Energy Systems Nexus opens research opportunities covering heat networks and NHS buildings
UK – Energy Systems Nexus has launched an Academic Portal giving UK researchers access to industry-defined research challenges covering large-scale heat networks, energy flexibility in NHS buildings and the impact of electricity costs on low-income households.
The initiative aims to connect academic researchers with industry partners to develop research projects addressing the UK’s longer-term energy requirements, with support from Energy Systems Catapult.
Energy Systems Nexus is an industry-funded research collaboration whose members include E.ON, UK National Nuclear Laboratory and Amazon Web Services.
Long-term planning for heat networks
One of the initial research challenges focuses on extending UK energy system modelling beyond the current 2050 planning horizon to 2060 or 2070.
The research will examine how longer-term forecasts could influence investment decisions over the next 10 to 15 years, including the location of industrial clusters, data centres, nuclear infrastructure and large-scale heat networks.
It will also consider how emerging technologies and the availability of recoverable heat could influence the future configuration of energy infrastructure.
Energy Systems Catapult may provide suitable researchers with access to its Energy System Modelling Environment (ESME) to support this work.
Exploring energy flexibility in NHS buildings
A second challenge will investigate how demand flexibility across NHS estates could reduce operating costs and release electricity network capacity.
Researchers could access energy consumption data from hospitals within 25 NHS trusts through the Smart Energy Data Service (SENSE), alongside electricity distribution network information.
The proposed research will examine opportunities to adjust electricity demand, identify potential financial benefits for NHS trusts and assess whether greater flexibility could reduce the requirement for alternative flexibility assets elsewhere in the energy system.
A third research area will examine how non-commodity electricity costs affect different income groups and regions, including the implications of electrifying heat for households experiencing fuel poverty.
Industry support for research proposals
The Academic Portal provides summaries of the challenges identified by Nexus industry members. Researchers intending to pursue external funding, including UK Research and Innovation grants or doctoral studentships, can request further information.
Although financial support is not guaranteed, participating industry members may consider providing direct or in-kind assistance for individual research proposals.
It gives researchers a direct route into the whole energy system challenges industry is grappling with
Dr Jim Fleming, Nexus strategic advisor and Head of Energy at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Successful applicants may also receive support from Energy Systems Catapult to engage with wider industry during their research.
Further information is available through the Energy Systems Nexus Academic Portal
