Professor Marco Rivera (Professor of Control of Power Converters and Drive, University of Nottingham) discusses how researcher mobility between the UK and France is helping to build stronger, more connected approaches to tackling the energy transition. He highlights how collaboration across institutions is advancing the development of smarter, more resilient energy systems through digital twins, artificial intelligence and integrated renewable technologies.
Global energy systems are undergoing a profound transformation. The transition towards renewable energy, green hydrogen, and intelligent power systems requires not only technological innovation but also strong international collaboration. Many of today’s challenges — including system complexity, uncertainty, scalability, and reliability — cannot be addressed by isolated research efforts. Instead, they demand shared expertise, researcher mobility, and long-term partnerships. The mobility project supported by the UK–France Science, Innovation and Technology Researcher Mobility Scheme focuses on developing new tools that can help future energy systems operate more efficiently, reliably, and sustainably. In particular, the research aims to improve the way renewable energy technologies — such as solar panels, wind turbines, and hydrogen-based energy storage — interact with electrical networks.
One key concept explored in the project is the digital twin. A digital twin is essentially a highly detailed virtual replica of a physical energy system. It allows researchers and engineers to simulate how a system will behave under different conditions — for example changes in weather, electricity demand, or equipment faults — without needing to test these scenarios directly on the real system. This makes it possible to design smarter control strategies and improve system performance before technologies are deployed in practice.
Another important component of the work involves artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced control techniques. These methods allow energy systems to automatically adapt to changing conditions. For example, AI-driven control strategies can help determine how much power should be produced by solar panels (known as photovoltaic generation), how batteries or hydrogen systems should store energy, and how electricity should be distributed across the grid.
By making these decisions in real time, the system can operate more efficiently and remain stable even when renewable energy sources fluctuate. The wider impact of this research is to help accelerate the integration of renewable energy into modern power systems. By combining digital twins, artificial intelligence, and advanced control methods, the project aims to contribute to the development of smarter and more resilient energy infrastructures that support the transition to low-carbon energy.
The UK–France Science, Innovation and Technology Researcher Mobility Scheme has provided a valuable opportunity to turn this vision into reality. Through this scheme, I have been able to strengthen an existing collaboration while simultaneously expanding a broader research network across France focused on digital twins, artificial intelligence, and advanced control for future energy systems.
A strong core collaboration: Nottingham, UTBM and FEMTO-ST
At the heart of this mobility project lies a close collaboration between the University of Nottingham, the Université de Technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard (UTBM), and the FEMTO-ST Institute. This partnership builds upon previous joint work and shared research interests in power electronics, renewable energy systems, digital twins, and model predictive control. The project focuses on the development of digital twin–enhanced, AI-driven control strategies for hybrid renewable energy systems combining photovoltaic generation, wind energy, and hydrogen technologies. Digital twins — virtual replicas of physical systems — enable real-time simulation, analysis, and optimisation of system behaviour. When combined with artificial intelligence and advanced control techniques, they provide powerful tools to enhance efficiency, reliability, and adaptability in complex energy systems.
A key strength of this collaboration is its strong experimental foundation. Both Nottingham and FEMTO-ST offer advanced hardware-in-the-loop testbeds, enabling realistic validation of new concepts prior to real-world deployment. The mobility scheme made it possible to work directly within partner laboratories, accelerating progress and ensuring close integration between theoretical developments and practical implementation.
Beyond one partnership: expanding the French research ecosystem
In addition to UTBM and FEMTO-ST, the mobility period enabled valuable engagement with other leading French institutions, notably CentraleSupélec and ESIGELEC. These visits played an important role in broadening the scope of collaboration. Discussions with researchers and academic leaders provided insights into complementary approaches to energy systems, artificial intelligence, and engineering education. They also opened pathways towards future joint initiatives, including European research proposals, doctoral training networks, and industry-oriented projects.
This experience highlighted one of the most significant benefits of international mobility: its ability to connect research communities, not just individual projects. By moving between institutions, exchanging perspectives, and identifying shared priorities, mobility lays the foundations for sustainable, long-term collaboration across borders.
Learning from collaboration across borders
Working closely with French colleagues has been both intellectually rewarding and personally enriching. Beyond technical progress, the collaboration offered new perspectives on research culture, problem-solving approaches, and the organisation of large interdisciplinary projects. One particularly important lesson has been the value of face-to-face interaction. While digital communication enables continuous collaboration, time spent embedded within partner institutions fosters deeper trust, more open dialogue, and faster idea generation. Informal discussions, often occurring outside formal meetings, frequently proved to be the source of the most innovative ideas. For researchers considering similar schemes, mobility should be viewed not only as a means to deliver predefined objectives, but also as an opportunity to listen, learn, and adapt. Many of the most impactful outcomes emerge from unexpected connections.
Looking ahead
The outcomes of this mobility project extend well beyond its formal duration. Joint scientific publications are already in preparation, and the collaboration has laid strong foundations for future Horizon Europe and Marie Skłodowska-Curie proposals. There is also clear potential for co-supervised doctoral training and deeper engagement with industry partners working on energy transition technologies. Most importantly, the UK–France mobility scheme has demonstrated how targeted support for researcher exchange can catalyse lasting partnerships, accelerate innovation, and strengthen research ecosystems on both sides of the Channel. By investing in people and connections, the scheme helps transform ambitious ideas into collaborative realities — a vital step towards building smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy systems for the future.
Words by: Professor Marco Rivera, Professor of Control of Power Converters and Drive, University of Nottingham
UUKi publishes voices from across the sector to share diverse perspectives and expertise and stimulate discussion. The views expressed in guest blogs are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of UUKi or its members.
UK–France Science, Innovation and Technology Researcher Mobility Scheme projects are funded by the Department for Science and Technology's International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF).