Research scope

1. Commercial, Regulatory and Policy Aspects

Lead: Professor Gordon MacKerron, University of Sussex

We are looking at issues affecting energy supply and demand, including:

• regulation
• policy
• commercial
• social

This work will inform all CESI’s energy system models.

2. Energy Supply

Lead : Professor Simon Hogg, Durham University

Through this research, we aim to learn more about current and future UK sources of energy supply including

• wind
• geothermal
• solar
• tidal
• traditional technologies

Research Method

We are investigating how energy supply technologies may change over time. Factors such as reliability, cost and user-friendliness all have a part to play. We investigate these interactions.

3. Infrastructure and Storage

Lead: Professor Tony Roskilly, Durham University

In this work we are developing models of a variety of energy infrastructures. Systems evaluated include:

• ammonia
• biofuel
• compressed air
• electricity
• hydrogen
• natural gas
• petroleum
• thermal

4. Energy Demand

Lead: Professor David Flynn, University of Glasgow

In this research, we are looking at how moving to low carbon forms of energy will affect the demand for energy in:

• Buildings
• Industry
• Services
• Transport

When looking at low carbon energy technologies, we take into account factors such as: 

• Consumer preferences and choices
• Consumer habits
• Cost

5. Validation and Demonstration

Lead: Dr Haris Patsios, Newcastle University

Our full-scale Demonstrators make an important contribution to our research. They help us to understand the whole energy system in real world situations. CESI Demonstrators include:

• Newcastle Helix
• ETI / ESCat Smart Systems and Heat
• Findhorn
• Haringey
• Thames Valley Vision
• Cockle Park Farm
• Customer Led Network Revolution (CNLR)
• Integrated Transport Electricity Gas Research Laboratory (InTEGReL)

These sites cover different aspects of the whole energy system:

• Rural
• Urban
• Domestic
• Industrial and commercial use
• Community
• New build
• Retrofit aspects

6. Multiscale Architectures, Planning and Operation

Lead: Professor Phil Taylor, University of Bristol

We are developing whole energy system models to examine future energy system scenarios in the areas of:

• demand
• supply
• storage
• consumer behaviour

These models will interconnect all CESI’s research incorporating the many energy vectors and disciplines. We will utilise a co-evolutionary process to develop these scenarios.

7. Impact, Engagement and Management

Leads: Prof. Sara Walker, Newcastle University and Professor Phil Taylor, University of Bristol

To maximise the impact of our research, we will engage with the energy research and industrial sectors. We coordinate a wide range of events and workshops to facilitate this.

• Workshops for energy experts
• CESI Demonstrator open days
• Policy briefings

Where new opportunities emerge for collaboration we can utilise the Centre’s £1M Flexible Fund which is administered by our Executive Operational Committee.