Distinctive Strathclyde
Space & Aerospace Science
At Strathclyde, frontier research is underway on current and future space systems, the next-generation of sustainable aerospace transport, space exploration, satellite applications and the sustainable exploitation and colonisation of space.
Our research has a target horizon of more than 50 years in the future but deploys practical solutions, over a wide range of technology readiness levels, to respond to the needs of today.
This research is multidisciplinary and covers a range of applications. These include space exploration and air-space traffic management, earth observation, aerodynamic analysis and design, multi-disciplinary, multi-objective robust design and optimisation, resilience and sustainable engineering, spaceports, on-orbit servicing, mission analysis and design, and advanced propulsion systems.
The Centre for Space Science and Applications works on a broad range of space physics problems, such as testing the Equivalence Principle and gravitational wave detection from space, developing more efficient and greener fuels for engines, and the exploitation of satellite data for environmental monitoring of the Earth’s oceans.
The Centre is a multi-disciplinary venture addressing key challenges in space systems engineering, satellite applications and access to space.
Sustainability research that will help with the transition to a low/zero carbon world
Strathclyde’s commitment to driving research that will help Scotland, the UK and the world achieve Net Zero stretches across all our activities.
Advanced Net Zero Innovation Centre
The University is currently establishing the Advanced Net Zero Innovation Centre, an innovation hub within the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland to support the journey to deliver a sustainable Net-Zero economy by accelerating the development and deployment of technology supporting decarbonisation and energy transition in the aerospace, rail and heavy-duty vehicle markets, and the development of hydrogen as a fuel for domestic heating and industrial energy.
Developed within Rolls Royce’s Inchinnan plant, the centre will enable the scale-up of its wide-ranging collaboration activities with industry partners across sectors such as heat, transport and power electronics.
It will be a major addition to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland and brings together our capabilities in electrical systems and advanced manufacturing to support new jobs, economic growth and position Scotland and the UK at the forefront of decarbonised transport, heat and energy.
Power Networks Demonstration Centre
Established in 2013, the Power Networks Demonstration Centre (PNDC) is a whole energy systems research, test and demonstration facility with a focus on the de-risking and acceleration of novel electricity, heat and transport systems that have the potential to make a material contribution to the realisation of Net Zero emissions.
PNDC is an open-access facility and engages with the innovation ecosystem through multiple collaboration models, working closely with government, industrial and academic partners to connect key stakeholders through every stage of the deployment process and enable innovation through collaboration.
It has a track record of accelerated technology testing in its controlled, real-world validation environment, coupled with a rich portfolio of innovation programmes across all aspects of the energy system.
Project ORION
The University has joined Project ORION (Opportunity Renewables Integration Offshore Networks) which will see onshore and offshore wind energy harnessed to power platforms and produce green hydrogen at scale. Wind and hydrogen will also be used to power the Shetland Islands’ homes and businesses, replacing fossil fuels by providing affordable renewable energy.
As a technical lead for many of the engineering research work packages, the Project ORION will take advantage of Strathclyde’s ability to draw expertise from across multiple disciplines but particularly from the Faculty of Engineering where a range of expertise is available from specialist power and energy groups. ORION represents a fantastic opportunity to safeguard existing jobs and create new ones in the energy transition. It will also help address the high levels of fuel poverty experienced throughout our communities, and create a blueprint for other regions.
One Ocean Hub
The One Ocean Hub is an international programme of research for sustainable development, working to promote fair and inclusive decision-making for a healthy ocean whereby people and the planet flourish. The Hub is pioneering inter- and transdisciplinary research on human rights and the ocean. Led by Strathclyde, the Hub has 18 partner organisations, including various UN agencies, and 21 research partners across the world. The Hub is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) – a key component in delivering the UK AID strategy that puts UK-led research at the heart of efforts to tackle the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Policy shaping
Our senior academic staff are members of policy shaping entities, including the Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology, the UK Committee on Climate Change, and the Scottish Government’s Energy Advisory Board.
Centres for Doctoral Training
We continue to operate EPSRC-funded Centres for Doctoral Training that are supporting the evolution of Energy and the Net Zero Transition, including the UK’s only comprehensive doctoral training programme in Wind & Marine Energy Systems & Structures (CDT-WAMSS). This brings together the leading UK research groups in Wind Energy and Offshore Structures at Strathclyde, Marine Energy at the University of Edinburgh and Offshore Structures at the University of Oxford.
Centre for Energy Policy
Since its launch in 2015, the University of Strathclyde's Centre for Energy Policy (CEP) has shaped UK and Scottish government policy development to support low carbon transition to mid-century Net Zero carbon targets. The Centre’s research has been used by the then Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to support policy strategy on carbon capture, usage and storage for industrial decarbonisation, and informed the UK Chancellor’s July 2020 decision to allocate public spending to support residential energy efficiency.
The CEP team are currently involved in Innovate UK and EPSRC projects linking to the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund on industrial decarbonisation, and part of the Strathclyde team on the innovative Ocean REFuel EPSRC programme grant exploring how offshore wind & marine renewable energy resource can be harnessed to produce zero carbon hydrogen & ammonia fuels. In 2023, CEP leads the Equity Theme of the new UKRI Energy Demand Research Centre, with the CEP Director taking the role of Impact Champion for the wider EDRC.