The challenge

Durham Energy Institute sought to enhance its societal impact in County Durham, expand its national and international research influence, and generate new commercial and research income.

The institute also needed to assess the feasibility of establishing a physical presence to strengthen its role as a research leader.

Why it’s important

As a globally recognised research centre, the Durham Energy Institute, plays a crucial role in advancing net zero heating solutions.

Strengthening the institute’s service offering and infrastructure would enable it to forge stronger partnerships, secure new funding, and drive real-world impact in energy innovation, benefiting both industry and local communities.

Our approach

Urban Foresight conducted a comprehensive feasibility study and strategic planning process, including:

• Policy review and research mapping – Assessing Durham University’s research strengths and aligning them with regional, national, and international priorities.
• Stakeholder engagement – Consulting with academics across multiple departments and senior officers in the university’s Research and Innovation Services.
• Service model development – Identifying future service options for DEI, providing clear pathways for greater societal impact and enhanced research-industry collaboration.
• Funding strategy – Mapping viable funding opportunities at international, national, and local levels.
• Feasibility assessment – Evaluating potential sites for a physical DEI headquarters and making evidence-based recommendations.

The impact

Our study provided Durham Energy Institute with a strategic blueprint for:

• Strengthening partnerships with communities, public sector bodies, and industry.
• Expanding its international research footprint and policy influence.
• Enabling practical net zero heating solutions informed by socio-economic and engineering research.
• Establishing a dedicated physical space to enhance collaboration and visibility.

How Urban Foresight can help you

This project demonstrates Urban Foresight’s expertise in net zero heating research and technologies. It also shows our ability to work with world-class universities to develop strategic service models that maximize societal and environmental impact. Contact us at hello@urbanforesight.com to talk to one of our team.