ENSIGN is officially past the halfway point — and now it’s time to share progress, challenge thinking, and shape what comes next.
Where: University of Strathclyde, Glasgow
Location: Technology and Innovation Centre
Date: Thursday 23 April 2026
The dissemination event will showcase:
We’re keen to engage with stakeholders, collaborators, and the wider community to ensure the next phase of ENSIGN delivers real value.
Register now to be part of the event: Eventbrite Registration
Slav Ivanov, a fourth-year PhD student at the University of Strathclyde, working at the intersection of Computer Science and Physics, has joined the ENSIGN team to help drive forward development of the project’s interactive Low-Voltage (LV) Network Demonstrator for WP2-Electrical Network Sub-Digital Twin. His academic research explores machine learning–driven optimisation techniques for laser–plasma systems, building on several years of experience as a software developer in both industry and research settings.
In his role as a Research Software Engineer on ENSIGN, Slav is leading efforts to refine and streamline the LV Network Demonstrator. He is focused on improving system efficiency, enhancing the modular structure of components, and ensuring the platform can support new features as the project evolves.
Slav’s work will also support the integration of additional networks into the demonstrator, as well as the incorporation of machine learning models developed by the wider team. These models will generate stakeholder demand profiles, expanding the tool’s capability and helping ENSIGN deliver richer, data‑driven insights.
We’re excited to welcome Dr. Junyi Lu to the Ensign team as our new Power Network Analytics Researcher.
Junyi recently completed his PhD in Electrical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde (February 2026), and he now brings his expertise into Work Package 2 – Electrical Network Sub Digital Twin, focusing on the development of the project’s Electrical Network Sub‑Digital Twin.
Junyi is leading efforts to build and validate advanced digital twin models for the Glasgow and Southport areas—integrating electrical engineering principles with data‑driven insights. His work involves:
Together, these contributions will significantly strengthen Ensign’s ability to support a resilient, low‑carbon, multi‑energy future.
Please join us in welcoming Junyi to the team — we’re thrilled to have him on board and look forward to the impact his work will deliver!
We’re excited to announce a brand‑new feature on the Ensign website — an Interactive Heating Costing Calculator designed to help users explore the true cost and carbon impact of different home‑heating options. This has been developed by WP3 – Heat Sub Digital Twin team at the University of Liverpool.
This easy‑to‑use tool provides an estimate of annual space‑heating demand for a typical UK home and compares the expected running costs and CO₂ emissions for three systems:
Simply enter:
The calculator then uses Heating Degree Days and a heat‑pump performance model to estimate annual electricity use, yearly costs, and carbon emissions — giving you a clear, data‑driven picture of your options.
Try the tool out today and let us know what you think!
Interactive Heating Costing Calculator
Your feedback helps us make it even better.
The University of Strathclyde will host the 3rd International Summer School on IBR‑Dominated Power Systems, taking place 31 August – 4 September 2026.
Building on the success of previous editions at Imperial College London (2024) and Tsinghua University (2025), this year’s summer school will once again bring together a global community of researchers and industry professionals working at the forefront of inverter‑based resource (IBR) integration.
Participants will learn directly from 30 leading experts representing top institutions such as University of Cambridge, Nanyang Technological University, University of Edinburgh, Seoul National University, University of Melbourne, National Technical University of Athens …and many more.
We are pleased to highlight that Professor Qiteng Hong (University of Strathclyde), Co‑I for WP2 Electrical Network Sub Digital Twin of the ENSIGN – IES-DT project, will deliver a specialist session on: IBR Fault Ride‑Through, Protection Impacts and Practical Solutions.
By the end of the programme, attendees will have developed a deep and holistic understanding of the behaviour, stability and operational challenges of IBR‑dominated power systems—equipping them with a strong foundation for future research and professional practice in this rapidly evolving field.
The summer school will explore key technical areas, including:
Applications Now Open!
The deadline to apply is 30 April 2026.
For more information visit 3rd International Summer School
NESO’s transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan (tRESP) is the first publication in the journey towards transforming and improving energy infrastructure at a local level, developing bespoke plans for Scotland, England and Wales.
This marks the first step in ensuring universal access to secure, affordable and sustainable energy, while aligning future energy needs with local priorities.
The plan will guide future network investments by electricity distribution network operators as they develop their business plans for the 2028–2033 price control period. It highlights where early, strategic network upgrades could help unlock and accelerate local projects. NESO will expand on this transitional plan as it takes on its full RESP responsibilities from late 2026.
The tRESP is made up of four components:
The tRESP can be accessed from the NESO website
The January 2026 Ensign Newsletter has arrived, bursting with updates!
Click the link to dive in and explore the full edition – Ensign Newsletter
Want to stay connected as the project evolves?
Sign up for the Ensign Newsletter to receive future editions straight to your inbox from our Contact Us page.
Ensign is proud to share that Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer, Heriot-Watt University’s Deputy Principal for Global Sustainability and Co-Investigator of the Ensign project, has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s New Year Honours List 2026.
This prestigious recognition celebrates Mercedes’ internationally respected leadership in energy and her outstanding contributions to low-energy technologies that reduce emissions while supporting sustainable economic growth. Her work has helped shape the global response to climate change and advance the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Since 2022, Mercedes has led Heriot-Watt’s sustainability strategy, embedding sustainability across teaching, research, and operations. She also plays a key role on the UN Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET), advising on practical engineering pathways to achieve net zero.
Ensign is delighted to congratulate Mercedes on this well-deserved honour and proud to have her expertise driving our mission forward.
Read more about Mercedes’ achievement on Heriot-Watt’s website – International energy leader honoured with OBE
We are delighted to announce that Dr. Spyros Foteinis has joined the Ensign team as a Research Associate (WP5) based at Heriot Watt University, bringing a wealth of expertise in environmental sustainability and climate change. Spyros is a Chartered Environmental Engineer (Technical Chamber of Greece) with nearly two decades of progressive experience spanning academia and industry.
His background includes significant contributions to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR), circular economy, and renewable energy systems. In industry, Spyros worked as a senior engineer in the water and renewable energy sector, where he played a key role in projects valued at over €100 million. In academia, he has collaborated on large consortium-based research projects and served as principal investigator and co-investigator on several initiatives. His research journey has taken him to leading institutions such as The University of Cyprus, The University of Edinburgh, The University of Southern California, and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (South Africa).
Since 2020, Spyros has been based at Heriot-Watt University, focusing on teaching and research into the environmental sustainability of engineering systems. His work includes exploring innovative CDR approaches such as ocean liming, coastal enhanced weathering, and electrochemical splitting of waste desalination brines for alkalinity generation.
At Ensign, Spyros will concentrate on examining the engineering and environmental aspects of thermal energy storage and identifying pathways to improve the sustainability of future electricity networks. This research underpins our mission to support decarbonisation and accelerate the transition to net-zero energy systems.
We are thrilled to have Spyros on board and look forward to the impact his expertise will bring to our project.
As we welcome 2026, we’re proud to reflect on a year of outstanding progress, collaboration and delivery across our programmes and partnerships.
Over the past year, progress against our original plan has been excellent, with milestones, objectives and deliverables being met in line with the project roadmap. Together, we have:
Achieved major delivery highlights, including
Collaboration at its best
Our entire team has worked extremely effectively, creating a positive environment that’s driving real impact. Engagement with our industry partners has been excellent and continues to provide valuable added insight, innovation and support.
Looking ahead to 2026
With a strong foundation and a shared commitment to quality and delivery, we’re excited to build on this progress in the year ahead. Together, we’ll continue pushing boundaries, strengthening partnerships and delivering meaningful outcomes for our clients and communities.
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and successful New Year.
Here’s to a brilliant 2026!
