Life Solved Live: Forecasting Floods and Engineering Net Zero

Catastrophic floods, severe heatwaves and prolonged droughts are no longer rare events. As climate change disrupts weather systems, it has never been more urgent to find ways of predicting rainfall - accurately and affordably. 

Meanwhile, the race to Net Zero is reshaping how we generate, store and use electricity. Building a sustainable energy system will involve transformative developments in power systems engineering – from the rise of smart, flexible grids to advances in battery storage and hydrogen. 

Researchers at Portsmouth are driving change and innovation to address these pressing challenges. 

 Our Life Solved Live events are your chance to hear first-hand how research changes the world – and why people do it.

 An Inaugural Lecture is one of the most prestigious Life Solved Live events. It’s a celebration of the career of a professor and the difference they make.

 On 10 December we present two fascinating lectures in one evening.

 In Extreme Weather (Rainfall) Prediction In A Changing Climate, Professor of Wireless Communications, David Ndzi, explains why accurate forecasting of rainfall is critical to protect lives, safeguard food supplies and guide infrastructure planning. 

 Professor Ndzi says:

‘Conventional radar and satellite technologies – designed for temperate climates – are prohibitively expensive and struggle to capture highly localised, high-intensity rainfall and sudden storms that are increasing in frequency worldwide.

‘I’ll present an innovative alternative: low-cost sensor networks combined with artificial intelligence to predict rainfall location, intensity, and duration several days in advance. 

‘I will introduce a Malaysian case study that shows how this system supports early flood warnings, improves water management, and strengthens community resilience, as well as key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and communications.

‘Our audience can expect to gain a clear insight into the potential of scalable, AI-driven solutions to strengthen climate adaptation and build more resilient infrastructure worldwide.’

In Powering The Future, Professor of Power Systems Engineering, Victor Becerra, will draw on three decades of research and innovation to highlight both the challenges and the opportunities of building a sustainable energy system.

Professor Becerra says:

“I will explore the way the power grid is being transformed in its path towards decarbonisation, in support of the UK’s plans to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”

‘I’ll share insights from projects spanning solar, wind, nuclear safety, community microgrids, energy storage, and maritime decarbonisation. I will explain why flexibility – through digitalisation, smart data, and energy storage – sits at the heart of future power systems, and how cross-sector collaborations and pioneering doctoral research are contributing to the transition.

‘With electricity demand set to rise dramatically, and the UK committed to fully decarbonising its grid by 2030, I will show how engineering solutions, policy, and consumer engagement must align. I’ll invite our audience to reflect on the pivotal role of technology and innovation in powering a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient future.’

 Don’t miss this unique double bill of forward-looking talks. To book your FREE tickets, select how many you want, then click the ‘Reserve a spot’ button.

 Keen to hear more about world-changing research and the amazing people who do it? The Life Solved podcast has shared well over 100 stories to date. Listen now.