Industry and Academia come together to discuss the Transition to Clean Energy at the annual Aura CDT Conference

Aura CDT Annual Conference

THE ANNUAL AURA CENTRE for Doctoral Training (CDT) conference will be held on 1-2 November 2022 at the Aura Innovation Centre. The conference theme is “Transition to clean energy” and the programme brings together exciting keynote speakers from the offshore wind industry with opportunities to hear from leading academic experts and rising stars in PhD research.

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The event spans two research-packed days with participants welcome to attend one or both sessions. Day one features presentations from keynote speaker, Juergen Maier, the Ex-Chief Executive of Siemens UK, as well as Will Apps of the Crown Estate and Ian Livingston of Equinor. They will also join a lively panel discussion, including Jane Cooper from RenewableUK. Day two features keynote speaker, Ross Wigg from Vercity Consultancy and presentations from John Harris of HR Wallingford, David Bould of Ørsted and Chris Brigg of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy.

Across both days of the conference, delegates will have the opportunity to gain insight into cutting-edge research taking place by academics and PhD researchers into the challenges facing the offshore wind industry. The conference benefits from the generous support of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, who are sponsoring awards for outstanding PhD research from the Aura CDT students, and from Ørsted, who are sponsors of the Student Poster Prize.

Reflecting the Aura CDT’s commitment to driving a sustainable future for the offshore wind industry, the conference sessions will cover varied themes including Grid Integration - Transmitting the Energy Revolution; Innovations in energy storage; Co-Location: Sharing in Success; Manufacturing: Infusing the Next Generation and Marine Life in a Changing World.

Dr Rob Dorrell, Director of the Aura CDT at the University of Hull said:

"Rapid growth of offshore wind energy is central to the UK’s ambitious Build Back Greener strategy supporting Net-Zero 2050. Developing the technology and the talent for the sustainable delivery of offshore wind is a key industrial and environmental challenge. Here Aura, and the Humber region, is leading the way globally. We look forward to showcasing our state-of-the-art research, development and innovation supporting UK’s aspirations for offshore wind energy.”

The Aura CDT students have taken an active role in pulling together the programme for the conference, as well as developing the lively interactive “discussion stations” session, which is dedicated to exploring and discussing different facets of offshore wind energy.

Dr Danielle Smith, Programme Manager for the Aura CDT at the University of Hull said:

“The Aura CDT is training our future leaders and leading in sustainable innovation for offshore wind energy. Last year we launched our first Aura CDT conference and we were inspired by the energy and innovative approach of our researchers to developing sustainable solutions to the challenges facing the sector. As our Centre grows, we will hear more of these solutions this year and explore the vital role offshore wind plays in the green innovation revolution.”

Places on the conference are free of charge and are limited to individuals working within the offshore wind industry or undertaking relevant academic research in that arena. The programme includes plenty of opportunities to network and gain insight into the fabulous facilities for low carbon innovation at the conference venue - the University of Hull’s Aura Innovation Centre.

Find out more about the conference and secure your place