Techno-Economic Assessment of SMR Nuclear Propulsion for Deep-Sea Bulk Carriers Through AIS-Informed Operational Cost Modelling
Augustin Hazard
Maritime shipping (~3% of global emissions) faces mounting pressure to decarbonise. SMR nuclear propulsion, combining near-zero emissions with low operating costs, offers a compelling pathway. Yet operationally grounded techno-economic assessments of nuclear vessels remain scarce. This project addresses that gap by developing an AIS-informed operational cost model focused on large deep-sea bulk carriers (Capesize+), enabling rigorous comparison between nuclear and conventional vessels across key operational variables. The findings will feed into a parallel project examining the broader macro-economic implications of nuclear shipping, together building a comprehensive picture of whether nuclear propulsion offers a genuine cost advantage.
Supervisor 1: Professor Panagiotis Angeloudis, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Supervisor 2: Mariya Pozdeyeva, Civil & Environmental Engineering
Supervisor 3: Nicholas Voltis, Lloyd's Register
Verification of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Through (14C) Radiocarbon Analysis of Aerosol Particles
Emily Ran Fan
This project investigates the feasibility of radiocarbon (14C) analysis as an independent method for verifying Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) use at the point of combustion. The experimental component analyses quartz filter-collected aerosol particles from aircraft auxiliary power unit (APU) using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), with measured fossil and biogenic carbon contributions compared against known fuel blend ratios. A complementary interview component explores stakeholder perspectives on current SAF verification, certification, market integrity, and the potential role of physical verification methods in SAF supply chains.
Supervisor 1: Professor Marc Stettler, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Supervisor 2: Dr. Georgia Gamble, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Modelling the Potential of Cycling and E-Bikes to replace Car Commuting in London
Leo Duhamel-Callot
Transport is the UK's largest source of emissions, and commuting by private vehicle concentrates congestion and pollution in major cities. Bikes and e-bikes could replace many of these journeys, yet no existing framework combines socio-demographic parameters to estimate how many private-vehicle commutes could realistically be shifted to these modes. This project, in collaboration with Energy Systems Catapult, develops a demographically segmented substitution model for London, integrating parameters such as age, gender, income and trip distance. It then evaluates policy scenarios and quantifies the resulting reductions in CO₂ emissions, the health benefits, and the associated cost savings.
Supervisor 1: Christabel Ofori-Atta, Energy Systems Catapult
Supervisor 2: Dr. Ahmadreza Faghih Imani, Centre for Environmental Policy
A Full Financial Viability Assessment of Nuclear Propulsion in Commercial Shipping
Ong Wui Shuen
This project aims to develop a techno-economic model to assess the financial viability of small modular reactor (SMR) propulsion in commercial shipping. The model combines vessel operational data derived from AIS records with ship specifications, voyage economics, capital costs, operating expenditure and financing assumptions to generate 25-year cashflow projections. Nuclear propulsion is evaluated under three financing structures: (i) Outright SMR purchase, (ii) An SMR lease or service model, and (iii) A government-backed purchase. These scenarios are then compared against a conventional heavy-fuel-oil vessel. Financial performance is assessed using net present value, internal rate of return, simple and discounted payback periods, and break-even freight rates. A subsequent sensitivity analysis is conducted to examine how factors such as SMR capital cost, freight rates, inflation, discount rates and potential improvements in vessel speed affect the commercial competitiveness of nuclear-powered shipping.
Supervisor 1: Professor Panagiotis Angeloudis, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Supervisor 2: Mariya Pozdeyeva, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Supervisor 3: Nicholas Voltis, Lloyd's Register
Supervisor 4: Nikos Kakalis, Lloyd's Register
Evaluating market interventions for the viability of heavy-duty trucks in ASEAN
Pornsak Ackarasoranee
This project evaluates market interventions for the adoption of zero-emission heavy-duty trucks (ZETs) in the ASEAN region. It identifies the primary barrier as high upfront capital costs, which suppress demand and deter infrastructure investment. The study identifies Agent-Based Modelling as the optimal methodology to simulate fragmented logistics markets, as it captures heterogeneous decision-making and risk tolerances. It concludes that isolated subsidies face diminishing efficacy and must be integrated into fiscally sustainable, comprehensive policy mixes, such as feebate schemes, to drive the market diffusion of sustainable freight transport.
Supervisor 1: Dr. Gbemi Oluleye, Grantham Institute - Climate Change and the Environment
Supervisor 2: Zhenyu Tan, Centre for Environmental Policy