Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/951810
NETWORK / 19 / MARCH 2018 highly-successful team of seven academics has contributed significantly to EU and interna- tional developments, particu- larly in China, on topics such as smart grids, grid integration of renewables and related energy infrastructure. CIREGS also enabled dialogue and sharing of expertise with the National Grid High Voltage Centre and the for- mer DERA Gas Turbine Research Centre in Port Talbot, giving rise to well-founded research projects anticipating the future flexibility requirements of power generators such as Combined Cycle Gas Turbines (CCGT). By 2013, a broader under- standing of energy systems was developed, appreciating that the challenges facing the UK energy system were not purely technology-driven, but also involved the public as prosum - ers - potential producers as well as consumers – requiring new business models and com- mercial arrangements. FLEXIS includes one of the leading UK teams in energy-related social science research by way of the Understanding Risk Research Group led by Professors Nick Pidgeon and Karen Henwood. Other partners within the FLEXIS team contribute internationally-leading research to de-risking future energy infrastructure and processes, guided by the projections from the multi-vector models and social science research. USW's Hydrogen Research Centre in Port Talbot has developed an outstanding international pedi - gree for its research and innova- tion with over 15 years' work on the generation and utilisation of hydrogen as an energy vector. Hydrogen has seen a resurgence of interest in the UK recently, partly due to the challenges in de-carbonising the heat sec - tor, which underpins studies such as the H21 Leeds Citygate project. Swansea University has invested over £38m in its Energy Safety Research Institute in Neath Port Talbot and delivers FLEXIS research comprising of de-carbonisation through carbon capture and utilisa - tion, with potential application at TATA Steel, Port Talbot, as well as power electronics and H2 energy storage, and public engagement. FLEXIS advisory board Fundamental to the direction of FLEXIS was the establishment, engagement and support of its advisory board. Chaired by John Scott, former technical director of OFGEM, the board includes representation across the whole energy systems chain, including distribution companies (Western Power Distribution, Wales & West Utilities, SP Energy Net - works); transmission (National Grid); utilities (Welsh Water); manufacturers (Siemens, Toshiba, ITM Power, Tata Steel UK, Compound Semiconductor Centre); national energy advi - sory bodies (Energy Technolo- gies Institute, Energy Systems Catapult, Natural Resources Wales); academia and national government. Scott said: "FLEXIS has been launched at just the right time to respond to the challenges of the expanding energy agenda. Universities and businesses in Wales can contribute strongly to the revolution that's taking place globally to harness renew - able energy, improve air quality and provide attractive new ser- vices to customers. The advisory board members, representing large and small companies and wider stakeholders, have been active contributors to shaping the FLEXIS vision and look forward to closer engagement as the project moves into its practical stages, with special interest in the opportunities that the unique demonstration area concept will bring." Demonstration area Based in Neath and Port Talbot, the scope of the demonstration area makes it the largest multi- vector demonstration region in the UK. This has enabled Neath and Port Talbot County Borough Council to offer facilities and data in support of the FLEXIS goals. In addition to the UK's larg - est steelworks, the proposed site for the UK's first Tidal Lagoon and a 500 MW CCGT power station, the area also faces significant challenges relating to fuel poverty, housing stock and air quality. FLEXIS will develop a multi-vector energy modelling approach to provide informed, quantified projections of the future impact of energy system development in the region, alongside social science analyses to understand risk and its perception. Examples of other ongo - ing demonstration projects where lessons learned could be brought to bear in Neath Port Talbot include: the use of underground mine water from a disused colliery to heat 150 properties in Caerau, awarded £6.5m in EU funds by the Welsh Government and run as a part- nership between FLEXIS (led by Professor Hywel Thomas), Bridgend County Council and the Energy Systems Catapult; an ammonia-storage-to-wind power demonstrator funded by Innovate-UK with Siemens, Oxford and the Science & Tech- nology Facilities Council (STFC) and partnering with SP Energy Networks on a project to build the UK's first medium voltage DC circuit. Four pillars of expertise and cross-cutting theme Given the particular energy systems approach proposed and adopted by FLEXIS, its research remit is based upon four main pillars: l Integrated energy networks l Integrated energy storage and generation l Smart living in the built environment l Fuels and earth energy systems. These are underpinned by the cross-cutting themes of sustainable development; equal opportunities and gender main - streaming; tackling poverty and social exclusion; responsible innovation and supporting the Welsh language policy. Early progress The contribution of the CIREGS group is addressing how energy networks must evolve to provide sustainable, secure and afford - able supplies over the next 30 years. Particular emphasis is on the integration of energy networks across scales and vectors. The work builds on the ongoing research of CIREGS and includes: modelling and simula - tion of energy supply; optimal planning and design; reliability and risk assessment; smart grids and energy storage. Director of CIREGS, Professor Nick Jenkins reflects: "Even dur- ing the short life of the FLEXIS project so far we have clearly seen the increasing need to integrate energy networks." FLEXIS' social science team is conducting interviews with Multi-vector energy modelling approach