Seasonal Energy Storage (Ref: AAE-TS-2510)

About the Project

Reaching net zero means decarbonising our energy system by shifting towards renewable generation. But this means we will face higher demand in winter, which needs to be met using energy storage, energy transport, massive overprovision, or through alternative generation. There is also the risk of adverse weather patterns that would depress renewable generation for weeks, such as the anticyclonic gloom or dunkelflaute.

This project will look at the role that energy storage can play to meet this gap, because storage provides both seasonal balancing and improved energy security.

Potential options are large-scale deployment of batteries, thermal storage, embedded energy, demand shift, or hydrogen-based storage. Electric vehicles could also play a part if they get used as a coordinated storage system. We want to model, simulation, and assess different technologies for their technological and financial feasibility, using both technical and techno-economic analysis. Key considerations are efficiency, operating cost, capital expenses, and practical feasibility at scale.

Working on different energy storage technologies is an exciting project for use based on our track record in electrification research.

You will be part of team of researchers alongside experienced supervisors. Dr Thomas Steffen (Reader at Loughborough, expert for the control of energy systems, joined in 2007) and Dr Ashley Fly (Senior Lecturer, with a focus on battery research, joined in 2015)

Name of primary supervisor/CDT lead:
Thomas Steffen t.steffen@lboro.ac.uk

Name of secondary supervisor:
Ashley Fly

Entry requirements:
Applicants should have a good to excellent degree in a relevant STEM subject. Initial research experience and familiarity with technical simulation software is expected. Knowledge of energy (storage) technology is desirable but not necessary. Critically, applicants need to secure their own funding, because no scholarship is available for this project.

English language requirements:
Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website (http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/english/).

Bench fees required: No

Closing date of advert: 1st September 2026

Start date: July 2026

Full-time/part-time availability: Full-time 3 years, Part-time 6 years

Fee band: 2025/26 Band RB (UK £5,006, International £28,600)

How to apply:

• Stage 1: You are strongly advised to contact Dr Thomas Steffen in the first instance on t.steffen@lboro.ac.uk with a CV, academic transcripts, a reference letter, and confirmation of funding source. Informal discussions are also welcome.
• Stage 2: Following discussion with Dr Thomas Steffen, applicants will be invited to make a formal application at online. Under programme name, select ‘Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering’ and quote the advert reference number AAE-TS-2510 in your application

Project search terms:
energy technologies Other search terms not listed: energy storage, hydrogen storage, season energy storage, renewable generation, energy security, dunkelflaute

Email Address AACME:
aacme.pgr@lboro.ac.uk