The sustainability of hydrogen production for future energy uses

Hydrogen is being promoted as a potentially low-carbon fuel for use in both transport and electricity generation. There are many routes and processes by which hydrogen can be produced, but are any of them sustainable? Sustainability is measured using a set of benchmarks (indicators) to compare changes in the values of variables (metrics).

Using the Process Analysis Method (PAM) this project will generate a set of indicators and metrics grouped as environmental, economic, and human/social in accordance with the Bruntland report. The PAM is a flexible, transparent, robust, and data-driven approach to designing and developing indicator sets. Previously, the PAM has been used to examine the sustainability of cars, water processing, chemical production, and river systems.

The aim is to create a generic set of indicators applicable to any airport to allow comparisons, though it will be necessary to use a single nation as a case study. Applicants will have or be expected to receive a first or upper‐second class honours degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics or a similar discipline.

A Postgraduate Masters degree is not required but may be an advantage. Experience in sustainability, environmental management or energy systems is not essential, however it may be an advantage. In addition, applicants should be highly motivated, able to work in a team and independently, collaborate with others and have good communication skills.  

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for the above PhD topic please follow the steps below:

1. Contact the supervisor by email or phone to discuss your interest and find out if you would be suitable. Supervisor details can be found on this topic page. The supervisor will guide you in developing the topic-specific research proposal, which will form part of your application.
2. Click on the 'Apply here' button on this page and you will be taken to the relevant PhD course page, where you can apply using an online application.
3. Complete the online application indicating your selected supervisor and include the research proposal for the topic you have selected.

Good luck!

This is a self funded topic

Brunel offers a number of funding options to research students that help cover the cost of their tuition fees, contribute to living expenses or both. See more information here: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/research/Research-degrees/Research-degree-funding. The UK Government is also offering Doctoral Student Loans for eligible students, and there is some funding available through the Research Councils. Many of our international students benefit from funding provided by their governments or employers. Brunel alumni enjoy tuition fee discounts of 15%.

Meet the Supervisor(s)

Colin Axon - Reader in the Institute of Energy Futures and Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. My research is about the use of energy in the urban environment and the limits to natural resources. My main areas of interest are in energy security, sustainability, transport, electricity networks, and resource efficiency. I use techniques and methods including the application of robust methods for metrics and indicators, and data mining and analytics.I have published more than 80 reviewed articles and technical reports.

Peter Hewitson - Peter Hewitson is a Process Engineer at Brunel University London in the Department of Chemical Engineering. His research focuses on the scale up of continuous liquid-liquid extraction technology allowing large-scale separations of novel chemicals and bio-molecules for use by the pharmaceuticals industry. His PhD studies centred on the comparison of Intermittent Liquid-Liquid Counter-current Extraction to Isocratic and Continuous Counter-current Extraction and the scale-up of these technologies. He previously worked as a Senior Research Scientist at Kodak Ltd European Research Laboratories. While there he developing novel photographic media, flexible displays and solar cell technology with patent filings across these applications before transferring to Brunel University London.  

Related Research Group(s)

Resource Efficient Future Cities - Urban energy; Sustainable advanced materials; Energy efficiency in buildings; System integration of energy and infrastructure planning at community/district/city scales.