Birmingham Energy Institute

Birmingham Energy Institute

BIRMINGHAM
ENERGY
INSTITUTE

BHAMENERGY
WWW.BIRMINGHAM.AC .UK/ENERGY

Birmingham Energy Institute

Birmingham Energy Institute

THE BIRMINGHAM
ENERGY INSTITUTE
The Birmingham Energy Institute is driving
technology innovation and developing the thinking
required to solve the challenges facing the UK
as it seeks to develop sustainable energy solutions
in transport, electricity and heat supply. Co-ordinated
research, education and global partnerships are at
the heart of our vision. By creating technology and
guiding policy today we aim to help shape energy
solutions of tomorrow.
Energy

Storage
Nuclear Energy
Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
Transport
Oil and Gas
Bioenergy
Wind Energy
Materials

ABOUT US
The Birmingham Energy Institute is the focal point for the University
and its national and international partners, to create change in the
way we deliver, consume and think about energy. The Institute
harnesses expertise from the fundamental sciences and engineering
through to business and economics to deliver co-ordinated
research, education and the development of global partnerships.

ON BOTH THE NATIONAL AND

INTERNATIONAL SCALE THERE
EXISTS A COLLECTIVE CHALLENGE
FOR GOVERNMENT, SOCIETY
AND RESEARCH TO RESHAPE
THE WAY WE GENERATE
AND USE ENERGY, IMPROVE THE
LIVES OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE
WORLD, REDUCE THE IMPACTS OF
CLIMATE CHANGE AND HELP ECONOMIES TO
GROW SUSTAINABLY. THE OPPORTUNITY FOR
UNIVERSITIES TO HAVE AN IMPACT IS IMMENSE; BE
IT THROUGH FUNDAMENTAL AND APPLIED RESEARCH,
ECONOMIC POLICY, OR SOCIAL SCIENCE.
PROFESSOR MARTIN FREER, DIRECTOR OF THE
BIRMINGHAM ENERGY INSTITUTE

IT IS THE CONFLUENCE OF ACADEMIC

EXPERTISE, NATIONAL IMPERATIVE,
REGIONAL HERITAGE AND CITY ON A
MISSION WHICH CREATES THE OPTIMAL
CONDITIONS FOR DELIVERING CHANGE.

The Midlands region is renowned for its ability to drive technology

revolution and provide a nationally leading manufacturing base. It is
the home of pioneers such as Watt, Boulton and Priestly and the
internationally recognised companies of Rolls-Royce and Jaguar
Land Rover.
The City of Birmingham is setting the green low carbon agenda
nationally. Birmingham City Councils Green Commission
launched a Vision Statement with an aim of building a leading
green city and reducing CO2 emissions by 60% by 2027
against a 1990 baseline. The UK Government is committed
to facilitating a cost-effective approach to meeting the UKs
emissions by at least 80% of 1990 levels by 2050.

IMPACT
CUTTING A COUNTRYS CARBON
EMISSIONS BY 80% IS NOT TRIVIAL; IT
REQUIRES A REVOLUTION IN THE WAY
WE LIVE OUR LIVES, THE WAY WE UTILISE
AND GENERATE ENERGY, AND THE ROLE
TECHNOLOGY CAN HAVE IN TERMS OF THIS
TRANSFORMATION THIS IS OUR FOCUS.

The energy research at University of Birmingham is driven by

nationally recognised centres of excellence in Energy Storage, Nuclear
Energy, Fuel Cells and their Fuels, Railway and Automotive Systems,
and Energy Policy and Economics.
The Birmingham Energy Institute also includes nationally leading
research capability in smart grids and integration, bioenergy, wind
energy, energy materials, oil and gas technology and energy
policy. A focus on sustainability and environmental impact runs
through all of our programmes.

WE
HAVE
OVER...

Birmingham Energy Institute

Birmingham Energy Institute

ENERGY STORAGE

NUCLEAR

BIRMINGHAM CENTRE FOR CRYOGENIC ENERGY STORAGE

BIRMINGHAM CENTRE FOR NUCLEAR EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

WE ARE THE FIRST IN THE UK TO

HAVE A RESEARCH FACILITY FOR ENERGY
STORAGE USING CRYOGENIC LIQUIDS,
COMPRISING NEW LABORATORIES, STATE
OF THE ART EQUIPMENT, AND A MAJOR
TEST BED FACILITY.

WE HAVE THE LARGEST NUMBER OF

STUDENTS GRADUATING FROM
ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAMMES COMPARED
WITH ANY UNIVERSITY IN THE UK.
GRADUATES ARE NOW IN LEADING
POSITIONS WITHIN THE UK NUCLEAR
INDUSTRY AND ACROSS EUROPE.

We are working to develop new approaches to energy storage which

could provide technological solutions to the intermittency of renewable
sources such as wind. The UK could have an installed capacity
of 30 GW by the 2020s. Storing surplus energy when produced,
until times of peak demand, is being increasingly recognised as a
challenge which if overcome, could pave the way to meeting energy
policy aims internationally. We focus on heat and cold storage, from
new materials, underlying physics, manufacturing technologies, to
device and system integration. For example, we are studying the
integration of thermal energy storage with nuclear power generation.
Birmingham researchers invented liquid air energy storage, a form of
cryogenic energy storage, where electricity is used to liquefy air as a
medium for energy storage. The energy is then released by allowing
the liquid to boil and turn into gas, expanding dramatically. This
expansion may be used to drive a turbine, thus generating electricity.
The successful demonstration and development of this technology
would see the UK lead in a key aspect of energy storage.

Thermal energy technologies will become critical to establishing

an integrated, efficient, cost competitive, and nationally secure
low carbon energy system, particularly considering that heat,
power and transport will become increasingly linked. To reach
its legally binding targets for CO2 reduction the UK will,
therefore, have to solve the challenge of delivering low-carbon
heat and cold. Currently 40% of our energy use is for heat
and this rises to over 50% if we include cooling as well.
Cities such as Birmingham are developing advanced district
heating schemes which service some of the key civic buildings.
The combined heat and power District Energy Scheme
supplies hot water for heating and electricity to buildings
around the city, including the new Birmingham library.
The Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage is developing thermal
energy storage (TES) technologies, which capture heat in materials
across a wide temperature range, and deliver it back for use at
a later time. These technologies can operate over timescales
of minutes to hours, for individual buildings, neighbourhoods,
or industrial sites. When aggregated, TES can help to balance
energy demand and supply on the grid, and utilize the waste heat
produced from energy generation or industrial processes

The University of Birmingham has a long and established track

record in working in areas of de-commissioning, health monitoring
and residual life prediction of existing nuclear power stations,
dating back to the first phase of nuclear construction. Our work
has been fundamental to the countrys retention of its nuclear industry
and we have led the education of nuclear engineers and scientists.
Our research has ensured that nuclear power is used peacefully
and safely: we are making significant contributions in the extension
of the lifetime of reactor materials and in the study of the effects
of radiation damage to nuclear materials. We are also helping
develop the latest in robotic techniques for the use in safe

handling of nuclear waste in decommissioning. The research

draws in academics from physics, chemistry, computer science,
earth and biosciences, electrical and mechanical engineering
and metallurgy and materials. This breadth provides integrated,
cross-disciplinary expertise to provide the creativity to drive
nuclear energy into the next generation of technology.

THE CHARACTERISATION
OF RADIATION DAMAGE
TO NUCLEAR MATERIALS

THE PRODUCTION OF
ISOTOPES USED IN
HOSPITALS FOR
MEDICAL IMAGING

PRODUCTION OF
POSITRON EMISSION
TOMOGRAPHY
(PET) ISOTOPES

Birmingham Energy Institute

Birmingham Energy Institute

HYDROGEN AND FUEL CELLS

TRANSPORT SYSTEMS

CENTRE FOR HYDROGEN AND FUEL CELL RESEARCH

BIRMINGHAM CENTRE FOR RAILWAY RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

THE BIRMINGHAM ENERGY INSTITUTE

HOSTS THE ONLY UK CENTRE FOR
DOCTORAL TRAINING LOOKING AT
ALL ASPECTS OF HOW FUEL CELLS
AND HYDROGEN CAN CONTRIBUTE TO
CREATING A GREENER FUTURE.

THE BCRRE IS ONE OF THE WORLDS

LEADING INTERDISCIPLINARY CENTRES
FOR RAILWAY RESEARCH AND EDUCATION;
MANY OF THE VITAL REQUIREMENTS
CONTAINED IN THE LATEST UK RAIL
TECHNICAL STRATEGY ARE BEING
CARRIED OUT IN OUR LABORATORIES.

From hydrogen-fuelled cars, planes, ships and trains, to methane

fuelled power generation, and portable devices running on hydrogen
and propane, we are working to both replace fossil fuels with
alternative hydrogen vectors and dramatically improve fossil fuel
conversion efficiency.
Hydrogen cars cut carbon emissions through the use of fuel cell
technology which directly converts hydrogens chemical energy into
electricity through an electrochemical reaction. They only emit water
into the atmosphere and can already be competitive to petrol
or diesel models.

The internationally acclaimed centre is working on the design and

production of fuel cell equipment for various mobile, stationary and
portable applications with the aim of replacing batteries, engines, gen
sets, and gas turbines. From basic research on fuel cells to more
complex work on the integration of green energy systems into
existing transport vehicles, we are road testing the sustainable
production, storage and commercial application of hydrogen and
other green energy sources.
We manufacture our own fuel cells and test and optimise them in our
laboratories. Our five-strong fleet of hydrogen cars has gone through a
series of improvements and the next generation will soon be trialled
on the streets of Birmingham.

Our approach looks at railways as whole systems, examining

how each part affects every other.
Our strengths in such areas as condition monitoring, traffic
management, control systems, power and energy, data
integration, climate effects and aerodynamics let us make the
links between the detail and the big picture. Our close
relationships with companies and organisations in the railway
industry mean that our research and teaching draws
in real-world situations.

Socio-economics are equally important. For example we are

analysing the environmental impact of hydrogen technologies,
namely hydrogen production from biomass, looking at strategies for
market introduction of electric and fuel cell vehicles, and analysing
public health implications of nano-catalysts used in fuel cells.

Replacing fossil fuels with hydrogen produced from renewable energy

sources or methane from biological processes is vitally important
if we are to cut carbon emissions. Powering vehicles as well as
domestic heating and lighting systems and electrical devices with the
likes of hydrogen, methane and methanol will only become a reality
if they can be proven to be reliable, robust and cost-effective.

VEHICLE AND ENGINE TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CENTRE

The VETRC has a world-leading research profile in combustion engines
and low carbon vehicle technology. Today the number one priority in
engine and vehicle development is to reduce fuel consumption. We
work closely with UK industry in engine architecture and advanced
engine technologies, helping to design the engines and fuels for the
future including hybrid powertrains. The research facilities, regarded as
some of the best academic facilities in Europe, house ten engine test
cells for the development of engines and fuels including next generation
engine control methodology, biofuels and catalysts. The Centre also has
facilities for experimental studies of tyre and vehicle dynamics, and it is
currently involved in the development of low rolling resistance tyres.
Our experimental work is supplemented by advanced computational
facilities and the latest commercial software used by industry;
enabling research of the highest calibre to be carried out in tandem
with industrial partners. This is delivering greater fuel efficiency
and the reduction of emissions such as nitrogen oxide, particulate
matter and carbon dioxide. We carry out extensive collaborative work
with the likes of Jaguar Land Rover, Johnson Matthey and Shell.
Changing the way fuel is injected into the cylinder can improve both
combustion and engine performance. Our facilities for new combustion

modes include a full optical engine in which it is possible to apply

world-leading optical diagnostic analytical techniques to assess
fuel injection, mixture preparation and combustion processes.
Next generation renewable fuels, including biodiesel, can be
manufactured from biomass. These new formulations have a global
consumption in excess of 100 billion litres per year. Our research has
helped manufacturers to understand the impact of fuel properties and
combustion signatures, optimise both engine and fuel performance
and take advantage of thermo-chemical recovery processes for
fuel reforming. We are supporting the development of new engine
technologies that are fuelled by carbon free energy carriers such as
ammonia and liquid nitrogen/air. In collaboration with the Birmingham
Centre for Cryogenic Energy Storage we have new laboratories
funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
and industry to help establish a UK cryogenic engine research and
development base. These facilities are enabling UK companies
to test and develop new components and system, increase their
understanding of tribological systems at lower temperatures
than traditional combustion engines, and establish themselves
as market leaders in this potentially revolutionary technology.

Birmingham Energy Institute

Birmingham Energy Institute

SMART GRIDS AND POWER AND ENERGY INTERNET

ENERGY ECONOMICS

BIRMINGHAM AND THE SURROUNDING

AREA, IS CONSIDERED TO BE AN ENERGY
VALLEY IN THE UK AND IN EUROPE,
IDEALLY POSITIONING OUR ENERGY
SYSTEM RESEARCH ACTIVITIES. AN
INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION IS TAKING PLACE
IN THE ENERGY INDUSTRY FOCUSSED
ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ELECTRICAL
POWER SYSTEMS AND SMART GRIDS

BIRMINGHAM CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND

ENERGY ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT

Smart grid research at the University of Birmingham is focussed on a

wide range of projects to help deliver the step change in technology
required to integrate large and small scale generation, electric
vehicles and a variety of energy storage technologies. Our work
addresses the fundamental engineering and economic challenges
facing electrical power systems, energy systems and future cities.

Birmingham has developed an advanced real-time power grid

simulator, which has the powerful capability of nano scale
modelling of system components. By investigating the interactions
between the simulator, control and protection systems, and
products being tested we are able to accelerate new product
and system innovation prior to deployment on the grid.

THIS UNIQUE RESEARCH AREA

EXAMINES THE COMPLEX RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND THE
ENVIRONMENT. A KEY FOCAL POINT IS THE
ENVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIOUR OF FIRMS
AND DEVELOPING STRATEGIES TO CREATE
A BUSINESS CLIMATE THAT FAVOURS
ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY PRACTICES.

Key factors in driving change include: innovation; environmental

regulation; the global supply chain; international trade and investment,
energy efficiency; climate change and natural disasters.
Seeking to address the challenges of environmental degradation we
are developing new, deeper understanding of the causes of such
cross-firm variation in environmental management practices, emissions,
energy efficiency and other aspects of environmental behaviour.
The ambition is to integrate technological solutions with appropriately
matched thinking in energy economics and management.

The Birmingham Energy Institute leads the way in providing

a sound evidence base to inform policy makers. By drawing
on the broad capabilities and expertise across the University
of Birmingham, the Birmingham Policy Commissions bring
leading figures from the public, private and third sectors
together with Birmingham academics to generate new thinking
on contemporary issues of global, national and civic concern.
Furthermore, by working with the Industry & Parliament Trust
the Birmingham Centre for Environmental and Energy Economics
and Management has worked to encourage dialogue between
policymakers and academics on sustainability and energy issues.

ADDRESSING THE IMPORTANT ISSUE OF

INTEGRATION BETWEEN DIFFERENT ENERGY
SYSTEMS (ELECTRICITY, GAS AND HEAT) AND
WIDE AREA INTERCONNECTION OF ENERGY
SYSTEMS AND TRANSPORT.

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Birmingham Energy Institute

Birmingham Energy Institute

RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

EDUCATION

OUR RESEARCH IS DRIVING BOTH THE

TECHNOLOGY AND THINKING REQUIRED
TO SOLVE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES
FACING THE UK AS IT SEEKS TO DEVELOP
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO THE DESIGN
OF FUTURE CITIES WITH THEIR INHERENT
ENERGY AND TRANSPORTATION NEEDS.

Technology and policy offer key routes for the delivery of

transformational change. However, without the creation of talent and
skills the capacity to deliver the change is missing. The Birmingham
Energy Institute has developed a range of educational programmes,
with a track record of delivering quality graduates to create a talent
pipeline. Our programmes are delivered by academics and industrialists
to blend theory with practice equipping graduates to transform the
energy landscape and create real impact on future societies.

How do we plan, design and manage cities that can cope with
increasing pressure on resources while meeting carbon and
climate challenge needs? Will our investments in cities and
infrastructure today still be resilient in a changing future?
Can we design for long-term sustainability unaware of future
technologies? How do we re-engineer cities to reduce the
carbon footprint by 80% whilst retaining societal wellbeing?

Designing more resilient cities, and trying to tackle the needs of

future generations today requires thinking in a seamless fashion about
energy, water supply, transport, building design and construction.
With engineering solutions comes the challenge of implementation.
WE are collaborating with the Universities of Newcastle and
Leeds to establish the i-build centre. The centre will support the
development of our understanding on what new business models
are needed to develop our national systems of infrastructure
networks, including, energy, water, transport and waste.
Birmingham has a leading role in the Liveable Cities programme of
research to develop a method of designing and engineering low carbon,
resource secure, wellbeing maximised UK cities. The team are developing
a unique City Analysis Framework that will measure how cities operate
and perform in terms of their people, environment and governance,
taking account of wellbeing and resource security. The aim is to develop
realistic and radical engineering solutions for achieving the UKs ambitious
carbon reduction targets which will be tested in three UK cities.

OUR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

BSc

/ MEng Nuclear Engineering

/ MEng Energy and Engineering

BEng

OUR POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

Physics and Technology of Nuclear Reactors
Nuclear Decommissioning and Waste Management
MRes Materials for Sustainable Energy Technologies
MSc Railway Systems Engineering and Integration
MSc Electrical Transportation Systems and Integration
MSc Electrical Power Systems
MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering
MSc Applied and Petroleum Micropalaeontology

INFORMING AND SHAPING POLICY

The Birmingham Energy Institute draws on the broad
capabilities and expertise at the University of Birmingham
and its strong relationship with collaborators from academia
and industry, to generate new thinking on contemporary
issues of global, national and civic concern.
The policy commissions investigating The Future of UK Nuclear
Energy (2012) and Future Urban Living (2014) have helped
shape the thinking of government and policy makers as the UK
seeks to transform how it generates and consumes energy. These
were led by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath and Lord Shipley of Gosforth.
In 2015 the Birmingham Energy Institute introduced its latest
commission on The Cold Economy. Chaired by Lord Teverson,
Spokesman for Energy and Climate Change, the commission looks
at cold at a system level, and how to join up the demand and the
waste. The demand for cooling, and its energy and environmental
cost, is now being recognised as much as it is for heat.

MSc
MSc

LOW
CARBON

RESOURCE
SECURE

LIVEABLE CITIES

WELLBEING
MAXIMISED

CENTRE OF DOCTORAL TRAINING

Fuel

Cells and their Fuels

An appropriate approach to cold technology and policy could cut

energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, toxic air pollution
and cost. In emerging economies it could also help reduce high
levels of post-harvest food loss, which in turn would conserve
water, land and energy, improve farmers incomes and stimulate
trade and growth without negative environmental impact.
We are leading work on a White Paper analysing the contribution of
fuel cells and hydrogen to UK national energy security and energy
affordability that will inform Westminster politics in autumn 2015.
There are a number of future energy related policy commissions in
the pipeline focussing on innovation, transport and energy markets.

CONTACT US
We would be delighted to discuss your requirements with you for
Research, Consultancy, Education or partnerships through the
Birmingham Energy Institute. Our contact details are set out below:
Birmingham Energy Institute
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston B15 2TT
United Kingdom

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www.birmingham.ac.uk/energy

energy@contacts.bham.ac.uk

@bhamenergy

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Birmingham Energy Institute

Edgbaston, Birmingham,
B15 2TT, United Kingdom

www.birmingham.ac.uk

10808 University of Birmingham 2015. Printed on a recycled grade paper containing 100% post-consumer waste.