About the Project
This PhD is part of the Net Zero Polar Science DTP, which aims to make polar science possible in a net zero world. For further details visit https://nzps-dtp.ac.uk/
Supervisory Team:
- Lead Supervisor: Amber Leeson, Lancaster University
- Co-Supervisor: Alison Banwell, Northumbria University
- Co-Supervisor: Tom Mitcham, University of Bristol
Project Summary:
Hydropower is at the heart of Greenland’s energy system, providing most of its electricity and supporting the country’s renewable energy ambitions. In 2018, hydropower supplied about two-thirds of national demand, with major plants generating over 90 MW combined. This shift away from fossil fuels has cut national CO₂ emissions by around 15% in five years, reduced reliance on imported oil, and created local jobs. New facilities are expected to raise renewable energy’s share to 90% by 2030, potentially lowering national carbon emissions by a fifth. Greenland’s many natural lakes act as dependable reservoirs, refilled each year by meltwater from the ice sheet. As the climate warms, this recharge is accelerating, offering opportunities for clean energy growth and even future power exports. Together, these developments position Greenland as a potential leader in sustainable, resilient, and low-carbon power generation.
The behaviour of the Greenland Ice Sheet is central to this energy future. As the ice thins, the pathways that guide meltwater across and beneath its surface are reorganised. Changing slopes and drainage patterns reshape surface lakes and streams, sometimes redirecting meltwater away from existing river systems. Beneath the ice, channels adjust to reduced pressure, altering flow speeds and connections, and occasionally producing sudden water pulses or higher sediment loads. These changes can cause large variations in the timing and amount of water reaching reservoirs, influencing the reliability and safety of hydropower infrastructure. While greater summer melting may temporarily boost electricity production, long-term shifts in drainage could reduce steady inflows in key areas. Planning resilient hydropower for a warming climate therefore depends on understanding how ice-sheet hydrology will evolve.
This project will investigate how future ice-sheet thinning affects Greenland’s hydropower potential by combining projections of ice change, meltwater flow, and energy generation. Using detailed climate and ice-sheet models, it will map how surface and subsurface drainage evolve under different warming scenarios and estimate how much water reaches existing and planned reservoirs. These results will be used to calculate hydropower potential in each catchment. The project will culminate in a flexible, open-source modelling tool linked to the ESA-funded Ice Sheet Digital Twin, enabling scenario testing and guiding evidence-based planning for a low-carbon energy future. This project quantifies how Greenland’s ice-thinning-driven hydrological changes affect future renewable energy generation. By modelling evolving meltwater routing and hydropower potential, it supports Greenland’s ambition for 100% renewable, zero-emission electricity. The work exemplifies low-carbon polar research through computational and remote-sensing approaches that minimise fieldwork-induced emissions.
Research Objectives:
- Model changes in surface and subglacial meltwater routes as the Greenland Ice Sheet melts and thins, to understand how ice-sheet hydrology reorganises in a warming climate
- Assess how these changing meltwater routes affect the amount and timing of discharge reaching hydropower reservoirs, and what this means for Greenland’s renewable energy potential
- Investigate short-lived meltwater surges and extreme flow events beneath the ice, evaluating their impacts on ice movement, proglacial discharge, and hydropower system resilience
- Net Zero Case Study: Develop a case study quantifying how Greenland Ice Sheet thinning influences hydropower potential and carbon footprint of electricity generation, exploring how simulations can help identify optimal locations for future renewable energy infrastructure
Training Opportunities:
This project offers extensive training in interdisciplinary research, combining ice-sheet dynamics, cryospheric hydrology, and renewable energy modelling. The student will develop advanced computational skills, including Python-based hydrological modelling, GIS analysis, and digital-twin integration. A potential three-month internship at Asiaq Greenland Survey will provide hands-on experience in field data collection, ice-sheet and hydrology measurements, and practical insights into Greenlandic energy and environmental management. The student will also benefit from peer support and collaborative learning within Lancaster’s Polar and Alpine Science Research Group, engaging with a vibrant community of researchers working on cryospheric science, climate impacts, and high-latitude environmental challenges.
Desired Academic Background:
The ideal student will have a background in geography, environmental science, earth sciences, or engineering, with an interest in climate, ice-sheet dynamics, and hydrology. Basic experience in Python, GIS, or data analysis is desirable, while previous exposure to hydrological modelling would be advantageous but not essential. The student should be enthusiastic about interdisciplinary research, willing to learn new computational and analytical skills, and able to work collaboratively within a research team, including engagement with partners such as Asiaq Greenland Survey.
Eligibility
For entry to PhD study, applicants are expected to have at least one of the following:
• a first or upper second (2:1) class honours undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, or an equivalent international qualification,
• a relevant master’s qualification or equivalent evidence of prior professional practice.
International applicants and candidates from non-English speaking countries will need to meet the minimum language requirements for admission onto the programme of study for their Home institution.
How to Apply
To apply for a NZPS DTP studentship, please follow the guidance on the NZPS application process webpage.
Informal enquiries about the project and your application should be addressed to the project supervisor, Dr Amber Leeson – a.leeson@lancaster.ac.uk
After you have discussed your application with the project supervisor and read the NZPS application guidance, you should:
1) Complete the online NZPS Application Form by 17.00GMT 7th January 2026.
2) Submit any additional application documents in the requested format to NZPS@northumbria.ac.uk by the closing date.
If you require any additional assistance in submitting your application or have any queries about the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at nzps@northumbria.ac.uk
Funding Notes
Funding is available to UK and international students, subject to the successful completion of quality assurance checks and UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) compliance requirements. Funding includes a full stipend at UKRI rates (for 2025/26 FT study this is £20,780 per year), full tuition fees and an annual Research Training and Support Grant (RTSG). Studentships are also available for Home applicants who wish to study part-time in combination with work or personal responsibilities. Please note: additional costs may apply for international applicants.
References
1. Gantayat, P., Banwell, A. F., Leeson, A. A., et al. (2023): A new model for supraglacial hydrology evolution and drainage for the Greenland Ice Sheet (SHED v1.0), Geosci. Model Dev., 16, 5803–5823.
2. Lindbäck, K., R. Pettersson, A. L. Hubbard, S. H. Doyle, D. van As, A. B. Mikkelsen, and A. A. Fitzpatrick (2015), Subglacial water drainage, storage, and piracy beneath the Greenland ice sheet, Geophys. Res. Lett., 42, 7606–7614, doi:10.1002/2015GL065393.
3. Felden, A. M., Martin, D. F., and Ng, E. G. (2023): SUHMO: an adaptive mesh refinement SUbglacial Hydrology MOdel v1.0, Geosci. Model Dev., 16, 407–425.
