Newcastle University, Director

Professor Walker is the lead for HI-ACT and leads on WP4, Social and Political Intervention and is the UK-HyRES Theme Champion. Professor Walker was the Director for the National Centre for Energy Systems Integration, Deputy Director of the Supergen Energy Networks Hub and Deputy Director of the Active Building Centre. Her work is on systems integration, and the role of built environment in particular.

Cardiff University, WP1 Lead

Professor Wu is a Co-Investigator for HI-ACT and leads WP1, The Way Forward, and is the International Champion. Professor Wu is leading the Work Package on expertise mapping. He is also a theme lead for the UK Energy Research Centre, and Work Package lead for the Supergen Energy Networks Hub. His work is around network integration modelling and optimisation.

Prof. Adam Hawkes

Imperial College London, WP2 Lead

Professor Hawkes is the lead for WP2, Whole System Understanding. Adam Hawkes is the Director of the Sustainable Gas Institute and Professor of Energy Systems in the Dept of Chemical Engineering. He is Editor-in-Chief of the new open-access Elsevier journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition.

Glasgow University, WP3 Lead

Professor Flynn is a Co-Investigator for HI-ACT and leads WP3, Cyber Physical Architecture, and is the Industry Engagement Theme Champion. Professor Flynn is a Work Package leader for the National Centre for Energy Systems Integration, and the academic lead for ReFLEX, which is the Orkney future energy systems demonstrator. His work is around digitalisation of energy systems.

Prof. Meysam Qadrdan

Cardiff University, WP1 and WP2

Professor Qadrdan is a Co-Investigator on HI-ACT for WP1, The Way Forward, and WP2, Whole Systems Understanding. He is also the EDI Theme Champion. Dr Qadrdan is an EPSRC-UKRI Innovation Fellow and a Reader in Energy Networks and Systems at Cardiff University. His research area covers expansion and operational planning of interdependent energy networks at different scales from community to national level.

Prof. Paul Dodds

University College London, WP2 & WP3

Professor Dodds is a Co-Investigator for HI-ACT on WP2, Whole Systems Understanding, and WP3, Cyberphysical Security. He is also the UK Policy Theme champion. He is a Professor of Energy Systems, is a member of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Supergen Hub, the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) and the UK CCS Research Centre.

Prof Alok Choudhary

Warwick University, WP1 & WP3

Professor Choudary is a Co-Investigator for HI-ACT on WP3, Cyber Physical Architecture. Professor Choudary is a Professor of Supply Chain Management and the Head of the Supply Chain Research Group (SCRG), a leading centre for supply chain research to address challenges related to sustainability (net-zero and circular economy), resilience and digital transformation.

Prof Tapas Mallick

University of Exeter, WP1 & WP3

Professor Mallick is a Co-Investigator for HI-ACT on WP1 The Way Forward and WP3 Cyber Physical Architecture. He is a Chair in Clean Technologies and Head of the Solar Energy Research Group (SERG) at the Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI). He is Fellow of World Society of Sustainable Energy Technologies.

Prof Goran Strbac

Imperial College London, WP1 & WP2

Professor Strbac is a Co-Investigator for HI-ACT, on WP1, The Way Forward and WP2, Whole Systems Understanding. He is also the Europe Engagement Theme Champion. He is a Professor of Energy Systems, with extensive experience in advanced modelling and analysis of operation, planning, security and economics of energy systems, with a focus on cost effective evolution to smart low carbon energy future.

Prof Muhammed Imran

University of Glasgow, WP3

Professor Imran is a Co-Investigator for HI-ACT on WP3, Cyber Physical Architecture. He is a Professor of Communications Systems with expertise in wireless communication systems and the applications of connectivity solutions.

Assistant Prof Dawei Wu

University of Birmingham, WP1

Associate Professor Dawei is a Co-Investigator on WP1, The Way Forward. He is a Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering and an EPSRC Fellow, at the University of Birmingham. His research strength lies in zero carbon fuels (hydrogen, ammonia and e-fuels) and zero emitting propulsion technologies for heavy transport.

Prof Karen Henwood

Cardiff University, WP4

Professor Henwood is a Co-Investigator for HI-ACT on WP4, Social and Political Intervention. Professor Henwood is based in Cardiff University’s School of Social Sciences and its Understanding Risk Research Group. She works on how it is possible for people to meet the challenges posed to themselves and society by the dynamics of environmental risk and socio-cultural change, including infrastructure and technology transitions in decarbonising energy systems.

Dr Clara Crivellaro

Newcastle University, WP3 & WP4

Dr Crivellaro is a Co-Investigator on HI-ACT for WP4, Social and Political Intervention. She is a Senior Research Fellow in Digital Local Democracy, conducting research on participatory approaches and Human-Centre Design of digital innovations that promotes equity and social justice. CC is Co-I on the EPSRC Centre for Digital Citizens.

Professor Aoife Foley

University of Manchester, WP3 & WP4

Aoife has three research areas: wind power integration, power and gas systems, and transport electrification. Specific topics include power and gas systems, turbine performance, life cycle analysis, wind power forecasting, unit commitment modeling, power from biogas, levelized cost of energy, demand response using intelligent ICT, energy storage, microgrids, and electric vehicles. She is interested in the global sustainable energy transition, smart cities, and transport systems.

Dr Yiji Lu

University of Glasgow, WP2 & WP3

Dr Lu is a Co-Investigator on HI-ACT for WP2, Whole Systems Understanding and WP3, Cyber Physical Architecture. He is a lecturer of Energy Conversion and Storage Systems and Associate Editor of Energy Reports. His expertise covers low carbon technologies.

Assistant Prof Adib Allahham

Northumbria University, WP1, WP2 & WP4

Dr Allahham is a Co-Investigator on HI-ACT for WP1, The Way Forward, WP2, Whole Systems Understanding, and WP4, Social and Political Intervention. He is an Assistant professor at Northumbria University. His research activities are addressing the need to cost-effectively decarbonise the energy sector over the next thirty years by facilitating innovative network integration of new generation, and the integration of different energy vectors including the Hydrogen.

Dr Shahab Dehghan

Newcastle University, WP2

Dr. Shahab Dehghan is a Lecturer in Power Systems at the Electrical Power Group in the School of Engineering at Newcastle University. Over the past decade, he has conducted research on modelling and analysing power and energy systems, intending to make future energy networks more sustainable, resilient, reliable, and cost-effective under static and dynamic techno-economic constraints. This includes the design of uncertainty-aware data-driven tools for investment and operation planning in multi-vector net-zero emission energy systems, transmission and distribution networks, and microgrids, with a specific focus on the integration of renewable resources, electric vehicles, storage systems, and power-to-gas/gas-to-power technologies as flexible sources.

Dr. Zoya Pourmirza

Birmingham University, WP3

Dr Pourmirza is a Researcher Co-Investigator on HI-ACT for WP3. She has expertise in Digital Energy Systems with the focus on the design and development of energy system ICT architecture, data comms efficiency, and cyber-security issues. She is Senior Research Fellow and Academic Director of Smart Systems at the University of Birmingham. She has also served as a policy advisor for the UK Government working on cybersecurity framework for EV chargepoints, to inform policy and relevant standards and regulatory approaches.

Shuai Yao

Cardiff University, WP2

PDRA. Dr Shuai Yao is a Postdoctoral Research Associate with the School of Engineering, Cardiff University. His research interests lie in the modelling, simulation and operational optimization of Multi-Vector Energy Systems including electricity, heating/cooling, natural gas and hydrogen at different temporal and spatial scales.

Jamie Blanche

Glasgow University, WP3

PDRA. Dr Blanche is a research associate for HI-ACT working on stakeholder engagement, website administration and WP3, Cyber Physical Architecture. Recently working with the Offshore Robotics for Certification of Assets (ORCA) Hub, Dr Blanche specialises in non-destructive sensor integration for the offshore energy sector and energy systems analysis.

Francisca Jalil-Vega

University College London, WP2 & WP3

PDRA. Francisca is a Research Fellow in hydrogen systems at UCL Energy Institute. Her research focuses on developing energy systems models for national and urban-scale energy systems, to inform transition pathways towards Net Zero.

Salman Farrukh

University of Birmingham, WP1

Salman Farrukh is a researcher at the University of Birmingham. He completed his undergraduate and doctoral studies in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham. His primary research interests include carbon-neutral fuels, cryogenics, thermal energy management, multi-generation refrigeration systems, power generation technologies, green propulsion systems, and deep-sea marine decarbonisation. He has been involved with several industry projects in the marine industry, including ammonia/hydrogen engines, PEMFCs (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells), SOFCs (Solid Oxide Fuel Cells), CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage), and batteries.

Merlinda Andoni

Glasgow University, WP3

Dr Merlinda Andoni is a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Energy and Sustainability Group at the University of Glasgow, where her research is dedicated to addressing the challenges associated with achieving a resilient, low-carbon, and sustainable energy service. Dr. Andoni is a member of IEEE, the Global Observatory on P2P, Community Self-Consumption, and Transactive Energy Models, and the Technical Chamber of Greece.

Dr Tong Zhang

Cardiff University, WP2

Dr Tong Zhang is a research associate for HI-ACT working on the hydrogen map and WP2, Whole Systems Understanding. Her research interest include the modelling and optimisation of integrated energy systems, and system integration of renewable energy.

Dr Danny Pudjianto

Imperial College London, WP1 & WP2

Dr Pudjianto is an Advanced Research Fellow with more than 20 years of expertise in energy system modelling. His research in HI-ACT focuses on the roles and values of hydrogen technologies in integrated multi-energy systems. He is a senior member of IEEE, IET, and the Renewable Energy Journal editorial board. He has published over 100 technical papers and 70 industrial/research reports

Dr Gareth Thomas

Cardiff University, WP4

Dr Thomas is a Researcher on HI-ACT for WP4, Social and Political Intervention and is a Research Fellow at Cardiff University. His most recent research has examined issues of justice, vulnerability and social acceptability relating to transitions towards more flexible energy systems, and the ways identities and experiences rooted in place shape citizens’ concerns and desires for transitions towards a low carbon economy.

Dr Hossein Ameli

Imperial College London, WP2

Dr Hossein Ameli is a research fellow at Imperial College London. He got his PhD degree from Electrical and Electronic Engineering department at Imperial College London in 2018. His research is mainly focused on the role and value of hydrogen in supporting cost-effective transition towards 2050 net-zero energy systems. Hossein was a contributing Author in the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) WG 3 and contributed to many scientific papers as well as research projects related to the energy industry, such as projects for the Committee of Climate Change (CCC), BEIS, and National Grid.

Dr Yusuf Nadabo Chanchangi

University of Exeter, WP1 & WP3

Yusuf Chanchangi is a research fellow for the HI-ACT. Previously collaborated with the Universities of Loughborough and Nottingham on the End Use Energy Demand project at the University of Exeter. Areas of research interests include PV performance and integration, concentrated photovoltaic and most recently, green hydrogen integration.

Philip Heslop

Newcastle University, WP3 & WP4

Phil is interested in engaging and empowering populations – especially the digitally marginalised – to understand and utilise technology that impacts on their lives – including their health, wellness, education and engagement with society He is currently working on the Hi Act project, investigating how the transition to green, net-zero energy can be actively informed and influenced by the digitally marginalised populations who are likely to experience the greatest impact.

Dlzar Alkez Muhammad

University of Manchester, WP3 & WP4

Dr. Dlzar Al Kez is a Co-Investigator on HI-ACT for WP3 Cyber Physical Architecture and WP4, Social and Political Intervention. He is a Senior Research Fellow at Queen’s University Belfast. He specialises in power system dynamics with a focus on increased distribution generation penetration and modelling power grid resilience in the transition to 100% renewable energy. Dr. Dlzar is also Associate Editor of Elsevier’s Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews.

Dr. Nabila Rufa’I

University of Birmingham, WP3 & WP4

Dr Rufa’I is a Research Associate for HI-ACT. Her research is around exploring decarbonisation pathways to achieve UK net zero target by 2050. Her most recent work involves techno-economic analysis of integrated biomass gasification technologies for hydrogen production.

Dr Martin Stringer

Imperial College London, WP2

Martin is a Researcher in Whole Systems Modelling at Imperial College, London, supporting WP2. His past modelling experience has crossed a wide range of topics and research fields, from renewable energy systems, global mineral demand and supply to ecosystems, human-wildlife conflict, galaxies and cosmology.

Dr Benoit Courard

University of Glasgow, WP3

Dr. Benoit Couraud serves as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate within the Autonomous Systems & Connectivity Division and Energy and Sustainability Group at the University of Glasgow, UK. His expertise and research are dedicated to addressing the challenges associated with achieving a low-carbon, and sustainable energy system. Benoit specialises in energy systems modelling, smart local energy systems planning and operations, local energy markets, data-driven modelisation, optimisation techniques and Artificial Intelligence for energy.

David Pollock

David Pollock University of Glasgow, Senior Industry Engagement Manager

David manages HI-ACT’s industry engagement, contacts and supports new relationships, develop projects and access leading edge research capabilities. With over 15 years in experience working in industry, David brings valuable insights into hydrogen and wider energy related projects.

Dan Massey

Newcastle University, Project Administrator

Dan is involved with coordinating activity to support the development and success of the Hub. He also works on the Energy Demand Research Centre, and previously been involved in supporting Supergen Energy Networks.

Kate Kelly

Newcastle University, Project Manager

Kate is the Research Project Manager for the HI-ACT Hub and the Newcastle project management support for the UKRI funded Energy Demand Research Centre. Previously, Kate was the Research Coordinator and Project Manager supporting the EPSRC Active Building Centre and the Centre for Energy at Newcastle University. Kate’s role involves managing the overall operation, coordination and governance of the Hub as well as line management of the Hub operations team.

Sian Allister

Cardiff University, Project Officer

Sian provides project support to the Hubs Cardiff team, WP1 and the operation team. She also works on the Supergen Energy Networks Impact Hub. Previously, she has provided project management support to the MC2 (Multi Energy Control of Cyber-Physical Urban Energy Systems) project, the FLEXIS programme and UKERC.

Khalid Almalkai

Exeter University

WP1 PhD Student

Chandreyee Mallick

Exeter University

WP1 PhD Student

Sharwari Dixit

Imperial University

WP2 PhD Student

Jana Fakhreddine

UCL

WP2 PhD Student