Details of Grant

EPSRC Reference:

EP/S00078X/1

Title:

Supergen Energy Networks hub 2018

Principal Investigator:

Other Investigators:

Wu, Professor J	Terzija, Professor V	Taylor, Professor P
Walker, Professor S	Li, Professor F	Preece, Dr R

Researcher Co-Investigators:

Project Partners:

AMT Sybex Ltd	Cardiff University	Dept for Bus, Energy & Ind Strat (BEIS)
Ecole Polytechnique	Energy Networks Association	Energy Systems Catapult
Enzen Global Solutions Private Ltd.	Government of Scotland	IGEM (Inst of Gas Engineers & Managers)
Keele University	Leeds City Council	National Energy Action
Northern Gas Networks	Northern Powergrid	Ofgem
RWE npower PLC	Siemens	Swanbarton Limited
Tata Steel Limited	The Alan Turing Institute	The Climate Change Committee
Toshiba	UK Energy Research Centre	UK Power Networks
UNiLAB	University of Leeds	University of Manchester, The
University of Oxford	Wales & West Utilities	Western Power Distribution

Department:

Sch of Engineering

Organisation:

Newcastle University

Scheme:

Standard Research

Starts:

01 October 2018

Ends:

30 June 2020

Value (£):

5,183,585

EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:

Sustainable Energy Networks

EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:

Energy

Related Grants:

Panel History:

Panel Date	Panel Name	Outcome
27 Apr 2018	Supergen Hubs 2018	Announced

Summary on Grant Application Form

Energy networks are vitally important enablers for the UK energy sector and therefore UK industry and society. The energy trilemma (energy security, environmental impact and social cost) presents many complex interconnected challenges which reach beyond the UK and have huge relevance internationally. These challenges vary considerably from region to region, and change as a result of technology and society changes. Therefore, the planning, design and operation of energy networks needs to be revisited and optimised. Current energy networks research does not fully embrace a whole systems approach and is therefore not developing a deep enough understanding of the interconnected and interdependent nature of energy network infrastructure.

The Supergen Energy Networks Hub will provide leadership, a core research programme and mechanisms/funding for the energy networks community to grow and come together to develop this deeper understanding and explore opportunities to shape energy networks which are fit for the future.

The research component of the Hub's activities comprises an interconnected and complementary series of work packages. The work packages are: WP1: Understanding, Shaping and Challenging; WP2: Energy Network Infrastructure; WP3: ICT and Data; WP4: Policy and Society; WP5: Markets and Regulation; WP6: Risk and Uncertainty. WP1 incorporates a co-evolutionary approach and brings the other work packages together in a structured way. WP2 is the backbone of the research, dealing with the physical infrastructure in a multi vector manner from the outset. WP3 to WP6 deal with aspects of energy networks that cut across, and are equally valid, for all vectors and have the ability to integrate and modernise network infrastructures. All work packages will consider both planning and design as well as operational aspects. Experimental work and demonstrators will be essential to progress in energy networks research and the Hub will bring these facilities to bear through WP1.

The Hub will engage with the energy networks communities throughout the research programme, to ensure that the work is informed by best practice and that the findings are widely visible and understood.

The main objectives of the communication and engagement activities will be to ensure the energy networks academic community are connected and coherent, and that their work has a high profile and deep level of understanding in the relevant Industrial, Governmental and Societal communities both nationally and internationally. This will maximise the chances of high impact outcomes in the energy networks space as well as promoting energy networks as an exciting and dynamic area to carry out research, thus attracting the brightest minds to get involved.

Communication and engagement activities will be a constant feature of the Hub and will be particularly energetic during the first twelve months in order to rapidly establish a brand, and an open and supportive culture within the relevant communities. Engagement activities will as far as possible be carried out in conjunction with other key organisations in the energy space, to maximise the value of the engagement activities.

The Hub aims to become a beacon for equality, diversity and inclusion. Our mission is to enhance equality of opportunity and create a positive, flourishing, safe and inclusive environment for everyone associated with the Hub, from staff, students, Advisory Board members and general Hub representation (at conferences, workshops and reviews). We recognise the need and the challenges to support early career researchers, and improve the balance of protected characteristics across the entire Hub community, such as race or ethnicity, gender reassignment, disability, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief, pregnancy or maternity status, marital status or socio-economic background.

Key Findings

This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk

Potential use in non-academic contexts

This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk

Impacts

Description	This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Summary
Date Materialised

Sectors submitted by the Researcher

This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk

Project URL:

Further Information:

Organisation Website:

http://www.ncl.ac.uk