Hadi Belhaj | CCUS & Hydrogen Energy | Excellence in Reservoir Engineering Award

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Prof. Hadi Belhaj | CCUS & Hydrogen Energy | Excellence in Reservoir Engineering Award

Energy Eng. Professor at Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates

Dr. Hadi A. Belhaj is a globally recognized petroleum engineering scholar and industry consultant with over four decades of combined academic, research, and field experience. He currently serves as an Associate Professor at Khalifa University, UAE, where he leads pioneering research in unconventional reservoir development, enhanced oil recovery, and carbon capture technologies. His professional journey includes extensive contributions to reservoir engineering, geomechanics, and hydrogen energy, making him a distinguished figure in both academia and the oil and gas sector.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Belhaj earned his Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering from Dalhousie University, Canada, focusing on matrix/fracture flow modeling in porous media. He holds an M.Sc. in Petroleum Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia, where he investigated geopressure detection and evaluation. His foundational B.Sc. was obtained from the University of Tripoli (formerly El-Fateh University) in Libya, with a final-year project on decline-curve analysis. These degrees collectively laid the foundation for his expertise in reservoir dynamics and simulation.

Experience

Dr. Belhaj’s career spans positions in academia, consulting, and the petroleum industry. His hands-on fieldwork began with Dowell Schlumberger, followed by progressive roles at Libya’s National Oil Corporation, where he contributed to pioneering EOR studies and reservoir management strategies. His academic appointments at Texas Tech University and Khalifa University have allowed him to supervise high-impact research, lead curriculum development, and serve on multiple technical and editorial boards. Additionally, he has served as principal investigator on several multimillion-dollar funded projects tackling challenges like asphaltene deposition, slim-tube modeling, and capillary transition zones.

Research Interest

His research interests include reservoir characterization, unconventional reservoir development, carbon capture and storage (CCUS), hydrogen energy storage, porous media flow, EOR mechanisms, and geomechanics. He actively integrates artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance petroleum engineering decision-making. His recent work also explores caprock integrity and creep deformation for hydrogen underground storage, reflecting his focus on sustainable energy transitions.

Award

Dr. Belhaj has been honored with several prestigious awards, including the 2021 SPE International Distinguished Service Award, the 2020 and 2013 SPE Distinguished Achievement for Petroleum Engineering Faculty Awards, and the 2019 SPE Regional Reservoir Description and Dynamics Award. He has also received innovation recognitions such as the 2012 ADMA Innovation Award and various graduate scholarships during his academic tenure, underscoring both academic excellence and industry impact.

Publication

Among Dr. Belhaj’s notable publications are:

“Geoengineering of Hydrogen Energy” (Elsevier, in press, 2025) – cited in emerging CCUS reviews.
“Hydrogen underground storage potential in sandstone formation” (Fuel, 2025) – cited in U.S. DOE hydrogen repositories.
“Abiotic evaluation of geochemical reactions of sandstone minerals” (International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2025) – referenced in recent EU energy storage guidelines.
“Emerging advances in CO₂ storativity and trappability within shale reservoirs” (Energy Science and Engineering Journal, 2024).
“Workflow of the In Situ Combustion EOR Method in Venezuela” (ACS Omega, 2023).
“Standardization of Particle Size for Wettability Measurement” (ACS Omega, 2023).
“Hybrid Carbonated Engineered Water for Oil-Wet Carbonates” (Energies, 2022) – cited in SPE’s water-based EOR studies.

Conclusion

Dr. Hadi Belhaj exemplifies leadership, innovation, and service in petroleum engineering. His blend of industry acumen, academic rigor, and commitment to sustainable energy solutions makes him an outstanding nominee for this prestigious award. From mentoring future engineers to shaping global EOR practices, his legacy continues to drive transformative advancements in energy resource management.

Onur Salci | Decarbonization and Clean Energy | Best Researcher Award

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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.

Rahim Zahedi | Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Petroleum Engineering

Assist. Prof. Dr. Rahim Zahedi | Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage | Best Researcher Award

Faculty member at University of Tehran, Iran

Rahim Zahedi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Energy Governance at the University of Tehran, Iran. He holds a PhD in Energy Systems Engineering, specializing in Energy Modeling and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), from the University of Tehran. Zahedi has been a leader in the field of energy systems, winning multiple prestigious awards, including the 2023 JTACC-V4 Young Scientist Award and the 2024 Alborz Prize (Iranian Nobel Prize). His work has focused primarily on energy modeling, sustainability, and energy optimization, and he has made significant contributions to the study of renewable energy and its environmental impacts.

Profile

Orcid

Education

Zahedi’s academic journey began with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Iran University of Science and Technology, followed by an MSc in Energy Systems Engineering from the same institution. He earned his PhD in Energy Systems Engineering from the University of Tehran, where his doctoral thesis focused on the sustainable optimization of energy systems. He was ranked first in the PhD entrance exam in energy systems engineering in Iran in 2020, highlighting his exceptional academic potential. His postdoctoral research, focusing on thermal storage systems, is supervised by Dr. Abolfazl Ahmadi at the Iran University of Science and Technology.

Experience

Zahedi currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Tehran. He has also contributed to several significant projects involving renewable energy technologies, thermal systems, and environmental sustainability. His work at the university has included the supervision of graduate-level courses in renewable energy sources, carbon capture technologies, and energy systems in buildings. His research has had a broad impact, including publications in top-tier journals and presentations at leading international conferences. Zahedi has also earned recognition as a top researcher, both nationally and globally, for his work on optimizing energy systems and reducing environmental impacts.

Research Interests

Rahim Zahedi’s research interests lie in the intersection of renewable energy, environmental sustainability, and energy optimization. He has worked extensively on the development and optimization of hybrid energy systems, carbon capture technologies, and life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies. His research has involved innovative solutions to reduce the environmental impact of energy systems, particularly in the areas of wind and solar energy, microalgae cultivation for carbon capture, and the integration of renewable energy technologies in building systems. Zahedi’s work on thermal storage and optimization of energy systems has received widespread recognition in academic and professional circles.

Awards

Zahedi has received numerous accolades for his outstanding research. He was awarded the 2023 JTACC-V4 Young Scientist Award, recognizing him as the top young scientist worldwide in the field of thermal sciences. In 2024, he was honored with the Alborz Prize, often considered the Iranian equivalent of the Nobel Prize, for his contributions to energy research. Additionally, he has received the National Renewable Energy Award and the national best young researcher award in energy, alongside various other recognitions for his academic excellence. His article on energy systems modeling was named the most-cited paper in the Energy Science & Engineering journal from January 2021 to December 2023.

Publications

Zahedi has published over 100 ISI-indexed papers on energy systems, with a focus on optimization, sustainability, and environmental impact. Some of his notable publications include:

Zahedi, R., Ahmadi, A., & Sadeh, M. (2021). “Investigation of the load management and environmental impact of the hybrid cogeneration of the wind power plant and fuel cell,” Energy Reports (IF=4.94).

Zahedi, R., Ahmadi, A., & Dashti, R. (2021). “Energy, exergy, exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental analysis and optimization of quadruple combined solar, biogas, SRC and ORC cycle with methane system,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (IF=16.8).

Zahedi, R., Moosavian, F., & Hajinezhad, A. (2021). “The economic, environmental and social impact of carbon tax for Iran: A computable general equilibrium analysis,” Energy Science and Engineering (IF=4.04).

Zahedi, R., Daneshgar, S., & Ghorbani, M. (2021). “Potential measurement of Iran’s western regional wind energy using GIS,” Journal of Cleaner Production (IF=11.07).

Zahedi, R., Maghzian, A., & Aslani, A. (2021). “Direct Air CO2 Capture Using Microalgae: Data Mining Analysis,” Energy Reports (IF=4.94).

Conclusion

Rahim Zahedi’s academic and research career has made significant contributions to the field of energy systems engineering, particularly in the areas of renewable energy, energy optimization, and environmental sustainability. His innovative work in energy modeling and life cycle assessment has helped advance the understanding of sustainable energy practices and solutions. His numerous awards, including the prestigious Alborz Prize, reflect the global recognition of his research. Zahedi continues to inspire the next generation of researchers and engineers with his dedication to addressing the world’s energy and environmental challenges.