DONG Energy Appoints News Chair of Renewables at Durham University, UK

Professor Janusz Bialek of Durham Energy Institute has been appointed as the new DONG Energy Chair of Renewable Energy at Durham University.

Professor Bialek’s research focuses on achieving a stable, secure, sustainable and economic supply of electricity while meeting the challenges of reducing CO2 emissions. His particular expertise is in technical and economic integration of renewable generation in the power system, preventing electricity blackouts. These areas reflect DONG Energy’s own aim of moving energy forward to more sustainable supplies with lower CO2 emissions.

The post is part of the growing collaboration between DONG Energy and Durham University in renewable energy research. The post was previously occupied by Professor Phil Taylor and has been funded by DONG Energy for the past three years. Their sponsorship continues as Professor Bialek takes up the position.

The funding will support Professor Bialek’s work to develop a world-class programme of research and provide leadership in the renewable energy domain as well as contributing to taught and research postgraduate training. The chair of renewable energy also includes training and scholarships for the next generation of energy experts.

Professor Bialek said:

“We are grateful for DONG Energy’s continuing support of our training and scholarship programmes in Energy research. They are a great asset for the development of the renewable energy industry in the North East. We will be training people in the region who can set up their own renewable energy companies or work in offshore wind. The potential for North East job opportunities in offshore wind is huge because of the region’s oil, gas and shipbuilding heritage.

“DEI is committed to multidisciplinary energy research and we are delighted that DONG Energy show, by sponsoring of this position in general, their appreciation that while engineering of renewable energy is obviously of vital importance, social, economic, and political aspect have to be also considered.”

Brent Cheshire, UK chairman of Dong Energy, said:

“The Durham Energy Institute is one of the UK’s leading institutions and we are pleased to continue our partnership with them in sponsoring the Renewable Chair. The UK needs to be at the forefront of developing the technologies we need to support low-carbon energy and that includes academic research as well as development of the industry. We must also ensure we work together, industry and academia to bring down the costs of energy to give the best value possible to the consumer in the UK as we make the transition to sustainable supplies. ” 

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Press release, July 18, 2013