UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has granted funding for a research project focused on satellite-aided technologies, under their interdisciplinary scheme.
In a significant development, a research project led by Professor Hongjian Sun at Durham University's Department of Engineering has been selected as one of the recipients of the UK Research and Innovation's (UKRI) cross research council responsive mode (CRCRM) scheme. The project, worth approximately £1 million, brings together experts from Durham's engineering, environmental science, and social sciences departments, with Professor Bruce Malamud and Professor Simone Abram also part of the research team [1].
The CRCRM scheme, designed to stimulate interdisciplinary research and unlock new approaches or methods, is a flexible, multi-council funding route supporting high-impact innovative technologies [1]. While specific projects funded by CRCRM on satellite-aided sustainable energy are not detailed here, UKRI-backed and government initiatives are leveraging satellite data combined with AI and smart infrastructure to better predict and manage energy demand, contributing to sustainable energy systems [3].
The Durham project aims to revolutionise traditional resilience measures in power grids by designing an advanced Satellite-aided "Forecast-Flex-Fortify" mechanism. This mechanism is designed to proactively manage power grids, enabling flexible and social-conscious energy dispatching, and facilitating rapid and effective post-hazard restoration [1]. The goal is to create safer, more equitable, and sustainable energy communities amid climate change.
Professor Hongjian Sun, the Director of Research in the Department of Engineering at Durham, is leading the project. Professor Simone Abram, the Executive Director of Durham Energy Institute, and Professor Bruce Malamud, the Executive Director and Wilson Chair of Hazard and Risk at Durham, are also part of the team. The Department of Engineering at Durham is ranked fourth in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2025 [2].
The UKRI announcement regarding the scheme's recipients can be found online. For those seeking more precise examples of satellite-aided projects funded specifically under CRCRM, further targeted searches or direct UKRI resources may be necessary, as current search results do not elaborate more specifically.
References:
[1] UK Research and Innovation. (n.d.). Cross research council responsive mode (CRCRM) scheme. Retrieved from https://www.ukri.org/our-work/our-programmes/cross-disciplinary-research/cross-research-council-responsive-mode-crcrm/
[2] Complete University Guide. (2025). League Table 2025 - Engineering. Retrieved from https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/engineering
[3] UK Government. (2023). AI and smart meters to optimise electricity demand management. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ai-and-smart-meters-to-optimise-electricity-demand-management
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