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Our history

Switched on since 1979

The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) came into being in 1979, though in those days we were called the Urban Centre for Appropriate Technology (UCAT). We began as a sister organisation to the Centre for Alternative Technology.

We’ve always been based in Bristol with strong roots in the community.

The photo gallery below features the Future City Home (c1981), an initiative of the Urban Centre for Appropriate Technology (later CSE) which included a terraced house renovated to show energy efficiency in action in a city environment.

A small crowd mark the opening of the Urban Centre for Appropriate Technology in around 1981
Putting up solar panels at the Future City Home.
Receptionists in the office of the Urban Centre for Appropriate Technology - early 1980s.
A festival-like atmosphere at the opening of the Future City Home - a low-energy demonstration house in Bedminster, Bristol.
The public-facing reception area of the Future City Home. Early 1980s.
View from above of the vegetable garden at the Urban City Home, built to showcase greener living in a city environment.

Our 40th anniversary

In 2019 we marked our 40th anniversary, and we took heart from Carl Jung’s words: “Life really does begin at 40. Up until then, you’re just doing research.”

You can read our CEO, Simon Roberts’, thoughts from January 2019 on why we’re optimistic about the year ahead: Scale up, speed up, start up; inspiring change in 2019.

CSE's chief executive, Simon Roberts OBE, addressing a conference.
CSE’s chief executive, Simon Roberts OBE, (above) addressing CSE’s 40th anniversary conference in 2019 (below).

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