Mahdi Ahmadvand
School of Science, Engineering & Environment
Biography
Mahdi Ahmadvand is a Mechanical Engineering researcher specialising in building services, sustainable energy systems, and smart home technologies. He holds both a BSc and MSc in Mechanical Engineering, with a focus on Thermo-Fluids and Energy Conversion, and is currently a PhD researcher at the Â׸£ÀûƬ.
His research, based at Energy House Labs and funded by Barratt Redrow, focuses on developing an optimisation framework for the design and control of net-zero carbon-ready homes targeting zero annual energy bills. His work explores how building fabric, smart technologies, and control strategies can be optimised together to reduce energy consumption, operational costs, and carbon emissions while maintaining occupant comfort. He also applies multi-objective optimisation techniques and has experience in developing AI-based approaches for anomaly detection in energy systems and structures.
Alongside his academic work, Mahdi brings strong industry experience across the built environment. He has worked as an MEP & BIM specialist on international projects, a mechanical site engineer managing large-scale developments, and an energy modeller specialising in HVAC system design and home energy performance. His research is closely aligned with industry through collaborations with partners such as Barratt Redrow and British Gas, supporting the transition towards practical, scalable net-zero housing solutions.
Areas of Research
Smart Home
Zero Carbon Buildings
Zero bills Home
Home Energy Management System
Energy Control App
Multi-Objective Optimisation
Model Predictive Control
Areas of Supervision
Development of an Optimisation Framework for the Design and Control of Net-Zero Carbon-Ready Homes Targeting Zero Annual Energy Bills
Teaching Assistant for undergraduate courses in Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer, supporting student learning through tutorials, problem-solving sessions, and academic guidance.
Qualifications
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Industry Sponsored Doctor of Philosophy (iPhD)
2024 - 2029 -
MSci Mechanical Engineering (Conversion Energy)
2013 - 2016 -
MSci Mechanical Engineering (Thermo-Fluid)
2008 - 2013