UCL’s Energy Institute in partnership with Worcester Bosch are seeking applications for a fully funded Studentship on topic in ‘An exploration of the system implications of the large scale deployment of hybrid heat pumps in UK housing’
This project seeks to develop a strategic understanding of drivers of cost and performance of hybrid heat pumps, and of their impacts on, and potential role in the decarbonisation of heating in the UK.
Supervisors: Professor Robert Lowe of UCL Energy Institute, and Carl Arntzen of Worcester Bosch.
Funding: The studentship will cover UK course fees and an enhanced tax-free stipend of approx. £22,000 per year for 4 years along with a substantial budget for research, travel, and centre activities.
Fees: ERBE CDT has very limited funding for applicants requiring coverage of overseas fees. We advise all interested applicants to be familiar with the changes to EU and International Eligibility for EPSRC/UKRI funded studentships
Dates: 4 years from September 2023
Context and Project description:
Hybrid heat pumps have emerged as a possible way to address multiple constraints on the deployment of electrically-driven heat pumps for domestic heating. These include: the need to avoid overloading the electricity distribution grid; the desirability of being able to dynamically switch domestic heat demand to a vector other than electricity; and the desirability of matching the temperature requirements of existing heating systems in the UK housing stock.
With the support of Worcester Bosch, and drawing on the System Architecture literature, the student will begin by mapping the engineering drivers of hybrid heat pump cost and performance, in relation to competing systems. They will then use multiple energy system models to explore impacts of hybrids on the wider energy system, as a function of electricity-to-gas ratios (CH4 or H2) and control strategy, with the aim of illuminating:
- the impact of hybrids on energy system operability, resilience, cumulative cost and GHG emissions on the route to net zero;
- the strategic implications of hybrids including impacts on load factors on and revenue flows to UK gas and electricity networks.
Throughout the project, the student will work with multiple energy system stakeholders to understand system requirements and contextualise findings from the above.
Studentship aims:
The aims of the studentship are:
- to clarify the potential roles of hybrid heat pumps, from an energy system perspective, in and through a transition to a low/zero carbon future, as a function of gas-to-electricity ratio and other system parameters;
- to help the industrial stakeholder, Worcester Bosch, to understand market potential and effectively focus product development;
- to work with a wider range of energy system stakeholders to understand the strategic implications of the above
Person specification:
The above project will require a highly motivated individual of exceptional ability. An undergraduate degree in physics or engineering would be desirable, though candidates from other disciplines may also be considered.
A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, in a relevant subject, is essential. Exceptionally: where applicants have other suitable research or professional experience, they may be admitted without a Master’s degree; or where applicants have a lower second-class UK Honours Bachelor’s degree (2:2) (or equivalent) they must possess a relevant Master’s degree to be admitted.
Applicants must also meet the minimum language requirements of UCL
Applicants should be familiar with the changes to EU and International Eligibility for UKRI funded studentships.
How to apply
All CV’s and Cover Letters must be completely anonymised and not contain any references to protected characteristics, such as gender, ethnicity or race.
Please submit your application by email to the UCL ERBE Centre Manager (bseer.erbecdt@ucl.ac.uk) with Subject Reference: 4-year PhD studentship in ‘An exploration of the system implications of the large scale deployment of hybrid heat pumps in UK housing’
The application should include each of the following:
1) An anonymous Cover Letter clearly stating why you are applying and how your interests and experience relate to this project, and your understanding of eligibility according to these guidelines: EU and International Eligibility for EPSRC/UKRI funded studentships
2) CV
3) Complete the CDT EPSRC Eligibility Questionnaire and EDI Questionnaire via the linked Microsoft Forms.
Only shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview.
• For the interview shortlisted candidates will be asked to show proof of their degree certificate(s) and transcript(s) of degree(s), and proof of their fees eligibility.
• The interview panel will consist of the project’s academic supervisors at UCL, industry supervisors at Hoare Lea and a representative of the ERBE CDT Academic management. The interview will include a short presentation from the candidate on their ideas of how to approach this PhD project.
Following the interview, the successful candidate will be invited to make a formal application to the UCL Research Degree programme for ERBE CDT.
Deadline for applications: Sunday, 14th May 2023 @ 23:59 (UK time)
Interviews week commencing: TBC
For further details about the admission process, please contact: bseer.erbecdt@ucl.ac.uk
For any further details regarding the project, contact Professor Robert Lowe, robert.lowe@ucl.ac.uk
You will be undertaking this project:
- In UCL at the main (Bloomsbury) campus as part of the new EPSRC-SFI Centre for Doctoral Training in Energy Resilience and the Built Environment (ERBE CDT). This is a collaboration between UCL, Loughborough University and Marine and Renewable Energy Ireland (MaREI). For more information please see http://erbecdt.ac.uk