity to meet fellow professionals and share experiences with those with similar interests in an informal setting? Please note that places are limited.

Live Webcast

For those that cannot attend this event, please note it will be webcast live on IET.tv.  To view, go to www.iet.tv and the transmission will begin 10 minutes before the main event  at 18.30 BST.