Oliver graduated from Solent University in 2022 with a first-class BEng (Hons) in Renewable Energy Engineering. During his time in Southampton, he gained a strong foundation of knowledge across a range of green energy and sustainability topics, holding a particular interest in smart grids and grid management, energy storage systems and eco-vehicle technology, a module that sparked the interest in sustainable transport which ultimately led him to join AAPS CDT. In his final year of study, Oliver was awarded the faculty prize for best project in Renewable Energy Engineering. He aimed to conduct a final year project that would combine his practical and digital engineering skills, designing and manufacturing an automated water cooling system to reduce the negative impacts of increased panel temperature on floating PV panel performance.
Joining the CDT through the open pool, Oliver used the MRes year to gain a deeper understanding of unfamiliar areas of sustainable mobility and to identify the specific area of research in which he wanted to pursue his PhD. While his MRes studies included research into topics as varied as alternative fuels, EV battery supply chains and specially designed road crossings for newts (yes, seriously!), he ultimately decided his passion remained in energy systems, choosing to investigate the relationship between consumer energy prices and mortality in England and Wales for his summer project. Outside of academia, Oliver enjoys spending time in nature, keeping fit, and watching football and ice hockey.
The decarbonisation of the UK’s nearly 5.5m small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), who contribute approximately 1/3 of national emissions, is essential for achieving the national 2050 net zero commitment, as well as for meeting various regional decarbonisation targets. For SMEs, taking steps to reduce operational emissions present opportunities, such as reduced energy bills, generation of additional revenue, attraction of environmentally conscious customers, and futureproofing against regulatory and market pressures. Despite this, SME decarbonisation progress has so far been slow, hindered by key barriers such as upfront cost, perceived unavailability of suitable technologies, lack of information and expertise, and uncertainty surrounding financing, energy markets and changing regulations.
Oliver’s PhD will develop a decision-making tool to help SMEs identify and prioritise investments in energy and transport decarbonisation measures. The tool will optimise both the choice and timing of investments under uncertain future conditions, such as fluctuating energy prices and evolving regulation. Using Bath City Football Club as a case study, the research will model the financial and emissions impacts of feasible decarbonisation options, including use of EVs as distributed energy resources (DERs), and will also explore opportunities for SMEs to coordinate with local network operators, reducing risks and costs for both. Ultimately, this work aims to accelerate SME decarbonisation and integrate their actions into wider energy system planning, supporting regional and national net zero goals.
© Copyright 2024 AAPS CDT, Centre for Doctoral Training in Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems at the University of Bath
