Cohort five (2019–20)

Students

Flora Biggins

Background: MSci Physics with a year in Europe, Imperial College London (2018)

As a physicist with a keen interest in environmental affairs, I can think of few more compelling areas of research than that of energy storage. Thanks to its tremendous potential to improve the efficiency of sustainable energy technologies and reduce reliance on harmful fossil fuels, energy storage has become a hotbed of research and development.

Not only does this make it an incredibly exciting time to be contributing towards this important field, but also the pressing need to deliver low carbon targets adds a real sense of urgency.

My background in physics has given me a strong appetite for problem solving and so I look forward to the opportunity to tackle one of the greatest challenges currently facing society. Additionally, as a nature-lover I am interested in trying to protect the environment and am highly motivated to contribute via my project where I can make a positive change.

Andrei Dascalu

Background: MEng Energetic Engineering, Stefan cel Mare University, Romania (2014), Electrical Design Engineer, Hydrock Consultants Ltd

Every generation has specific engineering challenges. Previous visionaries have built the railways, learned how to fly, reached for the moon and built the internet. The most important technical challenge of our time is to transform the way we produce and consume energy.

The CDT group in Energy Storage and its Applications tackles these problems looking across disciplines. That is why, after gaining some industry experience in designing energy efficient buildings, I have decided to join the group hoping to use my engineering background to solve some of the issues we currently face in our energy systems.

Tom Entwistle

Background: MEng Chemical Engineering, University of Sheffield (2018)

After studying chemical engineering and reading articles in popular science journals I became interested in advanced technologies and how they can be applied to renewable energy sources and energy storage. These interests lead me to the ESA-CDT as I pursued a career in research in this rapidly advancing sector.

The opportunity to work in such an open environment with peers from a variety of academic backgrounds was a really appealing feature of the course.

Andrew Hutchinson

Background: MEng Electrical Engineering, University of Sheffield (2013), Engineer at W S Atkins

After working as an electrical engineer in the rail Industry for the past five years, I really wanted to get back to research and development of new technologies that can actually make a difference. Energy storage will impact the way all of us live our lives in the coming years, and I think it's a really exciting field to get involved with and contribute towards.

Charlie McKinlay

Background: BSc Mathematics, University of East Anglia (2014), MSc Energy Engineering, University of East Anglia (2017)

Throughout my degree in mathematics, I was particularly interested in modules concerning applied mathematics with real world applications. As a result, I decided to pursue studies in engineering. The discipline of energy particularly stood out as a field with huge potential growth and an area where I could use my talents to make a genuine positive difference by working to combat climate change.

After studying energy engineering, it occurred to me that the subject of energy storage has a potentially high number of underdeveloped topics. It is my belief that it will not be until there have been significant technological advancements in energy storage that key areas, such as renewable energy and electric vehicles, will truly become viable on a mainstream scale.

It is for these reasons that I have decided to dedicate my academic future towards the study of energy storage and I consider the CDT-ESA an ideal program for me to improve my knowledge, complete significant research and hopefully one day become a leading expert in the field.

Joe Smith

Background: MSc Space Engineering, University of Southampton (2017)

While studying space systems engineering, I realised that there were many similarities between the engineering challenges faced in space and on Earth, particularly those to do with energy production and storage. It was then that I knew how I could use what I had learnt in my degree, in a way that could benefit people in everyday life and the planet itself.

Renewables are the future and with the ever-growing support for sustainable energy, it is even more important to create effective energy storage solutions which are accessible to everyone. When I found out about the CDT, I saw a fantastic opportunity to apply my engineering background to something that could help save the environment and make a real difference on a global scale.

Nikko Talplacido

Background: BEng Mechanical Engineering, University of Dundee (2016), MSc Product Design (2017), Engineer at AGM Batteries Ltd

After I completed my master’s degree, I joined AGM Batteries as an engineer. Through my role, I learned a lot about batteries and its potential to change our society. Wanting to develop a specialised skill, I decided to apply to CDT-ESA. I believe that this opportunity will enable me to utilise my experience, gain new insights and contribute to the advancement of battery technology.

Jethro Pryke

My initial interest in energy storage stemmed from my love of cars mixed with a drive to contribute in stopping climate change. After leaning more and more about energy storage, it became clear that it could help with many challenges across the energy and transport sectors. I knew then that this would be the right field for me.

A PhD from the CDT will equip me with the knowledge and skills to place me at the forefront of research in energy storage. I have a lot to learn and am very excited by the prospect.


UKRI logo
TUoS logo
University of Southampton logo