Quentin Nouhessèwa Hounyonou | Economics | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Quentin Nouhessèwa Hounyonou | Economics | Best Researcher Award

Research scholar at Paris 1 University - Panthéon Sorbonne, France

Professional Profile

Orcid

Summary

Dr. Quentin Nouhessèwa Hounyonou is a Beninese economist specializing in energy economics, development, and statistical modeling. With academic and teaching experience across renowned institutions in France, Morocco, and Africa, he focuses on understanding how energy systems influence socio-economic progress in developing countries. His work bridges economic theory and applied research to support resilient and inclusive energy policy design.

Educational Details

Dr. Hounyonou earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Mines Paris (Cerna), PSL University, France (2018–2022), where he studied energy access and Chinese import competition in Africa. He holds a Master’s in Development Economics from UCA, Cerdi, France (2017–2018), with research centered on the revenue impact of energy access in Tanzanian households. He also holds dual engineering degrees: one in Statistics from ENSAE-Dakar, Senegal (2013–2017), and another in Energy from the University of Abomey-Calavi, EPAC, Benin (2008–2013).

Professional Experience

Dr. Hounyonou has taught a wide range of subjects across institutions. From 2023 to 2025, he has been teaching Mathematics and Quantitative Techniques at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University. He taught Energy and Development at the Master's level at Grenoble Alpes University (2022–2023), focusing on energy access and climate impact in low-income settings. Previously, he served at the Polytechnic University of Mohamed VI (UM6P) in Morocco (2018–2021), teaching core principles of economics and finance to engineering students.

Research Interests

His research explores the intersection of energy economics, development, and trade, particularly in the African context. He investigates the effects of energy access on household welfare, the role of informal economies in achieving Sustainable Development Goals, and how African firms adapt to global shocks, such as the influx of Chinese imports. His work also examines energy price uncertainty and trade integration across African economies.

Author Metrics

Dr. Hounyonou has presented at international conferences, including the CSAE Conference at the University of Oxford and the GTAP Global Economic Analysis Conference. His research is disseminated through working papers and academic platforms like ResearchGate and LinkedIn. While his ORCID currently lists one published work, several research papers are in progress and have been featured in leading academic forums.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Hounyonou’s work has been recognized through invitations to present at prestigious conferences in energy and development economics. His ongoing contributions to the discourse on energy access and trade in Africa underscore his emerging influence as a thought leader in sustainable development and economic policy.

Publication Top Notes

 How Does the Informal Economy Affect SDGs in Developing Countries?
  • Author(s): Dr. Quentin Nouhessèwa Hounyonou

  • Year: 2024

  • Summary:
    Investigates how the informal economy shapes progress toward Sustainable Development Goals in developing nations, emphasizing both its potential to alleviate poverty and the challenges it poses to policy integration and formal economic planning.

 African Firms’ Adaptation to Chinese Shock under Financial and Electricity Constraints
  • Author(s): Dr. Quentin Nouhessèwa Hounyonou

  • Year: 2022
  • Summary:
    Analyzes how firms in Africa respond to the surge of Chinese imports amid infrastructural and financial constraints. Highlights firm-level resilience linked to better financial access and reliable electricity.

 Advent of Chinese Goods into African Markets: Impact on Firms’ Growth
  • Author(s): Dr. Quentin Nouhessèwa Hounyonou

  • Year: 2021

  • Summary:
    Examines the dual impact of Chinese goods: while they introduce competitive pressure, they also drive innovation among African firms in some sectors.

Electricity Access, Consumption, and Home-Based Business: Evidence from Tanzanian Households
  • Author(s): Dr. Quentin Nouhessèwa Hounyonou

  • Year: 2019

  • Summary:
    Provides empirical evidence that reliable electricity access enables home-based enterprises to thrive, particularly benefiting female entrepreneurship and local economic development.

Conclusion

Dr. Quentin Nouhessèwa Hounyonou is an emerging thought leader in development and energy economics, with a unique multidisciplinary background and a strong record of presenting impactful, policy-relevant research. While his formal publication count is still developing, the depth, relevance, and recognition of his work clearly position him as a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award.

Alireza Zabihi | Electrical Engineering | Industry Impact Award

Mr. Alireza Zabihi | Electrical Engineering | Industry Impact Award

PhD researcher  University of Coimbra at Portugal

Professional Profile

Orcid
Google Scholar
Scopus

Summary

Alireza Zabihi is a dedicated researcher and engineer specializing in electrical engineering, power systems, and renewable energy. With a strong academic foundation and hands-on industrial experience, he has contributed significantly to the advancement of photovoltaic systems, smart grids, electric vehicles (EVs), and microgrids. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Intelligent Systems at the University of Coimbra, Portugal, Alireza combines academic excellence with a passion for sustainable and intelligent power solutions.

Educational Details

Alireza is currently undertaking his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Intelligent Systems at the University of Coimbra, where his research focuses on optimizing ship power system connections to ports, contributing to sustainable maritime energy solutions. He holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Electrical Engineering (Power Systems) from Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, Iran, with a thesis titled Detection and Assessment of Partial Shading Against Hotspot Phenomenon in PV Generation Systems and a GPA of 3.16. He also earned his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Electrical Engineering from the same institution, with a thesis on Renewable Energy Sources and Challenges in Power Systems, graduating with a GPA of 3.09.

Professional Experience

Alireza has significant professional experience bridging academia and industry. He worked as an Electrical Engineer at Fara Atlas Electric Company in Isfahan, Iran, where he managed the production and quality control of medium-voltage cables. He also served as a part-time researcher at EPCCSOLAR group in Iran, focusing on optimizing photovoltaic systems. His involvement in academia extends to serving on the editorial board of the Journal of Modern Technology and actively reviewing for journals such as E-Prime – Advances in Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Energy (Elsevier) and the IEEE Internet of Things Journal.

Research Interests

Alireza’s research interests include power systems optimization, renewable energy integration, photovoltaic performance enhancement, smart grid technologies, electric mobility infrastructure, microgrids, and zero-energy buildings. His doctoral research particularly emphasizes shore power systems and sustainable maritime energy, reflecting his broader commitment to innovation and resilience in modern power networks.

Author Metrics

Alireza Zabihi is registered with several research identifiers, including ORCID (0000-0003-4800-5583) and Ciência ID (9016-D348-6CFD). His academic contributions include peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations in the fields of electrical engineering and renewable energy. He is an active peer reviewer for top-tier journals, reflecting both the quality and relevance of his expertise.

Awards and Honors

Alireza is currently a recipient of a prestigious research grant (reference 7220) under the project titled Shore Power Connection for Port of Aveiro in Portugal, funded by the Universidade de Coimbra. This grant supports his doctoral research and highlights his role in advancing energy sustainability within port and maritime infrastructure.

Publication Top Notes

1. Empowering the Grid: Toward the Integration of Electric Vehicles and Renewable Energy in Power Systems
  • Authors: A. Zabihi, M. Parhamfar

  • Journal: International Journal of Energy Security and Sustainable Energy (IJESSE)

  • Year: 2024

  • Citations: 30

  • Highlights: This article explores the challenges and strategies for integrating electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy sources into modern power systems, proposing sustainable grid solutions.

2. A Partial Shading Detection Algorithm for Photovoltaic Generation Systems
  • Authors: A. Zabihi, I. Sadeghkhani, B. Fani

  • Journal: Journal of Solar Energy Research

  • Year: 2021

  • Citations: 27

  • Highlights: The paper presents an algorithm to detect partial shading in PV systems, addressing efficiency loss and hotspot risks, improving the reliability of solar installations.

3. Developing a Robust Expansion Planning Approach for Transmission Networks and Privately-Owned Renewable Sources
  • Authors: L. Peng, A. Zabihi, M. Azimian, H. Shirvani, F. Shahnia

  • Journal: IEEE Access

  • Year: 2022

  • Citations: 19

  • Highlights: This work proposes a robust framework for transmission network expansion considering the integration of privately-owned renewables, contributing to resilient grid development.

4. Increase Power Output and Radiation in Photovoltaic Systems by Installing Mirrors
  • Authors: A. Zabihi, M. Parhamfar, S.S. Duvvuri, M. Abtahi

  • Journal: Measurement: Sensors

  • Article ID: 100946

  • Year: 2023

  • Citations: 13

  • Highlights: The paper investigates a practical method to boost PV system efficiency using reflective surfaces, demonstrating measurable gains in power output and solar irradiance.

5. Assessment of Faults in the Performance of Hydropower Plants within Power Systems
  • Author: A. Zabihi

  • Journal: International Scientific Journal Energy Systems Research

  • Year: 2024

  • Citations: 8

  • Highlights: The study analyzes operational faults in hydropower plants, offering insights into performance degradation and strategies for reliability enhancement.

Conclusion

Mr. Alireza Zabihi is highly suitable for the Research for Industry Impact Award, demonstrating an exceptional mix of academic rigor, industrial relevance, and societal value. His focus on sustainable energy systems, practical PV solutions, and power grid resilience reflects a deep understanding of industry challenges. With strategic steps toward commercialization and broader collaboration, his contributions can scale further in real-world applications.