A University of Bath academic is set to help the UK reach its clean power targets after being awarded a prestigious research chair position by the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Professor Furong Li, a world-leading expert in electricity power networks based in the University’s Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, will work strategically with the UK’s largest distribution network, National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), after being appointed a Royal Academy of Engineering research chair.
‘Whole energy system’ model
In the role, Prof Li will develop a ‘whole energy system’ model for the UK’s power networks, improving access to open data, models and evidence to help NGED, its stakeholders and other operators collectively drive decarbonisation in the sector.
The model will help operators access more granular information and make possible the introduction of financial incentives, encouraging energy use or energy saving depending on when renewable supply is plentiful, or when networks are congested.
Prof Li said: “Moving to a demand-driven decarbonisation model is crucial if the UK is to achieve its Clean Power 2030 and net zero 2050 commitments. Our research will help the UK’s network operators move from the existing monolithic power system model, where data sharing and dynamic interactions between subsystems are very limited, to a new, more agile and flexible model fit for rapidly changing low carbon systems.
“We will work with NGED to make that information clearer and give operators better visibility of energy flows between customers and networks, both in real time to manage networks, demand and generation more effectively, but also over time so they can plan accordingly.
“Currently, it is hard for consumers to understand the impacts of different choices such as switching to a heat pump or electric vehicle, and hard for network operators to predict the uptakes of low carbon technologies between locations and over time – our work aims to change that.
“To be named a Royal Academy of Engineering research chair is a real honour. It’s very exciting to have the opportunity to bring together all of the research components we have developed at Bath more than 20 years to help NGED and the wider energy sector deliver affordability and reliability of supply, while decarbonising effectively.”
Working with NGED, Prof Li will develop an open, scalable and interoperable whole energy system model inspired by open microservice architectures used by tech companies including Amazon and Google.
The targeted outcomes will increase the confidence of DNOs and the wider stakeholders in strategic investments in the face of deep uncertainty and rising complexity, enable rapid integration of renewables, reduction of connection queues and increase in flexibility to drive rapid decarbonisation in the sector.
Cathy McClay, managing director of NGED’s Distribution Systems Operator: “We are delighted to be the industrial sponsor of this prestigious research chair. For more than 20 years, Prof Li has collaborated with us and made significant contributions around network investment and digitalisation at a time of rapid and complex change for the energy sector.
Greater access to open data and models
“This Royal Academy of Engineering research chair is well deserved recognition of her expertise, and we look forward to deepening our strategic relationship to drive greater access to open data and models. This will be key for us to bring key stakeholders together, driving agile network operation and development to withstand future risks and shocks.”
Prof Li has led power network research at Bath for more than 20 years, and her work has led to major impacts in the UK and internationally. She recently co-authored a Department of Energy Security and net zero report on developing a data sharing infrastructure within the UK’s energy systems to help reach Net Zero.
The Royal Academy of Engineering’s research chairs and senior research fellowships aim to strengthen the links between industry and academia, supporting academics in UK universities to undertake use-inspired research to meet the needs of industrial sponsors.
The scheme provides awardees with funding of up to £225,000 over five years to support a collaborative research project between the awardee, their industrial sponsor and their host institution.