Conference Chair: Dr Nazmi Sellami, Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland
Conference Co-Chair: Dr Firdaus Muhammad Sukki, Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland
Dr Nazmi Sellami is an Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering at Edinburgh Napier University. His research is rooted in renewable energy systems, with a special focus on solar energy, including the characterisation and design of thermal and photovoltaic solar devices for various types of applications, especially for building integration. Dr Sellami has worked on various multidisciplinary projects, including quantifying and monitoring potential ecosystem impacts of geological carbon storage and scalable solar thermoelectric and photovoltaics.
Dr Firdaus Muhammad Sukki (PhD, CEng, MIET, ACGI) is a lecturer at the School of Engineering and Built Environment, Edinburgh Napier University. His research interest is in the area of renewable energy technology and policies and sustainable resources. He has secured multiple grants from the UK and international funding agencies such as Innovate UK, Scottish Institute for Remanufacturing (SIR), Scottish Funding Council, British Council – Newton Fund, Chilean Research Council (CONICYT), Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia etc.
He also carried out a number of non-technical research including market trend and financial analysis related to renewable technologies for various countries. He has published numerous articles in high impact factor journals (e.g. Nature, Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, Applied Energy, etc.), as well as presenting in various conferences related to his area. Prior to joining the academia, he was a communication engineer in Malaysia’s largest telecommunication company.
Dr Carolina Costa Pereira is a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering and the Leader of the BEng Energy and Environmental Engineering Programme at the School of Engineering & The Built Environment of Edinburgh Napier University.
She joined academia in 2016 as a Marie Curie Research Fellow to investigate phase change materials as latent heat thermal energy storages at Northumbria University, where she received her Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice. She obtained her PhD in 2014 at Mondragon University (Basque Country, Spain) for her research in regenerative heat transfer in Stirling Engines for cogeneration and, her MSc and BEng from Universidad Simon Bolivar (Venezuela).
Before academia, she worked for almost 20 years as a senior research/product engineer in an industrial R&D Centre and the automotive industry. Her research interests lie in renewable energy, energy conversion systems, heat transfer problems and latent heat thermal energy storage for different applications.
Dr Fadi Kahwash is a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the School of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment at Edinburgh Napier University. He teaches several modules in design and energy topics. He has obtained a PhD in Mechanical Engineering in 2018 from Northumbria University at Newcastle based on his research into novel numerical methods applied to modelling of machining composite materials.
Dr Kahwash’s Current research interests have a common denominator of physics-based modelling applied to renewable & hybrid energy systems design including multi-energy systems, energy trading, energy storage. Prior to joining Napier University in 2021, he worked as postdoctoral researcher at Northumbria University, where he was involved in several EU funded projects related to renewable energy teaching (Erasmus+) and research (Horizon 2020).
Dr. Lina Khaddour leads the MSc Environmental Sustainability program and serves as the Lead for Research Integrity at Edinburgh Napier University. With over 20 years of experience in construction management and the sustainable built environment, her interdisciplinary approach integrates innovative technologies and data-driven methods to advance sustainable construction practices.
As a consultant, auditor, and reviewer, Dr. Khaddour collaborates with national and international professional bodies. She has served as an External Examiner for postgraduate programs at Nottingham Trent University and the University of Edinburgh’s Edinburgh Futures Institute, focusing on Future Infrastructure, Climate Change, and Sustainability.
Before joining Edinburgh Napier University, she held several leadership positions, including Head of the Engineering and Environmental Department at Middle East University in Jordan, Associate Professor and Research Lead at the International University of Science and Technology in Syria, and Lecturer at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon. She also lectured at Nottingham Trent University in the UK.
Beyond academia, Dr. Khaddour played a key role in sustainability initiatives in the energy sector as Head of Environment, Health & Safety at Sinopec in Damascus. She also worked as a senior consultant for the Go Green Syria initiative in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), focusing on environmental policies and sustainable urban development.
Her research explores the application of innovative technologies and data-driven techniques in modular integrated construction, climate change adaptation and resilience, post-disaster reconstruction, Net-Zero Carbon Buildings (nZEB), decision-making, change management, and supply chain management. Her published outputs and knowledge transfer activities include three book chapters on carbon footprint and post-disaster reconstruction, as well as over 20 journal articles and invited conference publications. She has successfully led multi-disciplinary teams, secured major international research grants, and developed knowledge transfer partnerships driving economic growth in the construction sector.
Dr. Jubaer Ahmed is currently working as a lecturer (Assistant Prof.) in School of Engineering and Built Environment, Edinburgh Napier University, UK. He obtained his PhD in Electrical Engineering from University of Technology, Malaysia (UTM) in 2016 and BSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in 2012. Dr. Ahmed is a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) and APEC IntPE under Engineers Australia. He is also a member of IEEE, IET and BEM.
He has expertise in Photovoltaic (PV) System design that includes designing MPPT control algorithms for PV operation, PV module connection scheme, PV integration to the grids and optimize energy efficiency. He carried out about 15 research projects which contributed to develop control algorithms for PV DC-DC converter, mathematical models for PV operation, PV module connection schemes and other innovation in peripheral fields. These contributions were published in over 60 International journals and conferences including prestigious IEEE Transactions. According to Google scholar, his articles are cited over 4000 times and his current h-index is 25. He has received the best paper award from Applied Energy Journal in 2018. He was also featured among the top 2% research scientist in the world, ranking published by Stanford University in 2020-2024.
Magnus Bichan graduated from the University of the Highlands and Islands with a BEng (Hons) in Aircraft Engineering and Design, and later from Edinburgh Napier University with an MSc in Renewable Energy with Distinction and in receipt of the Napier class medal. He is expecting to defend his PhD thesis on mechanical engineering of direct-drive generator structures for offshore wind in February, also from Edinburgh Napier University. In addition to his primary focus on renewable energy generation, his interests include sustainable land management and ecological regeneration, and innovation in low-carbon transport and aviation. His previous research projects include offshore wind, wave and tidal stream energy at various development stages
Dr Taimoor Asim is an Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering in the School of Computing, Engineering and Technology at Robert Gordon University Aberdeen. Dr Asim’s research expertise includes aerodynamic design, modelling and analysis of wind turbines through analytical, numerical and empirical methods. Dr Asim has carried out extensive research on the startup dynamics and performance evaluation of vertical axis wind turbines for more than 10 years. Dr Asim has a strong track record of providing support to SMEs through collaborative projects. Dr Asim has published more than 50 research articles in high-impact journals.
Prof. Mustafa Tutar is a Professor of Fluid Mechanics and Renewable Energy within the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Yasar University. Dr. Tutar has 25 years’ experience in renewable energy conversion with a background for solving complex fluid flow and heat transfer problems using theoretical, computational and experimental methodologies.
The main theme of his research direction has been (due to funded projects) in the field of wind, marine, solar and hydrokinetic power technologies in relation to renewable energy conversion applications, hydrodynamic and aerodynamic design, optimization and analysis to develop smart small and/or medium scale highly efficient, environmentally friendly energy conversion (EC)/utilization model set-up(s) for devices with integrated renewables and storages based on wave, solar, wind and/or hydro energy conversion.
Dr Tutar has been involved in many international and national research collaborations with research groups in the UK, Poland, USA, Spain, Norway, China and Turkey as a research associate and/or fellow to conduct academic and industrial projects approved for funding mostly by foreign entities.
Dr Elaine Maria Cardoso is an Associate Professor at the São Paulo State University “Julio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP, where she carries out teaching and research activities in the Aeronautical Engineering Department. Since 2013, she has led the Nano and Microscale Heat Transfer Lab (https://nestn.com.br/home-en/), conducting experimental and numerical investigations on phase-change heat transfer. In 2023, she served as a Visiting Professor at the University of Waterloo / Institute of Nanotechnology, Canada. Prof. Cardoso is a Member of the Technical Committee of Nano and Microfluidics of the Brazilian Association of Engineering and Mechanical Sciences (ABCM).
She is a Member of the Scientific Council of the International Centre for Heat and Mass Transfer (ICHMT) and the Assembly of World Conferences on Experimental Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, and Thermodynamics (AWC). She is Associate Editor of SN Applied Sciences and the Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science. In 2023, she received the ABCM-Embraer 2022 Award for Best Doctoral Thesis and the Springer Best Paper Award (Poster Category) during the 27th COBEM – International Congress of Mechanical Engineering.
Her research projects include renewable energy (photovoltaic solar energy), active and passive cooling systems to improve the performance of PV systems, the development of low-cost technologies to harness solar energy power, techniques for heat transfer intensification, and phase-change processes, and the development of numerical studies addressing physical mechanisms associated with thermal processes.
Dr Edemar Morsch Filho Graduated in Aerospace Engineering at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) in Brazil, with a master’s and doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from the same institution, Edemar was a professor in the Aerospace Engineering course at the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA) and is currently an assistant professor at the São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP). He works on heat transfer and energy efficiency problems, with an emphasis on the small satellite sector. He participated in the FloripaSat-I project, the first nanosatellite in Santa Catarina, more specifically in issues involving mechanical structure, thermal control and integration. He collaborates with the SpaceLab-UFSC laboratory, which is already on its third CubeSat mission, and with NEST-n (Center for Studies in Heat Transfer and Nanotechnology). Between 2013 and 2014 he was an exchange student through the Science Without Borders program, where he studied at the Catholic University of America and the University of Maryland – College Park.
Dr. Nurul Aini Bani is a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. She obtained her M.Eng degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southampton, UK in 2006, where she received two academic awards for outstanding academic performance. She also received her PhD degree in Electrical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Dr. Bani’s research interests include polymeric insulation material, high voltage cable, renewable energy, rural technology, rehabilitation engineering, IoT and robotics.
Dr. Bani is a recipient of several awards and recognition from international innovation competitions and conferences for her research work. She is also an active IEEE member for more than 10 years. In addition to her academic pursuits, Dr. Bani is involved in numerous community programs, where she shares her knowledge and expertise in STEM fields. She conducts awareness programs on STEM for schoolchildren, installs IoT-based products for community well-being, and teaches STEM to the community. Dr. Bani is committed to improving the lives of people in both rural and urban communities, especially those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged. She uses technology as a tool to uplift and empower people, and her research, outreach programs, and community involvement reflect her dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of those who need it the most.
Currently, Dr. Bani’s research focuses on developing low-cost renewable energy systems for rural and remote areas, including solar concentrators and saltwater batteries. She is also working on the development of an IoT system for monitoring the health status of post-stroke and post-brain injury patients as well as teleaudiology for children with hearing impairment. Dr. Bani has authored and co-authored several papers in various technical and high-impact factor journals, conference proceedings, technical reports and book chapters.
Dr Sendhil Kumar Natarajan is working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Dean (Student Welfare), NIT Puducherry. He did B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering and M.Tech., in Energy Technology in Pondicherry Engineering College in the year of 2001 and 2003. Later, he joined as a Research scholar, at IIT Madras, under Half Time Teaching and Research Assistantship (HTRA Scheme – Full time), MHRD scholarship and obtained his PhD in the area of solar energy in the year of 2008. After his Ph.D., he joined as Senior R&D Engineer, at CSEM-UAE, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. Later, he joined as a Post Doctoral Research Fellowship at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom under European Union Project. He got young faculty award and outstanding researcher award in the field of Solar Thermal.
He received Best Researcher Awardfrom NIT Puducherry for the year of 2019 – 2020, 2020 – 2021 and 2021- 2022. He established Department of Mechanical Engineering at NIT Puducherry and served as Head of the Department, for Department of Mechanical Engineering from 2016 to 2021. He was listed as a top 2% scientists in the world – released by Elsevier / Stanford University, USA, consistently on October 2023 and September 2024.
He is an advisory committee member for many national and International conferences. He served as a member of Board of Governor for NIT Puducherry. He is a Mechanical Engineering – Board of Studies member for various colleges. He is a certified Energy Auditor, Certified Solar Chartered Engineer, and GEM certified Professionals for sustainable Building Rating. He did lot of consultancy in the area of Energy, HVAC, Fire Fighting Systems. He organized FDP, workshop, National and International conferences. He delivered almost 68 invited lectures for several institutions. He completed five PhDs under his guidance. He evaluated almost 46 Ph.D thesis. He published 88 International Journals, 49 National and International conferences and 11 book chapters in the area of energy. Two of his research publications cited as hottest article in the science direct. Apart from this, six of his international journals about cavity receivers got more than 100 citations and the total citations of 3386 nos.
He developed the solar dryer for drying fish and donated to fishermen community. Based on his research work, he has seven granted Indian patents in the area of solar energy. He has four funded projects. Out of four, two funded projects are completed. One from DST- SERB – SRG (YSS) as a PI for Concentrating Solar Systems, second one from DST-UKIERI as a Co-PI for fuel cell research. Out of two on-going projects, one is in BRICS as a Co-PI for Solar Based Biomass Conversion and other is from DST -SERB – CRG in the area of Concentrating Solar Systems with the funding of around Rs.64,49,696. One of his project proposals along with IIT Madras and IIT Delhi was recommended for funding of worth Rs.567.73 Lakh in the area of desalination at Andaman. His research area is Solar Thermal system and CSP system, CPV, Integration of high temperature solar thermal systems, Heat transfer and fluid flow, PCMs, Thermal comfort in Buildings and Fuel cells.
Dr. Sheikh Islam is the Head of Engineering at the University of Staffordshire, bringing over 13 years of experience in academia and industry to his role. Dr. Islam’s prior teaching leadership positions include serving as an Associate Dean, an academic strategic lead (head of the mechanical engineering discipline), an Academic Team lead, and a senior lecturer for mechanical engineering courses. Dr Islam gained his PhD from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen through research on computational fluid dynamics modelling of Proton exchange membrane fuel cell. His research interests include PEM fuel cell modelling, Vertical axis wind turbines design optimisation, multi-phase flow and heat transfer analysis for industrial applications. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). He has co-authored over 60 peer reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings.
Mohammed Sadeq is an MSc holder in Renewable Energy and a Senior Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Specialist at the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) which is an intergovernmental organization with diplomatic status that aims to enable and increase the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency practices across 17 Arab countries, He is doing his postgraduate research at Edinburgh Napier University in the Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV). He has over six years of experience in academia, the private sector, organizational and regional roles in the field of solar energy, particularly in photovoltaic (PV) and BIPV systems with a track record of over 50 MWp amongst engineering, procurement and construction (EPC). His research includes fundamental and applied studies, focusing on developing PV sizing tools for grid-connected systems and optimizing cost-effective and technologically efficient solutions for deploying PV and BIPV systems.