Supergen Energy Networks Hub

What a fantastic two days at the #ECRNetZero2026 in Birmingham! 🌱 As a member of the Supergen Energy Networks Hub ECR Committee, I had the pleasure of co-chairing Parallel Session 1(a): Digital Modelling & Intelligent Energy Systems alongside Dr. Ross Drummond. A big thank you to our four speakers — Dr. Emmanouil Perisoglou (Cardiff University), Dr. Ahmed Rezk (Aston University), Prof. Kang Li (University of Leeds), and Prof. Daniel Auger (Cranfield University) — for sharing their research and driving such engaging discussions! Beyond our session, the two days were packed with great content — from Prof. Sara Walker's reflections on her career journey in energy research, to the Career Pathways in Energy Research panel which offered some genuinely practical perspectives on navigating this field. A huge shoutout to Lindsey Allen, Rakhi Parmar, Emma Stewart and all the organisers for pulling together such a well-run and welcoming event for the ECR community. And of course, big thanks to Ross for being a great co-chair! 🙌 Oh, and I completely forgot to take any photos of myself... classic 😅 At least the speakers were well documented! #ECRNetZero2026 #NetZero #EarlyCareerResearchers #EnergyResearch #ClimateAction #SupergenEnergyNetworks #DigitalModelling

Supergen Energy Networks Hub 2026 Risk and Resilience Day was such a joy to attend with a wide range of topics and research. We had three exciting contributions from our RSCA team here at the School of Engineering, University of Birmingham 👉 Reuben Bunting gave an exciting oral presentation revealing global patterns in electricity network wildfire exposure. 👉 Saif Ali Nasser Al Omairi showed advances in storm simulation for electricity distribution networks. 👉 Neil Martin 👨💻 provided insight into how compound weather hazards drive overhead line fault risk in Northern Scotland If you are interested in any of these projects or want to connect with our wider Resilient Systems and Climate Action Research Group please get in touch.

It has been a fantastic experience to present at the ECR Net Zero Conference in Birmingham this week! Key highlights? 🎉 With my collaborator Chris B. we presented key findings from a secondment I did last year at Ofgem, the outputs of which are currently being used to inform regulatory decisions for electricity distribution networks, demonstrating positive outcomes out of collaborations between academia and policy ! 💡 I introduced the EPSRC Supergen Energy Networks Hub (thank you EPSRC SEN for selecting me to do this!) 🎀 Met so many lovely people. Thank you all for making this such a rewarding experience!

✨ECR Net Zero Conference 2026- comes to an end✨ As we head into the final sessions of #ECRNetZero2026, I’ve been reflecting on what a genuinely positive experience this conference has been. I have probably said it too many times but it's been a brilliant two days, and I’m leaving feeling tired but energised (lots of coffee over 2 days!) and proud of what was achieved! After a delicious lunch, we enjoyed an introduction to the International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN) from Rosie Madge (Energy Systems Catapult) and Craig Fraser (DESNZ). This was followed by a thoughtful panel discussion on career pathways in energy research and how we can better support ECRs. The session was chaired by Sam Williamson, ECR Lead for the Supergen Energy Networks Hub, with panel contributions from Samuel Isuwa (EPSRC), Panos Papadopoulos (University of Manchester), and Nicolas Manea (NESO). Dr Dan Evans, Cranfield University shared information about the new up and coming network, the FLN: Greenhouse Gas Removal Future Leaders Network Gas Reduction Future Leaders Network. We closed with a fantastic presentation from Sam Williamson Supergen Energy Networks Hub, University of Bristol and Daniel Taylor-Holland Supergen Bioenergy Hub, Aston University, exploring “From Conference to Action”, encouraging everyone to share the most important thing they had learned. Huge thank you to all, speakers, Organisers and attendees! "Focus on your opportunities and do what you love" #SupergenEnergyNetworksHub #SupergenBioEnergyHub #SuperAIRE #SupergenOffshoreRenewablesHub  #ACENetwork #EDIPlus #EDRC #HIACT #IDRIC #IGNITENetworkPlus #REEFUKC #SESNetworkPlus #UKERC #UKHyRES #UKCCSRC #NZEEE

🌍 ECR Net Zero Conference 2026 – EDI Training Session Yesterday at the ECR Net Zero Conference 2026, Dr Marco Reggiani (University of Strathclyde / IGNITE Network+) led an engaging and thought‑provoking EDI training session. The session offered a clear and insightful introduction to Equality/Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and why it matters for Early Career Researchers (ECRs) across every stage of the research journey. Dr Reggiani explored: ✨ What is EDI? — unpacking equality and equity, diversity, and inclusion. ✨ Why EDI matters for ECRs — supporting fair access, fostering belonging, and strengthening collaboration and innovation. ✨ How ECR identities shape research experiences — recognising the intersecting identities that influence opportunities, challenges, and perspectives. ✨ The importance of embedding EDI at every stage of the research lifecycle — from identifying research questions and designing methodologies, to recruitment, data collection, analysis, dissemination, and impact. ✨ People, culture and support - Reflecting on the environments we create, the behaviours we model, and the practical ways we can foster teams and communities where everyone can participate fully including allyship and ways to actively contribute to a more inclusive research cultures. It was inspiring to see the room fully engaged, reflecting on how we can collectively champion inclusion within the Net Zero research community. A huge thank you to the conference team for ensuring EDI remains a central pillar of the programme. #ECRNetZero2026 #ECRNZ2026 #ECR #EDI #ResearchCulture #ECRIdentities #InclusiveResearch #Equity #Equality #Diversity #Inclusion #DiversityinEnergy Supergen Energy Networks Hub ACE Network, UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) Energy Demand Research Centre (EDRC), HI-ACT, IGNITE Network+ Supergen Bioenergy Hub, UK-HyRES: Hub for Research Challenges in Hydrogen and Alternative Liquid Fuels, UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre (UKCCSRC), Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub, SuperAIRE Network, Reef-UKC EPSRC N-ZEEE Network+ EPSRC