Our research in the Energy Storage and Energy Systems lab spans across the energy field. Below you can find information about some of our ongoing research projects. We are also always interested in hearing about other interesting research areas!
Adiabatic Compressed Air Energy Storage (ACAES) is a promising option for large-scale low-cost electricity storage. Our lab has led a multi-institution, EPSRC-funded project in this area, called Sustainable, Affordable and ViablE Compressed Air Energy Storage (SAVECAES). SAVECAES has highlighted the potential for isobaric (constant pressure) high pressure air storage, allowing ACAES systems to become more efficient and cost-effective than when the air storage is isochoric (constant volume). We are also researching low-cost reversible piston compressor expanders. ACAES is an example of a long duration energy storage technology.
Heat decarbonisation is one of the biggest challenges that we face. Our work in this area includes: (1) Thermal energy storage development, to work alongside heat pumps and lower their operational and capital costs. (2) Modelling, experimental work and data analysis to try and improve heat pump performance. (3) Simulation from household-scale to grid-scale to understand how we can reduce the impact of heat pumps on peak electrical demands. And (4), finding new methods of decarbonising high temperature industrial processes.
As more and more renewables are added into electricity systems, generation becomes more variable. In turn, this makes it increasingly difficult to ensure that electricity will be cheaply available at all times. On top of this, more and more of our energy demands are switching to electricity as we electrify large swathes of the transport and heating sectors. Therefore, how we balance the electrical demand in future with a highly variable supply is a hugly important and timely question. We use large scale energy systems modelling to answer some of the most important questions about the design of our future energy systems.