All household appliances are expected to account for an increasing share of energy uses in buildings, as heating is electrified. At current levels of consumption, appliances would use a third of the electricity in buildings, but a growing number of devices could increase electricity demand even further. Powering our future energy requirements with zero-carbon electricity by 2050 will require a reduction in electricity demand, but to what extent can media and entertainment devices help reduce electricity demand? How can media and entertainment services contribute to reduce national emissions to zero?
The PhD will explore the following topics: 1. Mapping material and energy uses along Sky’s value chain to identify opportunities for efficiency improvement a. Compare the impacts of alternative form of supply of media and entertainment services (devices, satellite, cable, internet). b. Measure the scale of impacts along the value chain and prioritise areas for intervention. c. Anticipate future demand and availability of used devices and identification of strategies to increase their value.
- Revealing the role of media and entertainment to accelerate the global reduction in emissions a. Identify the minimum physical resource requirements to minimise energy use in media and entertainment. b. Link demand for media and entertainment services with future patterns of building use (more time spent at home, telecommuting, house sharing).
Applicants should have (or expect to obtain by the start date) at least a good 2.1 degree in an Engineering or related subject.
Relevant experience would be an advantage.