Algorithms for the Sustainable Energy Emergency

Research question
Can we demonstrate algorithms which accelerate society's decarbonisation efforts in a way that respects the physical constraints and characteristics of the energy system, is implementable by the system operator, is fair and equitable for society, and is in line with best practise from behavioural science and economics?

EPSRC Research Areas
Probabilistic control systems, human centered design, cyberphysical systems, digitalisation, energy system transition, sustainable technologies, sharing economy, feedback systems, power systems engineering, economics, behavioural science.

Summary
In developed nations, society has grown to expect that there is always enough electricity supply available from the grid at all times. It is highly likely that that will no longer be the case where it is desired to use low carbon supply only, in particular in an energy system where a significant proportion of the supply comes from solar and wind which are uncontrollable. This represents a paradigm shift for the system operators who will need to shift their focus from ensuring there is enough supply to instead focus on managing consumption. The changes require society to work with the grid, which means that the grid becomes increasingly cyberphysical in nature.
The PhD will focus on demonstrating algorithms required to enable effective management of grid consumption. This is highly interdisciplinary in nature, and as such there will be collaboration with experts from domains like economics, behavioural science and power systems engineering. There will be close collaboration with the Global Power System Transformation Consortium. Learnings from the sharing economy will be relied upon.
The IPCC Sixth Assessment report (2022) made clear the scale and pace of change that is required, these changes will drastically impact people's lives and present a real risk of exacerbating existing societal inequalities. There is also the real risk of backlash if people are not sufficiently involved or if the transition is not done in an equitable manner. The algorithms will aim to reducing this risk and ensure there is a fair and ethical transition insofar as possible.
Digitalisation of the energy system is a necessary vehicle for operating the energy system in this way. Digitalisation transforms business models to delivering more as-a-service type business models where there is some ongoing commitment rather than a simple upfront transaction. As such, the business models associated with the operation and financing of the energy system also need to change.
The approach taken is to design algorithms prove their mathematical properties (stability etc.), and validate that they achieve the required outcomes. The current plan is to conduct an experiment with real people where they participate in a virtual energy world where the new algorithms are deployed and assess their effectiveness.
Additionally, another related application in sustainable transport will be demonstrated, which is focused around managing the consumption of energy stored in electric bike batteries to minimise the impact of air pollution on cyclists.

The novel aspects of the PhD relate to the algorithms themselves which we believe will lead to new strategies to manage the energy system and therefore contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of the decarbonisation effort.