Professor Raffaella Ocone FRSE
Theme Lead for Hydrogen within the iNetZ+ Global Research Institute, Heriot-Watt University
Raffaella is an Engineer who works in academia. She was the first woman to be Professor of Chemical Engineering in Scotland; the second in the UK. Her research deals with the design and operation of industrial processes, such as oil refining.
As the world population continues to increase so the energy demand is predicted to increase. Raffaella’s work is aimed at the development of technologies for sustainable and clean energy generation at a large scale that will be able to meet the energy demand whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Those technologies include biomass pyrolysis and chemical looping for hydrogen production. She studies the technical challenges that might hinder large scale economically viable conversion processes, and pyroclastic flow and lahars to gain information into the management of people safety and environmental protection following a volcano eruption and flooding.
Her research includes scientific and economic analysis, as well as social responsibility and ethics, with her latest moves having been to use artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle the floods of data available in the chemical and process industries where our work is applied.
Involved in
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Resources
The Spring/Summer 2025 edition of ReSourcE explores what the future holds for Scotland's rural environments.
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Resources
Professor Raffaella Ocone stresses that collaboration between the UK and EU is vital for successful energy transition and reaching Net Zero goals.
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Advice Papers
Industrial decarbonisation presents Scotland with a major opportunity to reshape its economy for the future. To succeed, the transition must be: Strategically planned, socially inclusive, and economically sustainable
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Advice Papers
The working group recognised that this energy transition is very complex – economically, politically, and socially
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Advice Papers
The RSE applauds the Scottish Government’s ambition to have an energy system that provides maximum community and economic benefits, leaving no one behind.
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Advice Papers
RSE responds to Scottish Government's draft Hydrogen Action Plan. Goals and milestones will be difficult to achieve with available funding.
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Advice Papers
The Royal Society of Scotland response to the UK Parliament Scottish Affairs Committee's inquiry into renewable energy in Scotland.
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Events
The demand for energy continues to increase – but what does this mean for Scotland's rural communities? Join our livestream and hear from experts who will explore challenges and potential solutions.
