Well performing heat pumps for the mass market

The aims of the studentship are:

• Understand heat pump performance and the factors which affect it, using theory and literature.
• Understand financial models of heat pump installation, through interviews with heat pump installation firms
• Undertake socio-technical case studies of heat pump installations from mass market installers, including analysing performance data from 6-12 months in use.
• If time allows, use action research to trial changes to installation and handover practices

Heat pumps are one of the key technologies planned to decarbonise heat in homes. But a major barrier to their widespread adoption is cost: high capital costs are not offset by low running costs. Recent evidence shows that heat pumps are not performing as well as expected on average and that there is a large spread of performance; this must be improved to reduce running cost. However, if good performance is only achieved through a time consuming installation process and high-end heat pump units, this will drive up cost. Mass market solutions are needed which are inexpensive to install yet perform reliably well.

This PhD project will address the following questions:

To what extent can well performing heat pumps be inexpensively installed by mass market suppliers in existing homes?

• What are the characteristics of well performing heat pumps?
• What are the trade offs between installation cost, technology cost and performance which occur in reality?
• Under realistic budget constraints, what changes to installation and handover practices can most improve heat pump performance?

Person specification:

• We are seeking a candidate with a technical background (e.g. a degree in physics, maths, engineering or other science) and an interest in socio-technical research.
• A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, in a relevant subject, is essential. Exceptionally: where applicants have other suitable research or professional experience, they may be admitted without a Master’s degree; or where applicants have a lower second-class UK Honours Bachelor’s degree (2:2) (or equivalent) they must possess a relevant Master’s degree to be admitted.
• Applicants must also meet the minimum language requirements of UCL
• Applicants should be familiar with the changes to EU and International Eligibility for UKRI funded studentships.

How to apply

• All CV’s and Cover Letters must be completely anonymised and not contain any references to protected characteristics, such as gender, ethnicity or race.
• Please submit your application by email to the UCL ERBE Centre Manager ([Email Address Removed]) with Subject Reference: 4-year PhD studentship in ‘Well performing heat pumps for the mass market’

The application should include each of the following:

1. An anonymised Cover Letter clearly stating why you are applying and how your interests and experience relate to this project, and your understanding of eligibility according to these guidelines: EU and International Eligibility for EPSRC/UKRI funded studentships
2. An anonymised CV
3. Complete the CDT EPSRC Eligibility Questionnaire and EDI Questionnaire via the linked Microsoft Forms.

Only shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview.

• For the interview shortlisted candidates will be asked to show proof of their degree certificate(s) and transcript(s) of degree(s), and proof of their fees eligibility.
• The interview panel will consist of the project’s academic supervisors at UCL and a representative of the ERBE CDT Academic management. The interview will include a short presentation from the candidate on their ideas of how to approach this PhD project.

Following the interview, the successful candidate will be invited to make a formal application to the UCL Research Degree programme for ERBE CDT.