R Camilla Thomson
Published: 7 May 2019
#Marginal analysis, #carbon emissions, #renewable energy, #energy transition
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School/College |
School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh |
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Telephone |
0131 651 3526 |
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@CamillaEnergy |
Research vision
My research looks at developing analysis methods and tools to better understand the carbon emissions of the complex interactions within the energy system.
Reducing carbon emissions from the energy sector is key to keeping global warming to less than 1.5°C. While some steps have been made towards this, there is still a long way to go, and the IPCC estimates that we need to increase low-carbon energy generation by over 800% by 2050. Alongside this, energy needs to remain reliable and affordable.
The scale of investment needed to reduce carbon emissions from energy production is unprecedented, so we need reliable and detailed evidence on how effective proposed carbon-reduction strategies are. This is not provided by existing carbon accounting and planning tools. Conventional models just consider average annual emissions across the whole country, but the reality is much more detailed, both in time and space.
I am exploring how marginal analysis techniques, taken from economics, can allow us to isolate the effect that a specific technology (like wind power) has on the emissions from the rest of the system (for example, by causing coal and gas generators to be turned down). My previous research attracted widespread media coverage and interest from policy makers. Extending these techniques should allow us to answer questions about how new low-carbon technologies might interact with existing high-carbon ones, and identify the most cost-effective carbon-reduction strategies for the energy system.
The ultimate aim is to help reduce carbon emissions from energy systems as quickly as possible, while maintaining a secure and affordable supply.
Expectations from collaboration
The application of marginal analysis techniques to energy systems is an emerging area, with small pockets of expertise spread across the world. My existing research has focussed on the electricity system in Great Britain (GB). I am looking to connect with collaborators in this field outside the UK, to share data, learn more about marginal analysis techniques, and explore the insights to be gained by analysing different electricity systems with different generation mixes and demand profiles. I can bring my data and expertise on the British system to any collaboration; this network provides an interesting case study due to being an island network serving a large population.
I am also interested in extending my research focus away from the electricity system to other energy vectors (such as gas or heat networks). I am therefore looking for collaborators with expertise in these areas who are interested in improving the emissions analysis within their models, with a view to providing more reliable information for decision makers. I have access to relevant data for the UK, which I can bring to any collaborative partnership.
Key Skills
- Marginal carbon analysis,
- Life Cycle Assessment,
- renewable resource assessment
First published: 7 May 2019
