Research  topics

Grid-scale energy storage 

Current power systems are still highly reliant on dispatchable fossil fuels to meet variable electrical demands. As fossil fuel generation is progressively replaced with intermittent and less predictable renewable energy generation to decarbonise the power system, electrical energy storage technologies are required at mass scales to address the supply-demand balance challenge over a wide range of timescales. Our research is to understand what grid-scale energy storage is needed for power system decarbonisation and develop low-cost grid-scale energy storage, particularly long-duration energy storage technologies. 

Flexible electrochemical processes for desalination and carbon dioxide removal 

Our research centers on flexible electrochemical processes—particularly electrodialysis (ED) and bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED)—for water desalination and carbon dioxide removal (CDR). ED’s modular design and high selectivity let it operate efficiently with intermittent power (e.g., solar), making it ideal for desalination and wastewater treatment. BMED, originally used for acid-base production, now provides a fully electrified way to capture and concentrate CO₂. By optimizing both ED and BMED to run on renewables, we aim to address cost and scalability hurdles in tackling urgent water and climate challenges.

Domestic energy decarbonisation with low-carbon sources and energy storage

To address personal energy (e.g., heating/cooling, transport, and electricity) decarbonisation, previous studies usually focus on the interaction between these demands, with work completed primarily at the regional/national level. However, as energy demands, investment for personal energy decarbonisation is usually paid for by customers. It is critical to allow an understanding of if low-carbon technologies will be viable for consumers, and therefore if they will be taken up at mass, which may lead to different results to that which is optimum by regional level long-term analysis. We investigate the sustainability of low-carbon technologies from customers' perspectives and develop new technological solutions for facilitating disadvantaged customers during energy transitions.  

Multi-carrier energy decarbonization beyond water, food, and energy nexus

Providing affordable access to clean energy, water, food, and health on a global scale was set in the sixth United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: everyone should have access to these services by 2030. Beyond technologically viable, economic and social constraints are major challenges in realising sustainable development goals. 

Taking customer-centric design as our approach, we incorporate individual's needs and wants into our technology design process and develop tailored solutions.