Research

The Supergen Energy Networks Hub (SEN) impact focused research programme has been designed around the concept of research missions. Our grand challenge, for energy networks to become a driving force towards a rapid, safe and just transition to net zero.

Our multi-disciplinary mission focussed challenge requires collaborative teams from Industry, Academia, Government and Civil Society to work together to Accelerate, Scale and Deliver real impact.

Publications

Supergen Energy Networks Hub

The Hub, led by Director, Professor Phil Taylor (University of Bristol) and Deputy Director, Dr Robin Preece (University of Manchester), provide leadership, research, and networking for the energy networks community.

Hub’s Mission

To carry out highly impactful interdisciplinary research such that energy networks are not just enablers of the low carbon transition but become a driving force towards a rapid, safe and just transition to net zero.

The Hub has established a vibrant, well-connected, diverse, open and communicative energy networks community with a deeper understanding of whole systems approaches to energy networks.

Stakeholders

The Hub integrates a wide range of stakeholders while complementing national and international investments in energy networks, allowing all stakeholders to fully exploit opportunities in the sector.

Work Packages & Missions

The research component of the Hub’s activities comprises an interconnected and complementary series of work packages (WP).

The three missions focus on low carbon solutions for:

Net Zero Whole Systems

Large Scale Energy Networks

Regional and Local Energy Networks

Each mission will be underpinned by our four Work Packages (WP):

Digitalisation

Policy, Society and Place

Markets and Regulations

Risk and Resilience

WP2

Policy, Society and Place

Lead: Peter Taylor and Sheridan Few

This work package will maximise impact by engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, using various participatory processes to model and analyse the evolution of future networks and support decision making. The focus will be on what action needs to be taken now in the face of uncertainty about a range of technical, economic and social factors, including how best to support the most vulnerable members of society.

WP3

Markets and Regulations

Lead: Furong Li and Chenghong Gu

This WP will design a holistic commercial framework for promoting cross-vector network services and recovering network costs. A whole-system framework will be developed to extend traditional services based on costs and quantities and encompass provider responsiveness.

WP4

Risk and Resilience

Lead: Robin Preece

This WP will quantify risk and resilience in future energy
networks using innovative metrics, will exploit these to quantify the risks associated with different system shocks, develop services to minimise risks and better inform decision making under uncertainty.

Mission 1

Net Zero Whole Systems Futures

Lead: Jianzhong Wu and Muditha Abeysekera

To develop roadmaps of energy network solutions up to 2028, 2035 and 2050, to drive and accelerate a just whole-system transition to Net Zero, combining cross-sectoral situational awareness, investment, planning and operation of integrated energy networks. Our aim
is to provide evidence-based recommendations for coordinated actions and decisions at all levels of
energy networks, as well as the necessary technologies for a just and expedited transition

Mission 2

Large-Scale Net Zero Energy Systems

Lead: Furong Li and Chenghong Gu

To fast track the integration and utilisation of large-scale renewable and low-carbon energy conversion and its use by energy-intensive sectors through holistic network investment and coordinated zero-carbon system operation. Achieving this mission will require
network solutions to support and drive forward the timely integration of large-scale offshore renewable and nuclear energy installations alongside continued low-carbon energy provision for energy intensive use

Mission 3

Regional and Low Carbon Energy Systems

Lead: Martin Freer

To transform regional and local energy networks into active drivers of the Net Zero transition which integrate local energy sources and users, facilitate rapid behavioural and technological changes, and empower active energy communities. This Mission will explore the transformation of the networks that integrate multiple energy sources, meet rapid changes in energy use, and balance the energy system across vectors in real-time.

WP1

Digitalisation

Lead: Alessandra Parisio

In this WP we will demonstrate the transformational potential of digitalisation to help create a highly interconnected and flexible multi-energy network.
A close collaboration with industrial partners is envisaged to make sure that practical and commercial
aspects related to the deployment of digital solutions are adequately considered

Leadership Roles

The Co-I team are responsible for delivering the strategic vision of the hub and lead on various aspects including the Management & Leadership, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I), Early Career Research (ECR) and International & Impact, ensuring maximum impact for the project, linking with the broader community throughout the project lifetime.

Strategic leadership is provided by Director Phil Taylor and Deputy Director Robin Preece with support from Lindsey Allen.

Team