Dr John Barton

Background

John Barton is a Senior Research Associate in the Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST). He researches Battery-Electrolysers, that is batteries that can also be used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Current research focuses on lead-acid battery-electrolysers for solar-powered microgrids to provide electrical energy storage and hydrogen for cooking.

Previous research topics include battery electric cooking for developing countries, integration of solar power and energy storage in electricity grid in India, electricity demand modelling, condition-based maintenance of wind turbines, flexible demand (controllable demand side management with smart metering), the public acceptability of renewable energy, characterising microgeneration, distributed generation, and whole-system modelling of low-carbon electricity grids to integrate more variable and intermittent renewable energy sources.

CV

John received his first degree in Engineering in 1989 from Cambridge University (Jesus College). Upon graduating, John worked for Rolls-Royce (aero engines) in Derby for 11 years, working in the design, research and development of compressors and fans. There he performed some computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis of airflow around compressor blades, analysed test measurement data and evaluated fan and compressor performance. He also project managed the design and manufacturing process and used computer aided design (CAD) methods.

John moved to Loughborough University in 2000 to study Renewable Energy at CREST. In 2001 he received an MSc with distinction. He stayed at CREST to do a PhD in renewable energy: ‘A probabilistic method of modelling energy storage in electricity systems with intermittent renewable energy’.

John received his doctorate in 2007 and has been a research associate in the integration research section of CREST since 2006, alongside part-time consultancy work:

In 2017 and 2018, John worked as a part time research associate at De Montfort University in Leicester on alkaline battery-electrolysers.

From 2016 to 2017, John worked part time at Cenex (Low Carbon Vehicle Consultancy) to model aging of lithium-ion batteries.

From 2010 to 2013, John was a director of Air Fuel Synthesis Ltd, researching methods of manufacturing carbon-neutral transport fuels by capturing carbon dioxide from the air and combining it with electrolytic (green) hydrogen. A successful pilot plant was built.

From 2005 to 2010, Dr Barton was a director of Bryte Energy Ltd, a consultancy in the fields of renewable energy and hydrogen. Bryte Energy has developed and maintained the hydrogen energy storage system at West Beacon Farm for Prof. Tony Marmont.

John has also done various voluntary work abroad, including the installation of a micro-hydro turbine in India in 1998 and helping to build a radio station in Burkina Faso in 2000.

Current project:

•  East Midlands Freeport solar powered battery-electrolyser project

Previous projects:

• Using a battolyser to produce low-cost green hydrogen (BLOG-H)
• Making affordable solar, battolyser and hydrogen (MASBAH)
• Joint UK-India Clean Energy (JUICE)
• Modern Energy Cooking Systems (MECS)
• Technical Investigation of Sustainable Energy and Water (TISEW)
• Integrated Market-Fit Affordable Grid Scale Energy Storage (IMAGES)
• Condition monitoring and scheduled maintenance of offshore wind turbines
• “Transition Pathways” and “Realising Transition Pathways” to a Low Carbon Economy
• Demonstration of Distributed Flexible Demand (DD-FD),
• UKERC Microgeneration consortium
• Supergen 3 Highly Distributed Power Systems (HDPS)
• TSEC “Beyond NIMBYism”

Teaching responsibilities

• Hydrogen Energy Storage
• Compressed Air Energy Storage

Selected Publications

• J P Barton, M Brenton, E Ashton, J Wilson, D Strickland, ‘A Titanium Manganese Redox Flow Battery-Electrolyser with Lead-Dioxide Positive Electrode’, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, August 2025, Volume 1331, UK Energy Storage Conference (UKES 2024) 10/04/2024 - 12/04/2024 Nottingham, United Kingdom, DOI 10.1088/1757-899X/1331/1/012004.
• J Barton, M Brenton, A Abdullahi, J Wilson, E Ashton, P Isherwood, U Wijayantha, ‘Investigation of Different Acidic Battolyser Conditions for Energy Storage and Hydrogen Production’, In 2023 58th International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC), August 2023, pp. 1-6. IEEE.
• John P Barton, and Murray Thomson. 2021. ‘Solar Power and Energy Storage for Decarbonization of Land Transport in India’, Energies, 2021, 14, no. 24: p. 8277.
• B Jenkins, D Squires, J Barton, D Strickland, K G U Wijayantha, J Carroll, J Wilson, M Brenton, M Thomson. ‘Techno-economic analysis of low carbon hydrogen production from offshore wind using battolyser technology’, Energies, 2022, vol.15, no. 16, p.5796.
• J Barton, M Bliss, M Little, C G Mbewe, N Monk, D Palmer, R Blanchard, ‘A Portable Power Station for Humanitarian Contexts’. In 2021 IEEE International Humanitarian Technology Conference (IHTC), IEEE, December 2021, pp. 1-4
• S Batzelis, Z H Rather, J Barton, B R Naidu, B Wu, F Ul Nazir, D Palmer, ‘Solar integration in the UK and India: technical barriers and future directions’ (Report) 2021
• J P Barton, R J L Gammon, A Rahil, ‘Characterisation of a nickel-iron battolyser, an integrated battery and electrolyser’, Frontiers in Energy Research, 2020, vol. 8, p. 509052.
• J P Barton, M Thomson, P Sandwell, A Mellor, ‘A domestic demand model for India’, Advances in Energy Research, May 2020, Vol. 1, pp 743-753
• Barton, McKenna and Thomson, ‘Time-step analysis of the DECC 2050 Calculator pathways’, Proc IMechE Part A: J Power and Energy, Special Issue 2017,
• Eoghan McKenna, John Barton and Murray Thomson, ‘Short-run impact of electricity storage on CO2 emissions in power systems with high penetrations of wind power: A case-study of Ireland’, Proc IMechE Part A: J Power and Energy, 2017, Vol. 231(6) 590–603, DOI: 10.1177/0957650916671432
• Barton et al., ‘Transition pathways for a UK low-carbon electricity system: Comparing scenarios and technology implications’, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews Vol. 82(3), February 2018, Pages 2779-2790 DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2017.10.007
• John Barton, Damiete Emmanuel-Yusuf, Stephen Hall, Victoria Johnson, Noel Longhurst, Áine O’Grady, Elizabeth Robertson, Elaine Robinson, Fionnguala Sherry-Brennan, ‘Distributing Power - A transition to a civic energy future’, published February 2015
• Evelina Trutnevyte, John Barton, Áine O'Grady, Damiete Ogunkunle, Danny Pudjianto, Elizabeth Robertson, ‘Linking a storyline with multiple models: A cross-scale study of the UK power system transition’, Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 2014, vol. 89, pp. 26–42
• John Barton, Sikai Huang, David Infield, Matthew Leach, Damiete Ogunkunle, Jacopo Torriti, Murray Thomson, ‘The evolution of electricity demand and the role for demand side participation in buildings and transport’, Energy Policy, Special issue 2013, Vol.52, pp.85-102
• Robertson, E., Barnacle, M., Galloway, G., Ault, G., Barton, J., ‘Modelling generation and infrastructure requirements for transition pathways’, Energy Policy, Special issue 2013, Vol.52, pp.60-75
• John P. Barton, Simon J. Watson, ‘Analysis of electrical power data for condition monitoring of a small wind turbine’, IET Renewable Power Generation, 2013, Vol. 7 no. 4, pp.341-349
• Staffell, I, Barton, J, Brett, DJL, Baker, P, Bergman, N, Blanchard, R, Brandon, NP, Hawkes, AD, Infield, D, Jardine, C, Kelly, N, Leach, M, Matian, M, Peacock, AD, Sundtharalingam, S, and Woodman, B, “A Review of Microgeneration in the United Kingdom.  Part 2:  Technology Overviews”. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers 2009, vol. 163 no. 4, pp. 143-165, Nov 1, 2010. (Winning paper of the ICE Baker Medal)
• Bergman, N, Hawkes, AD, Brett, DJL, Baker, P, Barton, J, Blanchard, R, Brandon, NP, Infield, D, Jardine, C, Kelly, N, Leach, M, Matian, M, Peacock, AD, Staffell, I, Sundtharalingam, S, and Woodman, B, “A Review of Microgeneration in the United Kingdom.  Part 1:  Policy and Behavioural Aspects”. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, vol. 162 no. 1, pp. 23-36, Feb 1, 2009.
• John Barton and Rupert Gammon 2009, “The production of hydrogen fuel from renewable sources and its role in grid operations”, Journal of Power Sources, Vol. 195(24) pp. 8222-8235, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.12.100
• Hydrogen Future Study – HyFuture Prepared for the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association, Orion Innovations supported by Bryte Energy Ltd, 31st March 2008 
• Barton, J.P. & Infield, D.G. 2004, "Energy storage and its use with intermittent renewable energy", IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 441-448.