Dr Mulualem Gebregiorgis Gebreslassie DipHE, MSc, PhD, FEI
Transforming Lives Fellow & Associate Professor
Summary
I am an Associate Professor of Energy -Transforming Lives Fellow at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. I joined the Material and Engineering Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Institute in January 2024. My academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Mekelle University (2005), a Joint Master's in Management, Engineering of Environment and Energy from UPM, EMN, and KTH (2009), and a PhD in Engineering from the University of Exeter UK (2013). I worked for over 18 years at Mekelle University in Ethiopia before joining Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. My research focuses on project management, renewable energy development, energy conservation and management, grid and off-grid energy systems, energy access, transitions, and policy.
About
I am an Associate Professor of Energy, and I joined SHU in January 2024 as a Transforming Lives Fellow. Before that, I worked at Mekelle University where I held various academic positions, including Deputy Director of Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Development.
Prior to joining SHU, I have led and collaborated on multiple projects generating >£2.88m income to Mekelle University with a total combined projects budget value of >£8.34m. These projects were funded by UKRI, European Union, Norway Refugee Council, DAAD Germany, DfiD UK, GIZ Germany, ESRC UK, German Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Foundation, Innovate UK, KfW Germany, Tigray Regional Government, and Mekelle University. In my 18 years of academic and research experience, I have established research collaboration with more than 37 national and international universities and companies who share my research interests. The key focus of these projects include comparative analysis of off-grid and/or community energy systems in few African countries in facilitating energy access, renewable energy technology developments, understanding of the impact of energy policy in facilitating energy access, energy technologies and social interactions in the quest to facilitate energy access, curriculum and programme development in the energy sector, capacity building through funding for students at postgraduate level, energy auditing in industries to develop effective way of energy conservation and management to improve energy efficiency, off-grid energy technology developments, and other related areas. The research and collaborations continue to result in publication of high impact papers in peer-reviewed journals, including Nature Energy, Energy Policy, Energy Ï㽶ÊÓƵ & Social Sciences, Energy, Sustainability & Society, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, WIREs Energy and Environment, Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, and Sustainable Engineering.
Teaching
School of Engineering and Built Environment
College of Business, Technology and Engineering
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
2025-2027: Mainstreaming Gender Equality and Social Inclusion for a Just Energy Transition in Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania (JustGESI), Role: Co-lead, Funding and Funder: £2,999,426, ESRC, UKRI, UK
2021-2024: Community Energy and Sustainable Energy Transitions in Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique (www.cesetproject.com ), Role: Co-PI, Funding and Funder: £1,498,460, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Innovation and the Global Challenges Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Fund, UK
2021: Grants to Support the Initiation of International Collaboration on Solar Energy Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Role: PI, Funding and Funder: EUR 30,300, German Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Foundation (DFG), Germany
2020-2026: Strengthening Mobility and Promoting Regional Integration of Engineering Education in Africa (www.spreeafrica.com ), Role: PI, Funding and Funder: EUR 1,392,975, Intra Africa Mobility Scheme, European Union
2020-2021: Carnot Gen-Sets - Feasibility Study, Role: Co-PI, Funding and Funder: GBP 299,471, Innovate UK
2020-2021: Liechtenstein REED/TEA-LP scholarship, Role: PI, Funding and Funder: CHF 25,899, Liechtenstein Institute for Strategic Development under the Renewable Energy Enterprise Development (REED) and DfiD through the University of Cape Town
2019-2022: EDUTEX-Knitting Together Africa and Europe, Role: Co-PI, Funding and Funder: EUR 478,770, DAAD, Germany
2019-2020: Transforming Energy Access – Learning Partnership (TEA-LP), Role: PI, Funding and Funder: 33,000 GBP, DfiD through Carbon Trust, UK
2019-2020: Opportunities and Challenges of Development and Implementation of Distributed Energy Generation Systems in Ethiopia: The Case of Tigray Region, Role: PI, Funding and Funder: EUR 16,060, KfW, Germany
2018-2022: Applied Curricula in Technology for East Africa, Role: Co-PI, Funding and Funder: EUR 998,345, Erasmus+, European Union
2017-2027: Establishment of Centre of Excellence in Renewable Energy with Focus in Wind and Solar Energy, Role: Co- PI, Funding and Funder: EUR 2.35 million, KfW, Germany
2017-2019: Creating the platform for thermal power generation from municipal solid waste: Technical analysis and design of thermal power plant, Role: PI, Funding and Funder: £22,000, Mekelle University, Ethiopia
Sponsors:
UKRI, European commission, Norway Refugee council, DAAD Germany, DFiD UK, German Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Foundation, Innovate UK, KfW Germany, Regional government and University funds
Collaborators:
University of Sheffield, University College London, Loughborough University, University of York, University of Strathclyde, Addis Ababa University, Jimma University, Oxford University, Ghent University, Moi University, University of Zambia, Ains Sham University, Federal University of Technology Akure, Durham University, Eduardo Mondlane University, Center for Ï㽶ÊÓƵ on Governance, and University of Cape Town, Mzumbe University, Mbarara University Of Science And Technology, Ardhi University, Artesis Plantijn Hogeschool Antwerpen vzw, Technological Educational Institute of Crete, Fachhochschule Dortmund, Beuth University of Applied Sciences, Southern University of Denmark, and several others.
Publications
Journal articles
Bahta, S.T., Shishay, M., & Gebreslassie, M.G. (2025). . Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of Power and Energy.
Vallecha, H., Gebreslassie, M.G., Filli, F., Hara, C., Gogoda, C., Assefa, A., ... Castan Broto, V. (2025). . Environmental Ï㽶ÊÓƵ: Infrastructure and Sustainability, 5 (1).
Gebresilasie, G.G., Gebreslassie, M.G., & Gebresemati, M. (2025). . Heliyon, 11 (2).
Gebreslassie, M.G., Bekele, G., Bahta, S.T., Mebrahtu, A.H., Assefa, A., Nurhussien, F.F., ... Mulugetta, Y. (2024). . Energy Ï㽶ÊÓƵ & Social Science, 117.
Gebreslassie, M.G., & Tesfay, A.H. (2024). . Sustainable Energy Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, 11 (1).
Ashebre Arefe, M., Gebreslassie, M.G., & Willem Van Vuure, A. (2024). . Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 185.
Gebreslassie, M.G., Bahta, S.T., Fissha, F., Mebrahtu, A.H., Watts-Farmer, A., & Hagos, T. (2024). . Environmental Ï㽶ÊÓƵ: Infrastructure and Sustainability, 4 (3).
Tesfay, A.H., Gebreslassie, M.G., & Lia, L. (2024). . International Journal of Sustainable Engineering, 17 (1), 1-14.
Millerjothi, N.K., Gebreslassie, M.G., Nithyanandhan, T., & Sachuthananthan, B. (2024). . Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 32 (S1), 33-54.
Gebreslassie, M.G., Bahta, S.T., & Mihrete, A.S. (2023). . Waste Management Bulletin, 1 (3), 58-70.
Bahta, S.T., & Gebreslassie, M.G. (2023). . Harbin Engineering University, 44 (12).
Bahta, S.T., & Gebreslassie, M.G. (2023). . Harbin Engineering University, 44 (12).
Gebremichael, H.S., Gebreslassie, M.G., & Mezgebe, T.T. (2023). . Scientific African, 22.
Gebreslassie, M.G., & Cuvilas, C. (2023). . Energy Systems.
Gebreslassie, M.G., & Bahta, S.T. (2023). . World Development Perspectives, 30.
Gebreslassie, M.G., Bahta, S.T., Mulugetta, Y., Mezgebe, T.T., & Sibhato, H. (2023). . Scientific African, 19.
Mezgebe, T.T., Gebreslassie, M.G., Sibhato, H., & Bahta, S.T. (2023). . Scientific African, 19.
Mulugetta, Y., Sokona, Y., Trotter, P.A., Fankhauser, S., Omukuti, J., Somavilla Croxatto, L., ... Yussuff, A. (2022). . Nature Energy, 7 (11), 1015-1022.
Gebreslassie, M.G., Kalamegam, M.N., Gebrelibanos, K.G., Mebrahtu, A.H., Bahta, S.T., Nurhussien, F.F., & Yohannes, K.G. (2022). . Energy Efficiency, 15 (39).
Gebreslassie, M.G., Cuvilas, C., Zalengera, C., To, L.S., Baptista, I., Robin, E., ... Castán Broto, V. (2022). . Energy, Sustainability and Society, 12 (23).
Gebreslassie, M.G. (2022). . Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. Energy and environment, 11 (2).
Gebreslassie, M.G. (2021). . Renewable Energy, 168, 107-118.
Gebreslassie, M.G. (2020). . Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 42.
Gebreslassie, M.G. (2020). . Branna Journal of Engineering and Technology, 2 (2), 113-134.
Sibhato, H., Gebreslassie, M.G., Assefa, B., Tadesse, T., Yirga, M., Berhe, H., ... Ataltky, M. (2020). . Branna Journal of Engineering and Technology, 2 (2), 135-152.
Sibhato, H., Gebreslassie, M.G., Assefa, B., Tadesse, T., Yirga, M., Berhe, H., ... Ataltky, M. (2020). . Branna Journal of Engineering and Technology, 2 (2), 135-152.
Gebreslassie, M.G. (2020). Energy research & social science, 68.
Gebreslassie, M.G. (2020). . Energy Policy, 139.
Gebreslassie, M.G., Gebreyesus, H.B., Gebretsadik, M.T., Bahta, S.T., & Birkie, S.E. (2020). . International Journal of Sustainable Engineering, 13 (1), 68-75.
Gebremeskel, S.A., Muleta, Y., Ambaye, M., Gebrekidan, T., Abrha, H., Gebreslassie, M., ... Gidey, M. (2019). . Branna Journal of Engineering and Technology, 1 (1), 37-55.
Gebremeskel, S.A., Muleta, Y., Ambaye, M., Gebrekidan, T., Abrha, H., Gebreslassie, M., ... Gidey, M. (2019). . Branna Journal of Engineering and Technology, 1 (1), 37-55.
Berhe, H., Gebreslassie, M.G., Girmay, M., & Zemene, B. (2019). . Branna Journal of Engineering and Technology, 1 (1), 89-105.
Berhe, H., Gebreslassie, M.G., Girmay, M., & Zemene, B. (2019). . Branna Journal of Engineering and Technology, 1 (1), 89-105.
Ordonez-Sanchez, S., Sutherland, D., Payne, G.S., Bruce, T., Gebreslassie, M.G., Belmont, M.R., & Moon, I. (2017). . Ocean Engineering, 141, 215-226.
Moore, W.O.W., Mala-Jetmarova, H., Gebreslassie, M., Tabor, G.R., Belmont, M.R., & Savic, D.A. (2016). Comparison of Multiple Surrogates for 3D CFD Model in Tidal Farm Optimisation. Procedia Engineering, 154, 1132-1139.
Gebreslassie, M.G., Sanchez, S.O., Tabor, G.R., Belmont, M.R., Bruce, T., Payne, G.S., & Moon, I. (2016). . International Journal of Marine Energy, 16, 209-219.
Gebreslassie, M.G., Tabor, G.R., & Belmont, M.R. (2015). . Renewable Energy, 80, 690-698.
Gebreslassie, M.G., Tabor, G.R., & Belmont, M.R. (2013). Numerical simulation of a new type of cross flow tidal turbine using OpenFOAM – Part I: Calibration of energy extraction. Renewable Energy, 50, 994-1004.
Gebreslassie, M.G., Tabor, G.R., & Belmont, M.R. (2013). Numerical simulation of a new type of cross flow tidal turbine using OpenFOAM – Part II: Investigation of turbine-to-turbine interaction. Renewable Energy, 50, 1005-1013.
Gebreslassie, M.G., Tabor, G.R., & Belmont, M.R. (2012). CFD Simulations for Sensitivity Analysis of Different Parameters to the Wake Characteristics of Tidal Turbine. Open Journal of Fluid Dynamics, 02 (03), 56-64.
Gebreslassie, M.G., Tabor, G.R., & Belmont, M.R. (2012). . Renewable Energy and Power Quality, 10 (1), 109-115.
Mulugetta, Y., Sokona, Y., Trotter, P.A., Fankhauser, S., Omukuti, J., Somavilla Croxatto, L., ... Yussuff, A. (n.d.). Author Correction: Africa needs context-relevant evidence to shape its clean energy future. Nature Energy, 9 (7), 907.
Conference papers
Arefe, M.A., Prapavesis, A., Gebreslassie, M.G., & Van Vuure, A.W. (2022). Tensile Properties of Technical Enset Fibers in Solid and Porous State and the Weibull Statistics of Failure Prediction. Fiber Society 2022 Spring Conference - Fibers for a Greener Society: From Fundamentals to Advanced Applications, 81.
Millerjothi, N.K., Bayray, M., Gebreslassie, M.G., & Tesfay, A.H. (2020). . In International Conference on Engineering and Technology-ICET, Tigray, Ethiopia, 20 March 2020 - 21 March 2020.
Millerjothi, N.K., Bayray, M., Gebreslassie, M.G., & Tesfay, A.H. (2020). . In International Conference on Engineering and Technology-ICET, Tigray, Ethiopia, 20 March 2020 - 21 March 2020.
Gebreslassie, M.G., Belmont, M., & Tabor, G. (2013). . In Proceedings of the 10th EWTEC Conference, Aalborg, Denmark. Technical Committee of the European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference:
Tabor, G., Gebreslassie, M., & Belmont, M. (2012). Investigation of the influence of turbine to turbine interaction on their performance using OpenFOAM. In Oxford Tidal Energy Workshop.
Tabor, G., Gebreslassie, M., & Belmont, M. (2012). Investigation of the influence of turbine to turbine interaction on their performance using OpenFOAM. In Oxford Tidal Energy Workshop.
Book chapters
Gebreslassie, M.G. (2024). . In Broto, V.C. (Ed.) Community Energy and Sustainable Energy Transitions Experiences from Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique. (pp. 147-169). Palgrave Macmillan:
Tabor, G.R. (2019). CFD Analysis and Optimisation of Tidal Turbine Arrays Using OpenFOAM $$^{\textregistered }$$. In °¿±è±ð²Ô¹ó°¿´¡²Ñ®. (pp. 51-64). Springer International Publishing:
Gebreslassie, M., Tabor, G., & Belmont, M. (2016). INVESTIGATING THE FLOW CONDITIONS AND WAKE INTERACTIONS OF MOMENTUM-REVERSAL-LIFT TIDAL TURBINE USING CFD. In Renewable Energy. Cambridge Scholars Publishing
Theses / Dissertations
Gebreslassie, M.G. (2013). Simplified CFD modelling of tidal turbines for exploring arrays of devices. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Belmont, M.
Other activities
I am a fellow of the Energy Institute and serve as a mentor. I am involved in different interest groups such as a founding member of the African Institute for Sustainable Energy and Systems Analysis (AISESA) and a member of Global society of Tigrean scholars and professionals (GSTS). I regularly provided support for regional government and NGOs that include team leader for strategic energy plan for the Tigray regional government; providing professional service as a member of a Tigray power forum for the regional power sector; providing professional support for a secretariat of the Tigray infrastructure office; and developing energy policies and strategies, providing consultations for NGOs who work on vulnerable population. I regularly review manuscripts in different energy journals.
Postgraduate supervision
Current - 1 PhD and 2 MSc
Completed - 13 MSc