Research Topics
Project ESup.1 Smart Metering and Demand Side Participation
Key Contact: Nick Jenkins, Modassar Chaudry (Cardiff University)
This project addresses the role of Smart Meters in the development and operation of the electric power system. Demand Side Participation through smart meters could contribute to radically lower CO2 emissions and reduced requirements for investment in assets. Through the development of an experimental rig, gird control capability of smart meters will be demonstrated and the efficacy of providing network operators with primary frequency response from domestic appliances and voltage control will be evaluated. The project will also evaluate the performance of smart meters within a home area network and assess communication system integration whilst addressing security and privacy issues.
Key Outputs
K.B. Samarakoon, J.B. Ekanayake, N.Jenkins, "Investigation of domestic load control to provide primary frequency response using smart meters", IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, Under review
K.B. Samarakoon, J.B. Ekanayake, J. Wu, N.Jenkins, "Use of delayed smart meter measurements for distribution state estimation", IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting, 2011, Detroit, Michigan, USA
Project ESup.2 Accelerating the deployment of Renewable Heat
Key contact: Robert Sansom (Imperial College, London); Audrius Bagdanavicius, Modassar Chaudry (Cardiff University)
This project will investigate the reasons for the lack of take-up in the UK of renewable heat, particularly for district heating and biomass fed CHP, and identify how deployment can be accelerated. Interconnected heat networks could allow a diversity of heat loads to be exploited. The CGEN model will be developed to allow analysis and simulation of renewable heat systems including biomass fed CHP systems and larger solar thermal systems. Necessary changes to policy and regulatory mechanisms, including market rules and incentives, will be investigated.
Key Outputs
A. Bagdanavicius, N. Jenkins, G. Hammond, “Assessment of Community Energy Supply Systems Using Energy, Exergy and Exergoeconomic Analysis”, The 24th International Conference on Efficiency, Cost, Optimization, Simulation and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems, ECOS 2011, Novi Sad, Serbia, July 4-7, 2011
A. Bagdanavicius, N. Jenkins, “Exergoeconomic evaluation of small scale CHP systems”, 8th international conference “Environmental Engineering”, Vilnius, Lithuania, May 19-20, 2011
Project ESup.3 Energy Security, Supplies of Gas
Key contact: Modassar Chaudry (Cardiff University)
This project involves upgrading the CGEN (Combined Gas and Electricity Network) model with stochastic modelling capability. This will allow modelling of stochastic variables such as wind output. Additionally a CGEN Monte Carlo model will be developed for analysing the impact of energy uncertainties on the reliability of UK gas and electricity infrastructure.
Key Outputs
A Gerber, M Qadrdan, M Chaudry, N Jenkins, J Ekanayake, 2011. ‘A 2020 GB transmission network study using dispersed wind farm power output’, Renewable Energy (Elsevier), Volume 37, Issue 1, January 2012, Pages 124-132
Modassar Chaudry, Jim Skea, XinXin Wang, Nick Jenkins, ‘Modelling UK energy system response to natural gas supply infrastructure failures’ published by Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A, Journal of Power and Energy, paper accepted; In-press.
Project ESup.4 Electricity Market Design for a Sustainable Low-Carbon Electricity Sector
Key contact: Catherine Mitchell, Phil Baker (University of Exeter)
Market design is a significant issue in terms of developing a low-carbon electricity sector and, if so, which electricity wholesale market design is most likely to facilitate that development. Work includes producing a UKERC working paper on “Electricity market design for a low-carbon future”. A project to analyse interactions of European decarbonisation support mechanisms will also be initiated.
Key Outputs
The following projects are supported by UKERC's Research Fund and sit within the Energy Supply theme.
Project ESup.5 Transforming the UK Energy System: Public Values, Attitudes and Acceptability
Key contact: Nick Pidgeon (Cardiff University)
Energy system change bears upon multiple long-term national policy goals, including low carbon transitions, energy security and affordability, and mitigating wider environmental impacts. Significant transformations in the way the UK supplies, manages and consumes its energy will be essential if these aims are to be attained. Public values, attitudes and acceptability are of high importance in processes of whole energy systems transformation and could present significant difficulties, as well as opportunities, for the delivery of change across multiple areas. The proposed research, using an interdisciplinary (psychology, sociology, science and technology studies, human geography, engineering and architecture) and multi-method approach (qualitative interviews, public deliberative workshops, decision pathway surveys), will contribute to current knowledge, theory, methodology and policy by developing insights into public perspectives on whole energy system changes as an integrated set of transformations that will be experienced, enacted and negotiated in everyday lives. This project is supported through the Research Fund and runs from January 2011 to January 2013.
Key Outputs
Butler, C. Parkhill, K. Pidgeon, N. (2011). Nuclear power after Japan: the social dimensions, Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development, 53(6): 3-14 (November 2011)
Pidgeon, N. Edited special issue of Risk Analysis on Climate Risk Communications (to be published May 2012)
Corner, A. Whitmarsh, L. & Xenias, D. (in press). Uncertainty and attitudes towards climate change: biased assimilation but no polarisation. Climatic Change.
Whitmarsh, L. (in press). How useful is the Multi-Level Perspective for transport and sustainability research? Journal of Transport Geography.
Generic materials (fact sheets) on various fuels and energy technologies.
Demski, C. Spence, A. Pidgeon, N. Working Paper. Summary findings of a survey conducted August 2012
Project ESup.6 Scenarios for the Development of Smart Grids in the UK
Key contact: Nazmiye Ozkan (University of Westminster)
This project aims to advance understanding of smart grid deployment and utilisation through a programme of novel empirical research, developing and evaluating a number of socio-technical scenarios. more
Research Tools and Models
Combined Gas and Electricity Network (CGEN) model.