About us

Fredrik Haglind is professor at Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark. Prof. Haglind manages one of the leading research groups within sustainable thermal power with focus on advanced turbomachinery, thermo-mechanical energy storage, efficient heat transfer, and sustainable heat-to-power conversion technologies.

Nishith Babubhai Desai is a senior researcher at the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark. Dr. Desai have experience in the design and optimization of concentrated solar power plants, thermal energy storage systems, modeling and optimization of energy systems, and waste/low-grade heat recovery systems.

Professor Fredrik Haglind

Fredrik Haglind is Professor at Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark.

Prof. Haglind manages one of the leading research groups within sustainable thermal power with focus on advanced turbomachinery, thermo-mechanical energy storage, efficient heat transfer, and sustainable heat-to-power conversion technologies.

Associate Professor Maria Hahlin

Maria Hahlin is Associate Professor jointly appointed at the Department of Chemistry – Ångström Laboratory and the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Sweden.

Her research focuses on understanding chemical reactions and interfacial processes in lithium-ion batteries, particularly electrode–electrolyte interphases. She specializes in developing and applying advanced X-ray spectroscopy techniques to investigate battery interfaces and degradation mechanisms, contributing to improved battery performance, safety, and lifetime.

Assistant Professor Leiting Zhang

Leiting Zhang is Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemistry – Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Sweden.

His research focuses on understanding electrochemical and chemomechanical degradation mechanisms in next-generation batteries, including lithium-ion, lithium-metal, aqueous, and solid-state batteries. He specializes in developing and applying advanced operando characterization techniques, particularly acoustic emission sensing and online gas analysis, to improve battery performance, safety, and lifetime.

Associate Professor Sara Vinco

Sara Vinco has been an Associate Professor in the Department of Control and Computer Engineering at Politecnico di Torino since 2021.

Her main research interests include the modeling, simulation, and design of cyber-physical and smart systems, with particular emphasis on extra-functional properties such as energy, timing, thermal behavior, and reliability. Her contributions to battery management and charging systems include the development of data-driven models and digital twins for estimating battery state of charge and state of health, with applications extending to second-life batteries.

Professor Christian Rehtanz

Christian Rehtanz is full professor and head of the institute of energy systems, energy efficiency and energy ecomomis (ie3) at TU Dortmund University, Germany.

His scientific work involves the development of future energy systems for the use of renewable energy sources, sector coupling incl. electric mobility. He performs related research on grid stability, grid expansion requirements, and highly automated grid and system control using new methods. His research spans both regional supply concepts and Europe-wide system analyses.

Professor Liana Cipcigan

Liana Cipcigan is Professor of Transport Electrification and Smart Grids at Cardiff University’s School of Engineering.

Prof. Cipcigan leads the Electric Vehicle Centre of Excellence and is the UK lead of Transport Energy Infrastructure Thrust at the Global Center for Clean Energy and Equitable Transportation Solutions (CLEETS). For over 15 years, she has been a pioneering figure in the transition to electrified transport and is acknowledged globally as an expert in decarbonising transport through electrification using a holistic system approach integrating electricity and transport networks. 

Professor Peter Wells

Peter Wells is Professor of Business and Sustainability at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University. 

Prof. Wells has over 35 years’ experience of research into the global automotive industry, lately focussed on policy and strategy related to electrification. As part of the TRAINFAST project, he will focus on technical cost modelling and business strategy within the context of sociotechnical transitions.

Professor Dimitris Potoglou

Dimitris Potoglou is Professor in the School of Social and Spatial Sciences, Department of Geography and Planning at Cardiff University, UK. 

Prof. Potoglou leads research on travel behaviour and individual choice, focusing on the transition to cleaner and more equitable transport. His work examines demand for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, transport-related inequalities, and public priorities for active-travel investment. He is also the UK Thrust lead for the 'Clean and Equitable Transportation' research theme within the CLEETS Global Centre. 

Dr Laszlo Farkas

Laszlo Farkas is Senior Research Manager at Siemens Industry Software NV (SISW), Leuven, Belgium

Dr. Farkas, is responsible for defining and coordinating research projects in the domain of energy transition with a focus on battery simulation and Digital Twins, covering multi-physics modelling of battery material and cell behaviour including effect of manufacturing, ageing, etc.

Auroskanda Vepari, CEO

Auroskanda Vepari is the CEO of MOLE. 

Vepari has had a career in the energy sector across the value chain (Trading & origination, long term contracts, project finance, project development, investments, innovation management, ventures/startup). Vepari's key strengths are identifying commercial opportunities, and structuring and executing transactions and businesses around them.  He holds a M.Sc. in International Finance from the University of Amsterdam.