About the Project
The studentship is available to Home only students.
The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Renewable Energy Northeast Universities Plus (ReNU+) is a collaborative doctoral training programme run by the Universities of Northumbria, Newcastle and Durham. In addition to undertaking an individual scientific research project at one of the three partner Universities, doctoral candidates will engage with added value training opportunities, for example in business, innovation and internationalisation through a 4-year training programme that has been designed to maximise the benefits of a cohort approach to doctoral training.
Project Details
Northumbrian Water is developing innovative hydrogen solutions as part of the UK’s transition to a low-carbon future. This PhD will explore hydrogen production opportunities at key Northumbrian Water sites, considering technical feasibility, economic viability, and regulatory considerations. The research will generate insights to inform business planning, investment strategies, and sustainability goals.
As the UK accelerates its hydrogen deployment, the role of water utilities in energy system transformation is increasingly important. This project will:
• Consider how renewable energy assets might be used for hydrogen production.
• Review business models and regulatory frameworks for effective integration.
• Offer detailed insights to guide investment and policy choices.
• Help shape regional and national decarbonisation strategies.
Key Research Areas
1. Hydrogen in the UK Energy Transition
• Review hydrogen production costs, infrastructure needs, and deployment timelines.
• Develop regional hydrogen integration scenarios for the North East and South East.
• Consider the impact of hydrogen production on water resources.
2. Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Integration
• Investigate green hydrogen production at Kielder Water Reservoir using hydropower.
• Explore the feasibility of converting biogas to hydrogen at Howdon.
• Explore hydrogen integration with biomethane and carbon capture technologies.
• Review market conditions, policy incentives, and emerging regulations.
• Develop a hydrogen-based energy ecosystem aligned with Teesside’s industrial hydrogen strategy.
PhD Objectives
This research will develop pathways for hydrogen adoption within Northumbrian Water’s operations by:
• Exploring the feasibility of hydrogen production at key sites.
• Developing regional hydrogen deployment models and assessing their impact on infrastructure.
• Reviewing business models and policy mechanisms for hydrogen integration.
• Investigating the role of hydrogen in enhancing energy network resilience.
• Offering robust insights to inform Northumbrian Water’s strategic planning.
Why Apply?
This fully funded PhD offers:
• Practical experience in hydrogen energy systems, modelling, and regulatory research.
• Collaboration with Northumbrian Water, industry experts, and policymakers.
• Access to advanced research facilities and interdisciplinary training.
• Contribution to the future of sustainable water-energy systems.
Academic Enquiries
This project is supervised by Dr Adib Allahham and Professor Vincent Barrioz. For informal queries, please contact adib.allahham@northumbria.ac.uk. For all other enquiries relating to eligibility or application process please use the email form below to contact Admissions pgr.admissions@northumbria.ac.uk
Eligibility Requirements:
• Academic excellence i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities with preference for 1st class honours); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement. However, a 3 or 2:2 may be considered with relevant work experience, skills and/or expertise that is equivalent, please get in touch with the Institution Director, vincent.barrioz@northumbria.ac.uk for further info.
• Applicants cannot apply if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere. Home applicants can apply for a second PhD under a different research area.
• Must be able to commit to campus-based full-time or part-time study.
Open to home only. To be classed as a Home student, candidates must:
• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
• have settled status, or
• have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
• have indefinite leave to remain or enter.
If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student.
For further details on how to apply see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/
Please complete the PhD application form in full, include the advert reference (e.g. ReNU+C25/…) and also:
1. Upload degree certificates, transcripts and English qualifications (if applicable).
2. Upload your CV under the ‘Experience section’. This is MANDATORY.
3. In the personal statement section, select ‘no’ and type ‘no personal statement required’ in the box.
4. Research proposal is NOT required. Upload a blank document to progress your application. Choose ‘Yes’ to the question ‘Are you applying for a UKRI studentship?’ and then choose ‘EPSRC ReNU Plus’.
5. Choose ‘Scholarship’ under source of funding.
6. Post submission, you need to login to the applicant portal to complete a competency assessment form.
Deadline for applications: Monday 13th October 2025, 11:59pm
Start date of course: Academic year 2025/6
Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our postgraduate research students. We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds a bronze Athena Swan award in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality, we are a Disability Confident Leader, a member of the Race Equality Charter and are participating in the Stonewall Diversity Champion Programme. We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers.
Funding Notes
Funded PhD Project
The studentship is available to Home only students and includes a full stipend at UKRI rates (for 2025/26 full-time study this is £20,780 per year) and full tuition fees. Studentships are also available for applicants who wish to study on a part-time basis (0.6 FTE, stipend £12,468 per year and full tuition fees) in combination with work or personal responsibilities).
References
[1] Joseph, and el., 2025. Investment decisions in a liberalised energy market with generation and hydrogen-based vector coupling storage in Integrated Energy System: A game-theoretic model-based approach. International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems
[2] Zhang, T., and el., 2025. A systematic review of modelling methods for studying the integration of hydrogen into energy systems. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
[3] Allahham, and el., 2023. Primary frequency response from hydrogen-based bidirectional vector coupling storage: modelling and demonstration using power-hardware-in-the-loop simulation. Frontiers in Energy Research
[4] Christy, A., and el., Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the English Water Sector: Historical Trends and Prospects for Mitigation. Available at SSRN 5357169
