Background
John Barton is a Senior Research Associate in the Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST). He researches Battery-Electrolysers, that is batteries that can also be used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Current research focuses on lead-acid battery-electrolysers for solar-powered microgrids to provide electrical energy storage and hydrogen for cooking.
Previous research topics include battery electric cooking for developing countries, integration of solar power and energy storage in electricity grid in India, electricity demand modelling, condition-based maintenance of wind turbines, flexible demand (controllable demand side management with smart metering), the public acceptability of renewable energy, characterising microgeneration, distributed generation, and whole-system modelling of low-carbon electricity grids to integrate more variable and intermittent renewable energy sources.
CV
John received his first degree in Engineering in 1989 from Cambridge University (Jesus College). Upon graduating, John worked for Rolls-Royce (aero engines) in Derby for 11 years, working in the design, research and development of compressors and fans. There he performed some computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis of airflow around compressor blades, analysed test measurement data and evaluated fan and compressor performance. He also project managed the design and manufacturing process and used computer aided design (CAD) methods.
John moved to 木瓜视频 in 2000 to study Renewable Energy at CREST. In 2001 he received an MSc with distinction. He stayed at CREST to do a PhD in renewable energy: ‘A probabilistic method of modelling energy storage in electricity systems with intermittent renewable energy’.
John received his doctorate in 2007 and has been a research associate in the integration research section of CREST since 2006, alongside part-time consultancy work:
In 2017 and 2018, John worked as a part time research associate at De Montfort University in Leicester on alkaline battery-electrolysers.
From 2016 to 2017, John worked part time at Cenex (Low Carbon Vehicle Consultancy) to model aging of lithium-ion batteries.
From 2010 to 2013, John was a director of Air Fuel Synthesis Ltd, researching methods of manufacturing carbon-neutral transport fuels by capturing carbon dioxide from the air and combining it with electrolytic (green) hydrogen. A successful pilot plant was built.
From 2005 to 2010, Dr Barton was a director of Bryte Energy Ltd, a consultancy in the fields of renewable energy and hydrogen. Bryte Energy has developed and maintained the hydrogen energy storage system at West Beacon Farm for Prof. Tony Marmont.
John has also done various voluntary work abroad, including the installation of a micro-hydro turbine in India in 1998 and helping to build a radio station in Burkina Faso in 2000.
Current project:
- East Midlands Freeport solar powered battery-electrolyser project
Previous projects:
- Using a battolyser to produce low-cost green hydrogen (BLOG-H)
- Making affordable solar, battolyser and hydrogen (MASBAH)
- Joint UK-India Clean Energy (JUICE)
- Modern Energy Cooking Systems (MECS)
- Technical Investigation of Sustainable Energy and Water (TISEW)
- Integrated Market-Fit Affordable Grid Scale Energy Storage (IMAGES)
- Condition monitoring and scheduled maintenance of offshore wind turbines
- “Transition Pathways” and “Realising Transition Pathways” to a Low Carbon Economy
- Demonstration of Distributed Flexible Demand (DD-FD),
- UKERC Microgeneration consortium
- Supergen 3 Highly Distributed Power Systems (HDPS)
- TSEC “Beyond NIMBYism”
Teaching responsibilities
- Hydrogen Energy Storage
- Compressed Air Energy Storage