I am the Associate Head for Research in the Mechanical, Aerospace and Automotive Engineering School at Coventry University and course director for an MSc programme I developed in Renewable Energy Engineering. I gained my PhD from Aston University whilst working on hybrid solar-biomass power plants and, since then, have continued to focus on improving the performance and reliability of solar, biomass and wind energy technologies, particularly for remote locations. I have designed and built solar thermal collectors in both the UK and India, developed strategies for controlling wind turbines in icing conditions and collaborated with farming communities in developing countries to convert waste crops into alternative fuels. More recently, I co-lead a project to work with refugees in Rwanda and internally displaced people in Nepal to deploy smart humanitarian solar electrification interventions for street lighting and powering community buildings.

Research:

Working in the Fluids and Complex Systems Research Centre, my research explores interdisciplinary engineering methods to advance and promote the uptake of renewable energy systems. I have a particular interest in energy systems modelling and optimisation techniques to arrive at more cost-efficient carbon reduction solutions. I am currently leading three PhD projects on optimising anaerobic digestion systems, micro-grid load shedding and the design of linear solar concentrators.

Areas of Expertise:

Specific areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Solar thermal
• Wind energy
• PV-battery systems
• Thermochemical and biochemical conversion technologies
• Energy systems modelling and optimisation
• Life cycle assessment
• Decision support systems