Centres for Doctoral Training

The Energy Programme provides focused support for postgraduate training through a number of Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs), with the goal of securing the future supply of world-leading energy researchers. The CDTs provide students with a better whole systems understanding and improved learning environment in priority areas for the Energy Programme. Students carry out a PhD-level research project together with taught coursework in a supportive and exciting environment.

Thirteen new centres in energy were sponsored by EPSRC following a call in 2013, some of which were continuations of existing initiatives. In addition, NERC supported a new CDT in oil and gas. A list of all of the current centres is given below.

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Bioenergy
University of Leeds

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Carbon Capture and Storage and Cleaner Fossil Energy
Universities of Nottingham, Loughborough, Birmingham, Leeds and the British Geological Survey

Continuation of existing centre

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Energy Demand
University College London and Loughborough University

Continuation of existing centre (LoLo)

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Energy Storage and its Applications
Universities of Sheffield and Southampton

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Fuel Cells and their Fuels – Clean Power for the 21st Century
Universities of Birmingham, Loughborough and Nottingham

Continuation of existing centre

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Nuclear Energy: Building UK Civil Nuclear Skills for Global Markets
Imperial College London, University of Cambridge and Open University

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Nuclear Fission – Next Generation Nuclear
Universities of Manchester, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield

Continuation of existing centre (Nuclear FiRST)

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in the Science and Technology of Fusion Energy
Consortium of universities and research organisations led by the University of York

Continuation of Fusion Doctoral Training Network

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Power Networks
University of Manchester

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Power Networks and Smart Grids
University of Strathclyde and Imperial College London

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in New and Sustainable PV
Consortium of seven universities led by the University of Liverpool

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Renewable Energy Marine Structures
Cranfield University and University of Oxford

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Wind and Marine Energy Systems
Universities of Strathclyde and Edinburgh

Continuation of existing centre in Wind Energy Systems as well as Industrial Doctorate Centre in Offshore Renewable Energy

NERC Centre for Doctoral Training in Oil and Gas
Consortium of universities led by Heriot-Watt University

Existing CDTs in Energy sponsored by EPSRC as part of the Energy Programme

Industrial Doctorate Centre for Nuclear Engineering
University of Manchester and Imperial College London

Industrial Doctoral Centre for Offshore Renewable Energy
Universities of Strathclyde, Edinburgh and Exeter, Scottish Association for Marine Science, and HR-Wallingford Jointly funded with the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI)

Industrial Doctorate Centre for Sustainability for Engineering and Energy Systems
University of Surrey

CDT for E-Futures
University of Sheffield

CDT for Energy
Durham University

CDT for Energy Futures
Imperial College London

CDT for Low Carbon Technologies
University of Leeds

Network of Energy Centres for Doctoral Training

The Energy CDT Network draws together the CDTs in energy to collaborate on training programmes and research projects, share best practice and communicate their work to the public. There is a large and varied research portfolio within the network, covering all areas of energy technology from wind power to nuclear energy, carbon capture to demand reduction and marine energy to alternative fuels. The training of these future leaders will help the UK to meet its CO2 emissions targets and fulfil its commitment to creating a low carbon economy.