Dr Merlinda Andoni
- Research Associate (Autonomous Systems & Connectivity)
Biography
I am a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Energy and Sustainability Group at the University of Glasgow. My expertise and research aims are focused on the challenges associated with how we achieve a resilient, low-carbon and sustainable energy system. My research has been supporting several research projects, including the EPSRC DecarbonISation PAThways for Cooling and Heating (DISPATCH) project, the ESPRC National Centre for Energy System Integration (CESI) and the InnovateUK ReFLEX project, one of the largest UK demonstrator projects in smart grids. I have published over 25 scientific papers, including one the most cited articles for Elsevier RSER Journal with my work influencing policy circles, including the US congressional research office.
I hold a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (2020) from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK in the fields of Smart Grids and Renewable Energy. During my Ph.D. studies I explored game-theoretical techniques to build models to inform investment decision-making related to the implementation of renewable generation, energy storage and network capacity projects. I also hold an M.Sc. degree from Heriot-Watt University in Renewable Energy and Distributed Generation with Distinction (2015) and an undergraduate degree (equivalent to M.Eng.) in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the National technical University of Athens, Greece, with a specialisation in Energy.
I have more than 2.5 years professional experience in the Renewable and Energy sector working as an energy consultant. Furthermore, I am an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA) and have extensive teaching experience, such as being a course leader for energy systems and renewable generation courses. I have received several awards for my academic achievements, most notably I was the recipient of the Academic Prize for the Young Professionals Green Energy Award 2018 and I was awarded a special prize for the best student performance in all taught postgraduate degrees within the Engineering & Physical Sciences Department at Heriot-Watt University during my M.Sc. studies.
Research interests
- Energy systems
- Smart grids
- Data and Digitalisation of Energy Networks
- Smart Local Energy Systems
- Local Energy Markets
- Multiagent Systems
- Game Theory
- Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies
Grants
- 2021: Researcher Co-investigator of the EPSRC DecarbonISation PAThways for Cooling and Heating (DISPATCH) (£1,149,757)
- 2019: Researcher Co-investigator of the EPSRC CESI Flex Fund Project: “Multi-Agent Systems modelling trials” (£38,407)
- 2019: Researcher Co-investigator of the EPSRC CESI Flex Fund Project: “Peer to Peer trading in the real world and exploring the potential of blockchain technologies in integrated energy systems” (£37,320)
Additional information
Awards, Prizes & Honours
- 2022: Awarded “Best poster prize” at the CESI Research Showcase Week
- 2018: Awarded the Academic Young Professionals Green Energy Award 2018 at annual event sponsored by Scottish Renewables.
- 2018: Awarded the EPS Postgraduate Research 2nd Year Prize for academic performance during PhD studies.
- 2017: Finalist the Academic Young Professionals Green Energy Award 2017 at annual event sponsored by Scottish Renewables.
- Awarded “Best student paper” in ACAN 2016, the International Workshop on Automated Negotiation, hosted by AAMAS 2016, Singapore.
- EPS Prize for Best Postgraduate Taught Performance - Awarded to the student with the best overall mark on a Master of Science programme of the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS), Heriot-Watt University
Professional Membeships
- Member of IEEE Working Groups on Big Data Analytics; Energy Storage; Electric Mobility; Blockchain & Transactive Energy; Member of the Global Observatory on Peer-to-Peer, Community Self-Consumption and Transactive Energy Models
- Member of IEEE, IEEE Power and Energy Society, IEEE Smart Grid Community,IEEE Blockchain Community & IEEE Women in Engineering. Member of the Technical Chamber of Greece.