Yirga Belay, PhD

Engineer | Physicist | Data Scientist
Bangkok, Thailand | Email | LinkedIn | Google Scholar

Summary

Experienced researcher and university lecturer with a multidisciplinary background in engineering and physics, holding a PhD in Electrical Engineering, an MSc in Environmental Physics, and a Bachelor’s degree in Physics, with over a decade of research and teaching experience spanning power and energy systems and applied physics. Specializes in renewable energy integration, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and electric vehicle (EV) charging. Applies AI-driven optimization and data-centric forecasting to enhance energy system modeling, grid flexibility, smart grid operations, BESS deployment, and EV-to-grid integration. Proficient in Python, R, MATLAB, SQL, and tools including ANSYS, ArcGIS, and IoT platforms. Committed to advancing low-carbon, resilient, and sustainable energy transitions.

Research Interests

  • Power and energy system engineering; environmental physics
  • RES integration, BESS, and EV charging systems under high penetration of VRE
  • AI-driven optimization, and forecasting for energy system modeling, grid flexibility, resilience, and climate-aware operation of smart grids
  • Techno-economic and environmental assessment for energy transition, multi-energy systems, and sector coupling in decarbonized power networks
  • Education

    PhD in Electrical Engineering 2024

    National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, GPA: 3.8

    Dissertation: "Dynamics of Electric Vehicles Charging Station Design and Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis with Renewable Energy Using Machine Learning"                                                                         (Advisor: Prof. Cheng-Chien Kuo)


    MSc in Physics (Environmental Physics) 2014

    Haramaya University, GPA: 3.69

    Thesis: Estimation of Solar Panel Orientation with Different Tilt Angles at Haramaya University (Advisor: Prof. Gelana Amente)


    BSc in Physics 2008

    Haramaya University, GPA: 3.17

    Thesis: Biological Effects of Radiation and the Effects of Energy on the Environment (Advisor: Assegid M.)

    Work Experience

    Lecturer & Researcher Oct 2025 – Present

    School of Renewable Energy and Smart Grid Technology, Naresuan University

    Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dec 2024 – Sep 2025

    School of Renewable Energy and Smart Grid Technology, Naresuan University

    Postdoctoral Research Fellow Sep 2024 – Nov 2024

    National Sun Yat-Sen University

    Renewable Energy Engineer (Freelancer) 2021 – 2024

    Remote from Taiwan | Projects in Ethiopia

    Research Scientist 2014 – 2021

    Aksum University, Ethiopia

    Lecturer 2014 – 2021

    Aksum University, Ethiopia

    Assistant Lecturer 2009 – 2011

    Aksum University, Ethiopia

    Physics Teacher 2008 – 2009

    Ministry of Education, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

    Skills

    Advanced

    R, ANSYS, SPICE, ArcGIS

    Intermediate

    SQL, COMSOL, PSCAD

    Basic

    HTML, CSS, Java

    Technical skills proficiency grouped by experience level (self-assessed)

    Languages

    Native

    Amharic

    Proficient

    English

    Intermediate

    Tigrigna

    Beginner

    Chinese

    Language proficiency levels based on professional and academic usage

    Research & Industry Projects (Participation)

    Postdoctoral Researcher 2025–Present

    1. GFRU – Global and Frontier Research University Fund
      Naresuan University, Grant No. R2567C002
      Project: Intelligent Operation Optimization of Grid-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems in Thailand’s Ambient Conditions for Enhanced Economic Benefit and CO2 Reduction Using Machine Learning
      • Publication: Grid-Scale Battery Energy Storage and AI-Driven Intelligent Optimization for Techno-Economic and Environmental Benefits: A Systematic Review, Batteries, 2026. doi
    2. TGC EMC
      Thai–German Cooperation on Energy, Mobility and Climate
      Project: Grid Flexibility for High Penetration of Variable Renewable Energy in Thailand's Distribution System

    Doctoral Researcher 2017–2024

    1. NSTC – National Science and Technology Council (Taiwan, Grant No. MOST 111-2622-8-011-006-TE1)
      Doctoral research funding supporting studies in microgrid, renewable energy, EV charging, and intelligent energy applications.
      • Publication: Feasibility and Techno-Economic Analysis of Electric Vehicle Charging of PV/Wind/Diesel/Battery Hybrid Energy System with Different Battery Technology, Energies, 2022, 15(12), 4364. doi
    2. TaiwanICDF – International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan)
      Doctoral research funding supporting studies in microgrid, renewable energy, and intelligent energy applications.
      • Publication: Optimal Design and Performance Analysis of Solar Power Microsystem for Mini-Grid Application, Microsystem Technologies. doi
    3. APO COE GP – The Asian Productivity Organization Center of Excellence on Green Productivity
      Doctoral research funding supporting studies in microgrid, renewable energy, and energy optimization.
      • Publication: Techno-Economic Analysis of Microsystem-Based Hybrid Energy Combination for Island Application, Microsystem Technologies. doi
    4. Industry Collaboration: TDK Corporation (Japan)
      Project: Magnetic Encoder and Motor Position Sensing Using TMR Sensors
      • Publication: Magnetic Field Distribution of Magnetic Encoder with TMR Sensor Using Finite Element Analysis, Microsystem Technologies, 26, 2683–2701 (2020). doi

    Researcher and Lecturer 2008–2021

    Aksum University, Ethiopia

    1. MOE – Ministry of Education (Ethiopia)
      Community-based research funding supporting studies in renewable energy systems, laboratory experimentation, science education, and environmental applications.

    Publications [ORCID] [Google Scholar]

    Journal Publications

    1. Grid-Scale Battery Energy Storage and AI-Driven Intelligent Optimization for Techno-Economic and Environmental Benefits: A Systematic Review Batteries, 2026. doi
    2. Short-Term Electricity Demand Forecasting Using Cloudy and Clear Sky Solar Irradiance Data, Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research (ETASR), 2025. doi
    3. Feasibility and Techno-Economic Analysis of Electric Vehicle Charging of PV/Wind/Diesel/Battery Hybrid Energy System with Different Battery Technology, Energies, 2022, 15(12), 4364. doi
    4. Magnetic Field Distribution of Magnetic Encoder with TMR Sensor Using Finite Element Analysis, Microsystem Technologies, 26, 2683–2701 (2020). doi
    5. Techno-Economic Analysis of Microsystem-Based Hybrid Energy Combination for Island Application, Microsystem Technologies. doi
    6. Optimal Design and Performance Analysis of Solar Power Microsystem for Mini-Grid Application, Microsystem Technologies. doi
    7. Risk Analysis of Lightning and Surge Protection Devices for Power Energy Structures, Energies, 11(8), 1999. doi
    8. Estimation of Solar Panel Orientation with Different Tilt Angles at Haramaya University Link

    Modules for class

    Work in Progress

    Honors & Awards

    Workshops, Conferences & Professional Development

    Workshops & Conferences

    Professional Development Training - Physically

    Professional Development Training - online

    Presentation

    Professional Affiliations & Community Service

    References