About me:

Hi, I'm Richard Lowes. I'm a researcher with a passion for sustainable energy and expertise in energy policy particularly around sustainable heating. Following an MSc in Energy Policy, I worked in the energy industry and was responsible for government relations and policy issues at a gas distribution company focusing on the future of heat. Between 2014 and 2021 I was based full time in the University of Exeter's, Energy Policy Group where I have been further developing expertise around clean heating - a hugely important but historically underlooked area of energy.

Currently at Exeter I am PI for the 'Flex-Cool-Store' project but I have now moved to work primarily for NGO the Regulatory Assistance Project on heat decarbonisation.

I have previously taught on the Geography of Cornwall and taught energy policy at undergraduate and masters level.

I try and make sure my research has a policy impact and as well as engaging with policy makers I have made a number of national and international media appearances. You can learn about the ups and downs of the sector on my @heatpolicyrich twitter account.

My personal blog and website is here: https://richardlowes.com/

A particularly live issue is the debate over the role of electrification or hydrogen for heating, an issue where I have national expertise and have researched in detail.

At the 2020 UK Citizens Assembly on Climate Change I was invited to advocate for the importance of heat electrification for net zero goals. A video of my presentation which summarises the heat problem is below.

I am currently a non-executive member of the Scottish Government's heat decarbonisation programme board. I have given oral evidence to select committees and advised the National Audit Office as well as NGOs.

Interests:

My research is based around the policy and political issues associated with how we move away from an unsustainable high carbon energy system to a clean low carbon energy system. My expertise and passion is around sustainable heat and buildings.

Broad research areas:

• Energy policy,
• heat strategy,
• renewable heat support policies,
• network regulatory models,
• infrastructure transitions
• political power

Qualifications:

BSc (Hons) Geography and Environmental Management, University of Exeter, First Class

MSc Energy Policy and Sustainability, University of Exeter, Distinction

PhD in Energy Policy, University of Exeter. Thesis titled: Power and heat transformation policy: Actor influence on the development of the UK’s heat strategy and the GB Renewable Heat Incentive with a comparative Dutch case study.