Supervision Statistics

10+ PhD Graduates
3 Current PhD Students
5+ Masters Graduates
2 Spin-off Companies

Research Metrics

70+ Publications
2,500+ Citations
16 h-index
$5M+ Research Funding
2 Patents

Commercial Impact

OptiGrid Pty Ltd

Active Spin-off

OptiGrid is an Adelaide University spin-off company providing AI-enabled tools for large-scale battery operation in the National Electricity Market (NEM). Co-founded with PhD students Sahand Karimi and Trong Nam Dinh, OptiGrid delivers cutting-edge solutions that maximize battery asset potential and accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

Founded

2024

Co-Founders

3 (Dr. Ali + 2 PhD Students)

Industry Support

Major Energy Companies

Accelerator

Climate 10x (UNSW Founders)

Key Products & Achievements

  • OptiForecaster: Accurate electricity price forecasting
  • OptiBidder: Intelligent asset operation and market bidding
  • Successfully completed Climate 10x Accelerator program
  • Industry backing from major energy sector companies
  • Accelerating coal plant retirement through improved battery economics
  • Contributing to lower energy prices for consumers

Awards & Recognition

2022

Promotion to Senior Lecturer

Promoted to Senior Lecturer position at Adelaide University in recognition of research excellence and contributions to teaching.

2019

IEEE Senior Member

Elevated to the grade of IEEE Senior Member for significant contribution to the profession in power systems and smart grid technologies.

2021

IEEE-CIS Competition - 5th Place

Team FRESNO (Ray, Nam, and Yogi) achieved 5th place in the international IEEE-CIS FORECAST+OPTIMIZE competition.

2015

Best Journal Paper Award

For the paper "Real-time energy management of a stand-alone hybrid wind-microturbine energy system using particle swarm optimization" in IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy.

2014

Best Journal Paper Award

For the paper "Introducing dynamic demand response in the LFC model" in IEEE Transactions on Power Systems.

2013

Honor Student Recognition

2nd place in total GPA and high-quality publications in ISI journals and international conferences, Amirkabir University of Technology.

Professional Service & Leadership

Adelaide Power System Summer School

Founded and organized annual intensive training program for students and professionals in power systems engineering, renewable integration, and smart grid technologies.

AUPEC 2022 Conference

Organized 32nd Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference (AUPEC) with tutorials from international experts and best student paper awards.

Journal Reviewer

Active reviewer for IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy, and other leading journals in power systems and energy.

Industry Advisory Boards

Member of advisory boards for energy companies and government departments, providing strategic guidance on renewable integration and grid modernization.