About
The Bahir Dar Energy Center, established under the Bahir Dar Institute of Technology at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia, is a premier hub for advanced research, innovation, and postgraduate training in sustainable energy technologies. The center coordinates advanced MSc and PhD programs in Sustainable Energy Engineering, fostering the next generation of researchers and engineering leaders to address critical energy challenges in the Global South and internationally.
Our research infrastructure and expertise are structured across advanced technical sections, with a core focus on Advanced Energy Storage and Conversion. Key research priorities at the center include:
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Green Hydrogen and Clean Fuel Technologies: Advanced research into electrolyzer technologies (Alkaline, PEM, AEM, and SOEC) and direct ammonia-fueled solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs).
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Next-Generation Battery Systems: Investigation of rechargeable zinc-air (RZABs) and lithium-air batteries, utilizing innovative biomass-derived carbon electrocatalysts and advanced gel electrolytes.
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Materials Informatics and Simulation: Application of machine learning, digital twin-guided interfacial intelligence, and multi-physics modeling (COMSOL/ANSYS) to accelerate energy materials discovery and optimize thermal/electrochemical performance.
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Renewable Energy Systems Integration: Design, optimization, and deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) mini-grids and solar-powered water pumping systems for community development.
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Biomass, Bioenergy & Thermal Systems: Investigation of bioenergy pathways, waste-to-energy conversion, gasification, anaerobic digestion, and the thermal optimization of industrial and domestic energy devices (such as advanced cookstoves and thermal modeling).
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Socio-Technical Energy Dimensions: Dedicated research into energy justice, the gender-energy nexus, and sustainable labor transitions.
The Bahir Dar Energy Center actively collaborates with international academic and industrial partners on large-scale consortia, curriculum development, and joint research initiatives. We are highly interested in partnering with international institutions for the MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 call to drive impactful, transdisciplinary research in sustainable energy and advanced materials informatics.