Professor Lesley Yellowlees, CBE – Our future in renewable energy

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Invitation to SCI’s Free Public Evening Lecture:
Professor Lesley Yellowlees, CBE – Alma mater of University of Edinburgh and former President of the Royal Society of Chemistry
Our future in renewable energy

Wednesday 22 May 2019

Global Electricity Demand is predicted to increase 57% by 2050.
Emerging countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia will all see an increase in population, GDP, and access to electricity, leading to a doubling of electricity demand.
If it could be properly harnessed, there’s enough sunlight that falls on the earth in just one hour to meet the world energy demands for a whole year!

To meet the ever-increasing demand for electricity from a growing global population whilst minimising impact on climate change, it will be essential to utilise renewable energy sources to a greater extent.

During her Public Evening Lecture, on Wednesday 22 May 2019, Professor Lesley Yellowlees will explore the historical use of fossil fuels, how future needs can be addressed, and the role that Chemistry must play to forge a sustainable future for generations to come.

An energy source mix may be the answer, but is it achievable? One of the key challenges we face with renewable energy is supply and demand. Most forms of renewable energy are not constant – solar energy requires sunshine, wind requires air movement and tides are a twice daily occurrence. Energy storage then becomes a significant consideration. Again, Chemistry has a pivotal role to play here through, for example, batteries, or the energy stored in a chemical bond. These aspects and more will be discussed in the lecture and should provide a platform for a lively debate.

About the speaker

Lesley Yellowlees is an Inorganic Chemist with interests in renewable energy, public engagement of science and promoting women in science. Lesley was Head of the School of Chemistry and then Vice Principal and Head of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Edinburgh, retiring in 2017.

She was President of the Royal Society of Chemistry from 2012-14, their first woman president in 175 years. She was awarded an MBE in 2005 for services to science, a CBE for services to Chemistry in 2014 and elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2012. Currently she sits on Edinburgh Napier University Court, the Scottish Funding Council Board and the CaSE Board, chairs the Learned Societies Group of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and is part of the Athena Swan review group.

Date for your diary: Wednesday 22 May 2019
Venue: SCI HQ, 15 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PS

Reception opens at 18.00 and the lecture starts at 18.30. This is a free event.

NOTES TO EDITORS

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