معرفی
Paul Dodds is Professor of Energy Systems at University College London's Bartlett School of Environment, Energy & Resources, where he holds joint appointments at the UCL Energy Institute and the Institute for Sustainable Resources. He serves as the Faculty Graduate Tutor for the Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, overseeing all doctoral research programs. His academic progression at UCL has been steady, moving from Research Associate (2011-2014) to Senior Research Associate (2014-2015), Lecturer (2015-2016), Senior Lecturer (2016-2018), Associate Professor (2018-2020), and finally to Professor.
His educational background includes a PhD from the University of Leeds (2010) focused on climate change and agriculture in Senegal, where he developed a new crop model for adaptation research and created detailed meteorological datasets for West Africa. He also holds a Master of Natural Science (Honours) from the University of Nottingham (2000).
Dodds specializes in energy systems modelling with particular expertise in hydrogen and bioenergy systems, and the importance of energy storage. His research examines the interactions between society and the environment, with a focus on energy and food systems. He has developed the UK TIMES energy systems model, which has replaced the UK MARKAL model and is now co-developed with the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). This model has provided underpinning evidence for the UK's Clean Growth Strategy and Net Zero Strategy. His methodological contributions include formalizing a theoretical approach to analyzing the evolution of energy system models using 'model archaeology'.
Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on hydrogen energy systems, with multiple papers examining hydrogen trade pathways, integration methods, and environmental impacts. His work increasingly addresses the geopolitical dimensions of energy transition, as seen in studies about Russian gas pivots to Asia and global energy scenarios. He maintains expertise in energy system modeling techniques while expanding into practical applications for policy development, particularly regarding the UK's net-zero transition.
Dodds has supervised 15 PhD students at UCL, with eight under his primary supervision. His professional activities include serving as the UK Alternate Delegate to IEA Hydrogen since 2017, acting as a PhD External Examiner at the University of Edinburgh, and participating in the EPSRC Peer Review College. He has contributed to multiple government initiatives, including the UKERC Future of the Gas Networks workshop and representing the UK Government at IEA ETSAP meetings.
He teaches an undergraduate module on 'Energy and Environmental Systems Modelling' and guest lectures on several MSc courses. His research group focuses on energy system modeling, with particular emphasis on the UK TIMES model development and application. His work often involves collaboration with government bodies, particularly BEIS, and he has coordinated significant projects like seven reports on overshoot pathways for the UK Government.
