Energy Policy Research Group
Delivering research insight into how the energy industry works and how energy policy can be better designed.
Informing good energy policy through world-leading research
We encourage collaboration between experts from different academic traditions to help develop robust and sustainable energy options. Here at the Energy Policy Research Group (EPRG) our team have broad expertise in economics, technology policy and political science, and we work tirelessly to find solutions to the world’s global energy problems. We work within an economics-led framework that draws on insights from engineering, political science, law and social psychology.
Through the Energy Policy Research Group’s publications, and via its Energy Policy Forum (EPF), we offer rigorous independent research output informing public and private sector decision making in the electricity and energy industry.
Who we are
Drawing on an international network of over 70 associate researchers – including many EPRG alumni – working at leading universities and research centres around the world, we produce data-driven research to enlarge the field of thought. Within Cambridge University, EPRG is a centre of excellence within the Energy@Cambridge interdisciplinary research centre and the wider Cambridge Zero initiative.
What we do
EPRG produces world-class academic research on a wide range of energy and environmental policy issues, in three broad areas:
- economics of electricity and natural gas markets
- economics of climate change policy, especially carbon pricing and technology policy
- political economy of energy and climate change policy.
Explore research, publications and annual conferences on the EPRG Centre website
Annual Conference with MIT and Biannual Seminars in Cambridge
Our 2022 EPRG & CEEPR European Energy Policy Conference was held in strategic partnership with EDF on topics including net-zero scenarios, energy security, energy markets and carbon pricing.
Our 2023 Spring Seminar, “Energy policy: From crisis to net zero”, was held in partnership with Compass Lexecon. On May 5, 2023, EPRG hosted delegates to a dinner at Robinson College including a keynote speech given by Prof Lucia Reisch (El-Erian Institute, Cambridge Judge Business School, “Can we nudge to net zero?”. On May 6, 2023, at Robinson College the full-day seminar included panels on electricity market design, hydrogen, innovative climate policy and a roundtable on the European energy crisis.
Our impact
Through our work, we encourage deep engagement between academics, government and industry stakeholders. Deep engagement gives researchers insight into how the energy industry works and how energy policy can be better designed. Our core aim is to create international impact through our world-class research and insights, establishing close relationships with the research group and with peers in our industry and government network.
Upcoming events
An Energy Policy Research Group seminar with Dr Arthur van Benthem, Wharton School.
An Energy Policy Research Group seminar with Dr Chris Coleridge, Cambridge Judge Business School.
An Energy Policy Research Group seminar with Professor Christian von Hirschhausen, Technical University Berlin.
News and insights from Energy Policy Research Group
Read the latest news and insights from Energy Policy Research Group.
Thermal energy storage may hold the key to fully electrifying UK domestic heating to cut emissions, according to research by Professor David Reiner of Cambridge Judge.
ESG and sustainability
Renewable or nuclear? What your energy preference says about you
Support for renewable energy sources such as solar and wind is linked to a belief that climate change will be catastrophic, while supporters of nuclear power tend to be less concerned about climate risks, says study at Cambridge Judge Business School.
Research centre news
How to boost social media engagement for climate-change action
Public sentiment on social media (including fear, sadness and anger) is highly reactive to global policy actions, finds study co-authored at Cambridge Judge Business School based on more than 250,000 tweets over a 13-year period.