Energy Systems
Theme Leader: Professor Paul Ekins, University College London
Introduction
The overall aim of the Energy Systems theme is to make a world-class contribution to energy system modelling by showing how the UK, in a range of global contexts, could achieve its carbon targets and increase its energy system resilience over the period 2020-2050, and exploring the associated economic and environmental implications.
Building on the work and in UKERC I, the Energy Systems work in UKERC II encompasses a range of qualitative and quantitative methods, specialising in formal modelling of the energy system and its relationship with the economy and the environment. We systematically compare complementary modelling approaches. The Energy Systems team is also continuing UK energy systems networking activities from Phase I, together with substantial international engagement.
New priorities for energy systems analysis includes research links with the other UKERC themes, including linking energy systems models with life-cycle assessment and the valuation of ecosystem services, working with the Energy and Environment theme.
Research Projects
The Energy Systems team is currently working on eleven projects:
- Decarbonisation pathways, Key Contact: Gabrial Anandarajah (University College London)
- Security of oil and gas supplies, Key contact: Paul Ekins (University College London)
- Energy system uncertainties, Key contact: Neil Strachan (University College London)
- Update of UK Energy 2050 Scenarios, Key contact: Ilkka Keppo (University College London)
- UK TIMES model, Key contact: Paul Dodds (University College London)
- ETM-UCL model, Key contact: Baltazar Solano Rodriguez (University College London)
- Reflecting on scenarios: assumptions, outcomes and communication, Key contact: Ilkka Keppo (University College London)
- Shale gas, Key Contact: Gabrial Anandarajah (University College London)
- Indirect carbon costs of the UK energy system, Key contact: Hannah Daly (University College London)
- Industrial energy demand, Key contact: Neil Strachan (University College London)
- Geopolitical economy of global gas security, Key contact: Michael Bradshaw (University of Leicester)
- Whole system risk assessment of UK energy futures, Key contact: Simon Pollard (Cranfield University)
The following projects have been completed during UKERC II:
- Carbon Capture and Storage: Realising the Potential, Key contact: Jim Watson (Sussex Energy Group)
- An options approach to UK energy futures, Key contact: Derek Bunn (London Business School)
Further details of the Research projects under Energy systems theme can be found at Research Projects page.
Details on the previous UKERC Phase I work can be found in the project archive. The outreach pages contain details of consultancy projects, conference presentations and other output.