Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Languages
Publications
Timeline
Generic

Djamal Benhadji

Cramond,Edinburgh

Summary

I am a highly skilled Systems Engineer with a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, specialising in energy systems and sustainable technologies. My career spans significant contributions to fuel cells, hydrogen production, carbon capture, and energy storage systems, with a strong emphasis on feasibility studies and cost analysis for energy projects. I blend academic rigor with practical industry experience, driving innovative and cost-effective solutions that advance energy systems and optimise system performance in a rapidly changing energy landscape.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Senior systems engineer

ENODA
Edinburgh, UK
06.2025 - Current
  • Implementing concurrent design methodology and rolling out COMET CDP4 software to improve design process efficiency, timeline management, and traceability.
  • Capturing and managing requirements while liaising with subsystem teams to build lifecycle management for Enoda’s Prime Exchanger product.
  • Investigating and implementing methods to enhance the performance of the Prime Exchanger, focusing on power factor correction, grid harmonisation, and voltage regulation to improve efficiency and stability in low-voltage distribution networks.
    Conducting trade-off studies and feasibility analyses to assess performance, cost, and scalability
  • Investigating and conducting trade-off studies and feasibility analyses to assess performance, cost, and scalability of of the Prime Exchanger system.

Senior Systems Engineer

Ceres Power
Horsham, West Sussex, UK
04.2023 - 05.2025
  • Designed and led the development of a first-of-its-kind pressurised SOEC electrolysis system, delivering highly efficient and low-cost hydrogen production.
  • Performed detailed feasibility analyses for integrating carbon capture systems with high temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, optimising system design for enhanced CO2 sequestration and energy efficiency.
  • Led cross-functional collaboration across engineering teams to develop Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), establish clear operational modes, and accelerate project delivery.
  • Applied model-based systems engineering best practices including the V-model, requirements management, and system architecture modelling to improve work quality and ensure the successful delivery of projects.
  • Developed an advanced cost calculation tool to estimate the LCOE and LCOH, enabling robust techno-economic assessments and supporting strategic decision-making for Ceres Power.
  • Managed timelines and resources to deliver complex projects on budget and schedule, capturing and validating requirements via Cockpit platform and working with stakeholders to develop customised SOFC/SOEC solutions.
  • Conducted technical feasibility research on ammonia as a clean fuel for Ceres’ fuel cells, laying the groundwork for marine SOFC applications.
  • Led the development of a process air dehumidification system for Ceres’ solid oxide electrolysers, enhancing durability, extending stack lifespan, and enabling the company’s first megawatt-scale SOEC demonstrator.

Research and Development Engineer

Loughborough University
Leicester, Leicestershire, UK
12.2021 - 04.2023

• Designed and conducted experimental performance testing for domestic and industrial energy storage systems.

• Applied thermal engineering knowledge to develop simulation models, enhancing accuracy in predicting system performance and optimising thermal management strategies.

• Sized and tested heat pumps integrated with thermal storage systems, ensuring optimal efficiency and performance in various applications.

• Analysis and material characterisation using a variety of laboratory and thermal analysis devices.

• Conducted experimental research on fluid flows employing two-dimensional particle tracking velocimetry, particle image velocimetry, and planar laser-induced fluorescence techniques.

• Developed and implemented custom energy storage systems to meet specific project requirements, improving efficiency and sustainability.

• Reported findings through detailed technical reports and authored scientific papers, contributing to the broader knowledge base in energy storage and thermal engineering.

Researcher (Energy)

Auckland University of Technology
Auckland, New Zealand
01.2018 - 03.2022

• Coordinated energy projects utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for advanced applications.

• Coordinated lecturers for diverse engineering courses, offering robust academic support.

• Expertly managed energy projects with Computational Fluid Dynamics.

• Delivered engaging lectures for diverse engineering courses.

• Fostered student success as a Teaching Assistant.

Energy Engineer

MORKS REID
Auckland, New Zealand
01.2020 - 12.2021

• Conducted solar energy potential and structural analysis of energy systems.

• Evaluated renewable energy systems to optimize efficiency.

• Utilized Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for precise system modelling.

• Analysed energy consumption data, recommending cost effective conservation measures

Visiting Research Fellow

Technical University of Munich
Munich, Germany
02.2017 - 03.2017

• Coordinated with the team in the development and conceptualization of decentralized Energy, Water, and Food systems for rural Africa, enhancing sustainability and self-sufficiency.

• Performed comprehensive economic analysis for diverse systems and scenarios, driving data-driven decision-making and optimizing resources.

• Designed decentralized systems for Energy, Water and Food in rural Africa.

• Executed economic analyses for multiple systems and scenarios.

Student Intern

Sustainability Institute
Cape Town, South Africa
03.2016 - 08.2016

• Supported and Installed solar photovoltaic systems in rural areas in Enkanini, Stellenboch.

• Enhanced rural energy access with sustainable solutions.

• Worked with project manager to develop and implement strategies for cost analysis.

Student Intern

TH Koln University of Applied Sciences
Koln, Germany
01.2015 - 03.2015

• Assessed and evaluated potential sites for solar energy projects implementation in Algeria.

• Prepared detailed reports and presentations on solar project outcomes for stakeholders.

• Created regular status reports to keep stakeholders updated on project progress and site evaluation results.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy - Mechanical Engineering (Energy)

Auckland University of Technology
Auckland, New Zealand
02.2018 - 07.2021

Master of Science - Renewable Energy Engineering

Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Science
Tlemcen, Algeria
08.2014 - 11.2016

Master of Science (Research project) - Renewable Energy Engineering

University of Stellenbosch
Cape Town, South Africa
09.2015 - 03.2016

Bachelor of Science - Thermal Energy Engineering

Université Abou Bekr Belkaid
Tlemcen, Algeria
09.2010 - 08.2013

Skills

- ANSYS® (ANSYS/Fluent (CFD); ANSYS/Static Structural (FEA); ANSYS/Fluid-structure interaction coupling (CFD-FEA))

- MATLAB® (Coding, Artificial neural network modelling, Optimization)

- SOLIDWORKS

- Cockpit Platform

- Comet CDP4

- Microsoft Office

- RETScreen (Energy management software)

- ArcGIS

- Leap

- HOMER (Hybrid Optimisation Models for Energy Resources)

- SAM (System Advisor Model)

- PVSOL

Accomplishments

- Scholarship, Ph.D.: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

- Scholarship, M.Sc.: Pan African Institute of Energy and Water Sciences scholarship awarded for best African student from African Union.

- Award: 1st place in science slam competition organized by PAUWES in coordination with the German Ministry of Higher Education and Research (BMBF).

- Patent No. GB2416224.0: Electrochemical cell apparatus related to a high-temperature pressurised 10 MW electrolysis system (SOEC).

- Patent No. GB2415964.2: Electrochemical cell system related to a high-efficiency process for pressurised 10 MW electrolysis system (SOEC).

Languages

English
Proficient (C2)
French
Native
Arabic
Native

Publications

• Thermal performance analysis of a cascade direct contact thermal energy  storage unit-An experimental study, Serradj, D. E. B., Eames, P., Applied  energy (under revision) 

• Tiar, B., Fadlallah, S. O., Serradj, D. E. B., Graham, P., & Aagela, H. (2024).  Navigating Algeria towards a sustainable green hydrogen future to empower  North Africa and Europe's clean hydrogen transition. International Journal  of Hydrogen Energy, 61, 783-802. 

• The Effect of Geometry on the Yield of Fresh Water from Single Slope Solar  Stills, Serradj, D. E. B., Anderson, T., & Nates, R., Energies, 15, 19, 7244,  https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/19/7244 

• Steering North African countries towards REN21's path of sustainable solar  energy development, Fadlallah, S. O., Sedzro, D. M., Serradj, D. E. B., &  Mishra, R., Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 53, 102735,  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213138822007834 

• The use of passive baffles to increase the yield of a single slope solar still,  Serradj, D. B., Anderson, T. N., & Nates, R. J., Solar Energy, 226, 297 308,  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article /pii/S0038092X21007155 

• Is this the right time for Sudan to replace diesel-powered  generator systems with wind turbines?, Fadlallah, S. O., Serradj,  D. E. B., & Sedzro, D. M., Renewable Energy, 180, 40-54,  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148121011782 

• Design and performance analysis of a parabolic trough power  plant under the climatological conditions of Tamanrasset, Algeria,  Serradj, D. E. B., Sebitosi, A. B., & Fadlallah, S. O.,  International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 1-18,  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13762-021-03350-x 

• Determination of the optimal solar photovoltaic (PV) system for Sudan,  Fadlallah, S. O., & Serradj, D. E. B., Solar Energy, 208, 800-813,  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0038092X20308 93 

• The effect of a passive baffle on the performance of a single slope solar still,  Serradj, D. E. B., Anderson, T., & Nates, R., Asia-Pacific Solar Research  Conference, Australia, 2021, http://apvi.org.au/solarresearchconference 

• Predicting the yield of a single slope solar still: A comparison of models,  Serradj, D. E. B., Anderson, T., & Nates, R., Asia-Pacific Solar Research  Conference, Australia, 2020, http://apvi.org.au/solar-researchconference 

• A numerical study of heat transfer inside single slope solar still, Serradj, D.  E. B., Anderson, T., & Nates, R., Asia-Pacific Solar Research Conference,  Australia, 2019, https://cloudstor.aarnet.edu.au/plus/s/27f22RevWbkwJvK

Timeline

Senior systems engineer

ENODA
06.2025 - Current

Senior Systems Engineer

Ceres Power
04.2023 - 05.2025

Research and Development Engineer

Loughborough University
12.2021 - 04.2023

Energy Engineer

MORKS REID
01.2020 - 12.2021

Doctor of Philosophy - Mechanical Engineering (Energy)

Auckland University of Technology
02.2018 - 07.2021

Researcher (Energy)

Auckland University of Technology
01.2018 - 03.2022

Visiting Research Fellow

Technical University of Munich
02.2017 - 03.2017

Student Intern

Sustainability Institute
03.2016 - 08.2016

Master of Science (Research project) - Renewable Energy Engineering

University of Stellenbosch
09.2015 - 03.2016

Student Intern

TH Koln University of Applied Sciences
01.2015 - 03.2015

Master of Science - Renewable Energy Engineering

Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Science
08.2014 - 11.2016

Bachelor of Science - Thermal Energy Engineering

Université Abou Bekr Belkaid
09.2010 - 08.2013
Djamal Benhadji