Renewable generation
Supporting understanding and adoption of renewable sources such as solar and wind, including community and on-site generation.
Focus area
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency
Promoting clean energy generation and the efficient use of energy across buildings, industry and digital systems.
Why it matters
Energy underpins almost every aspect of modern life, from homes and industry to the digital services that society increasingly relies upon. How that energy is produced and used is central to addressing climate change, improving air quality and strengthening energy security.
Read moreShow less
A sustainable energy system rests on two complementary foundations: generating more energy from renewable sources, and using every unit of energy as efficiently as possible. The energy that does not need to be produced is often the cleanest and most affordable.
As renewable sources such as solar and wind become more prominent, energy systems also need greater flexibility, storage and intelligent coordination. The Foundation seeks to support knowledge and collaboration across all of these dimensions, with particular attention to the growing role of digital technologies in energy systems.
Priority themes
Energy efficiency
Promoting efficiency in buildings, industrial processes and digital systems as a first and cost-effective step.
Storage and flexibility
Exploring storage, demand response and flexible operation that help integrate variable renewable power.
Smart, digitally enabled energy systems
Encouraging the responsible use of data and digital tools to monitor, forecast and balance energy supply and demand.
Our objectives
- Promote the adoption of renewable energy across sectors, including digital infrastructure.
- Advance the principle of efficiency first in the planning and operation of energy systems.
- Support knowledge on storage, flexibility and the integration of variable renewable sources.
- Encourage the responsible use of digital tools and data to optimise energy use.
- Contribute to education and awareness on clean energy and efficiency for professionals and the public.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the Foundation treat energy efficiency as a priority alongside renewables?
Reducing the amount of energy needed to deliver the same service lowers costs and emissions and eases pressure on energy networks. It also makes it easier to meet remaining demand with renewable sources. For these reasons, the Foundation regards efficiency and renewable generation as complementary rather than competing priorities.
How do digital technologies relate to the energy transition?
Digital tools can help forecast renewable output, manage demand and coordinate storage and networks more intelligently. At the same time, digital infrastructure is itself a consumer of energy. The Foundation is interested in both sides of this relationship and in ensuring that the net effect is positive.
Why is flexibility important in a renewable energy system?
The output of sources such as solar and wind varies with weather and time of day. Flexibility, through storage, adaptable demand and better coordination, helps match supply and demand without relying on fossil-fuelled back-up. The Foundation seeks to support knowledge and collaboration on these approaches.
Advance the clean energy transition with us
The Foundation welcomes collaboration with organisations working on renewable energy, efficiency and smart energy systems.
In practice
Projects in this area
Projects in this area are being prepared
Projects and initiatives will be published here as they are launched.
Insights
News & articles in this area
News for this area will appear here
Updates, announcements and articles will appear here as they are released.
Focus areas
Explore the other focus areas
- Innovation & Digital TransformationThe Foundation works to ensure that digital innovation contributes to sustainable development, through responsible design, open data and digital inclusion.
- Sustainability & Climate ActionThe Foundation works to support credible climate action, from emissions reduction and resilience to circular resource use and transparent measurement.
- Sustainable Data Centers & Digital InfrastructureThe Foundation works to advance data centers and digital infrastructure that use energy efficiently, run on renewable power, reuse heat, conserve water and extend hardware life.
- AI & Emerging TechnologiesThe Foundation works to promote responsible, trustworthy AI, its use for climate and energy optimisation, awareness of its energy footprint, and the skills to use it well.
- Education, Research & TrainingThe Foundation works to support applied research, training and open learning resources that build skills in sustainable energy, digital infrastructure and responsible technology.
