Bid leaders chosen to plan next Supergen hubs

Three researchers have been selected to lead bids for a share of £15 million in funding for bioenergy, energy networks and offshore renewable energy projects in the next phase of the Supergen programme.

Patricia Thornley, a physicist from the University of Manchester, will lead the bioenergy research hub bid. Phil Taylor, an expert in energy systems at Newcastle University, will look into energy networks, while Deborah Greaves, head of Plymouth University’s school of engineering, will tackle offshore renewable energy.

Each of the researchers has received a grant of about £150,000 to create a consortium and devise a research strategy. If successful, the bids will be awarded £5 million apiece to establish the research hubs in the second phase in 2018.