Centre for Energy Systems Integration (CESI)

Durham Researchers

Associate Directors of CESI

Professor Jon Gluyas (Earth Sciences & DEI Executive Director) - Durham lead and Energy Supply Workpackage Lead
Professor Tony Roskilly (Engineering & DEI Director) - Infrastructure and Storage Workpackage Lead

Co-Investigators

Professor Simon Hogg (Engineering)
Dr Behzad Kazemtabrizi (Engineering)
Professor Simone Abram (Anthropology)
Professor Michael Goldstein (Mathematical Sciences)

Researchers

Dr Yiji Lu (Engineering) -Technological development of the Integrated Hydrogen Energy Systems
Dr Hailiang Du (Mathematical Sciences)
Dr Matthias Troffaes (Mathematical Sciences)

PhD Students

Carlos Ferrandon-Cervantes (Engineering PhD)

Research Partners

Newcastle University - CESI lead
Durham University
Heriot-Watt
University of Edinburgh
University of Sussex

Industry and Sector Partners

Siemens - CESI Lead Industrial Partner; Orsted; Jaguar Landrover; Ofgem; UKERC; Energy Systems Catapult; Northern Gas Networks; Northern Powergrid; Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks; SP Energynetworks; Gentoo; National Grid; Centrica; RedT Energy Storage; Durham County Council; Newcastle City Council.

Project Background

Durham University is part of the £20m EPSRC National Centre for Energy Systems Integration (CESI) which is exploring ways of improving energy efficiency, reducing customers’ bills and lowering carbon emissions.
Bringing together energy experts from around the world to help unravel the energy network and understand future supply and demand.

The centre is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), and Siemens and is led by Newcastle University.

As the availability of fossil fuels declines and traditional energy structures become obsolete, it is essential we develop new energy sources that can also help counter the threat of climate change, as well as building smarter, flexible and integrated energy systems. Durham’s experts are at the forefront of developing these new energy solutions, which has been further enhanced by the University’s role in CESI.

Looking for the first time at the energy system as a whole; gas, power, renewables, heating and cooling, the centre will pave the way to a flexible smart infrastructure, empowering customers and giving them greater control of their energy use while allowing industry to meet the tough new low carbon targets. Bridging a pivotal gap in our drive towards a fully integrated, smart energy network, the centre is crucial to improving energy efficiency, driving down customer bills and reducing carbon emissions.

Under the umbrella of Durham Energy Institute, researchers from Durham University’s departments of Anthropology, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Mathematical Sciences, and Durham University Business School, all play a role in the EPSRC National Centre for Energy Systems Integration.

The UK, along with all advanced industrial and post-industrial countries needs to transform its energy flows, move away from carbon-producing fossil sources, and adapt to new technologies like electric vehicles and new kinds of energy storage. Durham Energy Institute’s experience of interdisciplinary research is key to the new centre’s goals - to enable the UK energy system to be transformed into a renewable system that serves diverse users of the future in ways that are just and sustainable.

Our expertise in conventional and unconventional energy generation, in smart grids, in the sociology of science and anthropology of energy will be crucial to the centre’s aim of drawing together diverse knowledge and expertise to integrate energy systems.

Find out more about CESI research and activities on the CESI website.