The University of Birmingham - Equipment Account

Lead Research Organisation: University of Birmingham
Department Name: Vice Chancellors Office

Abstract

This proposal is to bid for capital support for the creation of a Centre for Cryogenic Energy Storage at the University of Birmingham in collaboration with the University of Hull and a range of industrial partners. Such a Centre is essential for the accelerated development of a technology which can bring multiple energy system benefits and economic value to the UK. A pilot-plant has been shown to function as intended, but to be a viable technology for commercialisation, a research effort is needed to improve the efficiency of the system, to develop novel materials with lower costs and longer life-times, and to assess, model and simulate its dynamic performance characteristics as a grid-scale technology.
Investment in equipment and a specialist dedicated lab facility at Birmingham would create an internationally-renowned centre keeping the UK at the leading edge of cryogenic energy storage (CES) R&D. The Centre's approach will cover the full CES system, from materials to devices / components and applications, and critically to key aspects of systems integration, control and optimisation. The work of the Centre will transfer directly to full-demonstration through partnerships with industry. Bringing this focus on a viable technology gives it the best opportunity for success.
The University of Birmingham has grown an exceptionally strong research community around closely related topics with in excess of £20m research income across energy related areas over the last five years. The University is internationally renowned in the areas of hydrogen storage and applications, road and rail transport, and smart grid analysis drawing on the disciplines of materials science, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, chemical & process engineering, and electrical engineering. With the arrival of a new Professor with an international reputation in energy storage, the University will build on its existing capability to deliver a world-leading CES centre which can pave the way for industry in the UK.

Planned Impact

Impact summary
The most important impact from the proposed investment in equipment will be to advance key out-reaching themes in the College of Engineering and Physical Science (EPS) from not only an academic perspective, but also through engagement with partner Schools in Life Sciences and Social Sciences and collaboration with industrial partners. This will establish a specialist UK research and innovation platform for cryogenic energy storage (CES) systems and help to address associated manufacturing needs. In the Schools of Chemical and Mechanical Engineering and Metallurgy and Materials the new facilities will enable our work in high temperature thermodynamic systems, engine and power train systems development and new high performance materials for arduous duty to be extended to low cryogenic conditions. Expanding existing facilities in Electronic and Electrical and Computer Engineering will advance our work in optimising integrated resilient energy systems. Through these activities, we confidently expect academic, economic and societal benefits to emerge, as the science in each of these areas matures and finds application in fields as diverse as new high performance materials for deep cold storage, improved efficiency of heat and cold exchange devices, hybrid diesel/cryogenic generation systems and energy storage/generation of low grade heat systems though hybridisation with cryogenic technology. In addition, we expect that the research facilitated by this equipment investment will allow us to secure further Research Council, TSB, EC and international development funding, and further enable industrial collaboration. Over the initial 5 year business plan we conservatively estimate that we will attract additional research investment >£6.5M. Its value will be measured by how it leverages the potential of liquid air for the UK economy. In the recent report 'Liquid Air in the energy and transport systems' it was clear that in addition to the inherent value in its contribution to balancing an electrical grid (15GW of liquid air energy storage would reduce grid emissions by 4.5%, while 30GW would cut them by 20%), liquid air could also turn waste heat into power at high levels of efficiency (UK industry loses up to 40TWh of waste heat each year, enough to heat 2.4 million homes). In diesel gensets and in transport, liquid air could combine with conventional combustion systems to create highly efficient heat hybrids and raise fuel efficiency to 60%.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description Contribution to POSTnote on energy storage
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pn-0688/
 
Description Member of EPSRC Energy Scientific Advisory Committee
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Membership of a guideline committee
URL http://epsrc.ukri.org/research/ourportfolio/themes/energy/programme/further-information-about-the-pr...
 
Description Oral evidence to House of Commons Select Committee
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://committees.parliament.uk/event/17108/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/
 
Description Reviewer of and panelist at launch of Liquid Air on the European Highway report (cited EU Strategy on Heating and Cooling, 2016)
Geographic Reach Europe 
Policy Influence Type Citation in other policy documents
URL https://www.euagenda.eu/2015/9/29/Liquid-Air-on-the-European-Highway-report-launch
 
Description The Royal Society Briefing Note for COP26 - CLIMATE CHANGE : SCIENCE AND SOLUTIONS: Low-carbon heating and cooling: overcoming one of world's most important net zero challenges
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description member of project evaluation committee for Brazilian energy regulator ANEEL
Geographic Reach South America 
Policy Influence Type Membership of a guideline committee
Impact 23 projects were selected for funding by the regulator; as the projects are executed, the results will feed into future policy and regulation such that the Brazilian energy system can be operated efficiently and sustainably.
URL http://www.aneel.gov.br/sala-de-imprensa-exibicao-2/-/asset_publisher/zXQREz8EVlZ6/content/agencia-a...
 
Description A multi-scale, high-resolution, tri-beam facility for fast machining and 3D characterisation
Amount £1,970,212 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/T031379/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2020 
End 09/2025
 
Description A new high-temperature carbon- based anticorrosive coating material
Amount £468,711 (GBP)
Organisation Baowu Steel 
Sector Private
Country China
Start 04/2021 
End 04/2023
 
Description Abatement of fuel-derived deposits on intake valves
Amount £85,000 (GBP)
Organisation Repsol 
Sector Private
Country Spain
Start 09/2023 
End 04/2024
 
Description Conversion of V type compressor to Sterling engine and investigate effect of cooling temperature
Amount £100,000 (GBP)
Funding ID Ahmad Almajri 
Organisation Government of Libya 
Sector Public
Country Libya
Start 01/2015 
End 01/2018
 
Description DEcarbonisation of Low TemperAture Process Heat Industry, DELTA PHI
Amount £2,004,075 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/T022981/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2020 
End 09/2024
 
Description Decarbonised Clean Marine: Green Ammonia Thermal Propulsion (MariNH3)
Amount £5,508,861 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/W016656/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 06/2022 
End 06/2027
 
Description Detergent Evaluation
Amount £62,000 (GBP)
Organisation Repsol 
Sector Private
Country Spain
Start 09/2023 
End 04/2024
 
Description Development of a drop-in biofuel emulsion
Amount £121,228 (GBP)
Organisation Future Blends 
Sector Private
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2015 
End 03/2016
 
Description Development of an in-situ characterisation facility for both proton and neutron irradiation
Amount £1,296,308 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/V035649/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2021 
End 09/2024
 
Description Development of small scale cryogenic expander
Amount £100,000 (GBP)
Funding ID Khalil Khalil 
Organisation Iraqi Government 
Sector Public
Country Iraq
Start 09/2014 
End 09/2017
 
Description EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account: Follow on Fund
Amount £16,000 (GBP)
Organisation University of Birmingham 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 07/2018 
End 04/2019
 
Description EPSRC Programme Grant
Amount £5,590,000 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/K002252/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2012 
End 09/2017
 
Description EPSRC Programme Grant
Amount £4,227,886 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/P00945X/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 12/2016 
End 11/2021
 
Description EPSRC Studentship
Amount £55,251 (GBP)
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2016 
End 10/2019
 
Description Ebergy Storage Capital Equipment related call
Amount £4,013,527 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/N032888/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2016 
End 09/2020
 
Description Electro- Intrusion - Simultaneous transformation of ambient heat and undesired vibrations into electricity via nanotriboelectrification during non-wetting liquid intrusion-extrusion into-from nanopores
Amount € 3,651,381 (EUR)
Funding ID FETPROACT-EIC-07-2020 
Organisation European Commission H2020 
Sector Public
Country Belgium
Start 01/2021 
End 12/2024
 
Description Electro-Intrusion - Simultaneous transformation of ambient heat and undesired vibrations into electricity via nanotriboelectrification during non-wetting liquid intrusion-extrusion into-from nanopores
Amount € 3,651,381 (EUR)
Funding ID FETPROACT-EIC-07-2020 
Organisation European Commission H2020 
Sector Public
Country Belgium
Start 01/2021 
End 12/2024
 
Description Energy Catalyst -Early Stage - Round 4
Amount £297,922 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/P032052/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2017 
End 03/2018
 
Description Energy Stoage Grand Challenge
Amount £924,591 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/P003435/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2016 
End 09/2019
 
Description External collaboration grants
Amount £430,000 (GBP)
Funding ID SGRI Project No 1 
Organisation State Grid Corporation of China 
Sector Public
Country China
Start 01/2015 
End 10/2017
 
Description External collaborative research
Amount £300,000 (GBP)
Funding ID SGRI Project No 2 
Organisation State Grid Corporation of China 
Sector Public
Country China
Start 12/2015 
End 11/2018
 
Description External research grant
Amount £470,000 (GBP)
Funding ID CRRC Project No 1 
Organisation CRRC Corporation Limited 
Sector Private
Country China
Start 09/2015 
End 07/2017
 
Description Feasibility of using cryogenic energy storage for air conditioning applications
Amount £100,000 (GBP)
Funding ID Abdalqader Ahmed 
Organisation Government of Libya 
Sector Public
Country Libya
Start 04/2014 
End 04/2017
 
Description Feasibility study
Amount £82,000 (GBP)
Organisation Enel SpA 
Sector Private
Country Italy
Start 03/2016 
End 05/2017
 
Description Flow and heat transfer of air under supercritical conditions
Amount £67,000 (GBP)
Organisation Air Products 
Sector Private
Country United Kingdom
Start 05/2015 
End 06/2018
 
Description Ford Motor Company - In kind support, New engine, dress kit and control
Amount £53,000 (GBP)
Organisation Ford Motor Company 
Sector Private
Country United States
Start 11/2020 
End 07/2021
 
Description Generation Integrated Energy Storage - A Paradigm Shift
Amount £1,040,000 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/P023436/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 05/2017 
End 11/2021
 
Description IDP11
Amount £401,000 (GBP)
Funding ID 102281 
Organisation Innovate UK 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 07/2015 
End 07/2017
 
Description Innovation Action
Amount € 7,045,594 (EUR)
Funding ID 691761 
Organisation European Commission 
Sector Public
Country European Union (EU)
Start 03/2016 
End 09/2019
 
Description Newton-Bhabha Fund: India-UK Research and Innovation Bridges
Amount £1,363,744 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/P025838/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 04/2017 
End 04/2019
 
Description PCM based Thermal management of battery systems
Amount £26,000 (GBP)
Organisation Global Energy Interconnection Research Institute Europe GmbH 
Sector Private
Country Germany
Start 02/2018 
End 01/2022
 
Description Performance of Sterling engine with low temperature cooling.
Amount £100,000 (GBP)
Funding ID Suleiman Alfarawi 
Organisation Government of Libya 
Sector Public
Country Libya
Start 09/2013 
End 09/2016
 
Description PhD studentship
Amount £72,000 (GBP)
Organisation EDF Energy 
Sector Private
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2014 
End 09/2017
 
Description REPSOL - Gasoline Fuel Injector Deposits
Amount £10,000 (GBP)
Organisation Repsol 
Sector Private
Country Spain
Start 11/2020 
End 05/2021
 
Description Reduce of End Use Energy Demand
Amount £1,573,522 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/P004709/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 12/2016 
End 12/2020
 
Description Research on high temperature thermal energy storage device with high effective storage densities for flexible heat supply
Amount £208,333 (GBP)
Organisation Global Energy Interconnection Research Institute Europe GmbH 
Sector Private
Country Germany
Start 07/2020 
End 01/2023
 
Description Salt Science - Physical Properties
Amount £164,874 (GBP)
Funding ID NNL/NIP/031 - Lot 3 
Organisation National Nuclear Laboratory 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2020 
End 06/2021
 
Description Salt Science - Salt Handling
Amount £239,667 (GBP)
Funding ID NNL/NIP/031 - Lot 4 
Organisation National Nuclear Laboratory 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2020 
End 06/2021
 
Description Supergen Storage Network Plus 2019
Amount £1,012,009 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/S032622/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2019 
End 09/2024
 
Description The University of Birmingham and Aggregated Micro Power Holdings PLC
Amount £153,086 (GBP)
Funding ID 511767 
Organisation Innovate UK 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2020 
End 03/2022
 
Description UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub
Amount £7,813,341 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/Y024605/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2023 
End 03/2027
 
Description UK-Indian Collaboration
Amount £5,094,437 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/P003605/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2016 
End 09/2020
 
Description Utilising Composite Phase Change Materials
Amount £131,124 (GBP)
Organisation Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 12/2021 
End 05/2022
 
Description industry funding
Amount £55,000 (GBP)
Organisation Ford Motor Company 
Sector Private
Country United States
Start 02/2017 
 
Description invited call
Amount £4,000,000 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/N032888/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2016 
End 08/2020
 
Description n-COSH
Amount £924,591 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/P003435/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2016 
End 10/2019
 
Description CCM Technologies 
Organisation CCm Technologies
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Industrial research on energy storage and power generation
Collaborator Contribution Funding for research and guidance for applications
Impact Confidential so cannot report here
Start Year 2021
 
Description CRRC 
Organisation CRRC Corporation Limited
Country China 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Development of next generation air-conditioning technology based on thermal energy storage for train carriages
Collaborator Contribution Provision of application conditions and funding
Impact Results not allowed to report before the project is completed - will report in the future.
Start Year 2015
 
Description Collaboration with CriouEnergy for use waste and renewable energy projects across East Africa 
Organisation Criou Energy
Country Kenya 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution New collaboration, currently we are waiting the outcome of an Innovate UK project £1,4M
Collaborator Contribution We have help the company to write a proposal to Innovate UK under the Call Energy Catalyst round 8
Impact No outputs yet, we are still waiting for the outcome of the proposal to Innovate UK
Start Year 2020
 
Description Collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) funded by Ministry of Education in India and UK India Education and Research Initiatives (UKIERI). Project ID: 555 
Organisation Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Country India 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Research visits to contact research and provide seminars/lectures
Collaborator Contribution Visits to contact research work, cash for travel to India
Impact Not yet
Start Year 2019
 
Description Collaboration with REPSOL 
Organisation Repsol
Country Spain 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Research in the area of fuels and impact on emissions and catalyst durability
Collaborator Contribution Cash and provision of fuels, analysis and time
Impact No yet, outputs are in preparation The work has been included in an Impact Case for REF2021 submissions
Start Year 2019
 
Description Collaboration with Universitat Politècnica de València, 'Programa Nacional de Formación de Recursos Humanos de Investigación' Grant number BES-2016-078073 
Organisation Polytechnic University of Valencia
Country Spain 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Hosted a research visitor from Spain , funded by the Spanish government. Our research team provided office and the visitor was given access to the labs and facilities used in FACE project to carry out research. Also trained in using engine test rigs and emissions analysis facilities.
Collaborator Contribution The visitor brought new knowledge and expertise in the group in the area of FTIR characterisation techniques. Researchers are trained in using the new techniques.
Impact Output from the collaboration are provided below 1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemolab.2020.104215 2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2021.113888 3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2021.116437
Start Year 2020
 
Description Composite PCM production and demonstration 
Organisation Nanjing Jinhe Energy Materials Co Ltd
Country China 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution We have helped with the process design of the world first large scale commercial demonstration plant using composite phase change materials for the use of the curtailed wind power.
Collaborator Contribution The partner has helped us in the development of our materials for engineering applications. We have also be able to access their facilities for measuring our materials properties.
Impact The collaboration has led to a new collaborative project funded by Innovate UK and Jiangsu Provincial Government.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Consultancy - Tribology 
Organisation Dearman
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Review of tribological/ friction reduction related options and provided advice relating to issues of friction, wear and lubrication of the Dearman engine and associated technologies.
Collaborator Contribution N/A
Impact IDP 11 - Innovate UK funded project Royal Society Industrial Fellowship application Undergraduate student placements and final year projects (1 x BEng, 2 x MEng)
Start Year 2014
 
Description Dearman Company Collaboration 
Organisation Dearman
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution - Given access to Dearman to the Engine Lab - Technical Support -Advice
Collaborator Contribution - Engine Test Cell commissioning - Prototype Engine - Instruments - Advice
Impact - 2 Research Fellows - Postgraduate Students - Undergraduate projects - Student Placements - Training of Staff
Start Year 2014
 
Description EDF energy 
Organisation EDF Energy
Department EDF Energy Nuclear Generation
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution We studied the microstructure of the nuclear fuel cladding steel to understand the mechanism of mitigating carbon deposition on these steel during simulated service conditions
Collaborator Contribution financially sponsored a PhD studentship
Impact publication in preparation
Start Year 2014
 
Description EU Project StoRIES 
Organisation Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a consortium led by KIT with many other partners
Collaborator Contribution Funding via the EU project, access to expertise and facilities on energy storage
Impact Various workshops, infrastructure call, funding for infrastructure etc
Start Year 2021
 
Description Gemini Rail Group Impact of H2 on Soot emissions in Railway engines 
Organisation Gemini Rail Group
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Experimental work on the impact of Hydrogen on engine soot emissions and fuel injectors clean up
Collaborator Contribution in addition to financial contribution they have made contribution through their experties, time and access to data
Impact The results are confidential to the company so they can improve and diversify their services and products.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Hyundai Motor Company Fuel Reformer 
Organisation Hyundai Motor Company
Country Korea, Republic of 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Provision of research facilities and knowledge transfer
Collaborator Contribution Hyundai engineering contacted research in our facilities for 8 months
Impact Not outputs yet, but there is a paper in preparation and potential Impact if the system developed as part of this collaboration is implemented in their products. Potential Economic and Societal Impact.
Start Year 2018
 
Description Universitdade Federal da Bahia, Brazil 
Organisation Federal University of Bahia
Country Brazil 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Research visit and stay for 1 year from Brazil..
Collaborator Contribution Researcher time time in performing experimental work, analysis and writing research papers.
Impact Papers are currently in preparation
Start Year 2019
 
Title Composite thermochemical energy storage materials - formulation and manufacturing 
Description Aimed to address performance, life-span of the type of materials - it is as a result of 5 years of development, learned for particle technology and energy storage 
IP Reference GB2202958.1 
Protection Patent / Patent application
Year Protection Granted 2022
Licensed Commercial In Confidence
Impact Disclosed a method to formulate and manufacture composite thermochemical energy storage materials
 
Title ENERGY GENERATION 
Description A method of converting thermal energy to electrical energy, the method comprising the steps of harvesting thermal energy from a source;using the thermal energy to drive one or more chemical reactions;using one or more reaction products of the one or more chemical reactions to drive an electrochemical cell to produce electrical energy. 
IP Reference WO2019158948 
Protection Patent application published
Year Protection Granted 2019
Licensed Commercial In Confidence
Impact Considerable commercial interest and further R&D projects
 
Title Nuclear power peak shaving system based on cryogenic energy storage 
Description The invention discloses a nuclear power peak shaving system based on cryogenic energy storage. The nuclear power peak shaving system comprises a nuclear electric power generation subsystem, an air liquefaction subsystem, a liquid air energy release subsystem and a cold storage unit. In the first period when the required user load is lower than the rated load of a nuclear power system, spare electric energy generated by the nuclear electric power generation subsystem is converted into cryogenic energy through the air liquidation process to be stored in liquid air; in the second period when the required user load is higher than the rated load of the nuclear power system, energy of liquefied air stored in the air liquidation subsystem is converted into electric power; the cold storage unit enables cold energy released during re-gasification of the liquid air in the liquid air energy release subsystem to be stored in the mode of sensible heat in the second period when the required user load is higher than the rated load of the nuclear power system, and the stored cold energy is used for air liquefaction of the air liquefaction subsystem in the first period when the required user load is lower than the rated load of the nuclear power system. The nuclear power peak shaving system based on cryogenic energy storage can greatly improve the power generation efficiency and the net work quantity of nuclear reactor heat energy in the power consumption peak period of the nuclear power system and achieve the purpose of peak load shifting, and has high energy storage efficiency. 
IP Reference CN104279012 
Protection Patent application published
Year Protection Granted 2015
Licensed Yes
Impact Further development and installation of pre-commercial scale cryogenic plant in UK
 
Title VEHICLE CHARGING 
Description Disclosed is a vehicle charging station (1) comprising a first reservoir (5) arranged to contain a first charging fluid and a charging fluid delivery system (3) arranged to deliver at least part of the first charging fluid (5) into a heat exchange relationship with a vehicle thermal energy storage material (108) of a vehicle (100) selectively connected to the vehicle charging station (1), thereby charging the vehicle thermal energy storage material (108) by changing its temperature and/or phase and/or chemistry. 
IP Reference WO2019162680 
Protection Patent application published
Year Protection Granted 2019
Licensed Commercial In Confidence
Impact Significant interest from commercial companies; leading to several subsequent research and development projects
 
Company Name Kelvin Thermotech Ltd 
Description  
Year Established 2019 
Impact Just started, to be updated next year
 
Description 'The Anthill' podcast for The Conversation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interviewed as pat of The Anthill podcast which focused on 'fuel', describing how liquid air can be used in the energy system.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL https://theconversation.com/anthill-4-fuel-64021
 
Description 1st CPFL International Workshop for Energy Storage 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact The "1st CPFL International Workshop for Energy Storage" gathered technical, commercial and regulatory knowledge, approaching how Energy Storage is being discussed internationally. The event also aimed to share experiences and knowledge about the theme for the electrical sector and show the importance of energy storage systems associated or not to Distributed Generation. This opportunity was to bring knowledge of another component of Smart Grids and allow evaluate the possibilities of new business, in addition to the improvement in the electrical energy supply.
Over 50 people attended the workshop with live streaming of the event. Questions and discussions followed presentations, informing participants.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL http://www.rge-rs.com.br/energias-sustentaveis/inovacao/workshop-energy-storage/Paginas/default.aspx
 
Description Article in The Conversation on energy storage 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact An article on 'Energy storage technology is accelerating - but grids aren't ready for the transition', which had >30 responses in the comments section.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://theconversation.com/energy-storage-technology-is-accelerating-but-grids-arent-ready-for-the-...
 
Description BBC Radio 4 Interview 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact It was for the opening of the first commercial demonstration plant of the liquid air energy storage in Pilsworth, Manchester
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description BBC TV World News interview 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact It was about global cooling challenges
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Christos Paterakis at 15th International Symposium on Metal-Hydrogen Systems (MH2016), Switzerland, August 2016. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Presented a poster on the effects of substitutions on the low-temperature phase change on NaBH4. Discusses applications for thermal energy storage
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL https://mh2016.ch
 
Description Contribution to IEA Expert Group on R&D Priority Setting and Evaluation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact The goal of the workshop was to learn from examples of how the transition from blue skies research to application has been successfully undertaken in other sectors for example, space research, medicine or solid state physics in the context of microelectronics, and to identify from current basic research selected areas or ideas that might potentially have a huge impact on the energy sector. This should inform an understanding of how different governments engage in, fund, and structure their investments in energy-related basic science programmes.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.ieadsm.org/wp/files/IEA_EGRD_Blue_Sky_Workshop_Final.pdf
 
Description EPSRC - ERA webinar: Decarbonising a region 
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 Webinar event organised by the Energy Research Accelerator with EPSRC as part of the Engineering Net Zero week, I talked on decarbonising industry.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/epsrc-era-decarbonising-a-region-tickets-368214398177
 
Description EPSRC blog & UKRI filming 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The blog and UKRI film generated significant impact, with over 10 industrial companies coming to Birmingham seeking for collaborations.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://epsrc.ukri.org/blog/the-renewables-conundrum/
 
Description Energy Research Partnership meeting on 'Net Zero' 
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 Presentation by me, followed by discussion in plenary, on the role of energy storage in 'net zero' scenarios for the energy system.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019,2020
 
Description Energy Storage Seminar Series, INEEL, Brasilia 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact A series of seminars over four days, delivered to industry, policy makers and regulators in Brazil, describing technical and non-technical aspects of energy storage. This has led to joint proposals being submitted and further invitations to present in Brazil.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description IEA Task 36 - Carnot Batteries 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact This is an international Energy Agent activities, I led of the Sub-tasks, leading to a report to be submitted this month.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019,2020,2021,2022,2023
URL https://www.eces-a36.org/
 
Description International Workshop (Bonn, Germany) 
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 Workshop on technologies that can improve emissions from road transport vehicles. This was a two hours interactive workshop.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://www.emission-control-gasoline.com/MM
 
Description Invited organiser and Chair 2023: JSAE/SAE Powertrains, Energy and Lubricants International Meeting/Conference, August/September 2023, Kyoto, Japan 
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 Organising and Chairing a Conference session in the area of neutral fuels and energy carriers, around 400 audiences attended the event highlitin the progress made worldwide in the area of fuel production and end-use, including emissions abatement.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Presentation at International Flow Battery Forum 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact The purpose of the IFBF is to raise the profile of flow batteries as a crucial technology within the electrical energy storage sector, to educate and inform a wide audience of the benefits, features and attributes of flow batteries. >200 delegates from 24 countries attended.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.flowbatteryforum.com/ifbf-2017/
 
Description Presentation on energy to a meeting of Dorridge U3A and the British Science Association (Dorridge) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact a talk on energy to members of the U3A and British Science Association in Dorridge (near Birmingham), with lively Q&A and discussion afterwards - audience reported that they understood the issues better and had been well-informed.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Quoted in BBC online news article on energy storage 
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 Interviewed and quoted by journalist for an article on novel energy storage
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-60066690
 
Description Radio Documentary 
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 Radio documentary for BBC World Service, This documentary is exploring why the issues highlighted by the VW emissions scandal are so important. As part of the documentary areas such as atmospheric measurements, health impacts of emissions from road transport where covered by other scientists, I had an input on the science/technology with some ideas of what solutions may be there in the future. The VW case raises the role of catalysts, and the question of how much room for improvement, what that would take, what are the costs (in performance, as well as financial) ... so my work on catalyst and aftertreatemnt systems was to demonstrate to listeners what directions are possible.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description Scottish Renewables Low Carbon Heat Conference (Perth) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Describing research on using variable renewables in Scotland through distributed thermal energy storage to an audience of policy makers and technology developers, and others from research community.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Speaker at Low Carbon Agriculture Show 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Presented on "How energy storage will help the UK reach Net Zero targets"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.lowcarbonagricultureshow.co.uk/
 
Description Study Tour - Building clean cold energy to boost Indian farmers' income 
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 University of Birmingham Energy experts, recently joined forces with the Indian National Centre for Cold-chain Development, and the UK's Science and Innovation Networks to identify and accelerate the deployment of future-ready technologies to build a sustainable, modern supply chain linking farm gate and consumption centres.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/campaigns/ir/India-heroes.aspx
 
Description Talk for U3A Macclesfield 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact About 35 attendees to a online talk on energy storage for Macclesfield U3A
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Talk to university student Energy Society 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Talk to student members of the Energy Society on decarbonisation in the West Midlands, with discussion.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description UK-China Energy Storage Forum 
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 The workshop is to bring together academia, industrialists, policymakers, NGOs and government officials between UK and China, building close links for future collaborations, and trading relationships. Over 100 participants attended.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description UK-China Workshop on Clean Energy Utilisation 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact This is for building close and sustainable collaborations between UK and Chinese early career researchers working on clean energy generation, storage and utilisation. Over 70 people attended.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description UKRI Research and Innovation Infrastructure workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) was commissioned by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's Ministers to develop the first national research and innovation infrastructure roadmap. About 30 people at the workshop on energy infrastructure, providing input and expertise that informed the roadmap.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL http://www.ukri.org/research/infrastructure/