PhD Engineering

As global efforts to combat climate change intensify, the Great British (GB) government has pledged to achieve a fully decarbonised power system by 2050, with interim targets such as deploying 40 GW of offshore wind power by 2030. However, the increasing reliance on intermittent renewable energy sources like wind presents challenges for energy supply security. Coupled with the growing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change, these disruptions highlight the need for energy systems that are both resilient and low carbon. Local flexible resources-such as distributed energy resources (DERs), mobile power sources, and community microgrids-offer untapped potential to address these challenges cost-effectively. This project will explore innovative strategies to utilise local flexible resources to enhance the resilience and sustainability of future energy systems. Specifically, it aims to answer two key questions:

• Whole-System Modelling: How can we develop a comprehensive whole-system modelling approach that links local flexible resources with national energy systems to enhance resilience and decarbonization efforts?
• Incentive Mechanisms: How can market mechanisms be restructured to encourage local flexible resources to provide resilient and low-carbon services cost-effectively?
This interdisciplinary research will involve a combination of theoretical modelling, computational simulations, and experimental validation. The main methodologies include:
• Whole-System Modelling: Developing advanced mathematical models to integrate electricity, gas, heat, hydrogen, and transport systems. These models will simulate interactions between local and national energy systems to enhance resilience and decarbonisation.
• Incentive Mechanism Design: Proposing new market mechanisms that incorporate resilience and low-carbon objectives alongside traditional economic factors. The project will assess these mechanisms using case studies and simulations.
The project will leverage real-time digital twin simulations and experimental testbeds to replicate real-world energy system constraints, including measurement, communication, and control limitations. While the project is primarily computational and theoretical, there may be opportunities for fieldwork to collect data or validate models in collaboration with industry partners. This could involve working with utility companies, renewable energy operators, or microgrid developers.

This project is well-suited for candidates passionate about renewable energy, energy system resilience, and optimisation. Applicants should have a strong academic background in one or more of the following areas:
• Energy systems engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Optimisation
• Environmental science or a related field
Experience with energy system modelling, programming, or optimisation methods is desirable but not essential. Enthusiasm for tackling interdisciplinary challenges is crucial. The outcomes of this research will provide transformative solutions for integrating resilience and decarbonisation into energy systems. By harnessing the potential of local flexible resources and advancing smart control methods, the project will contribute to the global effort to combat climate change and ensure sustainable, secure energy systems for the future. £19,237 per annum.