Modelling and Evaluation of Energy Systems

Engineering for Sustainable Development

Fuel Cell

Dr. Abed Alaswad is a Reader in Mechanical Engineering and an expert in Sustainable Energy Systems modeling and evaluation. He is the Director of the Engineering for Sustainable Development Research Centre at Aston University.

Dr. Alaswad obtained his PhD in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering from Dublin City University. He has held research and academic positions at DCU, the University of the West of Scotland, and Birmingham City University before joining Aston in 2018. At Aston, he previously served as Programme Director for Mechanical Engineering.

Throughout his career, Dr. Alaswad has published over 60 peer-reviewed journal articles and Elsevier books chapters, and has supervised four PhD students to completion. He has led and co- led various research projects funded by EPSRC, Innovate UK, ETP, GCRF, RAEng, and the British Council toatalling over £3m, collaborating with partners in the UK, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East. As linked to the West Midland's development, he co-leads the £2.93m Business Energy Advice Service Project supporting energy-intensive industries in the West Midlands, and oversees the £1.4m SURGE Project's delivery funded by GBSLEP.

Dr. Alaswad serves on the Editorial Board for Science of the Total Environment (IF: 10.753, Citescore: 14.1) and is a reviewer for the prestigious Newton Fund Prize. He is a frequent keynote speaker on the role of engineers in sustainable development, integrating examples from his own research.

As a strategic educational leader and Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA), Dr. Alaswad has been instrumental in implementing the CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate) framework in universities, enhancing practical engineering education.

• Ahmed Al Makky: Prediction of the gas emission from soil media with concern of Energy and Environment. Feb 2013- July 2016.

• Cristina Rodriguez: Improving biogas yield from seaweeds by mechanical pretreatment co-digestion. Feb 2014- July 2017.

• Sherdon Ninio: Modelling the offshore wind resources in the Philippines (Newton Fund Project). September 2016- May 2020. 

• Abdelnasir Omran (P/T): Techno Economic Study of PEM Fuel Cell Vehicles with focus on Efficiency and Power Consumption. January 2018- Feb 2024

• Principle fellow of Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) since Dec 2023.
• Recipient of the VC award for Research Impact and Knowledge Exchange in 2023.

Editorial Board Member for Science of the Total Environment (Impact Factor: 10.753, Citescore: 14.1).

PI: Transforming Systems through Partnership- Royal Academy of Engineering: A sustainable heating system using pyrolysis’ carbon black fuel source for Jordan’s refugee camps and rural areas. Fund: 120k.

Aston PI: GCRF demonstrate impact in meeting the sustainable development goals: phase 1. Low Cost Filtered Drinking Water in Remote Areas in Pakistan. Fund: 60k.

Co- PI: GCRF Research and Innovation: Cooling for life in sub-Saharan Africa, stage-1 (CL-Africa-1). June 2019. Income: £50k. 

PI: Ingenious scheme- Royal Academy of Engineering: Birmingham City Engineering Festival. 11- 17^th July 2017. Income: £30k.

Academic support with A. G. Olabi: Knowledge Transfer Partnership, with PEAK Scientific: Development of in-house hydrogen cell for use in the company's range of Hydrogen generator. June 2015- June 2017. Income: £170k.

Co- PI: Consultancy report on Waste Energy utilization for Mitsubishi Electric. May 2016. Income: £6.5k.

Co- PI: Energy Technology Partnership (ETP): Utilizing Waste Energy from Restaurant Business (Chin Chin Ltd). January 2016- April 2016. Income: £15k.

Co- PI: Msc students training in Renewable Energy technologies. The training was funded by the Italian Government for 6 Italian students. September 2015- March 2016.  Income: 53.500 €.

Co- PI: Innovation Voucher: Energy Saving from Restaurant Business. A feasibility study. September 2015 (Chin Chin Ltd). Income: £5k.

Co- PI: CPD Training course for chemical engineers in the Saudi Company (Al-Kefah). July- August 2015. Income: £13.5k.