Technologies for Sustainable Built Environments

The TSBE Centre and the School of the Built Environment welcomes new applications from employees who are interested in part-time PhD research whilst remaining in employment. The Wilkie Calvert Award provides funding to cover the cost of tuition fees for part-time study for up to five years. There are 2 funding rounds available each year.

This new scheme is designed to help the University of Reading to build research focused partnerships with selected employers and to support the career development of their talented individuals.

For more information please see: http://www.reading.ac.uk/gs-wilkiecalvert.aspx
For more details of this exciting opportunity please contact:
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David Miller, Industry Liaison Manager
d.f.miller@reading.ac.uk
0118 378 5417
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Research Engineer Gary Middlehurst expanded on his recent TSBE Conference paper http://gary middlehurst paper 2016 in an article for the Delta T magazine published by BSRIA. This article is available here: https://www.bsria.co.uk/information-membership/bookshop/publication/delta-t-april-2016/

Meet Patrick Agese who would be working on a new four-year PhD research project “Urban Energy Rhythms” which aims to create an understanding of the current energy infrastructure systems and develop design recommendations for improving future energy generating and management assets.  

The research project will draw on existing research and expertise at the University of Reading with the aim of modelling different energy scenarios across different infrastructure systems underpinning the importance of infrastructure in smart cities.

Prior to undertaking this PhD research project, Patrick worked on large energy demand reduction projects at Givaudan and developed energy performance contracts at Anesco.  He is also a sustainability enthusiast and has dedicated his professional career to developing sustainable energy solutions beginning from a tender age of 11.  

Patrick commented: “I’m very delighted to be provided with this opportunity to contribute to Costain’s leading innovation in engineering. I aim to provide the technical knowledge and leadership necessary for achieving a secure, sustainable and cost effective energy infrastructure. This research would assist in positioning Costain as a leader in providing innovative solutions for the future energy system.”

The School of the Built Environment and the School of Systems Engineering held a Women in Engineering Day networking lunch, featuring a variety of fun engineering challenges, hosted by SSE’s Professor Rachel McCrindle and the TSBE Centre.

National Women in Engineering Day is an international awareness campaign to raise the profile of women in engineering and to focus attention on the amazing career opportunities available to women in this sector. More information on the campaign can be found here. 

Participants competed for prizes in a ‘marshmallow tower’ contest, building replica Eiffel Towers with nothing but tape, string, spaghetti and a marshmallow. There was also a quiz highlighting the achievements of famous women engineers, and a Europe inspired lego building task. Creations ranged from the EU flag to the Bristol Suspension Bridge and joint winner were the Parthenon and the Reichstag, built by TSBE’s own Stacey Waring and Thomas Chung.

 Fully Funded iCASE PhD Research Studentship Opportunity

Project Title: “Urban Energy Rhythms”

Based at Costain’s Maidenhead offices in Berkshire and the University of Reading

Closing Date for Applications:  10 June 2016

Active management of energy demand will be an essential part of our future smart cities, and as a consequence, fundamental assumptions must be reflected in system design from the outset. Energy demand can only be managed in so far as either the user is prepared to forego an energy service (discretionary) or the system includes built-in (latent) energy storage. If neither of these criteria is met, flexible supply or additional energy storage will likely be needed in preference to demand management.

 Working with UK construction leader Costain, whose catalogue of awards recognise them as best innovators of technologies for construction and by applying your research within their most influential projects, you will combine modelling at different levels of complexity to enable simulations and analysis of different energy scenarios within mixed use developments that span commercial and residential communities.

This project will model the energy behaviour of distinct development components and develop design recommendations for optimising the deployment of energy assets including local generation and energy storage.

The main objectives of this research, include:

• Establish and define relevant energy use types, related to distinct development components or assets, e.g. domestic homes, commercial offices, sports venue, rail hub etc.

• Establish quantitative energy characteristics for each component type, drawing on statistical and signal processing techniques.

• Model the energy interactions between component types for a case study development. A multi scale modelling approach is envisaged to break down complexity in a manner that can be related to usable design decisions.

• Explore the value of energy balancing options, including the interplay between sources and sinks of energy and how additional systems, such as energy storage, should be specified and controlled in order to maximize benefits and minimize costs

• Develop the modelling tool and / or accompanying design recommendations into a form that can support energy infrastructure design decision.

 Your work will be supported by the TSBE Centre within the University of Reading, a dynamic and well-funded, EPSRC doctoral training centre that drives collaborative research within technologies for the sustainable built environment with a programme of helping over 40 Research Engineers to become the thought leaders of the future.  We are seeking ambitious, enthusiastic individuals who are self-motivated and tenacious.  Successful candidates will also be capable of engaging effectively with wider colleagues, business partners and clients. Excellent organisational and communication skills are required. A keen interest to engage in industry focussed research is essential.

 The research will be supervised within the School of the Built Environment by Dr. Phil Coker and Associate Professor Dr. Ben Potter.

 4 Year Package

• Stipend of £20,000 p.a.
• All tuition fees are included
• Expenses package included
• PhD awarded by the University of Reading

 Eligibility

Applicants should have a background and strong interest in energy and its management in future built environments.  To qualify academically, candidates must possess a good relevant first degree (2:1 or higher) or MSc in a related area. Experience of computer simulation tools and knowledge of power system principles are desirable.

Please note there are eligibility requirements, for more details refer to the EPSRC web site

http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/Pages/eligibility.aspx

Applications

Applications should be made online through our website at:

http://www.reading.ac.uk/pgapply

Please ensure that you also upload a full CV and Personal Statement with your online application.

Vacancy Reference No: P11-2016

Post to start:  October 2016

This popular seminar series returns to University of Reading today to discuss ‘demand side management opportunities for end users’ with an wide audience drawn from industry, academia and energy professionals.

The presentations featured each speaker’s unique perception of the topic:

The seminar was opened by Dr Phil Coker, University of Reading and Mr Gary Cranford from Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce.

• Dr Jacopo Torriti, University of Reading – The changing landscape of demand side managment
• Rustin Cooper, Marks & Spencer and Laura Daniel’s, University of Reading & Marks & Spencer – A customer’s perspective
• Charlie Edwards, SSE – The network View
• Yoav Zinger, KiWi Power – Engaging smaller users with demand response

See Laura’s research with University of Reading & Marks & Spencer here: Supermarkets and the smart grid

Mitchell Curtis works with University of Reading and KiWi Power on demand side response for SMEs, see his research here: Demand side response