Anyone know what would be a suitable method to apply for a novel project (Energy Recovery for Municipal / Commercial Buildings) in sustainable energy? The problem I have is that the proposal I want to do has 0 (zero) research in that area, I can't find anything resembling what I want to do, it is so niche that it covers 3 different areas of Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical and Sustainable). The question is who do I aim it at?
the Prof/Doc with Energy background or Electrical background?

My background: Looking to find a PhD in Energy/Sustainable, Msc Mechtronics (Merit) BEng (2:2).

Yes I want to apply to a Oxford for fun.

Have you got your own funding? It can be difficult in science to get funding for PhD projects because a lot of the time they are funded by grant applications written by the PIs for specific projects.

Your best bet is to contact PIs that seem to have a lot of money (they are publishing a lot and using the latest techniques) and are sort of working in your area and hope that they have a small pot of money that they could use to fund you.