Modelling and Evaluation of Energy Systems

Engineering for Sustainable Development

Fuel Cell

Dr Abed Alaswad is a Reader in Mechanical Engineering and a leading researcher in Sustainble Energy Systems modelling and evaluation. He is the Director of Engineering for Sustainable Development Research Centre, and the Deputy Head of Mechanical, Biomedical and Design Engineering Department at Aston University.

Since received his PhD in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering from Dublin City University, Abed has been working for DCU, University of the West of Scotland and Birmingham City University before he joint Aston in 2018. At Aston, he was the Prog Director for Mechanical Engineering before taking on his current position. During his career, Dr Alaswad has published over 60 articles in Peer reviewed International Journals and Elsevier books. He supervised 4 PhD students to completion.

He has a track record of leading/ contributing to research projects as funded by (EPSRC, IUK, ETP, GCRF, RAEng, BC) working along with partners from the UK and internationally from South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. In the region he has been leading on the delivery of the 1.4m SURGE project with GBSLEP and co-leading the 2.93m Decarbonisation research contract to support energy intensive industry in the West Midlands throughtout the transition towards Net Zero.

Dr Alaswad is an Editorial Board Member for the Science of the Total Environment (IF: 10.753, Citescore: 14.1) and reviews for the Prestigious Newton Fund Prize. He delivers keynote sessions in different occasions, including internationally, about the role of engineers to support sustainable development embedding cases from his own research.

Dr Alaswad is a strategic education leader and a Principle Fellow of Advanced HEA. He has been active in leading transformation in other Universities towards implementing Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate (CDIO) framework. 

• 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

• Accreditted as a 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.