MrUgo Legendre

I have recently finished my PhD in the department of Earth Science and Engineering supervised by Dr Pablo Brito-Parada and funded by the EPSRC.

The focus of my research is on large scale energy and material supply and demand analyses in the context of several energy transition scenarios. Currently, I am developing a dynamic energy supply model for the EU region which simulates a declining supply of fossil fuels and considers the "upfront" energy investment required to build renewable energy power plants (solar photovoltaics, onshore/offshore wind).

As our fossil fuel supply declines, we will also need to produce essential materials without fossil fuels. This will require electrifying current production processes, which will significantly alter the energy requirements of some materials, notably iron, hydrogen, and ammonia. As some of these materials are required to produce wind turbines and solar panels, the energy requirements of wind turbines and solar panels are modelled as a function of the extent of electrification of these materials' production processes.

Finally, I analyze whether the material requirements of the energy transition are feasible based on predicted supplies and constrain the growth of renewable energy power plants accordingly.

The results of the analysis will help understand the physical limitations of renewable energy power plant growth in resolving the climate and energy crises.

I am working with my department's Sustainability Committee to empower our community to take actions towards reducing our carbon footprint, and become more aware of opportunities to do so.