Xiaobo (Agnes) Shen

The UK’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 places significant responsibility on the water industry, which consumes around 3% of the nation’s energy and has pledged to reach net-zero operational emissions by 2030. A major challenge in meeting this goal is managing nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions at sewage treatment works, where complex biochemical pathways and limited real-world data make accurate prediction and control difficult. This PhD research aims to bridge the gap between academic understanding and industry practice by identifying key process parameters, developing a machine-learning-assisted hybrid model, mapping critical control points for N₂O emissions. The work will provide a practical decision-support framework to guide process design, operational strategies, and investment planning to reduce N₂O emissions and support the industry’s net-zero ambitions.