The Energy and Environment Research Unit (EERU) was set up in 1986 to undertake and co-ordinate research on sustainable energy technologies and to support the development of environmentally sound approaches to the generation and use of energy. The Unit is staffed by members of the Faculty of Technology and is currently directed by Godfrey Boyle.

In addition to supporting a wide range of post-graduate research work, EERU also runs course T206 'Energy for a Sustainable Future' within the Open University's undergraduate programme.