The DTA Energy programme first cohort of doctoral researchers started in October 2016, with a focus on producing doctoral graduates equipped with the skills and experience to tackle the global challenge of ensuring future security and sustainability of energy supplies and the management of energy demand.

Whether the communities of the future are mega-cities, urban, rural or remote, the infrastructure that supports them – including housing, manufacturing, transport and services – will rely on an energy generation and distribution network that is stable, secure, and resilient to climate change and terrorism. This network will need to be sustainable in both environmental and financial terms, integrate with more intelligent systems, and be developed alongside more effective policies. The DTA Energy programme contributed to the development and sustainability of this network by supporting the next generation of energy experts.

Between October 2016 and November 2023, 13 universities and 71 doctoral researchers benefited from being part of this national network of energy researchers. Ovre the year, the programme has been led by leading academics from across the network:

• Professor Amin Al-Habaibeh, Professor of Intelligent Engineering Systems, Nottingham Trent University
• Dr Abishek Asthana, Reader in Energy Engineering, Director of Hallam Energy, Sheffield Hallam University
• Professor Vladimir Vukovic, Senior Research Lecturer in BIM & Energy Reduction in Built Environment, Teesside University

International Conference for Energy and Sustainable Futures (ICESF)

In 2019, DTA Energy Directors collaborated with Nottingham Trent University to deliver a multi-disciplinary conference focused on addressing the future challenges and opportunities for meeting global energy targets and sustainable development goals – the 1st International Conference for Energy and Sustainable Futures (ICESF).

The conference aims were to bring together industry experts, academia researchers and research students to showcase the latest innovations and research on energy management, conversion, storage and access.

The University of Hertfordshire hosted the 2nd ICESF in 2020 via a virtual format due to the ongoing impact of the global Covid pandemic, but in 2022 the conference returned for its 3rd outing, hosted in-person by Coventry University.

DTA Energy Directors are keen to hear from research organisations that might be interested in hosting future conferences, virtual or in-person. Please get in touch with dta@unialliance.ac.uk

Proceedings from the following conferences are available via open access

• 3rd https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-30960-1 
• 2nd https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-63916-7

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