Birmingham Decarbonisation Summer School 2026
- DateMonday, 15 June 2026, 09:30 - Thursday, 18 June 2026, 16:30 (UK)
- LocationEngineering Building (School of Engineering), University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT
- Contact
Key contacts
- BDSS Chair: Professor Xiao-Ping Zhang
- BDSS Co-Chair and Coordinator: Dr Nan Chen
- BDSS Co-Organiser: Dr Fei Xie
The Electrical Power and Control Systems research group from the School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, is organising the 4th Birmingham Decarbonisation Summer School.
What is BDSS?
BDSS 2026 "Accelerating Energy Transition towards Net Zero" is a 4-day event from 15 - 18 June, aiming to bring early career researchers and engineers to work together on a technical solution and business model for a real-world Energy Transition challenge, proposed by our lead industrial partner, GE Vernova. Participants will have two days of workshops (technical presentations and soft skill training) with some opportunities of working in groups to develop their technical solution and business model, and then pitch to a judging panel mainly formed by industry experts on the final day.
BDSS provides all participants with opportunities to work in groups on a real-world Energy Transition challenge. This will train the participants to consider both technical and economic aspects when they formulate solutions to real-world challenges to achieve Net Zero. By collaborating with researchers from other areas such as business and engineers from industry utility, participants are expected to develop their interdisciplinary research capability, practical engineering problem-solving ability, and networking. The collaboration between academic researchers and industry engineers can also benefit each other in developing their skills for transitioning to industry and leading research projects collaborating with university partners, respectively. Also, networking with keynote speakers will facilitate the early career development of all participants. Moreover, summer school participants will have the chance to take part in an interdisciplinary research on how to present to industry stakeholders more effectively.
This event is open to all postgraduate students, early career researchers and engineers from academia and industry, who are working in Net-Zero related disciplines in the UK.
How you will benefit from BDSS
Take this great opportunity to join us to:
- Gain awareness of what the real challenges are of the Energy Transition towards net-zero
- Meet world-class experts in net-zero from industry and academia
- Work collaboratively with other researchers on a real-world net-zero challenge
- Pitch to a judge panel and win £500 prize (Amazon voucher or similar, for the winner group)
- Learn about how to present to industry stakeholders more effectively
BDSS 2026 Programme
BDSS 2026 Programme
- Day 1 (Monday, 15 June) - Introduction to Summer School Challenge, Lectures, Panel discussions, Group work on the challenge
- Day 2 (Tuesday, 16 June) - Lectures, Panel discussions, Group work
- Day 3 (Wednesday, 17 June) - Group work, Site visit to Tyseley Energy Park
- Day 4 (Thursday, 18 June) - Final Pitch judging day, Award ceremony
Topics
Topics
- Innovative Pathways to Net-Zero - From Vision to Reality
- Whole system approaches and H2 for achieving net-zero
- Grid Automation & Protection Technology
- HVDC and Power Electronics for network operability
- HVDC and Power Electronics in the Future Smart Electric Grid
- Electricity Transmission System Assets
- Integrating Offshore Wind Gigawatts
- Energy storage, demand response, and policy
- Power systems analysis tools with EMT models
- Energy Quality – A key index for modern power systems
- Network Resilience and restoration standards
Key Speakers and Judges
Key Speakers and Judges
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Cornelis A. Plet, CTO, Grid Systems Integration, GE Vernova
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Sara Walker, Professor of Energy and Director of the Birmingham Energy Institute, University of Birmingham
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Sam Islam, Senior Systems Engineer, Energy Systems Catapult
Sam is a Senior Systems Engineering Consultant based at Energy Systems Catapult. Her key role is performing a range of research and development activities and leading and providing technical expertise in the UK's journey to Net Zero. Sam has previous experience working in Renewables, International Development, Oil and Gas and Transport industries and has worked on international assignments across Europe, Asia and West Africa. Sam was part of the 2024 cohort for the Foundation Future Leaders Scheme at the Foundation for Science and Technology and participated in the catapult's reverse mentoring scheme as reverse mentor to the Chief Technology Officer.
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Xiaoyao Zhou, Operability policy manager, NESO, Honorary Professor, University of Birmingham
Dr Xiaoyao Zhou has two decades of transmission system operation, planning and investment experience.
His role is to set out operability policy for Great Britain’s electricity network to enable the net zero operation, specify the Grid Code technical requirements for new technologies and define future network needs so that market and network owners can invest in the right solutions at the right time.
Dr Xiaoyao Zhou is also an Honorary Professor at University of Birmingham, UK.
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Thomas Bjork, Head of Research & Innovation, Grid System Integration, GE Vernova
Thomas Bjork is the Research & Innovation Leader for Grid System Integration at GE Vernova, based in Stafford, UK. With over 25 years of experience in the energy sector, he drives innovation across GE Vernova’s HVDC, FACTS, and AC power transmission portfolio.
Thomas has held leadership roles spanning engineering, product management, operations at GE, ABB (now Hitachi Energy), and Krones AG, with extensive international experience. His expertise encompasses turn-key project delivery, technical leadership, strategic product development and business leadership, mainly in grid infrastructure and power systems.
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Mark Osborne, Lead Asset Lifecycle Engineer, NGET
Dr Mark Osborne is a Chartered Engineer and joined National Grid in 1997. He works in Electricity Transmission in the Asset Management sector.
Key activities include substation and light current equipment life-cycle engineering to meet the challenges facing the Electricity supply industry. He is active in the CIGRE B3 Substations Study Committee as a Strategic Advisory Group member and Special Reporter.
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Matthew Ryan Tucker, Energy Engineer, DESNZ