Powering Mission

Transforming energy systems to ensure equitable access to clean, healthy energy for 10 billion people by 2050

The Challenge

To achieve intelligent, scalable, sustainable, and equitable energy systems, we are required to move beyond isolated technologies and confront the deeper systemic challenges of how energy is produced, transmitted, and consumed, and how systems are planned, governed, and integrated. 

We are investigating and demonstrating that the transition to clean energy and electrification must deliver far more than emissions reductions: it must support universal access, protect human health, power digital and industrial economies, whilst operating within planetary boundaries.

Our vision

• Design, demonstrate and drive the implementation of next generation, integrated energy systems.
• Utilise clean energy to get the work done that drives modern societies.

Programmes

We foresee there to be several cross-faculty programmes emerging out of each of our missions. The first area of focus for the Powering mission is a programme called HELIX.

HELIX

HELIX - Holistic Electrification for Low-carbon Infrastructure at scale - is a proposed place-based electrification programme, within the Powering mission, addressing one of the defining challenges of the clean energy transition: how to deliver electricity systems that are flexible, resilient and affordable, and that can carry societies to net zero. 

Electrification is as much a societal challenge as a technical one. HELIX would therefore bring together researchers, industry partners, policymakers and communities to develop and test solutions in real-world settings, where technology, behaviour, markets and governance meet. 

Combining interdisciplinary research with practical demonstration, the programme aims to generate evidence on how electricity systems can absorb rising demand while sustaining reliability and public trust. The insights would inform decision-making, support innovation and shape electrification solutions that could be adapted across regions and contexts worldwide. 

Delivering the future of electrification requires collaboration across disciplines, sectors and communities, and the right founding partners.

If you are interested in helping shape HELIX, we would welcome a conversation about how to get involved. 

Get involved

If you are interested to get involved or want to discuss this mission with us, please get in touch;

You can email us at: sustainable-convergence@imperial.ac.uk

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