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CV / Resume

João Graça Gomes

📍 London, United Kingdom
📧 jgracagomes@gmail.com
🔗 LinkedIn

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I am a Postgraduate Researcher at Imperial College London (Dyson School of Design Engineering), working on techno-economic models for power systems decarbonization.

My work combines energy system modelling, optimisation, and AI-based methods, with experience spanning academia, industry, and policy. I have led and contributed to international R&D projects worth over €3.5M, published extensively in high-impact journals, and collaborated with organisations such as the World Energy Council, and REN21.

Education

PhD in Design Engineering
Imperial College London — 2024–2028
AI-enabled immersive technologies for energy system design under deep uncertainty

MSc in Power Engineering
Shanghai Jiao Tong University — 2018–2021 International Student Award: Graduation with Honours (Top 1% in China) Feasibility of Distributed Generation-based Microgrid System using Battery Storage

Summer Course on Applied Energy
Beijing Jiao Tong University — 2019 Course organised by the Electrical Engineering Department of Beijing Jiao Tong and the journal Applied Energy

Summer Course on Chinese Language and Culture
Tianjin Foreign Studies University — 2015
Course organised by the Confucius Institute of the University of Lisbon and Tianjin Foreign Studies University

MSc in Energy and Environmental Engineering
University of Lisbon — 2012–2015
Top 5% · Thesis grade: 95% (Top of class) Optimal operation scheduling of a pump hydro storage system coupled with a wind farm

BSc in Energy and Environmental Engineering
University of Lisbon — 2009–2012
Top 5%

Research & Professional Experience

Head of Research & Development
Sino-Portuguese Centre for New Energy Technologies (China Three Gorges) — 2019–2024

  • Led and managed 12+ R&D projects with a total value of €3.5M, ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality results.
  • Successfully led research funding applications, securing critical resources for innovation and development.
  • Directed planning and implementation of microgrids, industrial parks, wind, and solar PV projects, optimising technical and operational performance.

  • Coordinated collaborations between Europe and China, fostering knowledge exchange and international partnerships.

    • Key Projects:

    • Navigating the Energy Trilemma in China: Safety, Equity, and Sustainability
      Designed a framework to assess energy security, equity, and environmental sustainability; managed project implementation and reporting.

    • China's Green Hydrogen Supply Chain
      Researched techno-economic feasibility of hydrogen production and transport; co-authored a Springer book chapter.

    • Maximizing Value in Liberalized Electricity Markets
      Developed optimisation models for hybrid wind-solar PV systems with storage, improving revenue and efficiency; co-authored 2 SCI papers.

Graduate Teaching & Research Assistant
Shanghai Jiao Tong University — 2019–2021

  • Supported teaching in New Energy Systems and Gas Combustion Technologies.
  • Assisted in course preparation and student assessment.

Renewable Energy Policy Analyst
Portuguese Renewable Energy Association (APREN) — 2015–2018

  • Analysed EU electricity production and market data.
  • Contributed to policy discussions at the national and EU levels.
  • Prepared reports for international organisations (World Bank, WindEurope, REN21, Bioenergy Europe, WWEA)
  • Supported the development of APREN's yearly conference.

Selected Publications

  • Energy (2023) – Hybrid solar PV–wind–battery system bidding optimisation
  • Energy (2021) – Renewable microgrid optimisation with storage
  • IET Renewable Power Generation (2021) – Pumped hydro & wind optimisation
  • Springer (2023) – Green hydrogen supply chains (Book chapter)

👉 Full list available in the Publications / Studies section.

Skills

Programming & Modelling
Python, MATLAB, C#, R, Xpress-Mosel, EnergyPlan, PSCAD, PVSYST

Data & Visualisation
Unity, GIS, Origin, CAD, SolidWorks

Languages
Portuguese (Native) · English (IELTS 7.5) · Chinese (HSK 3)

Awards & Distinctions

  • Portuguese Science Foundation PhD Scholarship Grant - Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT) (2023)

  • Top 10 Engineers in the Field of New Energy — Shanghai Investigation, Design and Research Institute (2022)
    Shanghai, China
    Distinction awarded to 10 engineers among a cohort of approximately 500 employees.

  • Future Energy Leaders 100 — World Energy Council (2021)
    International
    Distinction bestowed upon the top 100 innovators and leaders in the global energy sector under 32 years old.

  • International Student Award – Ministry of Science and Technology of China (March 2021)
    China Graduation with Honours (Top 1% in China).

  • Merit Award – 5th Sustainable Process Integration Laboratory Scientific Conference (SPIL) (2021)
    International
    Most viewed and commented presentation from the “Renewable Energy and Utility Systems” section.

  • Best Oral Presentation — International Conference of Low Carbon in Asia (ICLCA) (2020–2022)
    International
    Awarded by the Scientific Committee at the 6th, 7th, and 8th editions of the conference.

  • Merit Award — Shanghai Jiao Tong University China-UK Low Carbon College 2020 Postgraduate Academic Forum (2020)
    Shanghai, China
    Recognised for outstanding academic presentation at the forum.

  • Best Position Paper — Shanghai Jiao Tong University United Nations Model Conference (2019)
    Shanghai, China
    Awarded by the Communist Youth League Committee of Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

  • Finalist, Present Around the World — The Institution of Engineering and Technology (July 2019)
    Beijing, China

  • China Three Gorges Scholarship — China Three Gorges Corporation (August 2018)
    Portugal
    Awarded yearly to 2 students among approximately 50,000 students.

  • Best Electrical Engineering Internship — Portuguese Engineers Society (November 2017)
    Portugal
    National distinction awarded to one candidate per year.

  • Excelence HSK Award — Confucius Institute, University of Lisbon (2017)
    Lisbon, Portugal
    Awarded for achieving a top score on the HSK (汉语水平考试).

  • Merit Award - Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (2012)
    Lisbon, Portugal
    Recognised for achieving a yearly GPA higher than 16/20.

  • Euroscola Winner — European Commission (2009)
    European Union
    Selected to participate in the Euroscola program representing Portugal.

Professional Service & Leadership

  • Municipal Assembly Member (Local Parliament) — Mafra Municipality, Portugal (2021–2025)
    Elected member of the Municipal Assembly, contributing to policy discussions on local development, sustainability, and public services.

  • Candidate for City Councillor — Mafra Municipality, Portugal (2025) Development of the strategic plan for the city government, focusing on energy, environment, water management, infrastructure, and social policy.

  • Coordinator, Energy, Blue Economy and Climate Transition Hub - Portuguese Diaspora Council (2024–Present)
    Coordinating international experts and initiatives focused on energy transition, climate policy, and blue economy strategies.

  • Coordinator, Asia & Oceania Hub - Portuguese Diaspora Council (2022–2024)
    Led engagement across the Asia–Oceania region, strengthening collaboration between Portuguese professionals, academia, industry, and institutions abroad.

  • Board Member, Global Future Energy Leaders — World Energy Council (2022–Present) Developing the global strategy of the Future Energy Leaders, recruiting new members, expanding the global network, supporting conferences, and managing studies and events.

  • Member, Studies Standing Committee — World Energy Council (2023-Present) Performed long‐term energy planning studies on the worldwide energy sector. Organised, prepared and moderated several high‐level discussions on the future of the energy sector.

  • Board Member, Future Energy Leaders Portugal — Portuguese Energy Association (2021 – 2024)
    Collaborated with energy experts to advance energy knowledge in Portugal. Published, edited and managed several opinion articles and white papers on the integration of renewable energy sources into the power grid. Establishing and managing collaborations with media outlets to promote initiatives, enhance visibility, and support communication strategies.

  • European Climate Pact Ambassador — European Commission (2022-2023) Promoting climate action and sustainability initiatives across communities, engaging citizens and stakeholders, and supporting projects aligned with the European Green Deal.

  • Co-founder and Coordinator — Student Union of the Confucius Institute of the University of Lisbon (2016-2018) Promotion of Sino-Portuguese cultural exchange, support for Chinese students learning Portuguese and Portuguese students learning Mandarin. Provide support to students' concerns and needs.

  • Member of the Pedagogical Council — Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon (2010–2012) Participated in the development and review of academic programs, curricula, and teaching policies, contributing to the strategic planning and quality assurance of the faculty's educational offerings.

  • Member of the Faculty Assembly — Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon (2010–2012) Contributed to decision-making on faculty governance, including policies on academic programs, resource allocation, and faculty regulations, supporting the strategic development of the institution.