Addressing the urban energy challenge: The role of distributed thermal storage in future low carbon city energy systems

Lead Research Organisation: University of Leeds
Department Name: Chemical and Process Engineering

Abstract

This project will seek to understand how thermal energy storage technologies can be deployed within the future energy system and help to address the trilemma of providing clean, cheap and secure energy. To date, much of the focus in decarbonising the UK's energy system has been on electricity. However, the challenge cannot be addressed without tackling the 40% of final energy demand for heating which accounts for 20% of UK carbon emissions.

The trend to urbanisation is clear and unequivocal. In the UK around 80% of the population already lives in cities and they are responsible for the vast majority of carbon emissions. Globally cities are already responsible for 75% of energy consumption and with 1.5 million people moving to urban areas every week, they are a vital part of the fundamental energy transformation that will be required between now and 2050.

The project will develop our understanding of the potential deployment configurations and applications for decentralised heat storage within the urban environment, by investigating:

- How thermal storage can balance the interface between urban heat and electricity systems
- How future electricity grid decarbonisation will change the way energy is used for heating and cooling including the expansion of heat pump technology
- How thermal storage can help mitigate the impact of increased demands for low carbon electricity for heating
- How the use of waste heat from urban systems can be maximised through integrating thermal storage with district heating and cooling

Cities can be thought of as complex systems and to better understand the interacting elements and emergent behaviours of the system, complexity-based tools and techniques will be employed which recognise the importance and interaction of social, technological, economic and environmental aspects of urban energy systems. A number of detailed case studies will be developed with which to model the application of thermal storage at a range of scales.

Publications

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Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
EP/N509681/1 30/09/2016 29/09/2021
1958986 Studentship EP/N509681/1 30/09/2017 29/09/2021 David Barns
 
Description To help shape developments to local zero carbon planning policy
First Year Of Impact 2021
Sector Government, Democracy and Justice
Impact Types Policy & public services

 
Description Contribution to the 'Alternative Manifesto Process' for the forthcoming West Yorkshire Metro Mayor elections 2021
Geographic Reach Local/Municipal/Regional 
Policy Influence Type Citation in other policy documents
 
Title Ongoing development of models to understand sustainability transitions 
Description Development of a combined multi-level perspective, coevolutionary and extended infrastructure business model framework. Creation of an alternative context framework to understand geoexchange development 
Type Of Material Data analysis technique 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact This will be included in my thesis write-up and future publications 
 
Description Contributed to press release around the expansion of Leeds-Bradford Airport 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Contributed to press release about the expansion of Leeds-Bradford Airport and requesting the Secretary of State 'calls-in' the decision because of its national significance
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/25/government-under-pressure-to-stop-leeds-bradford-air...
 
Description Created and managed website on a local campaign to achieve zero carbon 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Public engagement website developed and managed around the campaign for a zero-carbon, nature friendly and socially just Leeds by the 2030s
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019,2020,2021