​We develop models of energy systems and markets to understand how best to design and operate technologies, to improve economic and environmental performance. ​These allow us to study the impact and design of policy to support the energy transition.

The research group has developed a toolkit - Agent-based Energy Network Infrastructure (AENI). An advanced computational tool developed to optimise the design, planning, and operation of pipeline networks for low-carbon infrastructures, including Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), hydrogen, and district heat networks. ​

Hydrogen & CCUS Infrastructures
​

​Our work on hydrogen and CCUS pipeline infrastructures integrates complex geospatial routing, technical pipeline design, and stakeholder forecasting models. These models enable us to quickly investigate and analyse infrastructure design pathways and strategies, as well as how stakeholder decisions impact the techno-economics of these infrastructures. Infrastructure planners and policymakers can utilise these tools to inform their risk mitigation strategies, allowing them to reduce costs by enabling them to investigate their most significant risk - external actor and stakeholder decisions.
​
Key Researchers: Joseph Hammond, Victoria Brown

Heat Networks
​

Our research on district heat networks employs advanced agent-based modelling to simulate the adoption, expansion, and operation of heating systems in urban environments. We integrate socio-economic factors, technological parameters, and policy scenarios to understand how heat networks may evolve over time. Our multi-stakeholder approach captures interactions between households, commercial buildings, project developers, local authorities, and policymakers, providing insights into network growth dynamics and areas of potential interest. We evaluate the effects of various policy instruments on adoption rates and quantify potential CO2 emissions reductions. Our analysis assesses financial performance from multiple perspectives and generates future projections under different market and environmental conditions. This research informs urban planners, policymakers, and energy companies, contributing to strategies for sustainable urban heating and aims to de-risk large heat networks projects, while contributing to a broader transition towards lower-carbon energy systems.
​
Key Researchers: Thomas Cowley