A renewable energy research facility has opened in Liverpool.

The Stephenson Institute, based at the University of Liverpool, is aiming to drive forward the renewable energy sector by making cutting edge discoveries while also training the next generation of scientists.

Professor Sir David King, the university's chancellor, officially opened the £10 million centre which takes its name from the 19th century engineering pioneers George and Robert Stephenson.

Experts from a wide range of disciplines across the university will be brought together at the site, including chemistry, physics, engineering, environmental sciences and biology, to research renewable energy technologies such as solar electricity, biofuels and renewable chemicals.

The centre's training arm will aim to help meet the global demand for skills and knowledge in the emerging market for renewable energy jobs, playing a key role in the work of a group of PhD students at Liverpool exploring solar energy technologies.

Professor Werner Hofer, director for the Stephenson Institute, said the new facility has been opened at a time when there is "a pressing need to produce cleaner, more sustainable and alternative sources of energy as fossil fuel supplies diminish, the world population increases and the consequences of climate change become more apparent".

He said the multidisciplinary team at the site will be preoccupied with "developing future energy technologies and behaviours".

Professor Hofer added: "Our state-of-the-art facilities and unique pool of research expertise are at the forefront of research and teaching in areas including photovoltaics, thermoelectric materials, photocatalysis and lithium and sodium battery storage."

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