Leading energy research from Bath shared with China (March 2012)
An international delegation from the Shangdong Electric Power Company, a subsection of China’s State Grid Company responsive for power transmission and distribution for Shangdong Provance, has recently visited the University to learn from the cutting-edge energy research taking place.
The visitors came to learn from academics in the Faculty of Engineering about the recent and future technology research being carried out in the field of sustainable energy generation and supply.
They were also interested in the technological advances that have been made to ensure energy distribution in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner.
Professor Furong Li organised the visit, and Dr Tim Mays, Director of the Institute of Sustainable Energy and Environment, hosted the guests.
Professor Li said: "We have done a huge amount of work here in Bath to develop the technology involved in energy generation, supply and distribution. I have personally worked very closely with Western Power Distribution over the past seven years to develop a thorough understanding of the challenges faced by the industry, and to establish technological advances to overcome these.
Our Chinese visitors were very interested to learn about distribution network operation and planning practice in the UK, particuilarly in relation to maintaining high supply reliability and the new network charge technologies adopted by Western Power Distribution. 
"We discussed the possibility of a knowledge transfer project with China and potential collaboration between Shangdong Electric Power Company, Shangdong University and University of Bath in the field of Smart Distribution Systems."
The delegation included six senior professionals from Shangdong Electric Power Company. Professor Li said: "Carrying out research in this field is always fascinating and we're constantly improving the technologies used. Being given the opportunity to transfer that knowledge and see it have an impact around the world is extremely encouraging for us as a research team, and essential for future global energy management."
I-SEE hosts visit by EPSRC Energy Team (February 2012)
The Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment hosted a visit to the University on the 2 February 2012 by the Energy Team at the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council. The visit included a welcome lunch attended by Professor Kevin Edge (Deputy Vice-Chancellor), Professor Jane Millar (Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research), Professor Geoff Hammond (previous Director of I-SEE), Dr Jon Hunt (Head of Research Development and Collaborations, Research and Development Support Office), Dr Gareth Buchanan (Research Development Manager, RDSO), Mr Martyn Whalley (Director of Estates) and I-SEE executive and board members including the current Director, Dr Tim Mays and Mrs Carolina Salter (I-SEE Operations Co-ordinator).
Picture: Dr Jason Green (Head of Energy, EPSRC, centre) and Dr Neil Bateman (Energy Portfolio Manager, EPSRC, right) with Professor Jane Millar, Dr Tim Mays and Professor Kevin Edge.
Dr Jason Green, Head of Energy at EPSRC, was accompanied by members of his team including Dr Samantha Riches, Dr Neil Batemen who has had significant interaction with Bath concerning SUPERGEN projects (including the UK Sustainable Hydrogen Energy Consortium led by Tim Mays), and Dr David Holtum who links on the Transition Pathways to a Low-Carbon Economy consortium led by Geoff Hammond at Bath and Professor Peter Pearson at the Low Carbon Research Institute based at Cardiff University (who gave a recent I-SEE seminar). After lunch, Jane Millar provided opening remarks which were followed by a presentation by Tim Mays on I-SEE ahead of short, invited research talks from energy and environment researchers across campus including Dr Svenja Tams (School of Management), Professor Steve Gough (Department of Education), Dr Philippe Blondel (Department of Physics), Dr Aron Walsh (Department of Chemistry), Dr Laura Torrente Murciano (Department of Chemical Engineering), Professor David Coley (Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering) and Mr Peter Phelps (Energy and Environment Manager, Department of Estates). Further informative discussions were held on energy funding strategies and opportunities. This included Jason Green detailing current and future EPSRC spending plans (please see RCUK Energy Programme Town Meeting link below). A number of important issues arose including whether and how academics and researchers might "brand" their posts in energy, thereby moving away from department, faculty or school associations.
Tim Mays says: "It was great via I-SEE to be able to showcase energy research across campus, and to discuss the University's strategy to develop its energy research portfolio. It was satisfying to confirm that much of the University's energy research matches growth, priority and challenge areas identified at the EPSRC including in key areas such as energy storage and demand management and whole systems analysis. We are very grateful to Jason and his team for sharing their thoughts with us and we look forward to continuing this important and useful dialogue with one of our major funders."
RCUK Energy Programme Town Meeting (January 2012)
Dr Tim Mays, I-SEE Director, was invited to attend the RCUK Energy Energy Shaping Capability and Strategy Town Meeting in Birmingham on 18 January 2012. There were about 100 delegates at the event including 80 or so from UK HEIs and about 20 from the Research Councils. The slides presented at the meeting by Dr Jason Green, Head of Energy at RCUK/EPSRC, may be found at the following link 'Research Councils UK Energy Programme Town Meeting Birmingham 18 Jan 2012'. One overall message from the event was that demand reduction, as a means to help the UK meet its carbon emissions targets, should be a key element in future energy research. This seems to derive from clear statements from Government, for example The Carbon Plan published last December. Dr Mays has been giving short overviews of the Town Meeting at recent Shaping and Sharing meetings at the University organised by Dr Gareth Buchanan in the Research Development and Support Office (RDSO).