Francesca Vecchi | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Francesca Vecchi | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Francesca Vecchi | Energy and Sustainability | PhD | Polytechnic University of Bari | Italy

Francesca Vecchi is an Italian researcher specializing in sustainability engineering, renewable energy communities, and urban energy planning, with a strong academic background in urban and territorial planning. Currently pursuing her PhD at Politecnico di Bari in collaboration with Concordia University, she focuses on integrating renewable energy communities into urban areas through energy market mechanisms and policy analysis. Her research combines GIS-based tools, energy modelling, and solar analysis to optimize mixed-use urban neighbourhoods, with international experience as a visiting scholar in Canada at Toronto Metropolitan University and Concordia University. She has authored multiple publications in high-impact journals, contributed to notable projects such as ICELL, S2E, and Tools4Cities, and received several prestigious awards and scholarships, including the Ermenegildo Zegna Founder’s Scholarship and AiCARR Thesis Award. Francesca’s work is marked by interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to advancing sustainable urban energy solutions.

Professional Profile 

Education  

Francesca Vecchi holds a PhD in Sustainability Engineering and Safety in Civil and Industrial Buildings from Politecnico di Bari, conducted in collaboration with Concordia University in Montreal, where her research focuses on integrating renewable energy communities into urban contexts. She earned a Master’s degree in Planning for the Global Urban Agenda from Politecnico di Torino, an international program aligned with the United Nations’ New Urban Agenda, complemented by her participation in the Alta Scuola Politecnica, a prestigious multidisciplinary program jointly run by Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino. She also completed a Bachelor’s degree in Urban, Territorial and Landscape-Environmental Planning from Politecnico di Torino, enriched by an Erasmus semester at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom. Her educational path began with a High School Diploma in languages from Liceo Scientifico Manfredo Fanti, which included a cultural exchange experience at Burlingame High School in San Francisco, USA.

Professional Experience

Francesca Vecchi has gained extensive professional and research experience across academic, international, and project-based environments. At Politecnico di Bari, she has been actively engaged in research on renewable energy communities, energy network management, and the integration of renewables in urban and coastal cities. As a visiting scholar at Concordia University in Montreal, she contributed to projects such as ICELL and S2E, developing energy remuneration and sharing policies, simulating energy communities, and integrating occupancy profiles into urban energy modelling tools. She also worked on demographic scenario simulations for Montreal districts, assessing both energy and financial impacts. Earlier, as a visiting scholar at Toronto Metropolitan University, she developed her master’s thesis on urban building energy modelling and solar assessment. Additionally, she served as a learning support teacher at Politecnico di Torino, assisting students with general learning needs. Her professional journey reflects a consistent commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, technical innovation, and the advancement of sustainable urban energy systems.

Research Interest

Francesca Vecchi’s research interests center on the integration of renewable energy communities within urban environments, with a strong focus on energy market mechanisms, policy analysis, and sustainable urban planning. She is particularly engaged in developing GIS-based energy assessments, multi-scalar urban energy modelling, and solar analysis to optimize building and district-level performance. Her work explores mixed-use neighbourhoods, residential occupancy patterns, and the diffusion of renewable energy policies in different socio-political contexts. She is also interested in applying advanced simulation tools to assess energy and financial impacts, fostering cross-disciplinary approaches that bridge engineering, planning, and policy-making to accelerate the energy transition and support climate-resilient cities.

Award and Honor

Francesca Vecchi has received multiple awards and honors in recognition of her academic excellence, research contributions, and commitment to sustainability. She was awarded the AiCARR Thesis Award for outstanding work on energy efficiency and sustainable well-being, and earned a Certificate of Merit at the AIGE/IIETA International Conference for her research on solar analysis in urban contexts. She is a recipient of the prestigious Ermenegildo Zegna Founder’s Scholarship, enabling advanced research abroad, and has been honored by the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Carpi for achieving top grades in both her master’s and bachelor’s studies. Her distinctions reflect not only her high academic performance but also the innovative and practical impact of her research in the fields of renewable energy and sustainable urban planning.

Publications Top Noted

National Geodatabase to Map Consumptions for Energy Transition
Year: 2025

Energy remuneration mechanisms for renewable energy communities: Insights from a mixed-use district
Year: 2025

Modelling the complexity of interconnected energy systems at different urban scales: a critical review
Year: 2025

Modelling tools for the assessment of Renewable Energy Communities
Year: 2024

Solar analysis for an urban context from GIS to block-scale evaluations
Year: 2024

Self-Sufficiency Building Energy Modelling from Urban to Block-Scale with PV Technology
Year: 2023

Data-driven urban building energy models for the platform of Toronto
Year: 2023

Conclusion

Francesca Vecchi stands out as a highly promising and deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her combination of technical skill, cross-cultural research experience, policy insight, and consistent scholarly output not only positions her as an emerging leader in renewable energy and sustainable urban systems but also aligns closely with the award’s aim to recognize impactful, forward-looking research that addresses global challenges.

Philip Kofi Adom | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

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Philip Kofi Adom | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at, University of Witwatersrand South Africa

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Philip Kofi Adom is a distinguished Ghanaian economist and academic renowned for his cutting-edge research in energy economics, environmental policy, and sustainable development. Currently serving as Associate Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand and soon-to-be Professor and Head of the Economics Department at Ashesi University (2026), he has held several key academic and research positions across Ghana, South Africa, Sweden, and Hong Kong. With extensive contributions to policy-influencing research through global platforms like the Environment for Development (EfD), SETI, and the African Development Bank, Dr. Adom bridges the gap between rigorous academic inquiry and practical development solutions. He is also a dedicated educator and mentor, contributing significantly to curriculum design, research supervision, and academic leadership. His accolades, including the prestigious Global Swede Award and multiple international research grants, affirm his stature as a global thought leader in sustainable economic development.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Philip Kofi Adom earned his PhD in Economics from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in 2016, where his thesis on “Energy Demand Management in Selected African Countries” received the prestigious Global Swede Award. He was mentored by a trio of accomplished scholars and served as a Browald Scholar. He holds an MPhil in Economics from the University of Ghana, graduating with a GPA of 3.71/4.0 under the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) scholarship. His academic journey began with a First Class Honours B.Ed. in Social Sciences (Economics) from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Dr. Adom has further enhanced his expertise with specialized certifications in financial appraisal, efficiency analysis, and market-based instruments from institutions in Sweden, Canada, and the Netherlands. This diverse and international academic foundation equips him with a strong analytical, empirical, and interdisciplinary approach to economic research and policy innovation.

Experience

Dr. Adom’s academic and research career spans over a decade, with teaching and research roles at prestigious institutions such as the University of the Witwatersrand, Ashesi University, and Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). From 2026, he will assume the role of Professor and Head of Economics at Ashesi University. He has held research fellowships and advisory roles at top international think tanks, including SETI-IGE (University of Gothenburg), EfD (Duke University), and the African Development Bank. He was also Director of Research at the Institute of Energy and Climate Change Policy. Earlier in his career, he served as a Lecturer at the University of Professional Studies and a Visiting Lecturer at Central University. His broad experience integrates economics, policy advocacy, research leadership, curriculum development, and student mentorship across multiple international and African contexts, reflecting a well-rounded and impactful academic trajectory.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Adom is the recipient of several prestigious international awards and honors. Most notably, he was honored with the Global Swede Award by the Swedish Foreign Ministry and the Browarldh PhD Scholarship by Handelsbanken for his doctoral work. He was also awarded the NOVA Scholarship and DANIDA GRANT under the Growth and Employment Platform. Early in his career, he earned the African Economic Research Consortium Scholarship and a Senior High School Government Scholarship in Ghana. These honors recognize both his academic excellence and his policy-relevant research in economics. His ability to consistently attract competitive funding—such as from IDRC Canada, SiDA Sweden, and the International Growth Centre—has further enabled him to lead and collaborate on high-impact projects across Africa and globally. His career trajectory exemplifies scholarly excellence and practical relevance in addressing development challenges.

Research Focus

Dr. Adom’s research spans energy economics, environmental and resource economics, applied econometrics, and sustainable development. His core interest lies in investigating how African countries can transition toward efficient, low-carbon, and inclusive economies. He applies advanced quantitative tools—such as efficiency analysis and econometric modeling—to assess energy policies, informality’s effect on energy efficiency, and socioeconomic outcomes of climate change. He also explores the intersection of financial inclusion, child development, and household behavior in low-income settings. As a senior fellow in initiatives like SETI and EfD, he contributes to shaping research on community forestry, utility regulation, and clean energy transitions. Through projects funded by IDRC, SiDA, and IGC, he generates evidence that influences national and regional policy. His multidisciplinary approach brings together environmental science, development economics, and public policy, making him a key contributor to achieving the SDGs in Africa and beyond.

Publication Top Notes

Carbon dioxide emissions, economic growth, industrial structure, and technical efficiency: Empirical evidence from Ghana, Senegal, and Morocco on the causal dynamics

Electricity consumption-economic growth nexus: the Ghanaian case

Modelling aggregate domestic electricity demand in Ghana: An autoregressive distributed lag bounds cointegration approach

The technical decomposition of carbon emissions and the concerns about FDI and trade openness effects in the United States

Asymmetric impacts of the determinants of energy intensity in Nigeria

Effects of changing trade structure and technical characteristics of the manufacturing sector on energy intensity in Ghana

Andrés Robalino-López | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

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Andrés Robalino-López | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr Andrés Robalino-López, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Ecuador

Prof. Dr. Andrés Robalino-López is a distinguished academic and researcher at Escuela Politécnica Nacional (EPN), Ecuador, with an extensive background in environmental technologies, innovation, and complex systems. With a PhD earned cum laude from Universidad de Huelva, Spain, he combines academic rigor with practical leadership in research, innovation ecosystems, and entrepreneurship. As a key figure in Ecuador’s academic landscape, he serves as Deputy Dean, program coordinator, and research director. Internationally recognized through affiliations with MIT’s REAP program and the Academy of Sciences of Ecuador, his interdisciplinary contributions span environmental modeling, innovation management, and sustainable development. His research has informed policy, supported national and international projects worth over $500K, and been published in high-impact journals. His commitment to systemic transformation through science, education, and public policy underscores his eligibility for the Best Researcher Award.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Orcid

Scopus

Education

Dr. Robalino-López earned his PhD in Environmental Technologies (cum laude) from Universidad de Huelva, Spain (2014), focusing on carbon emissions and sustainable development using system dynamics. He also holds Master’s degrees in Control Engineering (2012) and Environmental Technologies (2011) from the same university. He completed an MBA in Innovation (2022) from Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Ecuador. His engineering foundation was laid at Escuela Politécnica Nacional (2008), where he graduated cum laude in ICT. He has undertaken postgraduate studies in Energy and Environment at Glasgow Caledonian University, UK (2010) and served as a visiting researcher at Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy (2013). His academic training is rounded out by executive programs at MIT, Berkeley, Taiwan, Brazil, and other global institutions, reflecting a strong and continuous commitment to interdisciplinary and global education.

Experience

Prof. Robalino has over a decade of academic and research leadership at Escuela Politécnica Nacional, serving as Full Professor, Deputy Dean, and Program Coordinator for multiple postgraduate and research initiatives. Internationally, he has represented Ecuador in MIT’s REAP program since 2017, leading entrepreneurship and innovation acceleration. His role as Horizon Europe – NCP for EIT and various positions such as Department Chair, Innovation Transfer Coordinator, and External Auditor (CES) underscores his systemic impact. His hands-on engagement in over a dozen research projects and development initiatives—totaling more than $500K in funding—spans renewable energy, sustainability, and technological innovation. He is also a sought-after lecturer, teaching in postgraduate and PhD programs, with additional experience in collaborative research in Spain and Italy. His leadership blends academic depth with policy-level engagement and international collaboration.

Awards and Honors

Prof. Robalino’s contributions have been widely recognized. He was awarded Best Researcher by CEDIA in 2023, following a nomination in 2022. In 2020, he was inducted into the Academy of Sciences of Ecuador, and in 2019, he received commendation from MIT-REAP for contributions to innovation ecosystems in Quito. At a national level, EPN awarded him the Research Production Award (2015). He is a recipient of numerous prestigious fellowships, including the SENESCYT Dissertation Fellowship (2011–2014), Fundación Carolina, AUIP, and Erasmus, supporting studies in Spain, the UK, and Italy. Additionally, he has secured research grants for international residencies and led funded projects across multiple organizations. These accolades highlight not only his academic excellence but also his real-world impact in sustainable development, innovation management, and capacity building in Ecuador and beyond.

Research Focus

Dr. Robalino’s research lies at the intersection of environmental systems, complex system dynamics, innovation ecosystems, and technology management. His doctoral work pioneered carbon emission modeling and environmental sustainability forecasting in Ecuador using system dynamics and decomposition analysis. He has expanded this approach to entrepreneurship ecosystems, policy scenario evaluation, and sustainability indicators. His recent projects focus on organizational innovation, carbon neutrality strategies, and macroeconomic-environmental modeling. He emphasizes the use of interdisciplinary frameworks to inform national energy and sustainability policies, as seen in collaborations with CEDIA, CONQUITO, and MIT-REAP. His work often combines quantitative modeling, foresight methodologies, and system thinking to guide public and private sector strategies. By integrating research with policy, Dr. Robalino creates actionable insights for sustainable and innovation-driven development across Latin America.

Publication Top Notes

  • Studying the relationship between economic growth, CO2 emissions, and the EKC in Venezuela (1980–2025)
    Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (2015), 215 citations
    Groundbreaking analysis on the Environmental Kuznets Curve, combining system dynamics and econometrics.

  • System dynamics modeling for renewable energy and CO2 emissions: A case study of Ecuador
    Energy for Sustainable Development (2014), 175 citations
    Pioneering use of system dynamics to simulate energy policy impacts on emissions.

  • System dynamics modelling and the environmental Kuznets curve in Ecuador (1980–2025)
    Energy Policy (2014), 104 citations
    Introduced scenario-based carbon forecasting in Ecuadorian policy research.

  • CO2 emissions convergence among 10 South American countries. A study of Kaya components
    Carbon Management (2016), 65 citations
    Comparative study highlighting regional energy-environment dynamics.

  • Regional cooperation in environmental protection via e-government
    Environment. Technologies. Resources (2017), 20 citations
    Explores digital governance for sustainable development in Andean nations.

Oliver. O Apeh | Renewable Energy Technologies | Best Researcher Award

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Oliver. O Apeh | Renewable Energy Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Dr Oliver. O Apeh, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Dr. Oliver O. Apeh is an accomplished physicist and researcher specializing in solar energy, the Food-Energy-Water Nexus, and blockchain applications. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Fort Hare, South Africa (2021), with a dissertation on solar photovoltaic system performance. His research integrates machine learning, renewable energy, and sustainability to address global challenges. Currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Johannesburg, he supervises students and contributes to groundbreaking studies on energy optimization. With numerous academic publications, awards, and professional memberships, Dr. Apeh’s work significantly impacts renewable energy advancements. His dedication to sustainability and innovation makes him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. 🌞🔬📚

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Education  

Dr. Oliver O. Apeh 🎓 is a dedicated physicist specializing in solar energy and materials science. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Fort Hare, South Africa (November 2021) 🌞, with a thesis on the comparative performance of 3-kWp solar photovoltaic systems under varying meteorological conditions in Alice, Eastern Cape. He holds an M.Sc. in Physics and Astronomy (December 2015) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he researched nanostructured zinc oxide thin films 🏗️. Additionally, he completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Physics Education from the National Open University of Nigeria (December 2014) 📚. His academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Physics and Astronomy (July 2011) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he synthesized and characterized tungsten oxide using the chemical bath method ⚛️. His expertise bridges renewable energy, nanomaterials, and education, contributing to sustainable technology advancements.

Experience

Dr. Oliver O. Apeh is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Johannesburg Business School, University of Johannesburg 🇿🇦 (2022–Present), where he supervises Honors and Master’s students while researching the Food-Energy-Water Nexus, machine learning applications in solar energy, and blockchain for energy systems 🔬⚡📊. Since 2023, he has also been a Visiting Lecturer at Eduvos Higher Institution, Midrand Campus 🇿🇦, teaching undergraduate students and guiding Honors research 👨‍🏫📖. Previously, he was a Research Assistant at the University of Fort Hare 🇿🇦 (2018–2021), conducting experiments and authoring research papers. In addition, he served as a Student Administrator (2020–2021), assisting international students with visa applications 🌍📝. Dr. Apeh also lectured physics and mathematics at NCM Computer and Business Academy, Fort Beaufort 🇿🇦 (2021) 📚🔢. His career is marked by significant contributions to teaching, supervision, and research, demonstrating his dedication to academia and innovation 🚀🎓.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Oliver O. Apeh is a distinguished scholar and educator with a strong commitment to research and teaching. He was a recipient of the prestigious National Research Foundation (NRF) Grant Award at the University of Fort Hare (2017–2021) 🏅, supporting his groundbreaking research. His academic excellence was further recognized through the University of Fort Hare Doctoral Research Award (2017–2021) 🎓, reflecting his outstanding contributions to knowledge. Dr. Apeh’s dedication to discipline and time management earned him a Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Punctuality from St. Cyprian’s Science School in 2014 ⏳. His passion for teaching was evident early in his career when he received the Best Science Teacher Award at Community Secondary School, Aguibeje in 2003 🏆. These accolades showcase his unwavering dedication to education, research, and mentorship, making him a respected figure in academia and beyond. ✨📚

Research Focus

Dr. Oliver O. Apeh’s research focuses on renewable energy technologies, particularly solar photovoltaics, machine learning applications in energy systems, and the Food-Energy-Water Nexus. His studies investigate blockchain for energy optimization, sustainability in agri-food industries, and solar forecasting techniques. He has authored numerous high-impact publications on energy efficiency, grid resilience, and economic growth through renewable energy. His work bridges the gap between technology and sustainability, aiming to solve global energy challenges using data-driven and AI-enhanced methodologies. With a multidisciplinary approach, Dr. Apeh advances clean energy innovations, offering insights into smart energy management and climate-friendly solutions. ☀️🔗📊

Publication Top Notes

Contributions of solar photovoltaic systems to environmental and socioeconomic aspects of national development—A review

Monthly, seasonal and yearly assessments of global solar radiation, clearness index and diffuse fractions in alice, South Africa

Properties of nanostructured ZnO thin films synthesized using a modified aqueous chemical growth method

The water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus scenario in Africa: Perspective and policy implementations

Performance evaluation of Bi2O3@GO and Bi2O3@rGO composites electrode for supercapacitor application

Modeling and experimental analysis of battery charge controllers for comparing three off-grid photovoltaic power plants

Electrical and meteorological data acquisition system of a commercial and domestic microgrid for monitoring pv parameters