ERBE

The UK is on the brink of a new, third age of energy efficiency. UK greenhouse gas emissions must fall by at least 65% by 2050, with the electricity system decarbonising even faster. Large wind, marine and solar generators, supported by energy storage, will dominate the central supply system and intelligent, community and building-integrated systems will be embedded in our towns and cities.

This interaction of people, buildings and energy systems will transform the relationship between supply and demand. Our domestic and non-domestic buildings can no longer be passive consumers of heat and power, instead, our homes and businesses must participate actively in a flexible, integrated, low-carbon supply and demand system, buying, selling and storing heat and power to achieve ‘Energy resilience through security, integration, demand management and decarbonisation’. This must be achieved whilst simultaneously meeting our human need for high quality spaces in which to live and work, thereby increasing the productivity of the UK economy, reducing fuel poverty, improving health and wellbeing, and supporting an ageing population.

I am delighted that we have been awarded funding for the new ERBE CDT. In collaboration with our partners in industry and government, we are looking forward to training students to make an impact in the energy and buildings sector, through addressing the emerging challenges of supporting energy flexibility and resilience, improving the performance of the buildings we inhabit, and meeting our needs for healthy, comfortable environments. We will be offering a 4 year PhD programme of training and research, that builds on the successes of the LoLo CDT in Energy Demand.
Associate Professor Dr Cliff Elwell – ERBE Deputy Director

The new EPSRC CDT in Energy Resilience and the Built Environment (ERBE) will train at least 68 PhD graduates to understand the systemic, radical, multi and interdisciplinary challenges we face, and equip them with the leadership credentials to effect change. Students will be immersed in world-leading research environments at UCL, Loughborough University collaborating with the Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy in Ireland. They will work with partners in industry, government and NGOs to deliver insights that are directly relevant to the challenges this sector faces.

ERBE students will attain a depth of understanding only possible as cohorts work and learn together. An integrated, 4-year programme will provide the knowledge, research and transferable skills to enable outstanding graduates from physics to social sciences to pursue research in one of three themes:
– Flexibility and resilience: the interaction between buildings and the whole supply system, through new generation and storage technology, enabled by smart control systems and new business models.
– Technology and system performance: demand reduction and decarbonisation of the built environment through design, construction methods, technological innovation, monitoring and regulation.
– Comfort, health and well-being: buildings and energy systems that create productive work environments and affordable, clean, safe homes.

By providing training in a rigorous, world-leading, stakeholder-shaped, outward-facing and multi-centred research environment, the new ERBE CDT will help the UK achieve the goals in the government’s industrial strategy and clean growth plan.

More information

EPSRC Press release

UCL press release

ERBE Twitter page

ERBE website

We provide a unique opportunity to work with leading researchers on projects integrated with industry and a comprehensive skills and development programme, including interdisciplinary courses and skills training.

Recruitment for 2020/2021 at UCL and  Loughborough is now OPEN.

For recruitment into academic year 2020/21 please visit our  new website erbecdt.ac.uk or follow @ERBECDT

You will undertake your PhD studies at either UCL, Loughborough or MaREI in one of three themes:

– Flexibility and resilience: the interaction between buildings and the whole supply system, through new generation and storage technology.
– Technology and system performance: demand reduction and decarbonisation of the built environment through design, construction methods, technological innovation, monitoring and regulation.
– Comfort, health and well-being: buildings and energy systems that create productive work environments and affordable, clean, safe homes.

Who we are looking for

Applications to UCL and Loughborough will be invited from UK graduates with a good first degree (1st or 2:1) in one of the following areas: physics, mathematics, engineering, chemistry, natural sciences, materials science, data analytics, computer science, statistics, psychology, social science, architecture or other building and energy-related disciplines.

Limited funding may be available for EU and overseas students with these or equivalent qualifications, and they are also encouraged to apply. Applicants with other relevant qualifications or extensive relevant industry experience who can show evidence of a scientific and engineering research capability may also apply.

How and when to apply

UCL and Loughborough  are offering up to a number fully funded studentships for entry into the 2020/2021 academic year. If eligible, you will receive a stipend which is tax free, plus UK/EU fees for four years (conditions apply). The stipend for UCL and Loughborough University will confirmed at a later stage.

We also accept applications from students who wish to self-fund, are in receipt of an independent scholarships or who are fully industry-funded; this must be indicated clearly on your application.

Applications to UCL and Loughborough for  ERBE CDT related PhD Studentships for academic year 2020/21 are now open. For detials please visit our  new website erbecdt.ac.uk or follow @ERBECDT

Applicants interested in studying at MaREI should contact: erbe@ucc.ie

Join us and help make a difference!

For further information about studentships at UCL please email: bseer.erbecdt@ucl.ac.uk.
For further information about studentships at Loughborough University, please email: Civ.Eng.Pgr@lboro.ac.uk.
For further information regarding the ERBE programme click here.

Please note: Recruitment for 2020/21 ERBE Studentships is open – please visit our  new website erbecdt.ac.uk or follow us on Twitter: @ERBECDT to receive our latest news.

Recruitment is handled separately by UCL, Loughborough and MaREI. We do not accept applications outside of the main recruitment phases or by CV only.