Prof. Goran Strbac | Carbon Energy | Distinguished Academic Leadership Award

Prof. Goran Strbac | Carbon Energy – Professor at Imperial College London, United Kingdom

Professor Goran Strbac is an internationally recognized leader in energy systems engineering, currently serving as Professor of Energy Systems at Imperial College London. With more than 25 years of extensive experience, he specializes in developing innovative models for the operation, economics, and planning of integrated low-carbon energy systems. He has authored over 350 peer-reviewed publications and five books, with an impressive h-index of 87 and over 38,000 citations, reflecting the global influence of his research. Professor Strbac leads the Imperial College team in large-scale, cross-sectoral research efforts, contributing significantly to energy market design, energy security, distributed energy resources, and digitalization in energy systems. His work has been instrumental in informing governments, regulators, and industry stakeholders across Europe and beyond, positioning him as a cornerstone of the energy transition towards zero-carbon futures.

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Education📘

Although detailed academic credentials are not explicitly listed, Professor Strbac’s prominent position and long-standing academic leadership at Imperial College London are evidence of a strong academic foundation in electrical and energy systems engineering. His deep expertise and technical rigor in system modeling, infrastructure design, and regulatory economics suggest advanced education in power systems or a closely related discipline. The caliber of his contributions and leadership in global energy research further underscores a career built on substantial academic and technical excellence.

Experience📘

Professor Strbac has led and participated in a wide array of cutting-edge research projects funded by the UK Government, the European Commission, EPSRC, and global industry partners. He has held advisory and leadership positions in more than 20 expert panels, including the UK Government’s Independent Panel for Electricity Market Design, the European Technology & Innovation Platforms, and the Parliamentary Group for Energy Studies. He is also the Director of the Imperial-Tsinghua Research Centre on Intelligent Power and Energy Systems. His key responsibilities span technical and economic modeling, stakeholder engagement, and policy advising. He has served on panels that influence regulations and infrastructure investment strategies, making him a bridge between scientific research and national energy policymaking.

Research Interest📘

Professor Strbac’s research spans several high-impact domains within energy systems engineering. He focuses on whole-energy system integration, assessing the interactions between electricity, gas, hydrogen, transport, and heating systems. He is also deeply involved in the design of energy markets, business models for decentralized systems, and the application of artificial intelligence in zero-carbon infrastructures. His work evaluates the role of emerging technologies such as space-based solar power, hydrogen generation, vehicle-to-grid services, district heating, and solid oxide cells. A strong advocate for systems resilience and reliability, his recent efforts also include energy planning under multi-dimensional uncertainties, with a special emphasis on the economic value of flexibility in future energy systems.

Awards📘

Professor Strbac’s leadership and innovation have earned him appointments to some of the most prestigious scientific and governmental committees in the UK and Europe. These include his role as a Lead Author in the IPCC Working Group III and as a member of the UK Committee of CIRED, OFGEM’s RIIO-2 Challenge Group, and the European Energy Research Alliance. He was also a director of the UK Centre for Sustainable Electricity and Distributed Generation and has chaired numerous advisory boards. His thought leadership continues to shape international dialogues around sustainable energy transitions and infrastructure modernization.

Selected Publications 📘

“Impacts of Large Amounts of Wind Power on Design and Operation of Power Systems: Results of IEA Collaboration” – Wind Energy, 2011, cited by 556 articles 🔄

“Design and Operation of Power Systems with Large Amounts of Wind Power: State of the Art Report” – IEA Wind Report, 2007, cited by 470 articles 🌬️

“Trading Wind Generation in Short-Term Energy Markets” – IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 2002, cited by 450 articles 💱

“Maximising Penetration of Wind Generation in Existing Distribution Networks” – IEE Proceedings – Generation, Transmission and Distribution, 2002, cited by 444 articles ⚙️

“Distribution System State Estimation Using an Artificial Neural Network Approach for Pseudo Measurement Modeling” – IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 2012, cited by 438 articles 🧠

“Value of Bulk Energy Storage for Managing Wind Power Fluctuations” – IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, 2007, cited by 404 articles 🔋

“A Power System Stabilizer for DFIG-Based Wind Generation” – IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 2006, cited by 403 articles 🌀

“Stochastic Scheduling with Inertia-Dependent Fast Frequency Response Requirements” – IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 2016, citation count unavailable 📉

Conclusion📘

Professor Goran Strbac is a transformative figure in the global energy sector, whose innovative approaches to system modeling, digitalization, and low-carbon technology integration are shaping the path toward sustainable energy futures. His academic leadership, international collaborations, and evidence-based contributions to policymaking make him a highly deserving candidate for recognition. From advising government energy reforms to advancing cutting-edge research on hydrogen and flexibility services, his career exemplifies the critical intersection of technical rigor and practical impact. Professor Strbac continues to inspire a new generation of engineers, researchers, and policymakers striving for resilient, efficient, and net-zero energy systems.

Prof. Dr. Fekadu Fufa | Environment | Best Researcher Award

Fekadu Fufa – Environment : Professor at Jimma University, Ethiopia

Prof. Dr. Fekadu Fufa is a highly regarded scholar and educator in environmental and water resource engineering, presently a Full Professor at the Department of Water Supply and Environmental Engineering at Jimma University (JU), Ethiopia. His career, spanning nearly two decades, is marked by academic leadership, impactful research, and a profound commitment to sustainable development. Dr. Fufa has pioneered numerous initiatives in environmental engineering, demonstrating an unwavering dedication to research and education, while mentoring the next generation of professionals. His contributions to Ethiopian environmental policy, particularly in urban water management and resource conservation, underscore his influence as a leader in his field.

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Education

Dr. Fufa’s academic journey reflects his longstanding commitment to environmental science and engineering. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Geology from Addis Ababa University, followed by a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Technology at Jimma University. Pursuing advanced research, he earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Rostock in Germany. His dissertation, focusing on the applicability of geomaterials for groundwater purification, was distinguished with high honors (Magna Cum Laude), and it laid the foundation for his subsequent work in environmental remediation. These academic credentials have positioned Dr. Fufa as a leading expert in sustainable water management, pollution control, and advanced environmental engineering technologies.

Experience

Dr. Fufa’s professional trajectory at Jimma University showcases his rapid progression through academic ranks and leadership roles. Starting as a part-time lecturer, he quickly moved to full-time teaching and research, rising from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor, and finally to Full Professor in Environmental and Water Resource Engineering. Beyond his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Fufa has held prominent administrative roles, including Managing Director and Head of the Department, demonstrating his capability to guide academic programs and institutional growth. His experience extends to Ethiopia’s public sector, where he served as Head of the Oromia Urban and Housing Development Bureau, further emphasizing his expertise in practical applications of environmental engineering and policy implementation.

Research Interests

Prof. Fufa’s research interests span several core areas in environmental and water resource engineering, including pollution control, advanced water treatment, environmental modeling, and hydrological processes. His work frequently integrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) to address complex environmental challenges, such as water quality, soil erosion, and watershed management. His research is particularly focused on sustainable solutions that promote resource efficiency and minimize ecological impact, thereby supporting Ethiopia’s efforts in climate adaptation and environmental protection. With a strong foundation in geotechnical and environmental engineering, Dr. Fufa is dedicated to developing innovative solutions to enhance water availability and quality for both urban and rural communities.

Awards

Dr. Fufa has been recognized for his contributions to environmental engineering with several awards, including an Alumni-Workshop Certificate on Climate Change and Environmental Protection in East Africa. His efforts in academic excellence and community service have earned him numerous certificates of recognition, both at Jimma University and beyond. His service as an editorial board member and peer reviewer for prestigious journals further highlights his standing in the academic community. Dr. Fufa’s involvement in numerous community projects and collaborations with other universities has also brought him accolades for his contributions to sustainable development and resource management.

Publications

Assessing the impacts of land use/land cover changes on hydrological processes in Southern Ethiopia: The SWAT model approach. Cogent Engineering, 2023. Cited by 15 articles.

Land cover change and its implications to hydrological variables and soil erodibility in Lower Baro watershed, Ethiopia: A systematic review. Sustainable Water Resources Management, 2023. Cited by 10 articles.

Estimation of average annual soil loss rates and its prioritization at sub-watershed level using RUSLE: A case of Finca’aa, Oromiya, Western Ethiopia. Environmental Health Engineering and Management Journal, 2023. Cited by 12 articles.

Geophysical and numerical stability analysis of landslide incidents. Heliyon, 2023. Cited by 8 articles.

Rainfall-Runoff Modeling and Its Prioritization at Sub-Watershed Level Using SWAT Model: A Case of Finca’aa, Oromia, Western Ethiopia. Water Conservation & Management, 2022. Cited by 7 articles.

Potential Use of Volcanic Ash as Filler Material in Hot Mix Asphalt. Advances in Civil Engineering, 2022. Cited by 6 articles.

Modeling and optimization of pressure and water age for evaluation of urban water distribution systems performance. Heliyon, 2022. Cited by 5 articles.

Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Fekadu Fufa’s distinguished career in environmental engineering, his impact on academic and governmental institutions, and his dedication to sustainable water management make him an outstanding candidate for the “Best Researcher Award.” His extensive research portfolio addresses some of the most pressing environmental challenges, from water resource management to pollution control. Dr. Fufa’s commitment to education, mentorship, and community service amplifies his contributions to environmental science in Ethiopia and beyond. His work not only advances academic knowledge but also aligns closely with global sustainability goals, ensuring that his influence will benefit future generations.

Goran Strbac | Carbon Energy | Distinguished Academic Leadership Award