This light-touch mid-term review assessed whether the Centre is on track to achieve its core objectives and to make recommendations for the future delivery of energy demand research.
This light-touch mid-term review of CREDS was commissioned to use the evidence provided to assess whether the Centre is on track to achieve its core objectives and to make recommendations for the future delivery of energy demand research.
The review was accompanied by evidence provided by the UKRI office, CREDS and CREDS Advisory Board who contributed through a survey. The stakeholder survey was designed by UKRI staff, to gather input from the energy research community on the value of CREDS to individuals and the energy demand research landscape.
A Panel of experts was formed to conduct the review. Panel membership was comprised of independent members of high standing in the UK and internationally who cover the breadth of energy demand research. This included representatives from academia, government and industry.
The review was structured around the following assessment criteria developed from the core objectives set by UKRI at the outset of commissioning CREDS:
- Is the Centre delivering World Class Research in the area of End Use Energy Demand?
- Is the Centre maintaining a critical mass of activity through a coherent programme of research that cover the full breadth of the topic?
- Is the Centre achieving wider integration through cross cutting challenges and links with supply side with an understanding of whole energy system research?
- Is the Centre acting as a focal point for engagement and communication for relevant stakeholders such as policy makers?
- Is the Centre on track to deliver research that has real and measurable impact on the UK energy landscape and beyond?
- Is the Centre acting as a beacon for Equality Diversity and Inclusion?
- Is the Centre on track to deliver the leaders of tomorrow, building capacity through the training of highly skilled multi-disciplinary researchers, developing early career networks, and succession planning?
This served as the basis for panel discussion and formulating recommendations.
The Panel reviewed the provided guidance and evidence and then scored the Centre’s performance against each criterion. This was followed by a Review Panel Meeting where CREDS staff were interviewed and invited to give a presentation. The Panel then discussed and provided final scores for each criterion based on their assessment of the Centre throughout the entire process.
The Review Panel Meeting was held on Wednesday 3 March 2021. This report summarises the review process and the discussion and recommendations of the panel.
This document reports the conclusions of a Panel of experts.
The views expressed are entirely those of the Panel.
Banner photo credit: Steph Ferguson