Edward Barbour

Edward Barbour is an Associate Professor of Energy Systems and Storage at the School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, and a member of the Birmingham Energy Institute. His research focuses on thermomechanical energy storage and the future role of energy storage in the UK.

Education: PhD in Mechanical Engineering (2013, University of Edinburgh); MPhys in Physics (2009, Hertford College, University of Oxford). Postdoc positions at the University of Birmingham and MIT. Previously a Lecturer at Loughborough University (2019–2024).

Research interests include compressed air energy storage (CAES), thermal energy storage, and energy system optimization. He leads the EPSRC-funded SAVE-CAES project and collaborates on GasNetNew. His work emphasizes practical applications and cost-effective solutions for energy infrastructure.

Publications span over 25 research papers and a book chapter on CAES. Recent work explores system performance of adiabatic CAES, pressure effects on power machinery, and heat exchanger efficiency.

Awards: Advance HE fellowship. Projects include EPSRC grants and collaborative initiatives with industry.