Summary
Twitter: @hannon_matthew
Matthew is a Research Fellow researching energy technology innovation at the Centre for Environmental Policy. His research explores the conditions that can accelerate the development and deployment of innovative energy technologies with the potential to address critical challenges facing the global energy sector, such as climate change, energy security and fuel poverty. His work currently focuses on heat pump and wave energy technology innovation.
Current role:
Matthew works as a Research Fellow for the RCUK Energy Strategy Fellowship, as part of a team being led by Prof. Jim Skea. The team are currently engaged with their research programme, working to a) map out systems of energy innovation for a range of countries and technologies; b) measure the effectiveness of these different arrangements; and c) compare these different approaches with a view to learning lessons for successful energy research and innovation policy.
Five technology case studies form the empirical basis of the work. These cover: wind energy; heat pumps; smart grids; unconventional gas and wave energy. While systems of innovation may not best be defined by national boundaries, research will be conducted in selected countries including the UK, Germany, Finland, the US, China and South Korea, as well as the EU. Matthew is currently leading on the UK and Finland country case studies and the heat pumps and wave energy technology case studies.
Biography
Prior to taking his post at Imperial College in 2012 Matthew undertook a PhD thesis at the Sustainability Research Institute at the University of Leeds, titled the Co-evolution of innovative business models and sustainability transitions: The case of the Energy Service Company (ESCo) model and the UK energy system. Here he explored the role sustainable energy business models play in transitions to sustainable energy systems, by examining the co-evolutionary relationship between organisations adopting such business models and the various dimensions that make up the energy system within which these organisations operate. Specifically, the research examined the coevolutionary relationship between the UK ESCo business model and the wider energy system.
During his time at Leeds Matthew also worked on the EPSRC funded project Future Energy Decision-Making for Cities—Can Complexity Science Rise to the Challenge?, where he primarily examined the types of intervention Local Authorities could undertake to promote sustainable energy practices in their local area. Additionally, prior to and during his PhD, Matthew also worked for AECOM as a consultant on Energy from Waste (EfW) and sustainable waste management projects.
Research Projects
RCUK Energy Strategy Fellowship (EPSRC 2012 - 2017)
Future Energy Decision-Making for Cities - Can Complexity Science Rise to the Challenge? (EPSRC 2009 - 2013)
Teaching Responsibilities
PhD thesis supervisor
PhD co-supervisor for Rui Hu at the Centre for Environmental Policy. Provisional project title is The Effectiveness of the Chinese Innovation System for Sustainable Energy.
Masters thesis supervisor
2015
- Niko Graspas titled Success or Failure - Examining the factors key to the success ofinnovative “smart” energy startups in the UK
2014
- Xavier Hansen titled Multiple counting - multiple benefit? The effects of potential European transport fuel policy changes on the electrolysis industry (Distinction).
Course teaching
Seminars and lectures for both the Environmental Technology and Sustainable Energy Futures MSc courses at Imperial College. Focus on sustainable energy business, policy and technology.
Other Responsibilities
Consultant for Imperial Consultants, delivering projects for example on behalf of the UK Energy Research Centre and the European Climate Foundation.
Parallel session convenor for the international Our Common Future Under Climate Change conference ahead of UNFCCC’s COP21 in Paris, 2015.
Reviewer for international research journals such as Energy Policy; Journal of Cleaner Production; Energy Efficiency; and Organisation and Environment.
Professional Associations
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (application pending)
Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (membership of Energy Geographies Working Group pending)
Selected Publications
Journal Articles
Hannon M, 2015, Raising the temperature of the UK heat pump market: Learning lessons from Finland, Energy Policy, Vol:85, ISSN:0301-4215, Pages:369-375
Hannon M, Foxon TJ, Gale WF, 2015, ‘Demand pull’ government policies to support Product-Service System activity: the case of Energy Service Companies (ESCos) in the UK, Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol:108, ISSN:0959-6526, Pages:900-915