Digital twining of energy hubs to accelerate transport 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, and the rail is the single largest consumer of electricity, using 4 TWh annually. Additionally, recent data indicates that 61 percent of the UK's 20,000 miles of railway tracks are non-electrified, diesel-powered trains on these routes significantly contribute to carbon emissions, worsening the environmental impact. 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, providing services to both the transport and power networks. The energy hub concept was first proposed by Leeds team together with industrial partners to support railway decarbonization, and subsequent projects have investigated its feasibility and technical design, followed by a recent project to build a demonstrator at the Ayrshire in Southwest Scotland to verify the technology and explore its business viability. The ultimate goal is to implement the Energy Hub solution across over 10,000 miles of UK rail routes, and extend the technology to road, ports and airports, providing a whole system solution to support the decarbonization of both transport and power sectors. Digital twinning (DT) is among the key technologies to support operation and control of the energy hubs when they are interfaced with both power grid and transport power supply networks. However, several key challenges remain to be addressed in DT technology when it is used for the energy hubs, including data sharing and interoperability among digital platforms from different stakeholders, data sharing mechanism and connectivity. This 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> The project has the following distinctive and novel objectives:</p> <p>1) develop cross-sector data sharing and digital twinning architecture covering physical, virtual, connection, data, and service layers;</p> <p>2) create a standardised data model to ensure semantic interoperability for digital twins and real-time data sharing;</p> <p>3) establish policies and protocols for secure, compliant, and transparent data sharing;</p> <p>4) 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>EPSRC DTP Engineering & Physical Sciences</strong></em> (if you do not apply under this programme code, your application will not be considered), 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 transport and power grid decarbonization </strong></em>as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/electronic-engineering/staff/1381/professor-kang-li">Professor Kang Li</a> as your proposed supervisor and that the funding you wish to be considered for is <em><strong>EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award 2026/27: Electronic & Electrical Engineering</strong></em>.</p> <p>Applications will be considered after the closing date of Friday 30 January 2026.  Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact 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><strong>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of Friday 30 January 2026:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date including grading scheme</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul> <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>

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>A highly competitive EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award, providing full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate (£20,780 in academic session 2025/26) for 3.5 years.  Training and support will also be provided.<br /> <br /> This opportunity is open to UK applicants only.  All candidates will be placed into the EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award Competition and selection is based on academic merit.</p> <p>Please note that there is only 2 funded places available to UK applicants only and this project is in competition with at least 2 other projects to secure this funding.  If you are successful in securing an academic offer for PhD study, this does not mean that you have been successful in securing an offer of funding.</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><br /> 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>