Power Generation in rural communities: evaluating microgrid systems to provide reliable power to rural areas

Applications are invited for a competitive fully funded PhD Studentship starting in 2018. The studentship will support a highly motivated researcher to undertake cutting edge research on power generation in rural communities or electrification projects to be successful, they must be suitable for the needs of the communities using them. Whilst electricity generation from some renewable sources is intermittent, hybrid solutions integrated with other forms of power generation and storage are able to provide reliable power, and can be optimised to a lower economic cost. There is also potential for smart grids and more adaptive local demand. Models and systems used for delivering energy to rural areas have been designed in industrialised countries, so there is uncertainty about how appropriate they are for developing countries. Areas where socio-technical nexus issues are particularly important include modelling load profiles, calculating willingness to pay and ongoing maintenance. This research will look at ways to evaluate microgrid systems and models, identifying how they can be improved by jointly considering social and technical aspects.

The major current areas of research in the group include carbon capture technology from power generation, low emission CCGT technology, clean coal/biomass combustion technology, fuel cells, alternative aviation fuels, biogas from waste, etc.

The successful applicant will receive appropriate training to work at the forefront of research in the relevant areas of research.

The studentship will be available for a period of 3 years at the standard RCUK rate which covers UK/EU fees and includes a non-taxable stipend at the RCUK rate (£14,777 in 2018/2019) and a budget for IT equipment, books, software and travelling to conferences, and/or project meetings.


Potential applicants should have, or are expecting to obtain in the near future, a first class honours degree in engineering, mathematics, or science. The studentship is open to UK/EU candidates only. The successful candidate should fulfil the eligibility criteria for EPSRC funding through UK/ EU nationality and residency status.


The research work will be based in the Energy Engineering Group within the Department of Mechanical Engineering, which is a part of the Energy 2050 initiative within the University of Sheffield to develop world-leading activity in energy research. The student will be working within an exciting and dynamic group with approximately 40 PhD researchers and over 12 postdoctoral research fellows undertaking a broad area of energy research with strong links to industry.


The Department of Mechanical Engineering has been a major discipline in the University since its foundation in 1905. The Research Excellence Framework (REF, December 2014) placed the Department within the Top 5 for Mechanical Engineering in the UK.

For further information please contact Professor Derek B Ingham (phone: 0114 21 57215)