*Pathways to Net Zero: Assessing Technical Potential for Community Adoption of Decentralized Energy in Chetwynd

NOTE: This application deadline for this project has been extended to 5pm, 15th January 2024. Our applications portal will reopen at 10am on Thursday 4th January for submission for this project only.

---

---

---

---

Project Title: Pathways to Net Zero: Assessing Technical Potential for Community Adoption of Decentralized Energy in Chetwynd

Deadline: 5pm,15 January 2024

Host University: The University of Nottingham 

School/department: School of Computer Science

Start date: 03 April 2024 

Funding offer: Tuition fees covered in full (worth approx. £15k across full PhD programme). Monthly stipend based on £18,622 per annum, pro rata, tax free.

Working hours: Full-time (minimum 37.5 hrs per week), or part-time (minimum 20hrs per week). 

Working style: Primarily in-person at host university. Flexible working supported. Working pattern to be agreed between successful candidate and lead supervisor.

Supervisors

• Lead Academic Supervisor: Prof Rong Qu, UoN
• Academic Co-Supervisor: Dr Alan Fewkes, NTU
• Academic Co-Supervisor: Prof Lucelia Rodrigues, UoN
• Community Supervisors: Mark Trought and Ian Ward, Chetwynd Community Interest Company

About The Project

The UK was the first major economy to pass a net zero emissions law, legislating a net zero emissions target by 2050 in June 2019, aiming to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035. This interdisciplinary research project will investigate advanced technical solutions to encourage the uptake of net zero housing in existing communities through self-funded and community-led initiatives.  

The project will focus on the Chetwynd Neighbourhood Forum area as a case study, assessing technical solutions including solar PV, heat pumps and batteries, and exploring community perceptions and participation. By investigating these new heating technologies and lower-cost renewable energy systems, the project will simulate and assess the generated renewable energy against the power the homes need towards net zero. Integrated methods in artificial intelligence and data sciences will be employed, including technology feasibility modelling, agent-based simulation, computational optimisation and machine learning. Data analytics will be conducted with community practitioners based on studies through surveys and workshops with residents.   

The collaborative project led by supervisors at UoN, NTU and Chetwynd Community Interest Company (CIC) will provide processed house energy data, setting benchmarks for other communities, and assess renewable energy in simulated systems, establishing an evidence base to inform the development of an optimal community energy solution balancing technical potentials and community acceptance. The research will deliver impact by empowering Chetwynd residents to co-create a net zero transition pathway aligned with their priorities and the Government’s aim to decarbonise electricity production by 2035 and the 2050 Net Zero target. 

Project Aims 

The main deliverable is an interactive AI-driven simulator of the planning scenarios for the deployment of solar PVs and heat pumps, assessed using a community-driven approach to inform and facilitate Chetwynd’s transition to net zero carbon. The aims of this project will include:  

• To co-develop community energy solution scenarios integrating renewable systems with residents, aligning technical potential with community priorities and acceptance.   
• To analyse granular community energy usage data to reveal temporal and spatial patterns, targeting technology integration and maximising local utilisation.   
• To model decentralised energy adoption dynamics based on demographics, attitudes, and technology factors, enabling rapid scenario analysis with predictive intelligence.   
• To build an interactive simulation platform supporting analysis of the decentralised renewable energy initiatives and energy adoption solutions considering community perspectives.   
• To conduct technical feasibility assessments of renewable energy technologies for existing and newly built homes in Chetwynd, accounting for building energy demand profiles, grid export limits, and other contextual factors.   

• To design and assess revenue-sharing opportunities and business models, considering ROI and residents’ needs.   
• To demonstrate and evaluate integrated technology solutions and assess performance and real-world adoption barriers and benefits. 

Competencies 

Co(l)laboratory Core Competencies
Category	Competency	Assessed: Application (A), Interview (I)
Comprehension and evaluation	Strong understanding of the project and its subject matter.	A / I
	Analytical, researcher mindset with keen attention to detail.	A / I
	Communicate complex concepts with clarity and precision.	A / I
	Able to identify connections, patterns, gaps, and irregularities in information/data.	I
	Able to interpret data/information confidently with logic and empathy to derive meaning.	I
Social and emotional	Demonstrable experience of responding effectively changing contexts, information and demands.	A
	Ability to persevere in the face of challenges/failures and to remain constructive in developing solutions.	A
	Demonstrable passion for learning with clear drive and curiosity to undertake this specific research project.	A / I
	Willingness to immerse oneself in the research subject matter and make a contribute to new knowledge through a PhD.	A / I
	Strong desire to make a positive community impact through the research.	A / I
	Willingness to think deeply about complex concepts and engage with academic ideas and theory.	A / I
Preparedness and potential for success	Experience of working and collaborating effectively with different stakeholders.	A
	High level of self-motivation and ability to work with minimal guidance.	A / I
	Strong organisational and time-management skills with the ability to balance and prioritise multiple tasks.	A / I
	Ability to identify potential challenges and complexities and thoughtfully consider possible solutions.	A / I
	Able to identify the technical, personal, or professional skills required for a task and take action to develop these.	A / I
Community Context	Genuine desire to undertake community-engaged research over more traditional approaches to research.	A
	Understand the impact of and need for the inclusion of diverse experiences and points of view in research.	A / I
	Appreciation/understanding of the importance of community insight and experience in the generation of new knowledge.	A / I
	Awareness/understanding of the broader societal context related to the subject matter of the project.	A / I

	Project Specific Competencies
Essential	Assessed: Application (A), Interview (I)	Desirable	Assessed: Application (A), Interview (I)
Understanding of net zero challenges and technologies	A / I	Experience in data acquisition, data handling, algorithm development and coding.	A / I
Understanding of concepts like machine learning and data science.	A / I	Experience conducting field work and demonstrations in a relevant setting.	A / I
High level of IT proficiency with the ability to learn and use open-source packages and tools.	A / I	Previous experience in machine learning and data analysis.	A / I
Experience in a relevant professional or community environment	A / I	Background in engineering and interdisciplinary fields, ideally related to energy	A / I
		Familiarity with the context of the Chetwynd area.	A / I

References for Further Reading 

1. Chetwynd Neighbourhood Forum, 2017. Chetwynd Neighbourhood Plan. Available at:https://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/media/9603/chetwynd-the-toton-and-chilwell-neighbourhoodplan.pdf.

2.  Kalro, M., Chakravarthi, C. and Taylor, J., 2022. Developing a Smart Local Energy Network for Chetwynd Neighbourhood Forum. Unpublished student project, University of Nottingham. 

3.  Walker, G. and Cass, N., 2007. Carbon reduction, ‘the public’ and renewable energy: engaging with socio-technical configurations. Area, 39(4), pp.458-469. [4] Rogers, J.C., Simmons, E.A., Convery, I. and Weatherall, A., 2008. Public perceptions of opportunities for community-based renewable energy projects. Energy policy, 36(11), pp.4217-4226. 

4. National Grid ESO, 2021. Future Energy Scenarios. [online] National Grid ESO. Available at: https://www.nationalgrideso.com/future-energy/future-energy-scenarios/fes-2021 [Accessed 27 Feb. 2023]. 

5. Tingey, M., Webb, J. and Hawkey, D., 2017. Local authority engagement in UK energy systems: highlights from early findings. 

6. Brisbois, M.C., 2020. Powershed politics: Making renewable energy territorial. Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space, 3(3), pp.750-774. 

7. Wilson, C., Crane, L. and Chryssochoidis, G., 2015. Why do homeowners renovate energy efficiently? Contrasting perspectives and implications for policy. Energy Research & Social Science, 7, pp.12-22. 

8. Butler, C., Parkhill, K.A. and Luzecka, P., 2021. Rethinking energy demand governance:  

Exploring impact beyond ‘energy saved’. Energy Research & Social Science, 77, p.102146. 

9. Mallaband, B., Staddon, S. and Wood, G., 2020. Exploring mobility and energy injustice through a peer-to-peer transport community. Energy Research & Social Science, 69, p.101646. 

10. Hey J., Nathanail P., Ozcan E., Siebers P.O., and Robinson D., 2023, Surrogate Optimisation of  Energy Retrofits in Domestic Building Stocks using Household Carbon Valuations, Journal of Building Performance Simulation, 16(1).  
11. Committee for Climate Change Sixth Carbon Budget December 2020
12. Department of Energy and Climate Change, 2013. Community Energy in the UK: A review of the evidence. Available from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/205218/Community_Energy_in_the_UK_review_of_the_evidence.pdf (last accessed 02/10/23).