Dr. Kassa Wudineh Liyew, PhD

Assistant Professor of Sustainable Systems and Energy Engineering

Department of Chemical Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University

• Email:kassa.wudineh@bdu.edu.et  / kidus_kassa@yahoo.com  
• Office: Block B, Room 304, Main Campus
• Profiles: Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=RDryaBkAAAAJandhl=en | ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kassa-Wudineh-Liyew

Biography/Profile Summary

Dr. Kassa Wudineh Liyew is an educator and researcher with extensive experience specializing in sustainable energy engineering and industrial decarbonization. His work focuses on energy system modeling, solar thermal technologies, and the development of high-efficiency renewable energy solutions for both industrial and rural applications. He currently coordinates community engagement and technology transfer office at Bahir Dar Institute of Technology-Bahir Dar University, collaborating with partners to advance resource efficiency and renewable integration.

Educational Background

• PhD in Sustainable Energy Engineering – Bahir Dar University (Ethiopia) in collaboration with Universität Kassel (Germany) 
• MSc in Mechanical Engineering (spec. Sustainable Energy Engineering)– KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden) 
• BSc in Chemical Engineering – Bahir Dar University (Ethiopia) 
• Specialized Training and Professional Certifications in different international energy modeling and optimization courses (e.g., PinCH analysis, TEMOA, OSeMOSYS, LEAP, Life-Cycle Assessment). 

Core Expertise and Research Interests

• Industrial Decarbonization: Focused on developing strategies for energy efficiency, waste-to-energy conversion, and process optimization, including the application of Pinch analysis in industrial sectors. 
• Energy System Modeling and Optimization: Proficient in the application of open-source frameworks, to analyze and optimize sustainable energy systems. 
• Transport Phenomena and Fluid Mechanics: Extensive background in analyzing heat and mass transfer processes, as well as fluid flow behaviors, to support engineering design and system efficiency. 
• Thermodynamic Modeling and Simulation: Expertise in advanced thermodynamic modeling and the use of computational tools such as ANSYS, TRNSYS to simulate and evaluate complex thermal and fluid systems. 
• Renewable Energy Technologies: Technical research and community-based expertise in solar PV/T technologies and biogas energy utilization

Key Publications and Projects

• Project Lead (2023–to date): Member of the Coordination team of the TUM SEED Center project at Bahir Dar University, implementing solar-powered irrigation systems. 
• Gesese, T.N., Mersha, D.A., Admase, A.T., Liyew, K.W., et al. (2026). Biohydrogen Production Pathways: An Integrated Review... Bioenerg. Res. 19, 75. 
• Liyew KW, Habtu NG, Louvet Y, Admasu BT, Jordan U (2025). Energy recovery opportunities in Bahir Dar Tannery through soft data optimization using PinCH analysis. Presented at EAI ICAST 2025 (Bahir Dar, Ethiopia) and in production as peer reviewed publication at Springer
• Liyew, K.W., Louvet, Y., Habtu, N.G., Jordan, U. (2024). Experimental investigations of the operating behavior of a low-flow drainback solar heating system. Energy Reports, 13, 594-608.  
• Liyew, K.W., Ejigu, N.A., Habtu, N.G. (2024). Analysis of energy supply, energy policies, and the final energy end-use consumption of the residential sector in Ethiopia. Heliyon Energy.  
• Liyew, K.W., Habtu, N.G., Louvet, Y., Guta, D.D., Jordan, U. (2021). Technical design, costs, and greenhouse gas emissions of solar Injera baking stoves. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 

Teaching and Academic Duties

• Former Academic Leadership Roles: Director of Bahir Dar Energy Center (Bahir Dar University); Head of Department, Mechanical Engineering (Assosa University). 
• Undergraduate Courses: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Renewable Energy Technology, Energy Auditing, Chemical Process Industries
• Postgraduate Courses: Solid Waste Management and Soil Pollution, Industrial Energy auditing and conservation, Advanced solar thermal technology, Renewable energy technology

Current Institutional Roles: Community Engagement and Technology Transfer Coordinator, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology-Bahir Dar University.