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Transport Electrification and Integrated Energy Systems for Net-Zero

  • DeadlineDeadline: 30/08/2026
  • West Midlands, All EnglandWest Midlands, All England

Description

1. Overview

The transition to net-zero requires rapid decarbonisation of the transport sector alongside deep integration with electricity, heat, and hydrogen systems. The widespread uptake of electric vehicles, electrified public transport, and emerging mobility solutions will create significant opportunities and challenges for the planning, operation, and optimisation of energy networks.

This PhD will investigate the modelling, optimisation, and control of transport electrification within a whole-energy-system context. The research will examine the interactions between electrified transport and power systems, explore synergies with distributed energy resources (such as renewables, energy storage, and hydrogen), and assess strategies to enhance system flexibility, resilience, and affordability.

Potential research topics include:

i. Modelling the integrated operation of transport and energy networks.

ii. Coordinating electric vehicle charging with renewable generation and grid constraints.

iii. Coupling electrified transport with hydrogen production, storage, and distribution.

iv. Developing optimisation and control algorithms for multi-vector energy systems.

v. Assessing the environmental and economic impacts of large-scale transport electrification.

 

The project will be supervised by Dr Weiqi Hua ([email protected]).

  

References: 

• Weiqi Hua, Bruce Stephen, David C.H. Wallom, "Digital twin based reinforcement learning for extracting network structures and load patterns in planning and operation of distribution systems," Applied Energy.
 
• Weiqi Hua, Ying Chen, Meysam Qadrdan, Jing Jiang, Hongjian Sun and Jianzhong Wu, "Applications of Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence to Enable Prosumers in Smart Grids: A Review," Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, Volume 161, 2022, Article Number: 112308.
 
• Weiqi Hua, Yue Zhou, Meysam Qadrdan, Jianzhong Wu and Nick Jenkins, "Blockchain Enabled Decentralized Local Electricity Markets with Flexibility from Heat Sources," IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, Volume 14, No. 2, pp. 1607-1620, March 2023.
 
• Weiqi Hua, Jing Jiang, Hongjian Sun, Andrea M. Tonello, Meysam Qadrdan and Jianzhong Wu, "Data-Driven Prosumer-Centric Energy Scheduling using Convolutional Neural Networks," Applied Energy, Volume 308, 2022, Article Number: 118361.
 
• Weiqi Hua, Jing Jiang, Hongjian Sun, Fei Teng and Goran Strbac, "Consumer-Centric Decarbonization Framework using Stackelberg Game and Blockchain," Applied Energy, Volume 309, 2022, Article Number: 118384.
 
• Yue Zhou, Andrei Manea, Weiqi Hua, Jianzhong Wu, Wei Zhou, James Yu and Saifur Rahman, "Application of Distributed Ledger Technology in Distribution Networks, " Proceedings of the IEEE, Volume 110, No. 12, pp. 1963-1975, Dec. 2022.
 
• Dawei Qiu, Yi Wang, Weiqi Hua, and Goran Strbac, "Reinforcement learning for electric vehicle applications in power systems: a critical review. " Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 173, 2023, Article Number: 113052.
 

 

Fees

 

This is a self-funded post. However, applicants who are willing to apply fundings by themselves will be supported, e.g., government funding or industry funding.

How To Apply

To apply, please click here: sits.bham.ac.uk/lpages/EPS019.htm

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