PhD in Mechanical Engineering – Federated Digital Twins for Reducing Risk and Uncertainty in Hydrogen Integration.

The energy transition is a highly stochastic and complex problem, especially given the increasing demand to rapidly decarbonize through whole systems thinking – coupling previously independent critical infrastructure and services e.g., energy-transport networks etc. Energy networks need to unlock new network capacity as to meet growing energy demand and in response to the long lead in times in distribution and transmission network reinforcement. The integration of hydrogen into whole system-based solutions has the potential to accelerate decarbonization within traditionally hard to decarbonize sectors e.g., heavy industry, transport etc., and offer a potential solution for existing energy network constraints.

A scalable hydrogen economy will need to be built on targeted hydrogen decarbonization interventions. Ensuring that the hydrogen production method(s) deliver scalable, affordable, and resilient decarbonisation services, responsive to dynamic demand patterns. Using Cyber Physical Infrastructure (CPI) for the bidirectional exchange of data, information, feedback and analysis, we can now create new models that can help us to reduce uncertainty and risk in the design of hydrogen integration. 

The PhD research topic will explore sources of uncertainty in modelling hydrogen integration and optimization. And through a federated network of digital twins using Cyber Physical Infrastructure (CPI), improve our understanding of how to deliver a scalable hydrogen economy. The federated network of digital models will include data and information from various sources, energy system models and related infrastructure. It should also include the whole spectrum of the hydrogen ecosystem and supply chain from production, storage, distribution system and usage.

The federated network of digital models should focus on representative case studies exploring different pathways for hydrogen integration and enable the optimisation of hydrogen in energy systems for range of future energy system scenarios and real-time simulations. The development of strategies that evaluate the (cyber-physical) resilience of future multi-vector energy networks with hydrogen integration will be an area of investigation.

This PhD is a strategic investment as part of the University of Glasgow’s commitments to the UKs National Hydrogen Integration Hub (HI-ACT). The successful applicant will be affiliated with the Autonomous Systems and Connectivity Division and the Glasgow Centre for Sustainable Energy.

Applicants with interests in Integrated Energy System Modelling, Ontologies, Digital Twins, Multi-Agent Modelling and Systems Engineering.

In March 2023 the UK Government released its first consultation report on the UKs Cyber Physical Infrastructure:Enabling a national Cyber-Physical Infrastructure to catalyse innovation: consultation document (accessible webpage) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) . This studentship is an opportunity to work at the frontier of this emergent and disruptive technology in the context of critical infrastructure and decarbonization.

Before submitting a formal application, please notify Prof David Flynn of your interest.

How to Apply: Please refer to the following website for details on how to apply for admission:

http://www.gla.ac.uk/research/opportunities/howtoapplyforaresearchdegree/.

Eligibility: 1st Class BEng (Hons), Masters with Distinction.