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The lamination of OPV modules to corrugated roof cladding has been undertaken. The 3-dimensional form of the cladding provides three advantages for outdoor OPV deployment; firstly the ‘footprint’ of the solar cell is reduced, which leads to B10% improved power conversion (PCE) efficiency per unit area. Secondly, the oblique angle performance is enhanced, leading to increased output in the early morning and evening. Indoor characterisation showed a 9-fold enhancement in efficiency was obtainable, when compared to a flat module. Thirdly, an improvement in performance under diffuse lighting conditions was measured, when compared to a flat module. The average daily yield of the 3D module was 17–29% higher than a flat module, with higher relative enhancements observed on cloudier days. Geographically, the 3D module appears to be well-suited to countries with a high latitude, due to the enhanced diffuse light levels and the fact that tilting the module in both ‘latitude’ and ‘longitude’ directions away from normal, leads to the best achievable enhancement in solar cell performance. The approach set out in this paper could yield a product that has profound advantages over existing BIPV products and is potentially applicable to other flexible inorganic solar cell technologies.

This article reports on a study examining continuing professional development (CPD) for consultant doctors. The aim of the study was to identify what promotes or inhibits the effectiveness of CPD and met the following objectives: comparing and contrasting the experiences of CPD across the range of specialties; identifying and describing the range of different models of CPD employed across the different specialties and clinical contexts; considering the educational potential of reflective practice in CPD and its impact on professional practice and exploring how different professionals judge the effectiveness of current CPD practices. Using a mixture of qualitative (interviews, letters, observation) and quantitative (online questionnaire) methods, the views of CPD providers and users were surveyed. Findings suggested that the effectiveness of CPD, as inferred from the comments made by interviewees and questionnaire respondents, relates to the impact on knowledge, skills, values, attitudes, behaviours and changes in practice in the work place. The quality of CPD was seen as inextricably linked to any improvements in the quality of the professional practices required for service delivery. There was widespread consensus as to the value of learning in professional settings. There was recognition that there needs to be a move away from tick boxes to the in-depth identification of learning needs and how these can be met both within and external to the work place, with learning being adequately enabled and assessed in all locations. In conclusion, it can be said that CPD is valued and is seen as effective when it addresses the needs of individual clinicians, the populations they serve and the organisations within which they work. However, the challenge for CPD may lie in the dynamic interaction between educational opportunities and service delivery requirements, as there may be occasions where they vie with each other for resources.

The Climate Change Act 2008 committed the UK to at least 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. While there is a wealth of reports and studies on future energy systems and technologies, there is no clear and realistic overall picture of how these targets might be achieved and what such an energy system might look like. This report, produced by a working group of Fellows of The Royal Academy of Engineering, considered possible energy scenarios that could meet the 2050 emissions reduction target. The study showed that:  There is no single ‘silver bullet’ that will achieve the required 80% cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Fundamental restructuring of the whole of the UK’s energy system will be unavoidable. - Demand reductions across all sectors of the economy will be essential through a combination of increased efficiencies and behavioural change. - The full suite of low-carbon energy supply technologies already available (or identified as credible) will be needed, including nuclear, renewables and carbon capture and storage brought together in a balanced way. - The scale of the engineering challenge is massive.

The Climate Change Act 2008 committed the UK to at least 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. While there is a wealth of reports and studies on future energy systems and technologies, there is no clear and realistic overall picture of how these targets might be achieved and what such an energy system might look like. This report, produced by a working group of Fellows of The Royal Academy of Engineering, considered possible energy scenarios that could meet the 2050 emissions reduction target. The study showed that:  There is no single ‘silver bullet’ that will achieve the required 80% cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Fundamental restructuring of the whole of the UK’s energy system will be unavoidable. - Demand reductions across all sectors of the economy will be essential through a combination of increased efficiencies and behavioural change. - The full suite of low-carbon energy supply technologies already available (or identified as credible) will be needed, including nuclear, renewables and carbon capture and storage brought together in a balanced way. - The scale of the engineering challenge is massive.

The first milestone towards the establishment of a common strategy for the development of Europe’s electricity networks was set in April 2006 when the paper ‘Vision and Strategy for Europe’s Electricity Networks of the Future’1 was published. In this Vision, future electricity markets and networks must provide all consumers with a highly reliable, flexible, accessible and cost-effective power supply, fully exploiting the use of both large centralized generators and smaller distributed power sources across Europe. End users will become significantly more interactive with both markets and grids; electricity will be generated by centralised and dispersed sources; and grid systems will become more inter-operable at a European level to enhance security and cost-effectiveness. This new concept of electricity networks is described as the ‘SmartGrids’ vision. It will enable a highly effective response to the rising challenges and opportunities, bringing benefi ts to all network users and wider stakeholders.The European Technology Platform SmartGrids has focused its efforts on the development of this Strategic Research Agenda (SRA). It has contributions from four working groups that represent a wide range of European industrial and academic expertise. Member State governments have also provided valuable advice and comment through the Mirror group. The SRA is a reference document that consolidates the views of stakeholders on research priorities that address the key elements of the Vision document. The purpose of the SRA is to provide a resource for European and National programmes. It seeks to be non-prescriptive and strategic in nature; it is designed to encourage competitive activity; it is intended to be an inspiration for new thinking in important policy areas. The SRA proposes a fra-mework for a future research programme which can be summarized by the following goals. • To ensure that Europe’s electricity networks develop in such a way that enhances Europe’s competitive pos