HubNet: Research Leadership and Networking for Energy Networks

实现经济脱碳，同时保持能源供应的安全性和可靠性，将需要对用于向国内输送能源的网络进行深刻变革。虽然需求是明确的，但这些网络的最终形态还不清楚，要实现这一目标还需要进行大量的研究。该中心的建立将促进并聚焦于英国能源网络的研究。特别是，该中心将通过发表由该领域领导者撰写的深入的立场论文，组织研讨会和其他机制，为研究人员之间以及研究人员，工业和公共部门之间的思想交流提供该领域的研究领导。它还将通过赞助未知领域的投机性研究，刺激创新解决方案的发展。该中心成员的活动将集中在五个已被确定为未来能源网络发展关键的领域：-智能电网的设计，特别是通信技术在电力网络运营中的应用，以及利用需求侧来控制和优化电力系统。-开发一个大型电网，将英国的能源网络与欧洲及其他地区的海上可再生能源连接起来。-研究如何使用新材料（如纳米复合材料、陶瓷复合材料和石墨烯基材料）来设计更高效、更紧凑的电力设备。-开发新技术，研究多个能量向量之间的相互作用，在不确定条件下优化协调能源网络的规划和运行。-过渡资产的管理：虽然未来几十年将需要安装大量新的网络设备，但与现有的资产基础相比，这些新设备的建设显得微不足道。因此，研究如何在可能更极端的条件下延长现有设备的寿命是至关重要的。来自帝国理工学院和布里斯托尔大学、卡迪夫大学、曼彻斯特大学、南安普顿大学和斯特拉斯克莱德大学的研究人员将构成这个中心的核心。然而，其他从事能源网络或相关主题研究的学者、工业公司和公共机构将被鼓励成为HubNet的联合成员，并在制定研究议程和寻求在其他研究和开发活动中合作的机会方面为其活动做出贡献。

Achieving the decarbonisation of the economy while maintaining the security and reliability of the energy supply will require a profound transformation of the networks used to transport energy into and within the country. While the need is clear, the final shape of these networks is not and getting there will require a considerable amount of research. The creation of a hub will catalyse and focus the research on energy networks in the UK. In particular, this hub will provide research leadership in the field through the publication of in-depth position papers written by leaders in the field and the organisation of workshops and other mechanisms for the exchange of ideas between researchers and between researchers, industry and the public sector. It will also spur the development of innovative solutions by sponsoring speculative research in uncharted areas.The activities of the members of the hub will focus on five areas that have been identified as key to the development of future energy networks:- Design of smart grids, in particular the application of communication technologies to the operation of electricity networks and the harnessing of the demand-side for the control and optimisation of the power system.- Development of a mega-grid that would link the UK's energy network to renewable energy sources off shore, across Europe and beyond.- Research on how new materials (such as nano-composites, ceramic composites and graphene-based materials) can be used to design power equipments that are more efficient and more compact. - Development of new techniques to study the interaction between multiple energy vectors and optimally coordinate the planning and operation of energy networks under uncertainty.- Management of transition assets: while a significant amount of new network equipment will need to be installed in the coming decades, this new construction is dwarfed by the existing asset base. It is thus essential to study how the life of existing equipment can be extended under what is likely to be more extreme conditions. Investigators from Imperial College and the universities of Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Southampton and Strathclyde will form the core of this hub. However, other academics carrying out research in energy networks or related topics as well as industrial companies and public bodies will be encouraged to become associated members of HubNet and to contribute to its activities in setting a research agenda and seeking opportunities to collaborate in additional research and development activities.