Researchers receive £7M EPSRC grant towards sustainable electrification
April 10, 2025
A multi-disciplinary research team consisting of experts from the Universities of Nottingham, Newcastle, and Bristol has been awarded a £7 million grant from the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to develop sustainable technologies to reduce energy wastage. As part of the programme, the Bristol team will investigate the use of Additive Manufacturing and Design for AM in lightweighting and improving component efficiency.
“We are living through a new industrial revolution, and this is a crucial time in the quest to find sustainable solutions to electrification across all industrial sectors,” stated lead researcher, Dr Liliana de Lillo, from the University of Nottingham. “Through this research programme, we want to change the way we use energy. Renewable energy sources and electrification are key enablers of the aim to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
“We can achieve that aim through the integration of power electronics and electric motors, using common structures and systems to greatly reduce material usage and energy consumption. The ambition is to investigate and deliver innovative solutions that reduce energy wastage and minimise life cycle impacts and the quantity of precious materials used.”
The use of renewable energy sources is expected to see a massive change, driven by the UK government’s target of making 95% of energy generation low-carbon by 2030. This will not only lead to increased use of electric generators, but electric motors are also required in almost all propulsion, heating and cooling, and industrial processes.
However, there is also a risk of dramatic energy loss, increased CO2 emissions and raw material usage in the manufacture and functioning of these generators and electric motors. While 50% of the world’s electrical energy is said to be used to power rotating motors, the systems they drive are often inefficient and contribute to a large amount of wasted energy.
The awarded programme will focus on removing technological barriers to allow the integration of power converters with electrical motors and generators to become a key part of the future of sustainable electrification. This will also allow for more efficient and lower-weight industrial and transport applications and is expected to dramatically reduce CO2 emissions from manufacturing.
The Bristol team, which includes Dr Nick Simpson and Dr Andrew Hopkins, will lead work in Additive Manufacturing for power electronics, machines and drives (PEMD), semiconductor device characterisation in extreme environments, and integration of power electronics with electrical machines. Their aim is to reduce packaging volume and increase energy efficiency through shared cooling, structural, and functional infrastructure.
Dr Simpson stated, “We are looking forward to joining teams from the University of Nottingham and University of Newcastle to drive this important technology forward in pursuit of global carbon net zero targets and build a skills base through PhD training and multi-domain skills sharing to take the technology into the future.”
Dr Kedar Pandya, EPSRC Executive Director for Strategy, added, “Sustainable electrification is an important part of the work EPSRC is supporting to help secure a low-carbon future and meet UK net-zero targets. This research highlights how innovative new technologies and approaches will play a key role in reducing energy waste across industrial sectors and cutting carbon emissions so that we can build a greener future for us all.”
