The UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has awarded the funding to a team, led by Dr Liliana de Lillo, a Royal Academy of Engineering Senior Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham. The multidisciplinary team including co-leads Dr Xu Deng and Dr Nick Simpson from Newcastle and Bristol universities, brings together world-leading experts in power electronics, electric propulsion, thermal management, machine design, materials and manufacturing.

Sustainable electrification is set to become increasingly important. The next two decades will see a massive change in the utilisation of renewable energy sources, driven by the Government’s target to deploy low-carbon resources for 95% of energy generation by 2030. This will lead to greater use of electric generators and at the same time, almost all propulsion, heating and cooling, and industrial processes will require an electric motor.

There is a major risk of a dramatic increase in energy loss, CO2 emissions and precious raw material usage in both the manufacture and usage of generators and electric motors, as a result of these changes.

Currently, 50% of the world’s electrical energy is used to power rotating motors, however, the systems they drive are typically very inefficient and contribute to a large amount of wasted energy.

By adopting a multi-disciplinary approach, this program will focus on removing technological barriers to enable true integration of power converters with electrical motors and generators to become the answer to the problem of achieving more sustainable electrification. This will also allow for more efficient and lower weight industrial and transport applications and dramatically reduce CO2 emissions from manufacturing.

From Quantum sensors and cryogenic cooling to rare earth free motors and integrated power electronic solutions, researchers from the Universities of Nottingham, Newcastle and Bristol will investigate and deliver solutions that reduce energy wastage and minimise life cycle impacts. These innovations will result in an increase in energy efficiency and reductions in environmental impact– accelerating the route to Net Zero and long-term sustainability.

A pivotal opportunity

Dr Liliana de Lillo, from the University of Nottingham, said: “We are living through a new industrial revolution and this is a crucial time in the quest to find sustainable solutions to electrification across all industrial sectors.

“Through this research programme, we want to change the way we use energy. Renewable energy sources and electrification are key enablers of the aim to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions.

“We can achieve that aim through the integration of power electronics and electric motors, using common structures and systems to greatly reduce material usage and energy consumption.

“The ambition is to investigate and deliver innovative solutions that reduce energy wastage and minimise life cycle impacts and the quantity of precious materials used.”

Dr Xu Deng, NUAcT Fellow in Electrical Power, Newcastle University, said: "This EPSRC Programme Grant represents a pivotal opportunity to revolutionise electric motor technology through integrated motor drive solutions. The funding will enable our multi-disciplinary team to tackle critical scientific challenges across mechanical integration, thermal management and advanced control systems. By developing these sustainable technologies, we aim to significantly reduce energy wastage, minimise material usage and cut CO2 emissions across multiple sectors. Our work at Newcastle University, alongside our partners at Nottingham and Bristol, has the potential to accelerate the path to Net Zero while creating more efficient and environmentally responsible electrical systems for industry and transport applications worldwide."

Dr Kedar Pandya, EPSRC Executive Director for Strategy said: “Sustainable electrification is an important part of the work EPSRC is supporting to help secure a low-carbon future and meet UK net zero targets.

 “This research highlights how innovative new technologies and approaches will play a key role in reducing energy waste across industrial sectors and cutting carbon emissions so that we can build a greener future for us all.”

Press release adapted with thanks from the University of Nottingham.