Intelligent Renewables &
Energy Storage Group
Advancing intelligent energy systems through AI, digital twins, and large-scale energy storage — driving the global transition to net zero.
About Us
The Intelligent Renewables & Energy Storage (iRES) Group at Edinburgh Napier University conducts cutting-edge research in renewable energy systems, large-scale energy storage, and AI-driven optimisation technologies.
Led by Dr Zuansi Cai, Associate Professor in Energy & Environmental Engineering and Royal Academy of Engineering Industrial Fellow, the group has over 20 years of international research experience across the UK, EU, and China.
Our work bridges fundamental research and real-world applications — developing deployable engineering tools and digital platforms that support industry, infrastructure planning, and policymaking in the transition to net zero.
Key Strengths
Our research spans four interconnected areas of intelligent energy systems.
Impact Highlights
- ✓ GPSFLOW simulator deployed in industry for underground energy feasibility studies
- ✓ Key role in UK hydrogen storage development at the Rough facility
- ✓ Active collaborations across UK, EU, USA, and China
- ✓ EPSRC Peer Review College Member & Fellow of the Geological Society
- ✓ 4 PhD students completed; active supervision of multidisciplinary projects
- ✓ Published in Applied Energy, Energy, IJ Hydrogen Energy, RSER
Interested in collaborating?
We welcome enquiries from potential industry partners, academic collaborators, and prospective PhD students.
Get in Touch Meet the Team