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Supergen Energy Networks Impact Hub 2023

Lead Research Organisation: University of Bristol
Department Name: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Abstract

The global energy sector is facing considerable pressure arising from climate change, depletion of fossil fuels and geopolitical issues around the location of remaining fossil fuel reserves. Energy networks are vitally important enablers for the UK energy sector and therefore UK industry and society. Energy networks exist primarily to exploit and facilitate temporal and spatial diversity in energy production and use and to exploit economies of scale where they exist. The pursuit of Net Zero presents many complex interconnected challenges which reach beyond the UK and have huge relevance internationally. These challenges vary considerably from region to region due to historical, geographic, political, economic and cultural reasons. As technology and society changes so do these challenges, and therefore the planning, design and operation of energy networks needs to be revisited and optimised.

Electricity systems are facing technical issues of bi-directional power flows, increasing long-distance power flows and a growing contribution from fluctuating and low inertia generation sources. Gas systems require significant innovation to remain relevant in a low carbon future. Heat networks have little energy demand market share, although they have been successfully installed in other northern European countries. Other energy vectors such as Hydrogen or bio-methane show great promise but as yet have no significant share of the market. Faced with these pressures, the modernisation of energy networks technology, processes and governance is a necessity if they are to be fit for the future. Good progress has been made in de-carbonisation in some areas but this has not been fast enough, widespread enough across vectors or sectors and not enough of the innovation is being deployed at scale. Effort is required to accelerate the development, scale up the deployment and increase the impact delivered.

Organisations

Publications

10 25 50

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Arsene C (2024) Deep convolutional neural networks for short-term multi-energy demand prediction of integrated energy systems in International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems

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Darby S (2024) Briefing: Stocktaking global warming: the outcomes of the 2023 Dubai Climate Summit (COP28) in Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Energy

Related Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Award Value
EP/Y016114/1 30/09/2023 30/07/2024 £5,334,575
EP/Y016114/2 Transfer EP/Y016114/1 31/07/2024 29/09/2028 £4,819,783
 
Description Evidence and recommendations for Ofgem's RIIO-3 Sector Specific Methodology Consultation
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consultation/riio-3-sector-specific-methodology-gas-distribution-gas-transm...
 
Description UK Parliament call for evidence on government resilience to extreme weather
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
 
Description Knowledge Elicitation of Risks to Assets Under LightNing Impulse Conditions (KERAUnIC)
Amount £558,656 (GBP)
Funding ID NIA2_NGET0055 
Organisation National Energy System Operator 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2024 
End 09/2025
 
Description Just Transition Report with Bristol Energy Network 
Organisation Bristol Energy Network
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Supergen E.Networks colleagues worked with Bristol Energy Networks to hold workshops and create a questionnaire for the general public on their views on Just Transistion.
Collaborator Contribution Policy experts/Co Directors for SEN from the University of Leeds contribution to discussions and design of questionnaire
Impact Ongoing contribution to future research - multidisciplinary with Policy experts with contribution from Academics, the general public and Bristol Energy Network advisors
Start Year 2023
 
Description "Lunch and Learn"' seminar at Jacobs 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Advanced control approaches for multi-energy networks, "Lunch and Learn"' seminar, Jacobs (International
technical professional services company)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Contributed to POSTnote on Energy security and AI 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Contributed to Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology POSTnote on "Energy security and AI", published 10 December 2024.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pn-0735/
 
Description DESNZ Electricity Networks Supply Chain and Skills Intro chat 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Introductory chat with Professor Jianzhong Wu to discuss constraints within the UK electricity network supply chain.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description EN/INZAC - DSO Planning Meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Meeting to discuss future planning for DSO and Whole System, and the role of the group in guiding and informing delivery of our activities throughout ED2
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description EPSRC Expert Group meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Meeting to discuss EPSRC strategic direction
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Guest Lecture at University of Liege, Belgium 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Guest lecture to undergraduate students, post-graduate research students and facultyUniversity of Liege, Belgium
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Guest Lecture at University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Guest lecture to post-graduate research students and faculty at University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA (28 October 2024).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Guest lecture at Arizona State University, USA 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Guest lecture to post-graduate research students and faculty at Arizona State University, USA (24 October 2024).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Guest lecture at KU Leuven, Belgium 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Guest lecture to post-graduate research students and faculty at KU Leuven, Belgium (12 November 2024).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Guest lecture at Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Guest lecture delivered to undergraduate, post-graduate research students and faculty at Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), (7 October 2024).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Guest lecture at the University of Edinburgh 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Guest lecture on 'Energy demand and disruptive weather' within the 'Multi-Scale Energy Demand' unit course at the University of Edinburgh.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Guest seminar at Newcastle University 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Guest seminar on 'Impact of weather on power distribution networks' within the Newcastle University Power System seminar series.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description HI--ACT International Advisory Board 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Discussions on hydrogen research priorities
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025
 
Description HI-ACT nternational Advisory Board Meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Initial meeting of the HI-ACT International Advisory Board, discussing hydrogen research priorities from an international perspective.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description IAG Future Electricity Grid for Wales 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Initial meeting of the independent advisory group for future electricity grid for Wales with Welsh government looking at grid requirements for future electricity allocation in Wales.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description INZAC T3 Digitalisation Buddy Group Meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact SPEN INZAC special interest group
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Impact Advisory Committee Meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Impact Advisory Committee Meeting - showcasing project outcomes/networking and collaborating through Industry real world challenges in which SEN could be involved/have real world impact
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Invited energy expert and panel judge for Krakenflex hackathon event and guest speaker at company away day 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Delivered a talk about energy transition and research in the area to Krakenflex company employees (c. 60), and acted as a judge for hackathon event based around innovations applicable for energy suppliers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Invited expert reviewer for DAFNI Energy Sandpit 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited expert reviewer for Data & Analytics Facility for National Infrastructure (DAFNI) Sandpit funding scheme (2024)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Invited speaker at Parliamentary Reception On Resilience, speaking to Members of the House of Lords, Members of Parliament, and press 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Spoke at Parliamentary Reception On Resilience on 15 May 2024. Audience consisted of Members of the House of Lords, Members of Parliament, Industry, and media. Discussed changes in policy required to improve energy network resilience.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Invited talk at Brussels Institute for Advanced Studies (BrIAS), Brussels, Belgium 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited for a visiting period as BrIAS Senior Fellow. We are exploring potential collaborations within research areas relevant to the project, in particular on energy storage systems. Delivered a talk (streamed also online) about optimisation-based control of flexible resources in multi-energy networks to academics, researchers, professional practitioners, post-doctoral researchers and other BrIAS Fellows
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025
 
Description Invited talk at Energy Innovation Center, Brandenburg University of Technology, Germany 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited talk on Distributed control for sustainable multi-energy networks
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Invited talk at IEEE ECC2024 pre-conference workshop, Stockholm, Sweden 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Keynote talk about Distributed time-varying optimization for multi-energy districts at the IEEE ECC2024 pre-conference workshop on
Exploring cyber-physical-human systems through Living laboratories
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025
 
Description Invited talk at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited talk on Optimisation-based control of flexible resources for more sustainable and efficient energy networks
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Invited talk at University of Leeds, UK 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited talk on Data-driven control for multi-energy networks, University of Leeds, UK
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Invited talk at University of Naples, Federico II, Italy 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Delivered a talk (streamed also online) about optimisation-based control of flexible resources in multi-energy networks to academics, researchers, post-doctoral researchers
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025
 
Description Invited talk at the IEEE Boston Tech 2024 conference and expo 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Invited talk on 'Energy systems and disruptive weather' at the IEEE Boston Tech Conference and Expo, Boston, MA, USA, 2024.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Invited talk at the IEEE PES MEEPS 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Invited talk on 'Improving power grid preparedness to severe weather events now and in the future' during the Women in Power session of the Manchester Energy and Electrical Power Systems 2024 symposium.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Meeting 3 IAG Future Electricity Grid for Wales 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact independent advisory group for future electricity grid for Wales with Welsh government looking at grid requirements for future electricity allocation in Wales.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Meeting 4 IAG Future Electricity Grid for Wales 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact independent advisory group for future electricity grid for Wales with Welsh government looking at grid requirements for future electricity allocation in Wales.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Meeting with Phasecraft - Quantum Algorithms 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Meeting with Phasecraft - discussion on collaboration ideas for Energy Networks and Quantum Algorithms
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Meetings with PhaseCraft 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Had meetings each day for one week to discuss potential applications of quantum algorithms to energy problems. Relevant energy problems have been mathematically formulated and are being analysed.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Miniature Lightning Machine at Manchester Science and Industry Museum 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Display of table-top high voltage equipment, including 120 kV 'lightning machine'. 1000+ in attendance at the event and 300+ direct interactions with members of the public, increasing awareness of energy research.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025
 
Description NPG Science and Technology Advisory Panel 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Advisory Position on Technical Panel
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024,2025
 
Description Outreach at Rochdale Science Extravaganza 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Public demonstration of building a motor demonstration, flywheels, and a net zero energy system game. 1000+ interactions with children from local community, acting as ambassador for engineering.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description POSTnote on just sustainable transitions 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Oral and written contribution (including some of my own papers) for the POSTnote on just sustainable transitions.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pn-0706/
 
Description Part of Utility Week's judging panel for the Utility Week Flex Awards 2025 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact An expert panel member for Utility Week's annual energy system flex awards
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025
URL https://www.flexawards.co.uk
 
Description Press release 
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 Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Press release of our 'Identification of weather patterns and transitions likely to cause power outages in the United Kingdom' paper.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://www.ukri.org/news/helping-the-uk-protect-itself-from-disruptive-weather/
 
Description Press release 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Press release of our 'Identification of weather patterns and transitions likely to cause power outages in the United Kingdom' to UNDRR.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://www.preventionweb.net/news/weather-patterns-and-power-outage-links-could-help-uk-protect-its...
 
Description Press release 
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 Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Press release of our 'Identification of weather patterns and transitions likely to cause power outages in the United Kingdom' to the communications team at the University of Bristol.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2024/january/links-between-weather-patterns-and-power-outages.html
 
Description Public lecture at Aalborg Universitet, Denmark 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Piublic lecture on Optimisation-based control of flexible resources for more sustainable and efficient energy networks
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description RIIO-GT3 Innovation Coalition: The Path to Decarbonisation 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Workshop to give feedback on National Gas RIIO GT3 planning
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Risk and Resilience Day 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Academics, including ECR's and Industry colleagues attended a one day workshop on Risk and Resilience in Energy Networks. Key notes and presentations/networking events
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://www.riskday.co.uk/
 
Description Royal Society thermal energy efficiency working group meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Meeting to discuss the planning for Royal Society Report
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description SPEN INZAC Quarterly Meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Quarterly meeting of the SPEN Independent Net Zero Advisory Council. Discussion topics include T3 and strategy
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description SPEN INZAC Quarterly Meeting - September 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Advisory Position on Technical Panel
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description T3 INZAC Buddy Group - Data & Digitalisation and Innovation 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact SPEN INZAC special interest group
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description T3 INZAC Buddy Group - Data & Digitalisation and Innovation 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact SPEN INZAC special interest group
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description T3 INZAC Data Buddy Group 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact SPEN INZAC special interest group
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Talk for the seminar series "Value in Energy Data", Energy System Catapult 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Talk on Optimisation-based control of flexible resources in energy networks, Energy System Catapult
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023,2024
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltY5bOxmVLk&ab_channel=EnergySystemsCatapult