• Energy Research
• 2025-2025close
• engineering and technology close
• GB close
• AU close

Abstract Future “net-zero” electricity systems in which all or most generation is renewable may require very high volumes of storage in order to manage the associated variability in the generation-demand balance. The physical and economic characteristics of storage technologies are such that a mixture of technologies is likely to be required. This poses nontrivial problems in storage dimensioning and in real-time management. We develop the mathematics of optimal scheduling for system adequacy, and show that, to a good approximation, the problem to be solved at each successive point in time reduces to a linear programme with a particularly simple solution. We argue that approximately optimal scheduling may be achieved without the need for a running forecast of the future generation-demand balance. We consider an extended application to GB storage needs, where savings of tens of billions of pounds may be achieved, relative to the use of a single technology, and explain why similar savings may be expected elsewhere.

Abstract This paper investigates the forced convection of alumina-water nanofluids within helical tubes, maintaining a constant wall temperature and assuming thermal equilibrium between the nanoparticles and the base fluid. The nanofluid model incorporates the effects of alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticle volume fraction, diameter, and temperature on thermophysical properties. The governing equations are solved using the Forward-Time Central-Space Finite Volume method in conjunction with the simple algorithm. Numerical results are validated against experimental data, demonstrating high accuracy. The study explores the effects of pitch size, curvature ratio, nanoparticle volume fraction, nanoparticle diameter, and Reynolds number on velocity contours, temperature profiles, secondary flow, thermophysical properties, friction coefficient, and heat transfer rate. Additionally, the figure of merit evaluates the impact of these parameters on the thermal performance of the system. The results indicate that an increase in Reynolds number and nanoparticle diameter negatively affects thermal performance, while higher nanoparticle volume fraction, curvature ratio, and pitch size enhance it. Furthermore, incorporating nanoparticles in straight tubes proves to be more advantageous compared to helical tubes. This study tested volumetric ratios of 1%, 2%, and 4%, which resulted in increases in heat transfer coefficients of 21%, 32%, and 43%, respectively, compared to pure water under similar conditions, such as Reynolds number and coil pitch.

The transport sector is a crucial yet challenging area to decarbonize, given its heavy reliance on fossil fuel usage, carbon-intensive infrastructure and car-centric lifestyles. It remains the largest contributor to local air pollution in cities yet has the potential to improve people's physical and mental health. This research investigated the potential contribution of transport energy demand reduction to climate change mitigation and improving public health. Using a comprehensive bottom-up modelling framework, the Transport Energy and Air pollution Model (TEAM), this study provides an integrated assessment of the impacts of deep mobility-related energy demand reductions, including lifecycle carbon emissions, local air pollution and health impacts. Using a sociotechnical scenario approach and the UK as a case study, this research reveals that energy demand reductions of up to 61 % by 2050 compared to baseline levels are achievable and can enhance citizens' quality of life. Business as usual approaches which rely on a technical transition miss the legislated carbon budgets and result in higher energy demand in 2050. More comprehensive scenarios deliver a reduction of up to 72 % in total lifecycle carbon emissions by 2050, with approximately half of the reduction achieved through mode shifting and avoiding travel, while the other half comes from vehicle energy efficiency, electrification, and downsizing of the vehicle fleets. The research shows that it can lead to significant co-benefits such as improved local air pollution and public health. The feasibility and practicality of policy measures and integrated strategies identified for achieving deep transport-energy demand reductions are discussed.

The UK is currently experiencing a cost-of-living crisis that is impacting access to affordable energy, which is worsening energy poverty issues. While the crisis continues, policymakers are attempting to meet climate change goals. Our paper discusses the ways in which energy poverty and energy justice are relevant to the shift to decarbonise the social housing sector. We use a case study of 22 interviews of social housing residents on an estate in the North West of England to problematise how retrofitting social housing to decrease energy consumption impacts residents' access to energy justice. Our work contributes to the emerging concept of retrofit justice, and we assess how the forms of tripartite energy justice occur through the retrofit project, furthering debates on retrofit justice. We find that while the housing provider made attempts to involve residents in retrofit planning, many residents were disengaged from the process due to disenfranchisement and misrecognition issues, contributing to limited procedural and recognition justice. We also found that while retrofits increased the energy efficiency of the buildings, this could not solve structural problems causing energy poverty, reducing the retrofit's capacity to deliver distributive energy justice. Retrofit is a hugely important aspect of meeting climate change goals, but energy poverty cannot be adequately challenged without structural changes to the electricity market. Our paper is based on a UK case study, but the findings are relevant to international conceptual debates around retrofit and energy justice and can be useful for any national context retrofitting their social housing stock.

This study examines the impact of geopolitical risks on price exuberance within the European natural gas market. The analysis identifies several instances of price exuberance and demonstrates that increased geopolitical risk in Ukraine and the UK significantly heightens price exuberance, whereas in Russia, it mitigates its occurrence. Although geopolitical risks could significantly influence price exuberance in the European natural gas market, the effect differs across countries.

Uncertainties associated with large-scale deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) and photovoltaic (PV) pose challenges to distribution network expansion planning (DNEP). This paper proposes an optimal planning method for EV charging stations (EVCS) and distribution systems to accommodate the ever-increasing uncertainties. It is achieved by entailing PV-grid-EV transactions, which enables EVCS and PV prosumers to trade energy to make profits while complying with grid securities. It offers a cost-effective operational alternative to long-term planning, which would otherwise result in PV curtailment or unnecessary DNEP. The transactive market operates on a peer-to-peer (P2P) basis and is cleared via a decentralized algorithm to protect privacy and enable autonomous decision-making. EVCS is incentivized by a designed network charge, quantifying its impact on adhering to security constraints from both long-term and short-term perspectives. Considering EV users’ charging decisions, we derive optimal EV charging prices to regulate EV charging flow. We employ multiple linearization techniques to ensure the convergence of the non-convex model. Results demonstrate that the proposed method enables the distribution networks to accommodate the large-scale integration of EV and PV more effectively.

Thermogalvanic cells were investigated for exploiting hot air and cold air sources for thermoelectrochemical electricity generation.

Enhanced cycling stability and rate capability of graphite anodes were achieved through scalable spray-coated alumina. This innovative method reduces electrolyte decomposition and improves performance in lithium-ion batteries.