EPSRC DLA: Where can energy demand reduction reduce network upgrade requirements?

One full/ partial scholarship is available in the School of Earth and Environment in 2026/27. This scholarship is open to UK applicants and covers UK tuition fees please a UKRI matched maintenance stipend (currently £20,780 in 2025/26). <br /> <br /> Transformation of energy networks is required to enable a transition to net zero. This includes upgrade of electricity networks to accommodate increased demand from electrification of heat and transport, alongside deployment of heat networks and decommissioning (or repurposing) of gas networks. The extent of required electricity network upgrades depends upon local context (rurality, household density, network infrastructure characteristics, expected deployment of heat pumps, electric vehicles, distributed solar photovoltaics and storage) and varies across regions and neighbourhoods. <br /> <br /> Low energy demand scenarios can reduce electricity infrastructure costs. This is particularly true where electricity demand reduces or shifts in peaks such that particular cables and substations are no longer overloaded. However, analysis of impacts of energy demand reduction on infrastructure costs have typically been performed at a spatially aggregated level and not explored dependence on local context. Evidence on sensitivity of infrastructure requirements to local energy demand reduction would help to identify promising locations for pilot projects in demand reduction, and to design policy to effectively target these areas. <br /> <br /> This project would aim to identify where local demand reduction can most effectively reduce electricity infrastructure upgrade costs and explore implications for national system design and equity.

<div>The PhD would be supported by the following objectives: </div> <div> </div> <ul> <li>Refine and update place-based electricity network modelling tools based on latest publicly available data and engagement with network operators. </li> <li>Develop spatially disaggregated scenarios for energy demand and energy technology deployment (heat pumps, electric vehicles, distributed solar PV and storage). </li> <li>Calculate costs associated with network upgrades at a spatially disaggregated level, and the extent to which these reduce in low energy demand scenarios. </li> <li>Explore the extent to which these overlap with locations where demand reduction might be most feasible from a socio-economic perspective and explore the distributional impacts of different approaches to prioritising and funding network upgrades.</li> </ul> <div> </div> <div>This would build on previous work conducted by the supervisory team on local network upgrade requirements, and ongoing work on infrastructure savings associated with demand reduction at an aggregated level, adapting national demand reduction scenarios to a local scale, and identifying local areas which are ready for net zero transitions from a socio-economic perspective. It would further build on emerging insights from the UKRI-funded Supergen Energy Networks Hub and Energy Demand Research Centre. </div> <div> </div> <div>The project would support University of Leeds’ strategic focus on interdisciplinary research and environmental sustainability as laid out in the One Leeds white paper. The project would bring insights from a supervisory team across disciplines and institutions, focussing on energy systems, electrical engineering, energy poverty, and demand reduction, to help to plot a path to a fairer and more sustainable future energy system. </div> <div> </div> <div>The successful student would be hosted at the Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) in the School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability. The Sustainability Research Institute (SRI), part of the School of Earth and Environment, is proud to contribute to the University of Leeds’ “signature strength” research. SRI employs 115 people – around 60 academic staff and 50 research staff as well as the essential professional services and research management colleagues who enable the research to happen. SRI is a place for partnerships and collaboration where individual thought and challenge is welcomed, but the focus is on working together. This will provide a vibrant and supportive environment for the successful student. Co-supervisors are co-investigators on the multi-institution Supergen Energy Networks and Energy Demand Reduction Centre (EDRC) projects, which will provide opportunities for links to broader research and impact communities around energy networks and energy demand. In addition, this PhD will benefit from co-supervisors in the School of Electrical  and Electronic Engineering, providing in-depth technical expertise, guidance, and academic networks, as well as from the Energy Institute at UCL, providing a link to a broader work around energy demand modelling. </div>

<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 research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is EPSRC DLA: Where can energy demand reduction reduce network upgrade requirments? as well as <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/see/staff/9649/dr-sheridan-few">Dr. Sheridan Few</a> as your proposed supervisor.</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>

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 in the School of Earth and Environment 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>We are offering one fully funded scholarship to study PhD project EPSRC DLA: Where can energy demand reduction reduce network upgrade requirments? in the School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds for one UK status candidate. The funding covers UK tuition fees as well as UKRI maintenance stipend (currently £20,780 in 2025/26) per year, subject to satisfactory progress.</p> <p>If you are unsure whether you are eligible for UK fees/funding please see our <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-fees/doc/fee-assessment">fee assessment page.</a></p>

<p>For further information please contact <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/see/staff/9649/dr-sheridan-few">Dr Sheridan Few</a> or Postgraduate Research Admissions Team: ENV-PGR@leeds.ac.uk</p>