Research Fellow in modelling and optimisation of energy systems with thermal energy storage

This is an exciting opportunity to join major global research team at the Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage (BCES), University of Birmingham and international partners across UK and EU

The position is part of national/international projects (EPSRC and Horizon Europe) aimed at developing ‘energy storage solutions to optimally manage buildings, industrial processes and multi-energy systems and unlock their grid balancing and energy flexibility potential’ 

The overarching goal is, with the support of the simulation and optimization methods, to develop ultra-energy multi-energy systems, comprising buildings and industrial processes, and with integrated advanced thermal energy storage (TES) solutions. The research will support the development of real-life zero-carbon energy systems in the UK and Europe.

Examples of our world leading modelling activities can be found here:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352152X23001317

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019689042100337X

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261919317507

Role Summary

Research:

Your work will contribute to develop and apply simulation and optimization models to investigate how thermal energy storage jointly other zero-carbon technologies (e.g. Heat pumps, PV, Solar thermal collectors, Power-to-X, etc) can enable decarbonization of buildings and the surrounding local multi-energy system (local grid, district heating)

The Research fellow will address ambitious technical and scientific challenges around multi-energy systems modelling and in particular:

i) Develop of models, based on existing and new simulation environments, for simulation of multi-energy systems with buildings and thermal energy storage
ii) Apply a range of techniques such techno-economic optimization methods, as Mixed-integer linear programming (MILP), reduced physical-based models
iii) Simulate and optimize the integration of thermal energy storage and other zero-carbon technologies at building level and in the surrounding local energy system
iv) Carry out techno-economic optimization evaluating how to optimally operate TES and other assets in the local multi-energy system toward net-zero operation
v) Test the models in real-life multi-energy systems

The activity will ultimately lead to new disruptive understanding, use and operation of energy storage, zero-carbon technologies toward net-zero multi-energy systems.

Person Specification

You should hold a relevant PhD (or be near completion) in an area of research within energy systems, or energy processes & technologies, or energy storage. You should have relevant experience and have a strong track record of publications and proven delivery of projects outputs.  Experience in energy systems/process modelling,  proficiency in high-level programming/simulation tools, and techno-economic analysis are essential. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings are also required. To download full job description please click on the Apply Button below.

Informal enquires to Associate Prof Adriano Sciacovelli, a.sciacovelli@bham.ac.uk  

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the Apply Online button below or visit our careers website; https://edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_6001/job/2148/?utm_medium=jobshare

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We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working

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