The project will develop a proof-of-concept planning model for central planners to optimally locate electric vehicles (EVs) charging infrastructure under the risk of disruption to charging points (i.e. unexpected failure of charging points due to technical faults or breakdowns). The aim of the model will be to maximise total expected traffic volume of EVs that can be charged by an unreliable integrated charging network. Both static and dynamic wireless charging systems, as well as railway feeder stations will be considered. A robust mixed-integer non-linear programming (MINLP) model for this problem will be formulated. Queuing theory equations will be incorporated into the model to account for the stochastic nature of demand both spatially and over time (e.g. peak versus off-peak periods). The model will be further generalized to a multi-period planning problem given limited periodic budgets. The model will be linearized so that it can be solved using a general purpose solver. Finally, an efficient metaheuristic algorithm will be developed to solve the large-scale real-world instances within a reasonable computational time. A case study of the road network in the UK will be used to assess the accuracy and performance of the linearized optimization model and the metaheuristic algorithm. Besides the model and the algorithm, other project outputs will be the creation of test datasets and one or more journal articles. Codes of the model and algorithm, and test datasets will also be made available to the community of Operational Research so that other researchers and practitioners (e.g., National Grid) can use them in their own case studies.

The UK is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050, relative to 1990 levels. Meeting this target will require a significant shift in the way energy is used (for example, through electrification of heat and transport) and generated. To reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, significant levels of Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) will need to be integrated into the power grid. RESs include energy sources that do not rely on fossil fuels and nuclear energy, such as solar, wind, tidal and wave. Some sources of renewable energy have been successfully incorporated (for example, pumped-hydro), and they are generally not classified as 'RESs' as this term refers to devices that are connected to the grid by means of power converters. While the benefits of RESs are undisputable and their installation should be facilitated, the integration of large amounts of these devices requires the development of new paradigms and methods to maintain a reliable and safe power system. RESs have certain characteristics that differentiate them from traditional sources: they are less controllable than traditional energy sources, they cause unintended power flow patterns, and they impact voltage and current waveforms and the overall power quality of electricity. This proposal will focus on the study of harmonic propagation in the UK power grid due to RESs. Harmonics are current and voltage components at frequencies multiple of the fundamental, and they are generated by the operation of the power converters. While low harmonic levels are tolerated and do not impact grid operation, increasing harmonic levels have detrimental effects including: increased losses, reduced efficiency, misoperation and reduced lifetime of equipment, and nuisance protection tripping. While the costs of harmonics are not easy to determine because of their long-term effect, it has become accepted by the power grid operators and users that increasing harmonic levels are detrimental for efficient grid operation. More importantly, they may compromise the future integration of RESs. This proposal aims at assessing the harmonic impact of RESs in the future power grid. Carrying out this assessment requires the development of accurate models of both RESs and of the power system. At the same time, these models requires some form of simplification because of the number of components involved. Previous research has focused on either detailed power converter models, or the use of a large power system model with simplified converter representation. This NIA aims at combining both aspects in a model which is able to represent correctly harmonic generation from RESs, the transfer of harmonics between voltage levels, and the representation of statistical variations of harmonic levels in the system, for varying levels of penetration of RESs. This research will involve close collaboration with two industrial partners, National Grid and Measurable Ltd, and with the University of Texas at Austin. The impact of this research will be widespread: the models developed will help the academic community in understanding the best approaches to study harmonic behaviour of large energy systems. This work will assist the system operator in assessing the impact of new RESs on the power system. Furthermore, this research will inform the future developments of power quality standards and of harmonic mitigating solutions. The ultimate goal of this project is to minimise the occurrence of harmonic problems in the future power grid, allowing for a smooth and clean integration of increasing amounts of RESs, not only in the UK, but on a global scale. Furthermore, it will benefit the UK as a whole in terms of maintaining the operations and efficiency of this ubiquitous infrastructure, whilst helping the government to meet targets for reducing CO2 emissions.

SPRITE+ is a NetworkPlus that will deliver a step change in engagement between people involved in research, practice, and policy relevant to trust, identity, privacy, and security (TIPS) with a focus on digital contexts. SPRITE+ will deliver a coherent, coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach, with strong stakeholder relationships at the centre. Collectively, we will identify and address key research challenges. Our activities will be centred around 'Challenge Themes', which will be broad, future-focused, and important to a wide range of stakeholders, where issues of security, privacy, identity, and trust are all relevant, and where an interdisciplinary approach is essential to fully addressing the Challenge. Examples might be Responsible innovation; Automation, autonomy, acceptability; Usable Security; 'Super-connectivity'; Risk, resilience, and recovery; Digital Identities. Over the lifetime of SPRITE+, Working Groups will explore each Theme, producing comprehensive, cross-disciplinary understanding of key themes and making recommendations for future research priorities. Members will have the opportunity to bid to our £400K research fund via sandpits at which they will co-create proposals with users, e.g., for events, feasibility studies, and sprint reviews. SPRITE+ is led by a Management Team (the PI, 4 co-Is), working closely with Project Partners from across industry, government, third sector and academia. A cadre of Expert Fellows will complement the Management Team's expertise and will help SPRITE+ develop a multidisciplinary approach to realising its vision. Fellows will provide intellectual leadership, take a leading role in Working Groups, and help bridge the gaps between diverse cognate groups and networks. A Strategic Advisory Board will review and develop SPRITE+'s performance. Membership will be open to all with an interest in research on security, privacy, identity, and trust. Members will receive a newsletter, access to online resources, and opportunities to attend events and bid for funds. The outcomes of our activities will be (a) a vibrant collaborative community, with strong collaborative relationships and increased industry investment in new research; (b) an expanded academic TIPS community, that includes researchers from humanities, behavioural and social sciences, and from other areas of 'security science'; (c) a community of Early Career Researchers who understand users and have the skills and knowledge to deliver high quality impactful research in their future careers; (d) mutual support and understanding between cognate groups and networks; and e) a set of roadmaps that shape future research investment priorities.

The UK is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050, relative to 1990 levels. Meeting this target will require a significant shift in the way energy is used (for example, through electrification of heat and transport) and generated. To reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, significant levels of Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) will need to be integrated into the power grid. RESs include energy sources that do not rely on fossil fuels and nuclear energy, such as solar, wind, tidal and wave. Some sources of renewable energy have been successfully incorporated (for example, pumped-hydro), and they are generally not classified as 'RESs' as this term refers to devices that are connected to the grid by means of power converters. While the benefits of RESs are undisputable and their installation should be facilitated, the integration of large amounts of these devices requires the development of new paradigms and methods to maintain a reliable and safe power system. RESs have certain characteristics that differentiate them from traditional sources: they are less controllable than traditional energy sources, they cause unintended power flow patterns, and they impact voltage and current waveforms and the overall power quality of electricity. This proposal will focus on the study of harmonic propagation in the UK power grid due to RESs. Harmonics are current and voltage components at frequencies multiple of the fundamental, and they are generated by the operation of the power converters. While low harmonic levels are tolerated and do not impact grid operation, increasing harmonic levels have detrimental effects including: increased losses, reduced efficiency, misoperation and reduced lifetime of equipment, and nuisance protection tripping. While the costs of harmonics are not easy to determine because of their long-term effect, it has become accepted by the power grid operators and users that increasing harmonic levels are detrimental for efficient grid operation. More importantly, they may compromise the future integration of RESs. This proposal aims at assessing the harmonic impact of RESs in the future power grid. Carrying out this assessment requires the development of accurate models of both RESs and of the power system. At the same time, these models requires some form of simplification because of the number of components involved. Previous research has focused on either detailed power converter models, or the use of a large power system model with simplified converter representation. This NIA aims at combining both aspects in a model which is able to represent correctly harmonic generation from RESs, the transfer of harmonics between voltage levels, and the representation of statistical variations of harmonic levels in the system, for varying levels of penetration of RESs. This research will involve close collaboration with two industrial partners, National Grid and Measurable Ltd, and with the University of Texas at Austin. The impact of this research will be widespread: the models developed will help the academic community in understanding the best approaches to study harmonic behaviour of large energy systems. This work will assist the system operator in assessing the impact of new RESs on the power system. Furthermore, this research will inform the future developments of power quality standards and of harmonic mitigating solutions. The ultimate goal of this project is to minimise the occurrence of harmonic problems in the future power grid, allowing for a smooth and clean integration of increasing amounts of RESs, not only in the UK, but on a global scale. Furthermore, it will benefit the UK as a whole in terms of maintaining the operations and efficiency of this ubiquitous infrastructure, whilst helping the government to meet targets for reducing CO2 emissions.

Across the UK, 80% of the heating in buildings and industries is generated using natural gas [1]. According to the Department for Business, Energy & Industry Strategy, transitioning to electricity, hydrogen and bioenergy have the potential to make a significant contribution toward low carbon heating. With respect to hydrogen, one potential approach is to use the existing natural gas distribution grid to transport hydrogen. In this research we explore a zero-carbon emission ICHP energy network concept for decarbonising heating and cooling through the production, distribution and utilisation of hydrogen. At the national scale, existing gas grid infrastructure would be modified and used to deliver natural gas and hydrogen produced from clean sources to distributed ICHP energy centres across the UK. At the local scale, intelligent thermal networks, would convert this hydrogen and distribute its energy as electricity, heating or cooling across urban areas in localised industry and residential networks. Furthermore, ICHP energy centres would also offer additional flexibility, resilience etc. and provide an opportunity to integrate transport energy services through the provision of hydrogen fuelling and electric vehicle fast charging. The project will be focus on investigating the role and value of the ICHP concept in supporting cost effective heat sector decarbonisation and transition to low carbon whole-energy system. The aim of the proposal will enable in depth assess of the role of ICHP concept from whole system perspective by: - Quantifying the techno-economic value of ICHP based heat sector decarbonisation in the whole-energy system context, considering infrastructure investment and operating costs for different carbon emissions targets in short, medium and long term. - Identifying and quantifying the benefits of flexibility options (i.e., energy storage, demand side response, hydrogen-based flexible gas plants). - Assessing the role of ICHP paradigm in enhancing the electricity system resiliency, given that the extreme weather conditions should be considered when planning low carbon energy system. Outputs will be technical evidence of the potential of the technology for stakeholders across the whole system (policy, national, local and consumers).