10+
PhD Graduates
4
Current PhD Students
5+
Masters Graduates
5+
Postdoc Mentees

Current Team Members

Sepehr Karimi

Sepehr Karimi

PhD Candidate
NIPhD Project

Conducting research on developing a unified approach for price prediction and battery operation in the Australian National Electricity Market.

Started: 2025
Tamsa Hans

Tamsa Hans

PhD Candidate
MOVE Project

Conducting research on data-driven trustworthy and intepretable mining fleet electrification modelling.

Started: 2023
Shah Islam

Shah Islam

PhD Candidate
MOVE Project

Working on MOVE project designing complex algorithms for optimal sizing of energy infrastructure in mining sector.

Hans-Jürgen Grant Winner
Started: 2022
Behnam Hashemian Ataabadi

Behnam Hashemian Ataabadi

PhD Candidate
MOVE Project

Developing charging planning and scheduling algorithms for electric haul trucks in underground mining.

Wind-Hydrogen Competition Winner
Started: 2022
Yogesh Pipada Sunil Kumar

Yogesh Pipada Sunil Kumar

PhD Candidate
FRESNO Project

Developing data-driven optimisation solutions for demand aggregator participation in electricity market.

IEEE CIS Competition Winner
Started: 2020
Sahand Karimi-Arpanahi

Sahand Karimi-Arpanahi

PhD Candidate
Independent Research

Developing predictability models and battery sizing and operation based on predictability measures.

3MT Finalist OptiGrid CEO SA Power Networks Best Paper Award
Started: 2020

Alumni

Dr. Hossein Ranjbar

Dr. Hossein Ranjbar

Postdoc
MOVE Project

Developed algorithms for energy infrastructure design, engaged with industry partners, helped with project governance.

2022-2025
Current Position: Energy Market Analyst at OptiGrid
Dr. Trong Nam Dinh

Dr. Trong Nam Dinh

PhD
FRESNO Project

Worked on game-theoretic models of prosumers.

OptiGrid Co-founder IEEE CIS Competition Winner
2020-2025
Current Position: Lead Data Scientist at OptiGrid
Dr. Rui Yuan

Dr. Rui Yuan

PhD
FRESNO Project

Developed models for consumer reaction to time-varying prices.

IEEE CIS Competition
2020-2025
Current Position: Data Analyst at AGL
Dr. Hirad Assimi

Dr. Hirad Assimi

Postdoc
MOVE Project

Developed algorithms for energy estimation of electric trucks, engaged with industry partners, helped with project governance.

Helmholtz Grant Winner
2021-2024
Current Position: Fortescue
Dr. Hao Wang

Dr. Hao Wang

PhD
Independent Research

Developed models and control algorithms for vanadium redox flow batteries.

2020-2024
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at Nanyang Technological University
Dr. Yuan Yao

Dr. Yuan Yao

PhD
Independent Research

RDeveloped DC microgrid setup and designed control algorithms.

Best Paper Award in AUPEC 2022
2018-2022
Current Position: Power System Engineer at ElectraNet
Dr. Mahsa Bagheri

Dr. Mahsa Bagheri

PhD
Independent Research

Worked on electric vehicle parking lots flexibility in distribution networks with high renewable penetration.

2018-2022
Current Position: Principal Power Systems Consultant at GHD
Dr. Giulia De Zotti

Dr. Giulia De Zotti

PhD
Independent Research

Developed simulation algorithms and models for TSO-DSO interaction and demand flexibility.

2016-2019
Current Position: Senior Advisor at TotalEnergies

Notable Student Achievements

2025
Trong Nam Dinh - School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Award for Excellence in HDR (Research Achievement)
2025
Shah Islam - Hans-Jurgen and Marianne Ohff Research Grant for NTNU collaboration
2024
Dr. Hirad Assimi - Helmholtz Visiting Researcher Grant for KIT Germany research stay
2023
Team UoA - First place in Wind-Hydrogen optimization competition at Connecting Green Hydrogen APAC
2023
Sahand Karimi-Arpanahi - Falling Walls Labs South Australia finalist; Faculty of SET 3MT finalist
2022
Yuan Yao - Best Paper Award at AUPEC 2022
2022
Sahand Karimi-Arpanahi - SA Power Networks Best Paper Award at AUPEC 2022
2021
Team FRESNO (Yuan, Dinh, Pipada) - 5th place in IEEE-CIS PREDICT+OPTIMIZE renewable energy challenge

How We Work

Weekly research meetings, collaborative paper writing, industry placements where relevant, and strong mentorship aimed at top‑tier publications and real‑world impact.

Join Our Research Team

We welcome applications from motivated PhD and Masters students, as well as postdoctoral researchers interested in power systems, battery storage, and renewable energy integration.