REnewable Energy access for Future UK Net-Zero Cooling (Reef-UKC)
Lead Research Organisation:
Aston University
Department Name: College of Engineering and Physical Sci
Abstract
A recent study by UK universities found that cooling currently accounts for 10-20% of the country's energy consumption, and the demand for cooling is expected to increase several-fold in the coming years. The Imperial College's Demand.ninja model shows that London is experiencing the fastest increase in cooling demand worldwide, mainly due to frequent and severe heatwaves. A separate study from the University of Oxford warns that the UK is unprepared for a 30% relative increase in cooling demand, the third-largest globally, after Ireland and Switzerland. Additionally, emerging sectors such as hydrogen production require significant cooling for efficient storage and distribution, with the production of ammonia as a hydrogen carrier being a high cooling demand process at 2.8 GJ/ton-ammonia.
Cooling is an energy intensive practice. If we continue to use grid electricity to power cooling systems, along with the increasing demand for other uses like electric vehicles, the grid will become significantly strained, hindering its decarbonisation. The Reef-UKC network aims to lead research in discovering the next generation of renewable energy technologies to meet the growing demand for cooling. We'll undertake evidence-based, multidisciplinary research using pump-priming funds and networking activities to leverage renewable energy sources for cooling. Our research will maximise system-level integration benefits while addressing the unique challenges of the UK's economic, environmental, societal, behavioural, and political contexts. Since cooling is a multidimensional challenge, we will focus on several fronts (F) to achieve our goals.
F1: Develop efficient renewable-powered cooling system-level solutions to meet the existing and future demand for cooling, specifically in rapidly growing sectors, e.g., Hydrogen, data centres.
F2: Consider environmental and social impacts and behavioural changes.
F3: Contemplate Cold economy, business modelling, sustainability, and design for circularity.
F4: Integrate the developed solutions with the developed cooling (and potentially heating) networks approaches by other research initiatives.
F5: Develop policies and regulatory frameworks to incentivise the adoption of the technology packages and communication with the UK government and local authorities.
Cooling is an energy intensive practice. If we continue to use grid electricity to power cooling systems, along with the increasing demand for other uses like electric vehicles, the grid will become significantly strained, hindering its decarbonisation. The Reef-UKC network aims to lead research in discovering the next generation of renewable energy technologies to meet the growing demand for cooling. We'll undertake evidence-based, multidisciplinary research using pump-priming funds and networking activities to leverage renewable energy sources for cooling. Our research will maximise system-level integration benefits while addressing the unique challenges of the UK's economic, environmental, societal, behavioural, and political contexts. Since cooling is a multidimensional challenge, we will focus on several fronts (F) to achieve our goals.
F1: Develop efficient renewable-powered cooling system-level solutions to meet the existing and future demand for cooling, specifically in rapidly growing sectors, e.g., Hydrogen, data centres.
F2: Consider environmental and social impacts and behavioural changes.
F3: Contemplate Cold economy, business modelling, sustainability, and design for circularity.
F4: Integrate the developed solutions with the developed cooling (and potentially heating) networks approaches by other research initiatives.
F5: Develop policies and regulatory frameworks to incentivise the adoption of the technology packages and communication with the UK government and local authorities.
Organisations
- Aston University (Lead Research Organisation)
- INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ROORKEE (Collaboration)
- ASTON UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- Tianjin University (Collaboration)
- King Saud University (Collaboration)
- University of Warwick (Collaboration)
- BELFAST CITY COUNCIL (Collaboration)
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH (Collaboration)
- DURHAM UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM (Collaboration)
- London South Bank University (Collaboration)
- Tyseley Energy Park Ltd (Collaboration)
- IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (Collaboration)
- ULSTER UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- British Geological Survey (Collaboration)
- BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- BRUNEL UNIVERSITY LONDON (Collaboration)
- University of Glasgow (Collaboration)
- INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY MADRAS (Collaboration)
- Phase Change Material Products Limited (Project Partner)
- PAK Engineering (Project Partner)
- Tyseley Energy Park Limited (Project Partner)
- Kinder Energy Ltd (Project Partner)
- Specialist Computer Centres Ltd (SCC) (Project Partner)
- BELFAST CITY COUNCIL (Project Partner)
Publications
Emami A
(2024)
Exergy-economic based multi-objective optimization and carbon footprint analysis of solar thermal refrigeration systems
in Case Studies in Thermal Engineering
| Description | Academic- Abed |
| Organisation | Aston University |
| Department | College of Engineering and Physical Sciences |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has collaborated with Dr. Abed Alaswad and invited him to several project meetings. We have kept him informed of the project's events and activities. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr. Abed Alaswad is a Reader in Mechanical Engineering and an expert in sustainable energy systems at Aston University, where he directs the Engineering for Sustainable Development Research Centre and serves as Deputy Head of the Department of Mechanical, Biomedical, and Design Engineering. He has attended several project meetings and provided his expert opinion on several challenging energy system issues. |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Academic- Luciano |
| Organisation | Aston University |
| Department | Aston Business School |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has collaborated with Dr. Luciano Batista at Aston Business School and invited him to several project meetings. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Luciano is Associate Professor (Reader) in Sustainable Operations Management at Aston Business School and the founding Director of the Centre for Circular Economy and Advanced Sustainability (CEAS) at Aston University. He is involved in a seed-funded project and provides his business modelling expertise. |
| Impact | Predicted outcomes are Development of Business modelling for seed-funded project. Contribution to white paper resulting from the seed funding project |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Academic-Amiri |
| Organisation | Aston University |
| Department | Chemical Engineering |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has collaborated with Dr. Amiri Amirpiran at College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and invited him to several project meetings. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr. Amiri Amirpiran has been extremely supportive and has attended various project meetings and events and provided valuable guidance and support. |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Academic-Andrew |
| Organisation | Durham University |
| Department | Department of Engineering |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Prof Andrew Smallbone from DurhamUniversity and have involved him in all project events and activities. We have also kept him informed of the project progress at all stages and encouraged to apply for seed funding as well. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Andrew is the Director of the EPSRC Network+ on the Decarbonisation of Heating and Cooling, Co-Director of the EPSRC Network+ on Hydrogen for Transportation (Network-H2), a Fellow of the Durham Energy Institue (DEI) and a Professor in the Department of Engineering. He has proactively participated in all project events and meetings and provided his valuable expertise. |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Academic-Asaad |
| Organisation | University of Birmingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Prof. Asaad Faramarzi from University of Birmingham and has involved him in all project events and activities. We have also kept him informed of the project progress at all stages. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Nothing to report yet |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Academic-Binjian |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Dr. Binjian Nie from University of Oxford and has involved him in all project events and activities. We have also kept him informed of the project progress at all stages and encouraged to apply for seed funding as well. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr. Binjian Nie is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, where he leads the Energy Storage and Energy Carriers group. He has participated in project events and meetings and provided his valuable expertise. He also applied for seed funding but was unsuccessful. |
| Impact | Nothing to reprot yet |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Academic-Catarina |
| Organisation | London South Bank University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Dr. Catarina Marques from London South Bank University and has involved her in all project events and activities. We have also kept her informed of the project progress at all stages. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr. Marques is a Senior Research Fellow at London South Bank University with 18 years of experience in funded research projects focused on food science, refrigeration, and district heating and cooling. She has proactively participated in all project events and meetings and provided his valuable expertise. She is also involved EDI work package of the project and has provided her expert opinion to improve the EDI statistics for the project. |
| Impact | EDI strategy established |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Academic-Christopher |
| Organisation | British Geological Survey |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Dr Christopher Brown from British Geological Survey and has involved him in all project events and activities. We have also kept him informed of the project progress at all stages and encouraged to apply for seed funding as well. Christopher has been successful in seed funding. The Reef-UKC project research team announced the seed funding round during the ECR workshop in September 2024, attracting a large number of applications. As part of the selection process, the principal investigator and co-investigator, supported by senior academic members of the consortium, played a key role in reviewing and shortlisting high-potential applications. This rigorous process involved evaluating abstracts, interviewing applicants, and providing guidance to ensure that selected projects, align with the objectives of the Reef-UKC project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Christopher has proactively participated in all project events and meetings and provided his valuable expertise. He has been successful in seed funding application as well and working on working the project named "Investigating mixed-circuit injection-extraction strategies between borehole heat exchangers in a cooling dominated system " This is a seed-funded project led by Dr Christopher Brown from the British Geological Survey, who is actively investigating an innovative approach to addressing high cooling and heating demands using mixed-circuit borehole heat exchanger (BHE) arrays. With support from seed funding, they are exploring the feasibility of a closed-loop BHE network that enables efficient heat transfer via conduction within the subsurface. The key novelty of this approach is the real-time integration of cooling and heating loads within a single system, allowing for the flexible redistribution of thermal energy. This system is designed to optimize the near-constant cooling demands of data centres while simultaneously addressing the variable heating requirements of district networks, reducing reliance on grid electricity and minimizing energy waste. The project commenced in January 205 and is scheduled for completion by the end of August 2025. |
| Impact | This project will result in the following outputs: Testing at the Geoenergy observatory Interpretation of the data at Cheshire Numerical model development Presentation at European Geoscience Union 2025 Submission of journal article Contribution to white paper resulting from the seed funding project |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Academic-Daniel |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Professor Daniel Friedrich from the University of Edinburgh and has involved him in all project events and activities. We have also kept him informed of the project progress at all stages and encouraged to apply for seed funding as well. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Professor Daniel Friedrich is an applied mathematician specializing in the development and application of mathematical methods to address real-world challenges, particularly in the biotechnology and energy sectors. He has participated in project events and meetings and provided his valuable expertise. |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Academic-Gioia |
| Organisation | University of Glasgow |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Prof. Gioia Falcone from University of Glasgow and has involved her in all project events and activities. We have also kept her informed of the project progress at all stages and encouraged to apply for seed funding as well. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Prof. Gioia Falcone has actively participated in all project events and meetings and provided her valuable expertise. |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Academic-Harjit |
| Organisation | Brunel University London |
| Department | School of Engineering and Design |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project research team has kept close contact with Prof Harjit Singh from Brunel University and have involved him in all project events and activities. We have also kept him informed of the project progress at all stages and encouraged to apply for seed funding as well. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr Singh is the Professor of Sustainable Energy Technologies at Brunel University of London (UK). His research focusses on concentrating solar energy technologies, vacuum insulation panels and building/industrial retrofit for improved energy efficiency with over 100 peer reviewed publications in the area. Prof Harjit Singh has proactively participated in all project events and meetings and provided his valuable expertise. He is also supporting one of the work packages. |
| Impact | Delivery of workpackage, Strategic funding planning |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Academic-Henrique |
| Organisation | London South Bank University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Dr. Henrique Lagoeiro from London South Bank University and have involved him in all project events and activities. We have also kept him informed of the project progress at all stages and encouraged to apply for seed funding as well. We also supported him through the seed funding application and introduced to our industrial and local authority partners. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr. Henrique Lagoeiro is an expert in energy modelling for heating and cooling applications, focusing on energy efficiency and decarbonisation of district energy networks and commercial/industrial refrigeration. He has attended all project meetings and events and has been successful in his seed funding application. He is working closely with our industrial partner and Birmingham City Council on this seed funding project. |
| Impact | Predicted outcomes are Development of a heat source map Contribution to white paper resulting from the seed funding project |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Academic-Judith |
| Organisation | London South Bank University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Prof Judith Evans from London South Bank University and has involved her in all project events and activities. We have also kept her informed of the project progress at all stages and encouraged to apply for seed funding as well. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Prof Judith Evans has actively participated in all project events and meetings and provided her valuable expertise. She has been involved in a seed funding project as well. |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Academic-Khoa |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Dr. Khoa Le from University of Oxford and has involved him in all project events and activities. We have also kept him informed of the project progress at all stages and encouraged to apply for seed funding as well. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr. Khoa Le is a researcher in the Future of Cooling Programme of the Oxford Martin School and Energy and Power Group at the Department of Engineering Science. He has actively participated in all project events and meetings and provided his valuable expertise. He also applied for seed funding but was unsuccessful. |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Academic-Malcolm |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Prof. Malcolm McCulloch from University of Oxford and has involved him in all project events and activities. We have also kept him informed of the project progress at all stages and encouraged to apply for seed funding as well. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Prof. Malcolm McCulloch is a Professor of Energy Systems and Group Leader of the Energy and Power Group at the University of Oxford. He has participated in project events and meetings and provided his valuable expertise. |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Academic-Moura |
| Organisation | University of Birmingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Dr. Moura Mehravar from University of Birmingham and has involved her in all project events and activities. We have also kept her informed of the project progress at all stages and encouraged to apply for seed funding as well. She has been successful in a seed funding application. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr. Moura Mehravar specialises in computational mechanics and experimental modelling in geotechnical engineering, focusing on geo-energy infrastructure, including energy piles and offshore wind turbine foundations. She has proactively participated in all project events and meetings and provided her valuable expertise and has been successful in a seed funding application. |
| Impact | Predicted outcomes are Development of Optimising Energy Pile Systems for Efficient Cooling: A Digital Twin Approach. Contribution to white paper resulting from the seed funding project |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Academic-Neil |
| Organisation | Ulster University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The project team has kept close contact with Prof. Neil Hewitt from Ulster University and have involved him in all project events and activities. We have also kept him informed of the project progress at all stages and encouraged him to apply for seed funding as well. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Prof Neil Hewitt is recognised as an expert in heat pump technology, particularly in their development and application within energy storage and demand-side management. He has proactively participated in all project events and meetings and provided his valuable expertise. He is also supporting one of the work packages. |
| Impact | Delivery of work package Strategic funding planning |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Academic-Salvador |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Department | Department of Chemistry |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Dr. Salvador Acha from Imperial College London and has involved him in all project events and activities. We have also kept him informed of the project progress at all stages and encouraged him to apply for seed funding as well. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr. Salvador Acha is a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London, specializing in the transition towards Net Zero. With over 15 years of experience, he leads the Imperial College - Sainsbury's Partnership, overseeing over 100 projects focused on enhancing energy systems and evaluating low carbon technologies. He has proactively participated in all project events and meetings and provided his valuable expertise. |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Academic-Stan |
| Organisation | University of Warwick |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Dr. Stan Shirefrom University of Warwick and has involved him in all project events and activities. We have also kept him informed of the project progress at all stages and encouraged to apply for seed funding as well. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr. Stan Shire has participated in key project events and meetings and provided his valuable expertise. |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Academic-Steven |
| Organisation | University of Warwick |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Dr. Steven Metcalf from University of Warwick and has involved him in all project events and activities. We have also kept him informed of the project progress at all stages and encouraged him to apply for seed funding as well. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr. Steven Metcalf has participated in key project events and meetings and provided his valuable expertise. |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Aston-Co-I |
| Organisation | Aston University |
| Department | Energy & Bioproducts Research Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has actively engaged with Prof. Patricia Thornley (Director, Energy & Bioproducts Research Institute) at Aston University throughout the project. We have maintained close communication with her, ensuring his involvement in all project events and activities. Additionally, we have kept her informed of project progress at every stage, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. This engagement has strengthened our partnership and facilitated valuable contributions to the project's success. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Prof. Patricia Thornley is also Co-Investigator in the project. Professor Thornley is director of the UK's national bioenergy programme: the Supergen Bioenergy hub. A fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, she has worked in low carbon energy for over 30 years, during which time she led multiple national and international research projects in engineering, physical and biological sciences, with research awards of £28M from UKRI as principal investigator and a further £20M as Co-investigator in the last 12 years. Prof. Thornley has been an invaluable partner in this collaboration, providing expert guidance and support throughout the project. She has attended all project meetings and events and contributed to the project's activities. |
| Impact | Successful Kick off of the project Formation of steering committee Successful first round of seed funding |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | BGS |
| Organisation | British Geological Survey |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Reef-UKC project research team announced the seed funding round during the ECR workshop in September 2024, attracting a large number of applications. As part of the selection process, the principal investigator and co-investigator, supported by senior academic members of the consortium, played a key role in reviewing and shortlisting high-potential applications. This rigorous process involved evaluating abstracts, interviewing applicants, and providing guidance to ensure that selected projects, align with the objectives of the Reef-UKC project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This is a seed-funded project led by Dr Christopher Brown from the British Geological Survey, who is actively investigating an innovative approach to addressing high cooling and heating demands using mixed-circuit borehole heat exchanger (BHE) arrays. With support from seed funding, they are exploring the feasibility of a closed-loop BHE network that enables efficient heat transfer via conduction within the subsurface. The key novelty of this approach is the real-time integration of cooling and heating loads within a single system, allowing for the flexible redistribution of thermal energy. This system is designed to optimize the near-constant cooling demands of data centres while simultaneously addressing the variable heating requirements of district networks, reducing reliance on grid electricity and minimizing energy waste. The project commenced in January 205 and is scheduled for completion by the end of August 2025. |
| Impact | This project will result in the following outputs: Testing at the Geoenergy observatory Interpretation of the data at Cheshire Numerical model development Presentation at European Geoscience Union 2025 Submission of journal article |
| Start Year | 2025 |
| Description | Edinburgh |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has approved a seed funding call from University of Edinburgh led by Dr. Dan van der Horst. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr. Dan van der Horst supported by Dr. Connor Smith and Prof Daniel Friedrich have been successful on the seed fund project named "Exploring the social acceptability of diverse cooling technologies". They have actively participated in project events and meetings. |
| Impact | Predicted outputs: Identification of most promising technologies Development of business models Examination of potential social impacts Policy recommendations Publication of white paper |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | International Academic-AdilNour |
| Organisation | King Saud University |
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Dr. Adil Nour has recently joined the project and project team has kept close contact with Dr. Adil Nour informed of the project progress and activities lined up in the project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Nothing to report yet |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | International Academic-Rajesekar |
| Organisation | Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee |
| Country | India |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Dr. Rajesekar Erlangan from Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India and have involved him in all project events and activities. We have also kept him informed of the project progress |
| Collaborator Contribution | Nothing to report yet |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | International Academic-Satya |
| Organisation | Indian Institute of Technology Madras |
| Country | India |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project research team has kept close contact with Dr. Satyanarayanan Seshadri from Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India and has involved him in all project events and activities. We have also kept him informed of the project progress |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr. Satyanarayanan Seshadri has attended a few virtual meetings with the project team and is very interested to attend one of the events organised by the project. |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet |
| Start Year | 2025 |
| Description | International Academic-Yanzhao |
| Organisation | Tianjin University |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project research team has kept close contact with Dr. Yanzhao An from Tianjin University, China and has involved him in all project events and activities. We have also kept him informed of the project progress |
| Collaborator Contribution | Nothing to report yet |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | International Academic-Yosr |
| Organisation | Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) |
| Country | Norway |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Dr. Yosr Allouche from Norwegian University of Science and Technology and kept her informed of the project progress. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Nothing to report yet |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Non Academic- David Horsfall |
| Organisation | Tyseley Energy Park Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with David Horsfall Singh from Tyseley Energy Park and has involved him in all project events and activities. We have also kept him informed of the project progress at all stages. |
| Collaborator Contribution | David has been very supportive and Tyseley Energy Park has provided a letter of support with £30000 in-kind contribution. |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Non Academic- Debbie Caldwell |
| Organisation | Belfast City Council |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Debbie Caldwell from Belfast City Council and has involved her in all project events and activities. We have also kept her informed of the project progress at all stages. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Debbie has been very supportive and has provided a letter of support with in-kind contribution of £1500 |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Non Academic- Derrick Taylor |
| Organisation | Birmingham City Council |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Derrick Taylor from Birmingham City Council and has involved him in all project events and activities. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Derrick Taylor has been very supportive and attended all major events and workshops, and provided guidance in terms of challenges the city council faces for cooling and heating requirements. Derrick is a member of the steering committee for the project and provides strategic guidance for project activities. |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Non Academic- Tommy Allsopp |
| Organisation | Tyseley Energy Park Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Tommy Allsopp from Tyseley Energy Park and has involved him in all project events and activities. We have also kept him informed of the project progress at all stages. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Tommy has been very supportive and Tyseley Energy Park has provided a letter of support with £30000 in-kind contribution. |
| Impact | Nothing to report yet |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Non Academic-Tonia Clark |
| Organisation | Birmingham City Council |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Project team has kept close contact with Tonia Clark from Birmingham City Council and has involved her in all project events and activities. We have also kept him informed of the project progress at all stages. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Tonia Clark has been very supportive, has attended all major events and workshops, and has provided guidance in terms of the challenges the city council faces in terms of cooling and heating requirements. Tonia is a member of the steering committee for the project and provides strategic guidance for project activities. Tonia has attended several meetings with our academics and industrial partners as well and she is involved in a seed funding calls as well. |
| Impact | Active participation is a seed funding calls Collaboration with Birmingham wholesale market. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | UOB-Co-I |
| Organisation | University of Birmingham |
| Department | School of Chemical Engineering |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project team has actively engaged with Dr Xinfang Wang from University of Birmingham throughout the project. Dr Xinfang Wang is also a CO Investigator for the project. We have maintained close communication with her, ensuring her involvement in all project events and activities. Additionally, we have kept her informed of project progress at every stage, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. This engagement has strengthened our partnership and facilitated valuable contributions to the project's success. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr Xinfang Wang is Member of The Senate, and Group Leader of Resilient Systems for Energy and Cooling (ReSet Cool) in Birmingham Energy Institute. She is also the UK Energy Research Centre's (UKERC) EDI champion and sits on the UKERC Research Committee, advising on its strategy and priorities of flexible fund. She has been an invaluable partner in this collaboration, providing expert guidance and support throughout the project. Her contributions have been instrumental in shaping discussions and activities during project-related events. Her insights and expertise have greatly enhanced the project's direction and impact and the growth of the network. |
| Impact | Successful Kick off of the project Formation of steering committee Successful first round of seed funding Seed funded project on Optimising Energy Pile Systems for Efficient Cooling: A Digital Twin Approach |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Announcement of round 1 of the seed funding call |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The Reef-UKC Round 1 Seed Funding application was launched on September 23, 2024. Comprehensive guidance on the funding call, along with the abstract template and application forms, was shared with all network members, encouraging submissions that involve Early Career Researchers (ECRs) and industry partners. Applications were set to be assessed over three stages, 200 Words Abstract submission. Presentation Full application |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://reef-ukc.net/23rd-september-2024/ |
| Description | Announcement of seed funded projects in Round 1 |
| 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 | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Five innovative projects were selected for funding in the first round of our seed funding initiative, supporting cutting-edge research in sustainable cooling solutions. The projects cover a diverse range of topics, including waste heat assessment, digital twin development for solar-powered refrigeration, social acceptability of cooling technologies, optimization of energy pile systems, and borehole heat exchanger strategies. The intended purpose of this initiative is to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, drive technological advancements, and support impactful research that contributes to sustainable cooling solutions. By providing seed funding, we aim to accelerate early-stage research and enable researchers to explore novel ideas that could lead to significant real-world applications. While it is still early to assess the full impact, the selection and announcement of these projects have already generated excitement and engagement within the research community. The funding has empowered researchers to advance their work, and we anticipate that these projects will lead to valuable insights, collaborations, and potentially scalable solutions in the coming months. We look forward to seeing their progress and contributions toward a more sustainable future. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://reef-ukc.net/round-1-seed-funding-announced/ |
| Description | Cold Chain Federation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A meeting was arranged with the Cold Chain Federation to explore the possibility of becoming a member and creating connections within their supply chain network for the Reef-UKC project. The purpose of this activity was to expand Reef-UKC's influence in the cold chain sector, fostering partnerships with key stakeholders and facilitating collaboration on sustainable cooling solutions across the supply chain. By joining the Cold Chain Federation, Reef-UKC aimed to enhance engagement with industry leaders, share expertise, and drive innovation in energy-efficient cooling technologies. As an outcome, the meeting has opened the door to potential membership, and Reef-UKC is now positioned to build valuable relationships within the cold chain industry. This collaboration is expected to broaden the network, encourage knowledge sharing, and strengthen the adoption of sustainable cooling practices within the sector. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Kick off Meeting and First ECR Workshop |
| 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 | Reef-UKC project held a successful kick-off meeting and workshop on the 5th and 6th of September for ECRS and network members! The event brought together 60 plus participants from various academic institutions across the UK, along with our industrial partners and members of Birmingham City Council, and UKRI. Tony Dodd, Deputy Dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Aston University, opened the workshop with a warm welcome. Prof. Dodd highlighted how this grant and the Reef-UKC network unite academics, industry professionals, and local government to focus on the critical and often-overlooked areas of cooling technology and energy consumption. Keynote speakers James C., Energy - Net Zero Innovation Lead at UKRI, and Dave Pearson, Director of Innovation at Star Refrigeration, sparked insightful discussions on sustainable cooling and cooling from heat technologies. During the two-day event, we also announced a £100K Seed Funding Call to support 8-10 innovative projects across two rounds. Network members were encouraged to involve early-career researchers (ECRs) and industrial partners in their applications. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://reef-ukc.net/5th-6th-september-2024-kick-off-meeting-and-first-workshop/ |
| Description | LinkedIn social media platform launch |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Social media page on LinkedIn was launched for wider reach of the Reef-UKC project to relevant academic and industrial people working in cooling sector. Project page has singed more than 100 followers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.linkedin.com/company/renewable-energy-for-future-uk-net-zero-cooling-reef-ukc/?viewAsMem... |
| Description | Other Hubs |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Reef-UKC project coordinator emailed project managers of Supergen hubs and other UKRI-funded projects to explore potential collaborations and encourage them to share Reef-UKC activities within their networks for a wider reach. The purpose of this activity was to strengthen partnerships, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and enhance the visibility of Reef-UKC among key stakeholders in the energy and sustainability sectors. By engaging with established UKRI-funded initiatives, the project aimed to create synergies, exchange knowledge, and expand its network of researchers, industry experts, and policymakers. As an outcome, the outreach has initiated discussions on potential collaborations, helping to broaden Reef-UKC's influence and ensuring that its activities gain wider recognition. Increased engagement from related research networks is expected to lead to joint initiatives, knowledge-sharing opportunities, and greater collective impact in the field of sustainable cooling. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Paper published by Ehsan |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Reef-UKC network issued a supporting statement on LinkedIn to highlight and promote a recent publication by Ehsan titled "Exergy-economic based multi-objective optimization and carbon footprint analysis of solar thermal refrigeration systems", published in Case Studies in Thermal Engineering. The purpose of this activity was to recognise and amplify research contributions within the network, foster engagement with relevant industry and academic professionals, and encourage discussions on innovative cooling technologies. By sharing this publication, the network aimed to raise awareness of cutting-edge research, inspire collaboration, and support knowledge exchange in sustainable cooling solutions. As an outcome, the LinkedIn post has increased visibility and engagement with the publication, attracting interest from academia, industry, and policymakers. It has also facilitated discussions on the role of solar thermal refrigeration in reducing carbon footprints, further strengthening the network's thought leadership in this field. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7263162472788807680/ |
| Description | Personalised emails |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | To expand the Reef-UKC network, personalised emails were sent to key individuals from the heating and cooling industries, inviting them to join the initiative. In addition, targeted LinkedIn connections were made, encouraging relevant professionals from both academia and industry to engage with the network. The intended purpose of this activity was to strengthen collaborations, enhance knowledge exchange, and foster partnerships between researchers, industry experts, and policymakers in the field of sustainable heating and cooling. By reaching out directly to key stakeholders, the initiative aimed to build a diverse and engaged community. Although the outreach is ongoing, initial responses have been positive, with increased engagement and interest from professionals across sectors. The activity has helped raise awareness of the Reef-UKC network and has begun to establish valuable connections that could lead to future collaborations, joint research opportunities, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024,2025 |
| 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 | A press release was published announcing the successful £500,000 UKRI funding awarded to Aston University for the Reef-UKC (Renewable Energy Access for Future UK Net-Zero Cooling) network. The press release highlighted the network's mission to explore renewable energy solutions for clean cooling technologies, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of one of the UK's fastest-growing energy demands. The intended purpose of this activity was to increase awareness, attract stakeholders, and promote engagement with the newly established network. By publicly sharing this achievement, the press release sought to generate interest among researchers, industry experts, policymakers, and the wider public, encouraging collaboration and innovation in sustainable cooling solutions. Following the publication, the press release has helped boost visibility for Reef-UKC, leading to increased engagement from key stakeholders in both academia and industry. It has also facilitated discussions on potential partnerships and research collaborations, further strengthening the network's reach and impact. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.aston.ac.uk/latest-news/aston-university-researchers-receive-half-million-pounds-lead-ne... |
| Description | Project Update |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | A LinkedIn post was issued to update all stakeholders on the progress of the Reef-UKC project, highlighting key milestones such as the deployment of a fully functional website and the successful completion of the first round of seed funding applications. The post also served to encourage more professionals from industry and academia to join the network. The purpose of this activity was to keep stakeholders informed, celebrate achievements, and foster further engagement within the community. By sharing these updates, the network aimed to increase visibility, attract new members, and strengthen collaboration opportunities in the field of sustainable cooling. As an outcome, the post generated interest and engagement, leading to increased awareness of the project, positive interactions from stakeholders, and potential new collaborations. It also reinforced the network's credibility and commitment to driving innovation in renewable and sustainable cooling solutions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| URL | https://www.linkedin.com/posts/renewable-energy-for-future-uk-net-zero-cooling-reef-ukc_home-activit... |
| Description | Project Website Launch |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The Reef-UKC Project website was successfully launched to provide a central platform for stakeholders to access project-related information. Following the launch, emails were sent to all stakeholders, inviting them to review their bio profiles and other relevant content, ensuring accuracy and completeness. Additionally, stakeholders were encouraged to share the website within their wider networks to enhance outreach and engagement. This initiative aimed to improve visibility, foster collaboration, and ensure up-to-date project information. While it is still early to measure long-term impacts, initial engagement has been positive, with stakeholders actively reviewing and sharing the website. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://reef-ukc.net/about/ |
| Description | Season's Greetings |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | A LinkedIn post was issued to thank all stakeholders and network members for their valuable contributions before the Christmas break. The purpose of this activity was to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of collaborators, reinforce a sense of community within the network, and maintain engagement as the year came to a close. By expressing gratitude, the post aimed to strengthen relationships with stakeholders, encourage continued collaboration, and set a positive tone for the upcoming year. As an outcome, the post received engagement from network members, with likes, comments, and shares reflecting appreciation and goodwill. It helped maintain a strong connection with stakeholders, ensuring ongoing enthusiasm and commitment to the network's goals in the new year. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.linkedin.com/company/105230687/admin/page-posts/published/ |
| Description | WHARM project |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | A LinkedIn comment post was issued to express gratitude to the Heating and Cooling Research Group for mentioning the Reef-UKC project in relation to their involvement in a seed funding project funded via Reef-UKC. The purpose of this activity was to acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of the research group, strengthen partnerships, and highlight the impact of Reef-UKC's funding support. By publicly recognizing their involvement, the post also aimed to encourage further engagement from researchers and industry professionals, fostering a collaborative environment within the network. As an outcome, the post enhanced visibility and engagement, leading to positive interactions from stakeholders and reinforcing Reef-UKC's role in supporting impactful research. It also contributed to strengthening relationships and encouraging further participation in future funding opportunities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| URL | https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7297970450616266752/?actorCompanyId=105230687 |
| Description | Webinar Announced |
| 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 | The Reef-UKC project announced an upcoming webinar on Innovation in Renewable & Sustainable Cooling to engage stakeholders from academia, industry, policy, and funding organizations. The purpose of this activity was to facilitate knowledge exchange, showcase cutting-edge research, and foster collaboration on sustainable cooling solutions. By promoting the webinar, the network aimed to attract a diverse audience, encourage discussions on innovative technologies, and strengthen connections among experts in the field. As an outcome, the announcement generated interest and engagement, with stakeholders registering for the event and sharing it within their networks. This activity is expected to lead to valuable discussions, potential partnerships, and increased awareness of advancements in renewable and sustainable cooling technologies. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| URL | https://reef-ukc.net/webinar-innovation-in-renewable-sustainable-cooling/ |