Ji Zhu | Energy Policy | Research Excellence Award

Mr. Ji Zhu | Energy Policy | Research Excellence Award

Mr. Ji Zhu | School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Shanghai International Studies University | China

Mr. Ji Zhu’s research focuses on advancing the understanding of renewable energy transition in Arab countries, particularly in regions where the economic structure remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels. His scholarly contributions examine the underlying political, economic, and technological dynamics that influence the pace and direction of clean energy adoption. By exploring policy frameworks, governance challenges, and market mechanisms, his work identifies leverage points that can drive effective transformation of energy systems in resource-dependent economies. His publication, “Decoding the Paradoxical Drivers of Renewable Energy Transition in Arab Countries,” highlights the complex interplay of motivations behind renewable energy investments, including the pursuit of economic diversification, environmental commitments, and geopolitical considerations. Through rigorous analysis, he emphasizes the risks of carbon lock-in, demonstrating how current dependencies on conventional energy can hinder progress if not addressed through proactive policymaking. His research provides valuable insights into how nations can overcome these obstacles by implementing strategic reforms and fostering innovation within the energy sector. By combining data-driven evaluation with policy-oriented recommendations, his work contributes to strengthening national and regional climate strategies aligned with global sustainability goals. The practical implications of his findings make his research highly relevant to governments, international organizations, and stakeholders striving to accelerate low-carbon development. His contributions enhance collective understanding of the challenges and opportunities in transitioning from fossil fuel reliance to renewable energy futures across the Arab region, positioning him as a strong contributor to ongoing global discussions on sustainable energy transformation.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publication

Qian, X., & Zhu, J. 2025. Decoding the paradoxical drivers of renewable energy transition in Arab countries.

 

Dan li | Smart Energy System | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Dan li | Smart Energy System | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Dan li | China Three Gorges University | China

Dr. Dan Li is an accomplished researcher in intelligent energy systems, with a strong focus on optimal scheduling, risk measurement, and intelligent decision-making for multi-energy systems operating under a high proportion of renewable energy. His work addresses the increasing complexity and uncertainty of modern power grids by developing advanced computational approaches that integrate artificial intelligence with domain-specific physical principles. Through three significant completed and ongoing research projects, he has contributed to flexible resource regulation and control technology for new-energy pumped storage power stations, the development and application of key technologies for grid-connected performance testing and analysis of renewable energy stations, and the functional debugging and data-processing framework for intelligent network-source coordinated control and risk early-warning decision-making platforms. His key scientific contribution lies in accurately defining the physical constraints, operational limits, and security boundaries of unit commitment and economic dispatch problems, and translating these elements into optimization objectives and state spaces suitable for advanced algorithms. Dr. Li introduced a physics-informed exploration strategy for deep reinforcement learning by embedding prior knowledge, including power-flow equations and unit ramp-rate constraints, directly into the reward design, reducing invalid exploration and improving algorithmic convergence by over 50 percent. This approach demonstrates a powerful integration of domain expertise and advanced computational tools, contributing significantly to enhancing the reliability, efficiency, and intelligence of next-generation power systems. His published research, including his recent article on optimization solutions for power generation planning, reflects strong scientific rigor and technological relevance, reinforcing his position as a promising contributor to the advancement of intelligent and sustainable energy systems.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Li, D., Zhang, L., Mi, N., & Zhong, H. (2025). Optimization solution for unit power generation plan based on the integration of constraint identification and deep reinforcement learning. Processes.