A Professor at the University of Strathclyde has been awarded a three-year appointment to the Chair of Future Power Systems, sponsored by SP Energy Networks.
Professor Keith Bell, of Strathclyde's Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, will lead research into meeting the challenges of electricity network planning, design, operation and maintenance when accommodating new low carbon power generation capacity. This will include how to meet increased demand for electricity from the likes of heating pumps and electric vehicles – which will be vital to meet targets for reduction of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The University of Strathclyde and SP Energy Networks are long-standing collaborators and Professor Bell will help forge links between the energy network provider and specialist researchers at the University across engineering, economics and social science.
Researchers will benefit from close engagement with industry by accessing case studies, ‘real world’ data, and examples of the practical challenges encountered in planning, designing, operating and maintaining a power system. Valuable feedback on research ideas will also be gained, which could potentially make a significant difference to engineering practices and regulatory and commercial arrangements.
Professor Bell said: “Engineers are practical people and the opportunity to get the inside track on the challenges faced by a network operator and help to solve them is exactly what we want. I know the company values the independent perspective we bring as academics using sound scientific methods and the creativity shown by our researchers.
“The government, the energy regulator, the Climate Change Committee and the electricity industry have all pointed to the massive investment needed over the next decade and more to bring about the transition to a low carbon energy system.
“That’s going to bring enormous benefits through lower energy bills and cleaner air. It’s also already bringing fantastic opportunities for jobs and highly rewarding work. It’s an exciting time to be an electrical engineer.”
Strathclyde has been one of SP Energy Networks’ main sources of talent, with the company recruiting many Bachelors, Masters and PhD graduates.
Strathclyde undergraduates have also been sponsored by SP Energy Networks as part of the Power Academy, a scheme to attract engineers to the power and energy sector which offers sponsored students an annual bursary and paid summer work experience.
Scott Mathieson, Network Planning & Regulation Director at SP Energy Networks, said: "Over the past 20 years, we have worked closely with the University of Strathclyde to strengthen the power and energy sector.
“The University has been a great source of talent for the industry and we have actively recruited many colleagues from the university's pool of graduates.
“As part of our long-standing relationship, we are supporting this position as it will not only provide valuable learnings for the future of the green energy system and the role we play within that – it will also help train the future workforce who will be a key part of delivering that energy transition.
“We’re looking forward to this research collaboration and are eager to put the valuable learnings into practice as quickly as possible so we can continue to ensure the network is prepared for the transition to Net Zero.”
The collaboration will support research related to Future Power Systems – identified in discussion with SP Energy Networks around key network, technology and industry challenges and opportunities. The Chair sponsorship will allow a post-doctoral Research Associate to be recruited to work on the research and provides a scholarship for one or more PhD students.