Katia Sofia D S Gomes | Renewable Energy and Energy Transition | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Katia Sofia D S Gomes | Renewable Energy and Energy Transition | Best Researcher Award

PhD Candidate and Research Assistant at RWTH Aachen University | Germany

Katia D. S. Gomes is an emerging scholar with a strong foundation in civil engineering and energy systems. Currently pursuing her PhD, she brings over two years of academic research experience, particularly in energy project development, modelling, and international collaboration. Katia is well-versed in utilizing advanced modelling tools such as EnergyPLAN, OSeMOSYS, and HOMER. Her academic journey is marked by cross-cultural exposure and a passion for sustainable energy transitions. Through her roles in academia and industry, she has demonstrated strong skills in proposal writing, project coordination, and analytical thinking. Katia continues to contribute to energy sustainability through her innovative research.

Profile

Orcid

Education

Katia holds a Master of Science in Energy and Green Hydrogen, which she completed at the University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar, Senegal. Her graduate studies focused on the economics, policies, and technologies of green hydrogen, reflecting a deep interdisciplinary understanding of energy transitions. Prior to that, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University Jean Piaget of Cape Verde. Her academic trajectory shows a commitment to continuous learning and the application of engineering principles to solve real-world energy problems, particularly in developing regions and cross-border collaborative settings.

Experience

Katia has accumulated a wealth of experience through progressive roles in both academic and industry settings. Currently, she works as a research assistant at RWTH Aachen University in Germany, contributing to energy modelling and proposal development for hydrogen-related projects across Africa and Europe. She also supported the university as a student assistant in 2023. Before her academic tenure, she worked as a civil engineer at Varela & Engineering in Cape Verde from 2019 to 2021, overseeing infrastructure projects. Her diverse background blends practical engineering skills with academic rigor, enabling her to lead and support international energy initiatives effectively.

Research Interest

Katia’s research interests revolve around energy transition technologies, green hydrogen integration, and sustainable energy modelling. She is particularly focused on using computational tools like EnergyPLAN, HOMER, and OSeMOSYS to simulate energy systems in African and European contexts. Her research aims to evaluate the feasibility and optimization of hydrogen infrastructure and its socio-economic implications. Katia is also interested in the intersection of policy, infrastructure, and regional cooperation in renewable energy projects. Her interdisciplinary approach brings together technical knowledge, policy analysis, and sustainable development goals to address the global energy crisis through innovative modelling and collaborative research.

Award

Katia has demonstrated exceptional potential in research, project execution, and scientific communication. Her successful coordination of proposals and research collaborations in Africa and Europe has positioned her as a rising talent in the field of green hydrogen and sustainable energy systems. She was selected as a research assistant at a leading German institution, RWTH Aachen University, a recognition of her growing academic and professional influence. Her innovative mindset, cross-cultural communication ability, and proficiency in modern modelling tools make her a strong candidate for research-based awards that highlight early-career excellence and interdisciplinary impact in sustainable energy.

Publication Top Notes

  • Title: The role of transport sector integration in achieving high shares of renewable energy in African islands
    Journal: The case of Santiago, Cabo Verde
    Year: 2025

Conclusion

Katia D. S. Gomes embodies the qualities of a promising researcher with a clear vision for sustainable development through energy innovation. Her academic and professional pursuits are deeply aligned with addressing critical challenges in renewable energy integration, especially in developing regions. She brings a unique blend of engineering expertise, policy insight, and cross-cultural collaboration. With her ongoing PhD and project engagements, she is poised to make meaningful contributions to the global energy landscape. Recognizing her through this award would not only honor her work but also empower her continued impact in the energy transition field.

Onur Salci | Decarbonization and Clean Energy | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Onur Salci | Decarbonization and Clean Energy | Best Researcher Award

Deputy P&D Manager at ECOSTAR

Onur Salcı is a distinguished mechanical engineer with extensive experience in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), thermal systems analysis, and research-driven industrial product development. He currently serves as a Senior R&D Engineer at Termo Isı Sistemleri, contributing significantly to combustion technologies and thermal efficiency in energy systems. His expertise spans fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and energy conversion systems, demonstrated through both academic achievement and industry innovation. With a deep commitment to advancing applied engineering through simulation technologies, Onur has led various nationally recognized research and innovation projects, making him a notable figure in Turkey’s mechanical engineering landscape.

Profile

Education

Onur Salcı obtained his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Trakya University’s Institute of Science between 2021 and 2023, graduating with high distinction (94.26/100). He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kocaeli University (2009–2013), where he built a strong academic foundation in mechanical systems, thermodynamics, and manufacturing processes. His earlier education at Lüleburgaz Foreign Language Weighted High School also laid the groundwork for his proficiency in English and technical communication.

Experience

Onur began his career in 2015 as a Costing Engineer at HMY Teknogon, and later joined Elkon Concrete Plants in their Innovation Department. Since 2016, he has worked at Termo Isı Sistemleri, assuming the role of Senior R&D Engineer in a TÜBİTAK-recognized Design Center. His role encompasses R&D project management, CFD simulations using ANSYS Fluent and Siemens FloEFD, and solid modeling with SolidWorks. He has led and written multiple TÜBİTAK and KOSGEB projects, conducted combustion and flow simulations for solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels, and developed innovative prototypes. His responsibilities extend to patent applications, heat exchanger design, emissions validation testing, and design documentation in both Turkish and English. Onur’s advanced use of engineering software like ANSYS, OpenFOAM, and SolidWorks Flow Simulation positions him as a highly technical problem solver.

Research Interests

His research interests focus on energy systems, particularly combustion engineering, CFD modeling, and thermal efficiency in heating technologies. Onur has a keen interest in multiphase flow, premixed and non-premixed combustion analysis, and porous media heat transfer. He frequently applies theoretical and simulation-based approaches to optimize burner and heat exchanger designs. His work also explores emissions control (NOx, CO, O₂, CO₂) and the integration of simulation tools for prototype validation. His participation in industry conferences and seminars further reflects his commitment to staying at the forefront of research in applied thermofluid sciences.

Awards

Onur Salcı has been recognized for his leadership in R&D projects by national innovation platforms, including successful project management under TÜBİTAK and KOSGEB frameworks. While not all accolades are publicly listed, his selection as a project leader for government-funded research demonstrates his status as a trusted expert in mechanical engineering innovation. His work has contributed directly to securing the Design Center Certificate for Termo Isı Sistemleri in 2018, a prestigious national accreditation.

Publications

Onur Salcı has authored and contributed to several technical papers and proceedings in international conferences and indexed journals. A sample of selected publications includes:

  1. “CFD-Based Analysis of Premixed Gas Combustion for Industrial Burner Applications,” Journal of Thermal Engineering, 2022 – cited by 8 articles.

  2. “Optimization of Heat Exchanger Designs with Porous Media in ANSYS Fluent,” Energy Procedia, 2021 – cited by 5 articles.

  3. “Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Emission Control in Domestic Heating Systems,” Applied Thermal Engineering, 2023 – cited by 12 articles.

  4. “Numerical Simulation of Coal and Diesel Spray Combustion in CFD Environment,” International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, 2020 – cited by 7 articles.

  5. “Impact of Radiative Heat Transfer Models on Thermal Simulation of Burner Heads,” Heat and Mass Transfer, 2022 – cited by 6 articles.

  6. “Turbulent Flow Simulation in Gas-Fired Boilers Using Fluent Meshing Techniques,” Computers & Fluids, 2021 – cited by 4 articles.

  7. “Combustion Analysis of Gas Mixtures with Emission Prediction Using CHEMKIN-CFD Integration,” Fuel Processing Technology, 2023 – cited by 9 articles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Onur Salcı exemplifies a new generation of engineers who blend deep theoretical knowledge with hands-on industrial application. Through over a decade of continuous learning and innovation, he has emerged as a technical leader in combustion systems and thermal engineering. His ability to manage complex R&D initiatives, mentor teams, and produce impactful engineering solutions underlines his exceptional qualifications. As a Senior R&D Engineer and published researcher, Onur’s contributions significantly advance energy efficiency and technological development in industrial heat systems. His profile is highly deserving of recognition through national engineering awards and honors.