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Dr Rupert Gammon

Job: Associate Professor

Faculty: Computing, Engineering and Media

School/department: School of Engineering and Sustainable Development

Research group(s): Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development

Address: De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester, LE1 9BH, United Kingdom

T: +44 (0)116 257 7877

E: rgammon@dmu.ac.uk

W: https://www.dmu.ac.uk/iesd

 

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Personal profile

Rupert Gammon focusses on high-impact, needs-driven, applied research and teaching that tackles the climate crisis and its associated societal and environmental issues. 

Bringing technical expertise developed over a career in industry, consultancy and academia, Dr Gammon collaborates internationally with engineers, social scientists, businesses and policy-makers to facilitate a ‘just transition’ to a sustainable society in which all can thrive. 

Applying a whole-system approach, his research integrates clean energy pathways with practical solutions for maximising social benefit while minimising environmental harm.  Examples of this include setting up Africa’s first solar-powered electric taxi service, creating the UK’s first integrated hydrogen and renewable energy mini-grid, participating in development of photovoltaic cooking systems to reduce dependence on unhealthy and environmentally-destructive fuels like wood and charcoal, and enhancing students’ learning experience and career prospects through supervising the design and construction of an electric vehicle for DMU’s entry into the annual Formula Student competition.

Publications and outputs

  • Preliminary Findings From a Pilot Study of Electric Vehicle Recharging From a Stand-Alone Solar Minigrid
    dc.title: Preliminary Findings From a Pilot Study of Electric Vehicle Recharging From a Stand-Alone Solar Minigrid dc.contributor.author: Gammon, Rupert; Sallah, Momodou dc.description.abstract: The symbiosis between smart minigrids and electric mobility has the potential to improve the cost and reliability of energy access for off-grid communities while providing low-carbon transport services. This study explores the commercial viability of using electric vehicles (EVs), recharged by solar minigrids, to provide transport services in off-grid communities. Preliminary findings are presented from a field trial in The Gambia that aims to assess the techno-economic feasibility of integrating sustainable energy and transport infrastructures in sun-rich regions of the Global South. As a dispatchable anchor load, an EV can improve the technical and economic performance of a minigrid by providing demand-side response services. In the developing world, rural communities are often among the poorest, and inadequate transport services remain a major barrier to wealth-creation. Some solutions to this situation may be transferrable to island communities, which share similar challenges in terms of access to energy and fuel. The first of its kind in Africa, this field trial uses an electric minivan, operating from an off-grid village where it has access to a minigrid whose 4.5 kWp of photovoltaic modules form the roof of a parking shelter for the vehicle. While there, the taxi can recharge, ideally during sunny periods when the photovoltaic array produces surplus power, thus allowing the EV’s battery to recharge while bypassing the minigrid’s own accumulator. This improves system reliability and cost effectiveness, while providing pollution-free energy for the taxi. Ultimately, the intention is to test different vehicles in a variety of circumstances, but this paper outlines only the preliminary findings of the first of these trials. Early results provide convincing new evidence that commercial viability of such a concept is possible in Sub-Saharan Africa. Some promising scenarios for commercial viability are identified, which warrant further investigation, since they suggest that a taxi driver’s earnings could be increased between 250 and 1,300% in local operations, and even 20-fold in tourist markets, depending on vehicle type, minigrid configuration and target market. It is hoped that these may encourage the rollout of solar-recharged EVs where the nexus of sustainable energy and transport systems are likely to make the greatest contribution to addressing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, by helping to solve the trilemma of providing energy security, social benefit and environmental sustainability in low-income countries. dc.description: open access article
  • Characterisation of a nickel-iron battolyser, an integrated battery and electrolyser
    dc.title: Characterisation of a nickel-iron battolyser, an integrated battery and electrolyser dc.contributor.author: Barton, John; Gammon, Rupert; Rahil, Abdulla dc.description.abstract: Electricity systems require energy storage on all time scales to accommodate the variations in output of solar and wind power when those sources of electricity constitute most, or all, of the generation on the system. This paper builds on recent research into nickel-iron battery-electrolysers or “battolysers” as both short-term and long-term energy storage. For short-term cycling as a battery, the internal resistances and time constants have been measured, including the component values of resistors and capacitors in equivalent circuits. The dependence of these values on state-of-charge and temperature have also been measured. The results confirm that a nickel-iron cell can hold 25% more than its nominal charge. However, this increased capacity disappears at temperatures of 60°C and may be dissipated quickly by self-discharge. When operating as an electrolyser for long-term energy storage, the experiments have established the importance of a separation gap between each electrode and the membrane for gas evolution and established the optimum size of this gap as approximately 1.25 mm. The nickel-iron cell has acceptable performance as an electrolyser for Power-to-X energy conversion but its large internal resistance limits voltage efficiency to 75% at 5-h charge and discharge rate, with or without a bubble separation membrane. dc.description: open access article
  • Potential Economic Benefits of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Reduction Due to Renewable Energy and Electrolytic Hydrogen Fuel deployment under current and Long Term Forecasting of the Social Carbon Cost (SCC)
    dc.title: Potential Economic Benefits of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Reduction Due to Renewable Energy and Electrolytic Hydrogen Fuel deployment under current and Long Term Forecasting of the Social Carbon Cost (SCC) dc.contributor.author: Rahil, Abdullah; Gammon, Rupert; Brown, Neil; Udie, Justin; Akram, Muhammad Usman; Khattak, Sanober dc.description.abstract: The 2016 Paris Agreement (UNFCCC Authors, 2015) is the latest of initiative to create an international consensus on action to reduce GHG emissions. However, the challenge of meeting its targets lies mainly in the intimate relationship between GHG emissions and energy production, which in turn links to industry and economic growth. The Middle East and North African region (MENA), particularly those nations rich oil and gas (O&G) resources, depend on these as a main income source. Persuading the region to cut down on O&G production or reduce its GHG emissions is hugely challenging, as it is so vital to its economic strength. In this paper, an alternative option is established by creating an economic link between GHG emissions, measured as their CO2 equivalent (CO2e), and the earning of profits through the concept of Social Carbon Cost (SCC). The case study is a small coastal city in Libya where 6% of electricity is assumed to be generated from renewable sources. At times when renewable energy (RE) output exceeds the demand for power, the surplus is used for powering the production of hydrogen by electrolysis, thus storing the energy and creating an emission-free fuel. Two scenarios are tested based on short and long term SCCs. In the short term scenario, the amount of fossil fuel energy saved matches the renewable energy produced, which equates to the same amount of curtailed O&G production. The O&G-producing region can earn profits in two ways: (1) by cutting down CO2 emissions as a result of a reduction in O&G production and (2) by replacing an amount of fossil fuel with electrolytically-produced hydrogen which creates no CO2 emissions. In the short term scenario, the value of SCC saved is nearly 39% and in the long term scenario, this rose to 83%. dc.description: open access article
  • Dispatchable hydrogen production by multiple electrolysers to provide clean fuel and responsive demand in Libya
    dc.title: Dispatchable hydrogen production by multiple electrolysers to provide clean fuel and responsive demand in Libya dc.contributor.author: Rahil, Abdulla; Gammon, Rupert; Brown, Neil dc.description.abstract: The use of hydrogen as a fuel carries major environmental advantages because there are a number of ways of producing it by low-carbon methods. When electrolysis is used, additional benefits are obtained by flexible operation that offers the opportunity to reduce the cost of hydrogen production by absorbing electricity during off-peak hours, and stopping operation during peak hours. This can also act as a tool in support of balancing electrical systems. In this research, off-peak electricity is used to produce hydrogen via electrolysis, which is sold as a fuel at six garage forecourts in Darna, a small city on the east coast of Libya. In addition to the six forecourt electrolysers, a centralised electrolyser plant will be included in the system to consume the surplus energy and to satisfy any deficiency in hydrogen production at the forecourt. The capital cost of both forecourt and centralised electrolyser systems, plus fixed costs, were financed by bank loans at a 5% rate of interest over seven years. A MATLAB model with optimisation tools was used to formulate this problem. This research shows that forecourt hydrogen production at off-peak times (and without the centralised electrolyser) can satisfy nearly 53.93% of the fuel demand. This represents 59.82% of the total surplus renewable energy. The average hydrogen sale price at the forecourts is between £10.82-11.71/kg. After adding the centralised electrolyser, nearly 78.83 % of the total surplus power was absorbed and the average hydrogen selling prices were between £15.04-19.80/kg The centralised electrolyser can meet 43%, 49%, 50%, 42%, 57% and 53% of the deficit in consumption for stations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, respectively. dc.description: The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.
  • Flexible operation of electrolyser at the garage forecourt to support grid balancing and exploitation of hydrogen as a clean fuel
    dc.title: Flexible operation of electrolyser at the garage forecourt to support grid balancing and exploitation of hydrogen as a clean fuel dc.contributor.author: Rahil, Abdulla; Gammon, Rupert; Brown, Neil dc.description.abstract: Rapid growth in the generation of renewable energy (RE) and its integration with electricity grids has been driven by concerns about both the climate impacts and the depletion of fossil fuels. Moreover, these concerns have prompted the need to develop alternatives to hydrocarbon fuels, leading to the expectation that fuel cell vehicle numbers will similarly increase. However, the variable and intermittent output of RE generators significantly affects the capability for electricity networks to balance supply and demand, although this may be addressed through energy storage and demand-side response (DSR) technologies. One potential DSR technique that can be implemented at industrial scale is water electrolysis, which is used for hydrogen production. When electrolyser operation is modulated, for example, to respond to the variable output of wind and solar power sources, it can be exploited as a dispatchable demand load. Naturally, this would need to be incentivized by electricity tariff structures that reflect the dynamics of RE availability. This paper aims to compare the economics of continuous and dispatchable electrolyser operation for producing affordable hydrogen at garage forecourts in Libya, while ensuring no interruption in the fuel supply to vehicles. Using the coastal city of Derna as a case study, with renewable energy generated by a wind farm, a suitable turbine specification and the number of turbines needed to meet demand was determined through an analysis of wind speeds. The constantly varying difference between RE power supply and electricity demand on the grinded the surplus power at any given time. Using a linear programming algorithm to optimize the hydrogen cost, based on the current price of electricity, this study examines a hydrogen refuelling station in both dispatchable and continuous operation. As the capital cost is already known, the optimisation focuses on the variable cost in order to reduce the price of hydrogen, which means using the cheaper of two electricity tariffs. Three scenarios were considered to evaluate whether the cost of electrolytic hydrogen could be reduced through using lower-cost off-peak electricity supplies: 1- Standard Continuous, in which the electrolyser operates continuously on a standard tariff of $16/kWh. 2- Off-peak Only, in which the electrolyser operates only during off-peak periods at the lower price of $7/kWh. 3- 2-Tier Continuous, in which the electrolyser operates continuously on a low tariff at off-peak times and a high tariff at other times. The results indicate that Scenario 2 produced the cheapest electricity at $3.89 per kg of hydrogen, followed by Scenario 3 at $5.10 per kg, and the most expensive was Scenario 1 at $9.26 per kg. dc.description: The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.
  • Techno-economic assessment of dispatchable hydrogen production by multiple electrolysers in Libya
    dc.title: Techno-economic assessment of dispatchable hydrogen production by multiple electrolysers in Libya dc.contributor.author: Rahil, Abdulla; Gammon, Rupert; Brown, Neil dc.description.abstract: With the worldwide growth of renewable energy generation, the value of hydrogen production by electrolysis as a demand management tool for electricity networks is likely to increase. Electrolytic hydrogen can be sold as a fuel, chemical feedstock or injected into pipelines to lower the carbon content of natural gas. The main obstacle to hydrogen’s use as a fuel or energy storage method is the price. The highest costs are in the capital expenditure and the consumption of feedstock (electricity and water). In this paper, three major techno-economic aspects of the system are investigated, including technical analyses of both the energy absorbed by the process in the provision of electricity demand management services and in its meeting of fuel demand, plus an economic assessment of the hydrogen price at the at the point of sale. Thus, the study investigates how only off-peak electricity is used to produce hydrogen via onsite electrolysis at a number of garage forecourts. In a simulated case study, six garage forecourts are assumed to be sited in Darnah, a small city on the east coast of Libya. An electricity pricing mechanism is devised to allow the energy producer (utility company) and energy consumer (garage forecourt operator) to make a profit. Short term (2015) and long term (2030) cost scenarios are applied. Matlab software was used to simulate this process. Without any government support or changes in regulation and policy, hydrogen prices were £10.00/kg, £9.80/kg, £9.60/kg, £10.00/kg, £9.40/kg and £10.30/kg for forecourts 1–6 respectively under the 2015 cost scenario. The electricity price represents around 17% of the total hydrogen cost, whereas, due to the investment cost reduction in 2030, the average prices of hydrogen dropped to £6.50/kg, £6.60/kg, £6.30/kg, £6.40/kg, £6.20/kg and £6.50/kg for stations 1–6 respectively. The feedstock cost share became 44% in the 2030 cost scenario. Nearly 53.91% and 53.77% of available energy is absorbed in short and long term scenarios respectively. Under the long term cost scenario, 65% of hydrogen demand can be met, whereas less than 60% of hydrogen demand is met under the short term scenario. The system reliability (i.e. the meeting of hydrogen fuel demand) is quite low due to the operational mode of the system. Increasing the system size (mainly electrolyser production capacity) can clearly improve the system reliability. dc.description: The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link
  • Dispatchable Hydrogen Production at the Forecourt for Electricity Demand Shaping
    dc.title: Dispatchable Hydrogen Production at the Forecourt for Electricity Demand Shaping dc.contributor.author: Rahil, Abdulla; Gammon, Rupert dc.description.abstract: Environmental issues and concerns about depletion of fossil fuels have driven rapid growth in the generation of renewable energy (RE) and its use in electricity grids. Similarly, the need for an alternative to hydrocarbon fuels means that the number of fuel cell vehicles is also expected to increase. The ability of electricity networks to balance supply and demand is greatly affected by the variable, intermittent output of RE generators; however, this could be relieved using energy storage and demand-side response (DSR) techniques. One option would be production of hydrogen by electrolysis powered from wind and solar sources. The use of tariff structures would provide an incentive to operate electrolysers as dispatchable loads. The aim of this paper is to compare the cost of hydrogen production by electrolysis at garage forecourts in Libya, for both dispatchable and continuous operation, without interruption of fuel supply to vehicles. The coastal city of Derna was chosen as a case study, with the renewable energy being produced via a wind turbine farm. Wind speed was analysed in order to determine a suitable turbine, then the capacity was calculated to estimate how many turbines would be needed to meet demand. Finally, the excess power was calculated, based on the discrepancy between supply and demand. The study looked at a hydrogen refueling station in both dispatchable and continuous operation, using an optimisation algorithm. The following three scenarios were considered to determine whether the cost of electrolytic hydrogen could be reduced by a lower off-peak electricity price. These scenarios are: Standard Continuous, in which the electrolyser operates continuously on a standard tariff of 12 p/kWh; Off-peak Only, in which the electrolyser operates only during off-peak periods at the lower price of 5 p/kWh; and 2-Tier Continuous, in which the electrolyser operates continuously on a low tariff at off-peak times and a high tariff at other times. The results indicate that Scenario 2 produced the cheapest electricity at £2.90 per kg of hydrogen, followed by Scenario 3 at £3.80 per kg, and the most expensive was Scenario 1 at £6.90 per kg. dc.description: open access article
  • Power-to-hydrogen and hydrogen-to-X: Which markets? Which economic potential? Answers from the literature
    dc.title: Power-to-hydrogen and hydrogen-to-X: Which markets? Which economic potential? Answers from the literature dc.contributor.author: Robinius, Martin; Welder, Lara; Ryberg, David; Mansilla, Christine; Lucchese, Paul; Tlili, Olfa; Le Duigou, Alain; Simon, Jesus; Balan, Mihai; Dickinson, Robert R.; Dolci, Francesco; Weidner, Eveline; Gammon, Rupert; Meeks, Noah; Pereira, Andre; Samsatli, Sheila; Valentin, Solene dc.description.abstract: With the expansion of renewable energy’s contribution to the energy mix, balancing the electricity grid is becoming increasingly challenging. Alongside other solutions, Power-to-Hydrogen concepts are gaining significant interest. In this paper, the “Task 38”, initiated by the Hydrogen Implementing Agreement of the International EnergyAgency, presents the first of a two-step literature review regarding Power-to-Hydrogen and Hydrogen-to-X concepts with a focus on prospective market and economic potential. The study reveals a large scope of literature that shows a considerable variety ofsuggested implementation schemes. The transportation sector is identified as the most promising consumer market. Hydrogen-to-Gas pathways will require subsidies in order to be profitable. Hydrogen-to-Power becomes an economically promising option in the context of systems with high shares of renewables and a need for longer-term storages. Additionally, key enablers for Power-to-Hydrogen concepts are identified; namely support policies, concurrently with ongoing progress on the development and implementation of industry standard. dc.description: Research carried out within the framework of Task 38 of the Hydrogen Implementing Agreement of the International Energy Agency. The task is coordinated by the Institute for techno-economics of energy systems (I-tésé) of the CEA, supported by the ADEME. The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.
  • ESCoBox: A set of tools for mini-grid sustainability in the developing world
    dc.title: ESCoBox: A set of tools for mini-grid sustainability in the developing world dc.contributor.author: Advani, Varun; Wade, Neal; Greenwood, D.; Davison, P.; Gammon, Rupert; Boait, Peter John dc.description.abstract: Mini-grids powered by photovoltaic generators or other renewable energy sources have the potential to bring electricity to the 17% of the world’s population, mainly in rural areas, that are currently un-served. However, designing and managing a mini-grid so that it is reliable and economically sustainable is difficult because of the high variability of demand that arises from the small population of consumers. We describe an integrated set of four tools to assist mini-grid operators to predict and manage demand. These comprise a decision support tool to predict peak and average demand from a consumer population, a demand disaggregation tool that allows the key statistical properties of connected electricity-consuming appliances to be identified, a battery condition modeling tool which allows the impact on battery life of a planned operating regime to be predicted and a demand control sub-system which limits the operating time of high demand appliances to intervals when they can be supported. Results from application of the tool set to mini-grids in Kenya and The Gambia are presented. We conclude that accessible, usable and low cost tools of this form can improve mini-grid sustainability. dc.description: Collaboration with Newcastle University and other NGO and commercial partners. Open Access article
  • Acceptability of Externally Controlled Recharging for the Protection of Local Power Networks with High Penetrations of Electric Vehicles
    dc.title: Acceptability of Externally Controlled Recharging for the Protection of Local Power Networks with High Penetrations of Electric Vehicles dc.contributor.author: Gammon, Rupert; Fisher, Jill; Irvine, K. N. dc.description.abstract: The anticipated uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) has the potential to overload low-voltage power networks where several EVs might be simultaneously recharging on the same electrical substation feeder. The Esprit system is designed to avoid potential power outages and damage to network infrastructure by means of temporary curtailment of EV recharging to reduce the aggregate load on a single feeder. It is important that this intervention does not adversely affect service quality for EV users and other electricity consumers. In a field trial of localized clusters of EVs, the My Electric Avenue project assessed the acceptability of temporary curtailment of charging to EV drivers as well as testing the technical viability of Esprit. Analysis of data gathered through questionnaires, interviews and focus groups with participants in the trial indicates that temporary curtailment of charging by the Esprit technology did not cause significant inconvenience to EV users.

Click here to view a full listing of Rupert Gammon's publications and outputs.

Research interests/expertise

Net-zero energy systems, sustainable transport and international development:

  • Smart grids, off-grid energy access, energy storage, demand shaping/responsive demand, hydrogen energy systems (including electrolysis and fuel cells), renewable energy, remote monitoring and control
  • Electric vehicles, hydrogen/fuel cell powered vehicles, solar recharging of EVs
  • Energy systems for the developing world, fuel-less cooking

Areas of teaching

Sustainable energy and transport systems:

  • Renewable energy, smart grids, energy storage, demand shaping, whole-system integration
  • Fuel cells and hydrogen production by electrolysis
  • Zero-emission vehicles, electric vehicle drivetrains, Mobility as a Service (MaaS)
  • Supervision of DMU’s entry of an electric racing car into the IMechE’s annual Formula Student competition

Qualifications

Ph.D.: Hydrogen & Renewable Energy Integration, Loughborough University, 2006

M.Sc.:  Renewable Energy System Technologies, Loughborough University, 2001

B.A. (Hons): 3D Industrial Design (Eng), Leeds Polytechnic, 1988

Courses taught

Undergraduate module (BSc): Energy for Transport Applications

Postgraduate module (MSc): Sustainable Transport

Projects

  • Solar-powered Mobility-as-a-Service for Africa (Solar MaaS Africa), Principal Investigator, 2021 – 2024, Industrial Fellowship, £56,000, funded by RAEng, developing commercial solar recharging system for electric truck delivery service in Africa
  • SIGMA,  Co-Investigator, 2020 – 2024, £250,000 project, funded by ESRC, on sustainability, inclusiveness and governance of mini-grids in Africa
  • Solar Taxi, Principal Investigator, 2018 – 2019, DMU internal funding (£8,000), plus donations from Nissan (£35,000) and Sharp (£40,000), sustainable transport and demand-shaping for renewable-powered mini-grids in developing countries
  • Battolyser, Principal Investigator, 2017 – 2019 HEIF funding (£26,000), development of a novel hybrid battery-electrolyser device for electricity storage and hydrogen production
  • RangeX Tender, Principal Investigator, 2015 – present, RCIF and HEIF funding (£84,000), development of demountable range extender, powered by fuel cell, for electric vehicles
  • ESCoBox, Principal Investigator, 2013 – 2016, £825,000 project funded by EPSRC, (DMU budget: £220,000), applying smart grid techniques to mini-grids in the developing world to reduce the cost and improve the reliability of energy services in off-grid communities
  • Complex Adaptive Systems, Cognitive Agents & Distributed Energy (CASCADE), Senior Research Fellow, 2011 – 2013, £922,000 project funded by EPSRC (DMU budget: £220,000), exploring and developing smart grid concepts

Consultancy work

 

Currently available to undertake consultancy in the following subject areas:

  • Sustainable energy systems:
      • Smart grids
      • Off-grid energy access
      • Energy storage
      • Demand shaping/responsive demand
      • Hydrogen energy systems (including electrolysis and fuel cells)
      • Renewable energy
      • Remote monitoring and control
  • Sustainable transport:
      • Electric vehicle (EV) applications, divetrains and battery systems
      •  Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs)
      • Smart recharging of EVs, battery swapping, recharging from renewable energy
  • International development:
      • Energy systems for the developing world (smart mini-grids)
      • Sustainable transport systems, EVs
      • Fuel-less (solar-powered) electric cooking

Consultancies undertaken at DMU:

  • University of Science and Technology (USET), Co-Investigator, 2021 – 2024, working with Gambian Government and Kwame Nkruma University of Science and Technology, Ghana, to set up a new university in The Gambia (DMU budget: £1.5M)
  • Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS), DMU Team Leader, 2019 – 2023, Project led by Loughborough University, funded by UK Government and World Bank, catalysing Africa’s transition to clean electric cooking (DMU budget: £300,000)
  • My Electric Avenue, DMU Team Leader,         2013 – 2016, Part of a £9M project, led by EA Technology, part funded by Ofgem’s Low Carbon Networks Fund, assessing the acceptability of smart EV charging for grid protection (DMU income: £170,000)
  • 2050 Energy Infrastructure Outlook, DMU Consultant, 2012 – 2013, funded by the Energy Technologies Institute, led by Buro Happold, future hydrogen energy infrastructure assessment (DMU income: £18,000)
  • Technology Capability Study for the Sustainable Energy Sector in Northern Ireland, DMU Consultant, 2013, contributing to low-carbon technology capability assessment, led by Orion Innovations, funded by NI Government (DMU income: £4,000)

Consultancies undertaken before working at DMU:

As co-founder and Managing Director of Bryte Energy Ltd, 2005 – 2010, consultancy services provided to private and public sector customers, from micro-companies up to international blue chips, including: E.On UK, Cenex, Hydrogenics Corp, Leicestershire County Council, Mirabaud Securities, East Midlands Development Agency.    

Current research students

  • Sylvia Delpratt, FT (1st Supervisor): Comparative Analysis of Off-grid Photovoltaic (PV) Systems and Business’s Performance in The Gambia and Kenya
  • Michaela Xuereb, PT (1st Supervisor): Feasibility of Electric Vehicle Uptake in Small Islands Using Malta as a Case Study
  • Grant Webb, PT (1st Supervisor): Management of Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure at a National Level for Grid Balancing in a Low-Carbon Economy
  • Zedong Zheng, FT (2nd Supervisor): Evolutionary Algorithms for Resource Allocation in Smart Grid

Externally funded research grants information

  • Solar-powered Mobility-as-a-Service for Africa (Solar MaaS Africa), funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering. Industrial Fellowship, developing commercial solar recharging system for electric truck delivery service in Africa.  Dates: 2021 – 2024. Role: Principal Investigator, collaborating with OX Vehicle Trust
  • Sustainability, Inclusiveness and Governance of Mini-Grids in Africa (SIGMA), funded by ESRC.   Dates: 2020 – 2024. Role: Co-Investigator,
  • ESCoBox, funded by EPSRC, DfID and DECC. Research project developing a smart device for monitoring, billing, control and evolution of energy systems of income-generating capacity in the developing world. Dates: September 2013 – August 2016. Role: Principal Investigator.  International partners include Durham University, the University of Nairobi, the Institute for Development Studies, access:energy, bboxx, Practical Action and Ashden.
  • Complex Adaptive Systems, Cognitive Agents and Distributed Energy (CASCADE), funded by EPSRC. Collaborative Research on smart grids. Dates: May 2010 – April 2013. Role: joined the project as a Senior Research Fellow in June 2011. Collaboration with Cranfield University.

Case studies

 

 

 

Title of the case study

Hydrogen Future Study - HyFuture

Describe the Impact

(nature of the impact, how far reaching, beneficiaries, benefits)

Formed the basis of the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association’s roadmap, now embedded in Scottish energy policy. Benefits to Scottish industry.

Impact indicator

(see list)
  • Progress towards sustainable development, including environmental sustainability
  • Better informed public policy-making or improved public services

Research which led to impact

(what, when conducted, who undertook)

Study undertaken by Dr Rupert Gammon and John Barton, while Directors of Bryte Energy Ltd, in collaboration with Orion Innovations LLP

References to key output (papers etc) which underpin impact

Hydrogen Future Study – HyFuture Report, May 2008

Scotland’s Hydrogen Future Study, All Energy, May 2008

HyFuture Stakeholders Workshop, July 2008

Evidence of impact

(external reports, statements, contact details of users which could corroborate the impact and/or the units contribution

Scottish Government’s Renewables Action Plan, 28 July 2009, and Updates: February 2010, August 2010, February 2011, March 2011

 

 

Title of the case study

British Midlands Hydrogen Forum

Describe the Impact

(nature of the impact, how far reaching, beneficiaries, benefits)
  • Regular contact with UK Government departments, underpinned by consensus building among hydrogen and fuel cell stakeholders, led to greater understanding in policy circles and reinvigoration of the sector
  • Led to creation of the UKHA (later the UK HFCA), Midlands Hydrogen Ring and UK-HyNet (the precursor to UK H2 Mobility)
  • Boosted international profile of the region and the UK in the hydrogen and fuel cell sector. Establishing the UK as a ‘fast follower’ (behind Japan, California and Germany).
  • Membership of 100+ individuals across 50+ companies and institutions
  • Beneficiaries: Hydrogen and fuel cell stakeholders in academia and industry. Also, job creation and quality of life benefits to wider community.

Impact indicator

(see list)
  • Delivering highly skilled people
  • Creating new businesses, improving the performance of existing businesses
  • Attracting R&D investment from global business
  • Progress towards sustainable development, including environmental sustainability
  • Better informed public policy-making
  • Cultural enrichment, including improved public engagement with science and research 

Research which led to impact

(what, when conducted, who undertook)

Research into the integration of hydrogen and renewable energy systems and whole-system energy modelling, undertaken by Rupert Gammon as a PhD student at CREST, Loughborough University, and while Director of Bryte Energy Ltd, 2001 – 2011, in collaboration with Dr John Barton (also a Director of Bryte Energy and an RA at CREST) and many others (e.g. Universities of Birmingham, Coventry, Nottingham, Leicester, Loughborough, plus various companies)

References to key output (papers etc) which underpin impact
  • UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association Response to the Energy and Climate Change Committee’s Consultation on Energy Security, March 2011
  • A new and compelling case for hydrogen – clean fuel from smart grids: a new green currency, UK HFCA presentation to Prof David MacKay (chief scientific adviser to DECC), October 2010
  • A new and compelling case for hydrogen – clean fuel from smart grids: a new green currency, UKHA presentation to DECC, May 2010
  • A Hydrogen Framework for the East Midlands, July 2010
  • Opportunities for hydrogen and fuel cells in the East Midlands, December 2009

Evidence of impact

(external reports, statements, contact details of users which could corroborate the impact and/or the units contribution
  • The Technology Strategy Board call, Fuel Cells and Hydrogen: Whole System Integration, announced in Sept 2011 indicated a significant shift within various Government Departments (e.g. DECC, DfT, BIS) in their perception of the hydrogen and fuel cell sector to align exactly with the view championed by the BMHF
  • Increased interest in the use of hydrogen and fuel cells in low-carbon transport 

 

 

Title of the case study

Future Energy Scenario Assessment (FESA) model

Describe the Impact

(nature of the impact, how far reaching, beneficiaries, benefits)
  • Enabled key insights into market evolution of hydrogen, fuel cell, smart grid, clean coal (with CCS), nuclear, low carbon transport, low-carbon heat and energy storage markets.
  • Led to greater understanding in policy circles and reinvigoration of hydrogen energy the sector.
  • Establishing Bryte Energy as a ‘thought leader’ in UK and abroad.
  • Guided technology development of several companies (Hydrogenics Corp, Axon Automotive, RE Hydrogen, etc)

Impact indicator

(see list)
  • Improving the performance of existing businesses
  • Commercialising new processes
  • Attracting R&D investment from global business
  • Progress towards sustainable development, including environmental sustainability
  • Better informed public policy-making

Research which led to impact

(what, when conducted, who undertook)

Research into the dynamic operation of integrated energy networks across power, heat and transport sectors in low carbon scenarios. Software model development carried out by Rupert Gammon as a PhD student at CREST, Loughborough University, and while Director of Bryte Energy Ltd, 2001 – 2011, in collaboration with Dr John Barton (also a Director of Bryte Energy and an RA at CREST)

References to key output (papers etc) which underpin impact
  • Barton, J., Gammon, R., (2010). The production of hydrogen fuel from renewable sources and its role in grid operations, Journal of Power Sources 195, No.24, pg8222-8235, issued in conjunction with the Eleventh Grove Fuel Cell Symposium, London 2009
  • Hydrogen Future Study – HyFuture Report, May 2008
  • Scotland’s Hydrogen Future Study, All Energy, May 2008
  • HyFuture Stakeholders Workshop, July 2008
  • UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association Response to the Energy and Climate Change Committee’s Consultation on Energy Security, March 2011
  • A new and compelling case for hydrogen – clean fuel from smart grids: a new green currency, UK HFCA presentation to Prof David MacKay (chief scientific adviser to DECC), October 2010
  • A new and compelling case for hydrogen – clean fuel from smart grids: a new green currency, UKHA presentation to DECC, May 2010
  • A Hydrogen Framework for the East Midlands, July 2010
  • Opportunities for hydrogen and fuel cells in the East Midlands, December 2009

Evidence of impact

(external reports, statements, contact details of users which could corroborate the impact and/or the units contribution
  • The Technology Strategy Board call, Fuel Cells and Hydrogen: Whole System Integration, announced in Sept 2011 indicated a significant shift within various Government Departments (e.g. DECC, DfT, BIS) in their perception of the hydrogen and fuel cell sector to align exactly with the view championed by Bryte Energy.
  • Increased alignment of IEA Annex 24 group towards FESA findings

 

 

Title of the case study

Infrastructure and Renewables Group (now Infrastructure & Vehicles Group) of the London Hydrogen Partnership

Describe the Impact

(nature of the impact, how far reaching, beneficiaries, benefits)
  • Helped in the development of Mayor of London’s policy to promote hydrogen and fuel cells in the capital
  • When new Mayor drastically cut the existing programme, catalysed revival of programme at a more ambitious level
  • Benefits to the UK hydrogen and fuel cell sector and improvements in quality of life for Londoners

Impact indicator

(see list)
  • Improving the performance of existing businesses, commercialising new products and processes
  • Attracting R&D investment from global business
  • Progress towards sustainable development, including environmental sustainability
  • Better informed public policy-making and improved public services
  • Cultural enrichment, including improved public engagement with science and research

Research which led to impact

(what, when conducted, who undertook)

Research into the integration of hydrogen and renewable energy systems and whole-system energy modelling, undertaken by Rupert Gammon as a PhD student at CREST, Loughborough University, and while Director of Bryte Energy Ltd, 2001 – 2011

References to key output (papers etc) which underpin impact

 

Evidence of impact

(external reports, statements, contact details of users which could corroborate the impact and/or the units contribution
  • Delivering London’s Energy Future: the Mayor’s Climate Change Mitigation and Energy Strategy, October 2011.
  • London Hydrogen Action Plan 2010 – 2012, 2010
  • Fleet of hydrogen powered buses, taxis and scooters, plus hydrogen refuelling station, in operation ahead of Olympics

 

 

Title of the case study

Annex 24 (Wind Energy and Hydrogen Integration) of the International Energy Agency’s Hydrogen Implementing Agreement

Describe the Impact

(nature of the impact, how far reaching, beneficiaries, benefits)
  • Substantial advances in the understanding of hydrogen’s role as an energy storage medium in low-carbon economies. Consensus building among international experts in this field.
  • Convergence of opinion in international expert group to align with Bryte Energy’s view, thus establishing it as a ‘thought leader’ in UK and abroad
  • Helped guide technology development of several companies (Hydrogenics Corp, IHT, NEL Hydrogen, CENER, NEL Hydrogen, Gas Natural, etc)

Impact indicator

(see list)
  • Delivering highly skilled people
  • Improving the performance of existing businesses
  • Commercialising new products and processes
  • Attracting R&D investment from global business
  • Progress towards sustainable development, including environmental sustainability
  • Better informed public policy-making and improved public services

Research which led to impact

(what, when conducted, who undertook)
  • Investigated a central feature of low carbon energy networks: i.e. grid balancing for renewable generation (wind power) with controllable loads (electrolysers). Drew on international expertise and real world experience of partners.

References to key output (papers etc) which underpin impact
  • I. Aso, Applications. Emphasis on wind energy management, IEA-HIA Task 24 Wind Energy and Hydrogen Integration. Sub-Task D, Hyceltec 2011, June 2011
  • Task 24: Wind Energy & Hydrogen Integration, 17th World Hydrogen Energy Conference, June 2008

Evidence of impact

(external reports, statements, contact details of users which could corroborate the impact and/or the units contribution
  • http://task24.hidrogenoaragon.org/
  • Prize Winner for Technology Demonstration, IEA HIA News, April 2010

 

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