Mini profile: Rob Gross
4 April 2012
Reporter speaks to Dr Rob Gross about the many ‘hats’ that he wears at Imperial. In particular, his role as Policy Director at the Energy Futures Lab (EFL) and his penchant for fast(ish) things.
What are some of your roles here at Imperial?
I am the Director for the Centre for Energy Policy and Technology, Head of the UK Energy Research Centre’s Technology and Policy assessment function, Convenor of the Energy Policy option and Thesis Term Director of the MSc Environmental Technology course at Imperial.
Can you describe your role at the EFL?
The key aim of my role is to investigate the economic potential of new technologies, such as solar and wind power. Understanding the economic dimension is the key to energy research. It also helps inform governments, so that they can adopt effective policies that put our energy usage on a more sustainable path.
What are you working on?
A recent EFL project with the UK Energy Research Centre looks at why the overall cost of offshore wind has gone up. We found that problems include bottlenecks in the supply chain, currency fluctuations and a rise in commodity prices. More widely, we’re looking at the future costs of gas, nuclear and other renewables.
Is it true that you are a car enthusiast?
Well, yes, admittedly it’s not a very green hobby, but I do have a 1965 Austin Healey Sprite in the garage at home. It doesn’t work at the moment and it has been off the road for about 10 years. Like most Imperial academics, you juggle a number of roles.
How do you do it?
All academics have to combine teaching, research and engagement with the wider community as part of their job and it is a constant juggling task. That’s probably why I haven’t had a chance to put the Sprite back together yet.
— Colin Smith, Communications and Development
Tags: Centre for Environmental Policy, Energy Futures Lab, Mini Profile
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