Meet Dr Saeed Adelipour, Senior Research Fellow in Multi-Energy Systems and Communities, here at Salford Business School.
Saeed is a firm believer that research is not only valuable for advancing technology, but to also solve environmental challenges in communities.
This belief has transcended into his research at Salford, helping to create sustainable and energy efficient communities through electric vehicles and bidirectional charging, through which two-way energy technology enables electricity to flow into an electric vehicle battery and back out again to power homes, appliances or the grid.
In this blog, Saeed reflects on his journey to Salford, his career highlights and the research he’s currently working on.
How did you get into academia as a career path?
I like to describe myself as someone who is always learning. For me, academia is one of the best places to be if you are driven by curiosity, continuous learning and the desire to solve complex problems.
I began my academic career in control systems engineering and continued this path through my MSc and PhD studies. After completing my PhD, I worked in two postdoctoral research positions which helped me broaden my experience and develop further as a researcher.
Academia has given me the opportunity to keep learning, collaborate with others, and contribute to research with practical value beyond the university. This combination of curiosity, collaboration and real-world impact is what encouraged me to pursue academia as a career path.
Why did you choose to work at the University of Salford?
I came to Salford as a researcher working on the Horizon Europe and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funded DriVe2X project, which focuses on vehicle-to-everything technologies and bidirectional smart charging. The project was closely aligned with my background in optimisation, control and sustainable energy systems, so it felt like a very natural fit.
What attracted me to Salford was the opportunity to work on applied, impact-driven research. The University has a strong focus on industry collaboration, innovation and real-world problem solving, and that is very important to me. My research is not only about developing models or algorithms; it is also about understanding how these methods can support people, communities and organisations in the energy transition.
What’s the best thing about being an academic at Salford?
The best thing is the opportunity to grow and learn while working on research that can make a real difference. Salford provides an environment where applied research is valued, and where researchers are encouraged to work across disciplines and with external partners.
For me, it is particularly rewarding to work on innovative methods that can help enrich lives, whether by supporting cleaner energy systems, improving the use of electric vehicles, or helping communities benefit more fairly from the energy transition. I also value the collaborative culture at Salford, where hard work, initiative and practical impact are recognised.
Can you tell us about any of your career highlights to date?
One of my recent career highlights has been my promotion to Senior Research Fellow after my first year at the University of Salford. It was an important milestone for me, not only professionally but also personally, because it showed that the University recognises commitment, hard work and research contribution.
Another highlight has been contributing to the DriVe2X project and working with colleagues and partners on the practical use of bidirectional electric vehicle charging. Seeing research move from theoretical models towards real pilot applications is very rewarding. It reinforces why I chose this career path – to work on problems that are technically challenging but also meaningful for society.
What’s your current research focused on?
My current research focuses on sustainable and resilient energy communities, smart charging and vehicle-to-everything technologies. A major part of my work is linked to the DriVe2X project, where we are investigating how electric vehicles can support buildings, local energy systems and the wider electricity grid through bidirectional charging.
I am also particularly interested in fairness in the energy transition. As energy systems become more decentralised, with more electric vehicles, solar generation, batteries and local flexibility markets, it is important to ask who benefits, who carries the cost, and how we can design systems that are not only efficient but also fair. My work looks at how optimisation, control and market-design methods can support more inclusive and citizen-led energy systems.
Do you have any published papers we can read?
One recent paper I would like to highlight is called, In Pursuit of a Citizen-Led, Self-Sufficient, and just Local Energy System. This paper reflects my current interest in fairness, self-sufficiency and citizen participation in local energy systems. It looks at how local energy communities can be assessed not only in terms of technical or economic performance, but also in terms of fairness and social value.
You can also find a full list of my publications through my Google Scholar profile.
And finally, the all-important question, where in Manchester or Salford is best to grab a coffee?
As a staff member at the University of Salford, I must mention The Old Fire Station. It is a great place on campus to grab a coffee, meet colleagues and enjoy the atmosphere. The coffee is very good, and the bakery options make it an easy choice.
As a member of the Persian community, I would also recommend Y2 Café on Chapel Street. It is a warm, family-run Persian café where you can taste Persian food, tea and sweets in a welcoming community atmosphere. It brings together food, culture and conversation, which makes it a special place for me.