A University of Hull scientist has been nominated for a prestigious international award for his work on a ground breaking clean energy project.
Professor Xudong Zhao is a finalist for the Newton Prize, which brings together UK and international experts to address health, climate and development issues.
Working with counterparts in China, they have created a new generation of low-cost solar panels which can be used to heat homes, as well as provide hot water and electricity. Following success in rural China, the project team now has funding to develop aligned low carbon heating systems in the UK.
Prof Zhao commented: “We are passionate about reducing the global use of fossil fuels by creating alternative low carbon energy solutions, which are not only incredibly efficient but will also play a part achieving the UK’s net zero ambitions.
“Our work has strong synergies with the University’s vision of a brighter future in a carbon neutral world, and I hope through our research, and passing this understanding onto students across the UK and China, we can make a significant difference to this global issue.”
The University of Hull recently announced an ambitious plan to become carbon neutral by 2027, which includes using renewable energy to power its campus.
And the University’s Energy and Environment Institute is harnessing academic research and expertise to tackle global issues around climate change and its impact.
Professor Dan Parsons, Director of the Energy and Environment Institute, said: “As a University we are passionately committed to taking real action to tackle climate change. That includes measures we are taking ourselves as a University to reduce our carbon footprint on campus, but also major research with real impact – like Xudong’s innovative project. I congratulate him on the Newton Prize nomination, which further highlights the outstanding work we are doing here.”
The £1million Newton Prize will be divided between four winning projects and will be announced at an awards ceremony on 12 February.