Dr. Thibaut Desguers (PhD, MSc, BSc)

Post-Doctoral Research Associate

  • School of Engineering, Institute for Energy Systems

Contact details

Address

Street

The University of Edinburgh, King's buildings, Faraday Building, Room 4.115, Colin Maclaurin Road

City
Edinburgh
Post code
EH93DW

Background

After undertaking two years of French Classes Préparatoires, I studied fundamental physics at the prestigious Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan (ENS Cachan, France), where I gained a BSc and MSc in fundamental physics. I then obtained an MSc in Renewable Energy Science and Technology (REST) from Ecole Polytechnique (France), which brought me to the University of Edinburgh where I first worked on "Turbulence characterisation in energetic tidal currents". 

I next went on to do a PhD at the University of Edinburgh on the "Study and Optimisation of Ultra-High Temperature Thermal Insulation Structures with Application to Thermal Energy Storage" where I developped an analytical and numerical model for, experimentally tested, and optimised evacuated honeycomb insulation structures for use with thermal energy storage. In parallel, I took part in the study, development, assembly and experimental testing of the Ultra-High Temperature Thermal Energy Storage (UHTS) concept, which led to a BEIS award of £3.2 million for the installation of a 36 MWh thermal storage unit at Annandale Distillery in Dumfries and Galloway. The UHTS concept has now matured into Exergy3, a University of Edinburgh spin-out company.

Since completion of my PhD, I have been working as a PDRA at the University of Edinburgh (Heat Balance and INTEGRATE projects) on the integration of multiple energy sources with large-scale thermal storage for heat decarbonisation, where I have developped analytical and multi-level numerical energy systems modelling tools for decarbonised heat networks, particularly with wind curtailment mitigation and large-scale thermal storage integration, and as a senior thermal scientist at Exergy3 where we develop an ultra-high temperature thermal storage concept for the decarbonisation of high-temperature themal and industrial processes, including a 36 MWh unit at Annandale Whisky distillery. 

Qualifications

  • PhD in Thermal Engineering: "Study and Optimisation of Ultra-High Temperature Thermal Insulation Structures with Application to Thermal Energy Storage", The University of Edinburgh, School of Engineering, Institute for Energy Systems
  • MSc in Renewable Energy Science and Technology (REST Master's Program), Ecole Polytechnique, France. Passed "With Honours"
  • MSc in Physics (PHYtem course, PHYsics, Theory, Experiments, Modelling), Department of Fundamental Physics, Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS) de Cachan (France). 2:1 Honours
  • BSc in Physics (PHYtem course, PHYsics, Theory, Experiments, Modelling), Department of Fundamental Physics, Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS) de Cachan (France). 1:1 Honours

Postgraduate teaching

  • MSc dissertation supervision (Sustainable Energy Systems)

Research summary

  • Renewable and/or Decarbonised Energy and Heat Systems
  • Domestic and Industrial Heat Decarbonisation
  • Renewable energy integration and curtailment mitigation
  • High-Temperature Thermal Energy storage
  • Large-Scale Underground Thermal Energy Storage
  • Thermal Science
  • Thermal Insulation

Project activity

  • Heat Balance
  • INTEGRATE