Digital twining of energy hubs to accelerate railway and power grid decarbonization

Transportation networks and power grids are two major critical nationwide infrastructures that connect people and businesses across cities, towns and villages. Transportation is currently the largest contributor to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the UK, account for 24% of total emissions in 2020. Within this sector, the rail industry is the single largest consumer of electricity, using 4 TWh annually, which represents 1.2% of the UK's total electricity consumption. Additionally, recent data indicates that 60% of the UK's railway tracks are non-electrified. The planned railway electrification is expected to increase the country's power demand by an additional 3 TWh per annum. This large-scale electrification will place an additional power burden on the transmission system. <br /> <br /> Energy hubs are novel microgrid technology to interface with both transport network and power grid as configurable, flexible and controllable coupling components, transforming power supply for electrifying the transport network from inflexible loads to flexible demand. This Digital twining of energy hubs project aims to address some of the key challenges and establish the digital twinning of the energy hubs to support service delivery to both railway and power sectors.

<p>Energy hubs are novel microgrid technology to interface with both transport network and power grid as configurable, flexible and controllable coupling components, transforming power supply for electrifying the transport network from inflexible loads to flexible demand. The energy hub concept was first proposed by The University of Leeds team to support railway decarbonization, and subsequent projects have investigated its feasibility and technical design, followed by a recent £11M project to the University and its industrial partners to build a demonstrator to verify the technology and explore its business viability. The ultimate goal is to implement the Energy Hub solution at as many of the 2,500 railway stations and depots in the UK rail, making these hubs key energy and transport nexuses. By connecting these hubs to the grid, we aim to support a future low-carbon power system and defer the transmission network upgrade, unlocking the capacity of GB transmission network while supporting electrification of a major load, GB rail network. </p> <p>Digital twinning (DT) is one of the key innovative technologies to support operation and control of the energy hubs when they are interfaced with both power grid and traction power supply network.  However, several key challenges remain to be addressed in DT technology when it is used for the energy hubs, including data interoperability among digital platforms from different stakeholders, data sharing mechanism and connectivity. </p> <p>This Digital twining of energy hubs project aims to address some of the key challenges and establish the digital twinning of the energy hubs to support service delivery to both railway and power sectors. The project has the following distinctive and novel features: 1) cross-sector digital twinning architecture; 2) development of a minimal viable product (MVP) to progress work on the digital twinning of the energy hubs; 3) enable fast and effective management of multiple energy hubs to improve the overall flexibility of the traction power networks and support cost effective transition to low carbon society. <br />  </p>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. Please state clearly in the Planned Course of Study section that you are applying for <em><strong>PHD Electronic & Electrical Engineering FT</strong></em> and in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <em><strong>Digital twining of energy hubs to accelerate railway and power grid decarbonization</strong></em> as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/electronic-engineering/staff/1381/professor-kang-li">Prof Kang Li</a> as your proposed supervisor. <em><strong>Please state clearly in the Finance section that the funding source you are applying for is School of Electronic & Electrical Engineering Studentship 2025/26.</strong></em></p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p> <p>Applications will be considered after the deadline.  Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the supervisors for an informal discussion before making a formal application.  We also advise that you apply at the earliest opportunity as the application and selection process may close early, should we receive a sufficient number of applications or that a suitable candidate is appointed.</p> <p>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of Wednesday 15 January 2025:</p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p class="MsoNoSpacing">A highly competitive EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award providing full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate (£19,237 in academic session 2024/25) for 3.5 years.  Training and support will also be provided.</p> <p>This opportunity is open to all applicants.  All candidates will be placed into the EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award Competition and selection is based on academic merit.</p> <p><em><strong>Important:</strong></em> Please note that that the award does <em><strong>not</strong></em> cover the costs associated with moving to the UK.  All such costs (<a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/international-visas-immigration/doc/applying-student-visa">visa, Immigration Health Surcharge</a>, flights etc) would have to be met by yourself, or you will need to find an alternative funding source. </p> <p>Please refer to the <a href="https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/">UKCISA</a> website for information regarding Fee Status for Non-UK Nationals.</p>

<p>For further information about this project, please contact Professor Kang Li by email to <a href="mailto:k.li1@leeds.ac.uk">k.li1@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information about your application, please contact PGR Admissions by email to <a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p> </p>