Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey, impressed by expertise in renewable energy and environmentally conscious initiatives during visit to Kingston University's Roehampton Vale campus

Posted Thursday 4 December 2014

Ed Davey, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change and MP for Kingston and Surbiton, visited Kingston University to learn about the University's expertise in energy and climate change.

Ed Davey talks to Necip Sahinkaya, head of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, and engineering students

From bikes and racing cars to fossil fuels and drop towers, there was much on display at the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing for Mr Davey to discuss and admire. He learned about the University's electric racing car which has been developed by the e-racing team and was taken on a tour of the University's electric racing bike and electric commuter motorbike by staff and students.

During his three-hour visit Mr Davey was shown further Kingston University achievements in the field of energy and climate change. There were presentations on unmanned systems and combustion research; how to reduce ice build-up and improve fuel consumption for aircraft; simulating and using solar energy; the latest thinking in marine renewable energy; the possibilities of concrete; shale gas, mineralogy and water management; and new, greener construction methods and ways to help buildings withstand earthquakes.

$Ed Davey is shown Kingston University\'s Formula Student racing car$ Ed Davey is shown the Kingston University Formula Student racing car

Andy Augousti, Director of the Doctoral School of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing explained that the University's work with the drop tower will create reproducible microgravity conditions for experiments, adding to the body of international work that will enable people to travel to Mars and beyond; and to live in space if the Earth's climate becomes uninhabitable.

Find out more about studying Sustainability & Environmental Change Masters (MSc) at Kingston University.

Find out more about Kingston University's E-Racing team and the facilities available at the faculty of Science, Engineering and computing at Roehampton Vale campus.

Ed Davey examines the solar simulation equipment