The Hydrofiles

Why might water be crucial to solar energy? In the third of our Energy Futures miniseries, Mike Case explains how our expertise could help unlock a global solar energy market and fuel the energy transition. 

Dredging is changing its image. Giulia Sforzi, Jeremy Spearman and Mark Lee highlight how dredging can provide win-win biodiversity solutions, and why the future is bright for sustainable dredging. Jez also elucidates an innovative project for Harwich Haven Authority to create habitat.

In the second of our four-part Energy Futures series, Mike Case and Sally Jackson discuss the potential of nuclear energy to help meet future energy demands.

They explore: why water is important to nuclear and the challenges presented by climate change, including sea level rise and increased rainfall. They also discuss the potential of small modular reactors (SMRs) as a cost-effective and innovative solution. 

In the first of our four-part Energy Futures series, Mike Case and Sally Jackson discuss the industrialisation of floating wind. 

They explore the opportunities and challenges of building floating offshore wind farms, including scaling up port operations and the need for suitable areas for storage.

Space technology is not just about exploring the far reaches of the galaxy, but also has huge potential to help us with problems closer to home.

Special guest, Ray Fielding of the UK Space Agency, joins Darren Lumbroso, Gina Tsarouchi and Quillon Harpham to explore how Earth Observations can help answer age-old questions, improve lives and safeguard our world.

They also delve into where the future lies for the smart use of new datasets in the sectors we work in.

Unless prompt action is taken, climate change could disrupt the operation of ports and harbours, a vital part of the global supply chain. Maria di Leo, Mark Lee and Tom Matthewson discuss how ports could be affected and how they need to plan now so that ports’ infrastructure can withstand the possible impacts of climate change. Listen in to find out how ports can become more resilient to climate change and what they are already doing.

Renewables and energy experts Mike Case and Iain Gunn explain why a net zero future just isn’t possible without managing water. The pair take an in-depth look at trends in offshore wind, including the future for floating turbines, as well as explaining how water interacts with our energy supply in ways you might never have thought of.

As climate changes advances, how can we make sure there is enough water to go round – for drinking, sanitation, farming, industry, and ecosystems? 

Chris Counsell, Aodhín McBride, and George Woodhouse discuss how the impacts of climate change – heavier rainfall, rising temperatures, droughts, and hurricanes – will affect water availability. The water resource experts explain how planning will help, stressing the need to manage demand, as well as increasing supply and making infrastructure more resilient.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798394/10295425-earth-observation-the-final-frontier.mp3?download=true

There’s no doubt that climate change is making ‘once in a lifetime’ floods a common occurrence, often with devastating consequences. So, how can communities across the world become more resilient?

Emma Brown, Stephen Grey and David Ramsbottom delve into the climate crisis and what it means for flood management. The three world-leading experts discuss topics as diverse as: using space technology to forecast floods; protecting megacities into the future; educating communities in the UK; and whether cyclones will become commonplace in the Middle East.