Machine Learning Driven Hybridisation and Optimisation of Renewable Energy Systems (ReNU+24/EE/MCE/QIAN)

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Renewable Energy Northeast Universities Plus (ReNU⁺) is a collaborative doctoral training programme run by the Universities of Northumbria, Newcastle and Durham. In addition to undertaking an individual scientific research project at one of the three partner Universities, doctoral candidates will engage with added value training opportunities, for example in business, innovation and internationalisation through a 4-year training programme that has been designed to maximise the benefits of a cohort approach to doctoral training. The start date is 1st October 2025. 

About the Project

This exciting project focuses on integrating Photovoltaic (PV), Photovoltaic Thermal Collectors (PVT), Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP), Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP), and Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) to address the UK’s energy needs. Balancing energy generation, heating and cooling demand, and storage efficiency poses unique challenges, especially during retrofits. These include oversized systems, low operational efficiency, economic constraints, and time-intensive design processes.

This project aims to develop a cutting-edge machine learning tool to optimise hybrid renewable energy systems, carefully analysing electrical and thermal interactions while balancing daily and seasonal energy demands. The goal is to select, size, and manage these systems efficiently, ensuring economic feasibility and environmental sustainability, contributing to the UK’s Net Zero ambitions and energy security.

Collaboration and Research Environment

The proposed project is a collaboration project with South Tyneside Council and TGA Consulting Engineers LLP. It offers an inspiring opportunity to work closely with local authorities and industry partners on innovative, sustainable energy solutions with meaningful societal impact.

The successful candidate will join the ReNU+ (ReNU) EPSRC CDT programme, benefitting from excellent training courses, professional development opportunities, and a supportive research community at Northumbria University.

We are proud to promote gender equality and diversity in engineering research. The candidate will work with a mixed-gender, multicultural supervisory team committed to an inclusive and empowering environment.

Desirable Skills

We are looking for a passionate and highly motivated researcher with:

Technical expertise in artificial intelligence and multi-objective optimisation.

A solid foundation in renewable energy conversion systems.

Programming skills in MATLAB or Python.

Graduates or soon-to-be graduates in Mechanical Engineering, Computer and Information Sciences, or related disciplines are warmly encouraged to apply.

Academic Enquiries

This project is supervised by Dr Zi Qian. For informal queries, please contact z.qian@northumbria.ac.uk . For all other enquiries relating to eligibility or application process please email pgr.admissions@northumbria.ac.uk.

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Academic excellence i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities with preference for 1st class honours); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement. However, a 3 or 2:2 may be considered with relevant work experience, skills and/or expertise, please contact the Institution Director, vincent.barrioz@northumbria.ac.uk for further info.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
• Applicants cannot apply if they are already a PhD holder or if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.
• Must be able to commit to campus-based full-time or part-time study.

To be classed as a Home student, candidates must: 

• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
• have settled status, or
• have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
• have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student.   

Applicants will need to be in the UK and fully enrolled before stipend payments can commence. Note the following are not covered by the studentship. 

• Immigration Health Surcharge https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application
• Student Visa to enter the UK, please refer to https://www.gov.uk/student-visa.
• Costs associated with English Language requirements.

International applicants (including EU) must have valid immigration permissions to live and study in UK if they wish to study on a part-time basis. Northumbria University does not sponsor part-time student visas.

For further details on how to apply see https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/    

Please complete the PhD application form in full, include the advert reference (e.g. ReNU+24/…) and also:

1. Upload degree certificates, transcripts and English qualifications (if applicable).
2. Upload your CV under the ‘Experience section’. This is MANDATORY.
3. In the personal statement section, select ‘no’ and type ‘no personal statement required’ in the box.
4. Research proposal is NOT required. Upload a blank document to progress your application. Choose ‘Yes’ to the question ‘Are you applying for a UKRI studentship?’ and then choose ‘EPSRC ReNU Plus’.
5. Choose ‘Scholarship’ under source of funding.
6. Post submission, you need to login to the applicant portal to complete a competency assessment form.

We have limited number of International awards available. Note that up to 5 offers will be made for the ReNU+ CDT projects advertised by Northumbria University.

Deadline for applications: 3 February 2025 

Start date of course: 1 October 2025 

Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our postgraduate research students. We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds a bronze Athena Swan award in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality, we are a Disability Confident Leader, a member of the Race Equality Charter and are participating in the Stonewall Diversity Champion Programme. We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers.