Energy and Climate Change Secretary opens new ‘Joule’ in the crown for energy and housing research

Chris Huhne MP with Deputy Vice-Chancellor Adrian Graves.

The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Chris Huhne, today (26 October) opened the University of Salford’s newest research centre for energy and public policy – the newly renovated and historic Joule House.

The Minister toured Joule House, which was home to Salfordian physicist James Joule, who gave his name to the Joule unit of energy and was shown how the University is continuing this legacy after meeting researchers who are working to make Britain’s homes more energy efficient and to combat the fuel poverty faced by five and a half million households.

Mr Huhne also visited the world-leading Energy House – a reconstructed Coronation Street-style terraced house built inside a lab – and was given a demonstration of how researchers scientifically test the latest windows, doors, insulation and other technologies by subjecting them to extremes of temperature and other weather conditions, including rain.

The University of Salford is leading the way with energy research following the successful launch of the Energy House earlier this year at a conference made up of multi-national companies and policy makers, and it is planned for Joule House to complement and enhance this capability.

The purchase and renovation of Joule House has been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. This funding will allow the University to grow its portfolio of business support activity, targeting regional businesses from the fast-growing low carbon and environmental goods and services sector within the region.

Joule House will also feature an educational outreach room displaying Joules’ original scientific apparatus to inform people about the important experiments conducted in the building.

Dr Adrian Graves, Deputy Vice-Chancellor said: “The University is establishing a reputation for making a global difference on these crucial issues. Our research and collaborations with major businesses and numerous community groups on energy efficiency reflects the University’s commitment to environmental research of the highest standard.

“The visit of the Minister to open Joule House is an extremely pleasing moment for Salford and we very much enjoyed showing him the work being carried out at a UK university on this global problem.”

Chris Huhne said: “Keeping homes warm in winter and saving money on energy bills are real life issues for people here in Manchester and up and down the country.

“I am pleased to be able to open this new facility at the historic Joule House. This will add to the already impressive efforts here at the University of Salford to improve the energy efficiency of the nation's housing stock.”

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