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Heriot-Watt's Research Centre for Carbon Solutions (RCCS) is celebrating 10 years of critical research in sustainable energy.
Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer established RCCS with an EPSRC Challenging Engineering Award and during the last decade, it has grown to become an interdisciplinary, innovative, and international leading research centre for the wider deployment of carbon solutions for global challenges. Over 50 staff and students work in RCCS, who have collectively attracted over £17 million in funding and are involved in a wide range of projects nationally and internationally.
Professor Garry Pender, Deputy Principal for Research and Innovation, who opened the anniversary event on 28 May, said: “The progress the RCCS has made over its 10 years lifetime is truly remarkable. Its research is in an area of critical importance to the future of our planet and I have every confidence that its success will continue to grow over the next 10 years.”
Nigel Holmes, Chief Executive of the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (SHFCA), speaking at the event, said: "The importance of CO2 utilisation, together with the availability of hydrogen from low carbon sources, is now recognised as a viable approach for production of sustainable biofuels. Priority should be given to furthering the RCCS research which can enable the faster uptake of new approaches and processes with industry partners."
The progress the RCCS has made over its 10 years lifetime is truly remarkable. Its research is in an area of critical importance to the future of our planet
Speakers also included RCCS alumnus Dr Xiaolong Wang, Deputy Manager of Coal to Clean Fuel Division at Huaneng Clean Energy Research Institute, and Dr Maxine Akhurst, Principal Geologist and Project Leader at the British Geological Survey (BGS).
The event included technical presentations, poster and photography competitions, lab tours, RCCS-museum displays and a video celebrating its achievements and impact.
Dr Amir Jahanbakhsh, RCCS Programme Manager commented: “It is exciting to see the achievements of RCCS in science and technology development during the past 10 years. The high level of teamwork and integration within RCCS is truly impressive and I am very proud to be part of the team.”
Closing the successful event, Professor Maroto-Valer said: "RCCS success is driven by teamwork operating in a flexible research environment that allow us to leap into pioneering research. The road ahead is very exciting for us, as we are uniquely positioned to continue building on our legacy and global impact."