Dr Ellis Ridett
Dr Ellis Ridett is a Research Fellow in the Energy and Climate Change Division at the University of Southampton. His work focuses on renewable energy systems, carbon management, and sustainability strategy development, with a particular emphasis on achieving net-zero targets at local and regional scales.
Research Interests
- Renewable energy systems and integration
- Energy system modelling and spatial analysis
- Carbon footprinting and net-zero strategy development
- Energy policy and sustainability governance
- AI and data-driven approaches for energy analysis
Ellis completed his PhD at the University of Southampton, where he developed a comprehensive energy system model for the Isle of Wight, identifying pathways for renewable energy integration and local consumption. He has extensive experience in data analytics, energy modelling, and geospatial analysis, using tools such as R and ArcGIS Pro.
As a Research Fellow, Ellis leads and contributes to multiple low-carbon energy projects, working closely with local authorities, policymakers, and industry partners to drive impactful change. He is also actively involved in the Isle of Wight Mission Zero Energy Hub, providing expert guidance on renewable energy feasibility studies. His research outputs have contributed to key policy frameworks and have been presented at national and international conferences.
Ellis specialises in energy system modelling, decarbonisation strategies, and the integration of renewable technologies. His research focuses on real-world applications, collaborating with local governments, industry stakeholders, and academia to inform energy policy and sustainability planning. He is also a key contributor to the University of Southampton’s Sustainability Strategy, ensuring best practices in carbon reduction and energy efficiency.
Current Research
- ResidentiaL HeAT As An Energy SysTem Service (LATENT) – Assessment of third-party control of heat pumps for grid support.
- University of Southampton Sustainability Report – Supporting the University of Southampton’s sustainability goals through carbon management and sustainability initiatives and policies.
- Assessment of potential for rooftop solar PV in Hampshire and Sussex – Creating a web-based tool to assess rooftop solar feasibility across Hampshire and Sussex.
- Assessment of renewable energy generation potential and grid constraints across Hampshire – Highlighting suitable areas for renewable energy generation and the grid availability, for Hampshire County Council.
- City of Southampton Growth and Decarbonisation Strategy – Understanding the potential power requirements to supplement clean growth of the City of Southampton.
PhD Research Project
Realising the Isle of Wight’s aspiration for renewable energy power generation and local consumption: This research proposed potential pathways for the IoW to achieve its energy aspiration of becoming self-sufficient in electricity from renewable sources. The required expansion is currently inhibited by economic, environmental, grid network and social constraints. The research modelled current and future demand, generation and demographic on the IoW and simulated the effect of different interventions on the specified constraints. The interventions considered include identifying opportunities for local demand utilisation, energy storage systems, demand response strategies, private wires and smart grid solutions. Find the thesis here.
Publications
- Realising the Isle of Wight’s aspirations for renewable energy power generation and local consumption, Ellis Ridett, 2025, Type: thesis. Link
- University of Southampton sustainability report, Abubakr Bahaj, Philip Turner, Rahul Jain, Tara Chilcott, Ellis Ridett, Luke Blunden & Phillip Wright, 2024, Type: report. Link
- LATENT – findings from a two year heat deferral field trial, Patrick James, Philip Turner, Stephanie Gauthier, Massimiliano Manfren, Ellis Ridett, Gregory Peter Sewell & Abubakr Bahaj, 2024, Type: conference. Link
- An assessment of the wider Hampshire distribution network capacity and potential constraint points for renewable generation (v1.0), Ellis Ridett & Ben Anderson, 2024, Type: report. Link
- An updated assessment of the technical and economic potential for renewable electricity generation in the pan-Hampshire area (v2.0), Ellis Ridett & Ben Anderson, 2024, Type: report. Link
2025
(2025) Embedding energy flexibility capability in air source heat pumps via third-party control: Insights from a field trial on residential buildings in England, Applied Energy 389, p. 125705, doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125705
2024
(2024) An assessment of the wider Hampshire distribution network capacity and potential constraint points for renewable generation (v1.0)
2023
(2023) An updated assessment of the technical and economic potential for renewable electricity generation in the pan-Hampshire area (v2.0)