Orsted A/S : Spotlight on communities as social scientist takes over as Chair in Ørsted partnership with Durham University

Durham University's Durham Energy Institute (DEI) and leading renewable energy developer Ørsted have renewed their long-standing partnership to help deliver net zero emissions by 2050.

As part of the new five-year agreement, Ørsted will fund the Durham University Chair of Green Energy Systems The Chair, who will also be Director of the DEI, will beProfessor Simone Abram, the first social scientist to lead the Institute.

Previous research to come out of this partnership has focussed more on the technical aspects of offshore wind and whilst these studies have improved diagnostics within the industry, Professor Abram's speciality is more focused on society.

With extensive experience in researching the social aspects of current and future energy systems, Professor Abram has an appetite to focus on how people engage with the energy transition as well as interactions between communities and energy businesses.

DEI and Ørsted both seeinnovationas central to the energy transition. Their work focuses on a holistic approach to sustainability - incorporating environmental, economic and social considerations.

The ongoing partnership brings together Ørsted's industry-leading renewable energy knowledge, providing industrial insight and intelligence with DEI's research expertise.

The renewed partnership will also see Ørsted continue to fund MSc scholarships and PhDs, supporting the visionary and world-leading research taking place at the DEI.

Nurturing the next generation of energy researchers and technicians, the partnership will continue to position both organisations at the forefront of energy transition research and innovation.

Professor Simone Abram, Director of Durham Energy Institute and Chair of Green Energy Systems, said: "The DEI is a home for integrated, innovative and visionary work in the field of energy transition. Our research is inclusive and insightful, recognising how deeply energy systems are embedded in everyday life, and how they can shape energy justice around the world.

"Our partnership with Ørsted provides the opportunity for exciting and pioneering research tied to valuable industry insight. Working together, we can have greater influence towards a clean and just energy transition."

The DEI and Ørsted have worked collaboratively for a several years, sharing the joint ambitions of high quality research with real world initiatives, alongside knowledge exchange and teaching.

David Bould, Head of UK Ventures and Open Innovationsat Ørsted said; "We're so pleased to have Simone on board for this exciting project. Social sustainability is an area of exploration that holds so many possibilities for us. The communities in which we operate are extremely important and we want people to come along with us on this energy transition journey. Better understanding the social aspects of the way we work can only be a positive move for all parties involved.