Dr Yiheng Hu, B.Eng., M.Sc. (Hons), Dr., PGCertHE, FHEA, MIET, MIEEE, MWES, Top 50 Women in Engineering (WE50) 2022 in the UK, received her B.Eng. degree in Mechatronics from Central South University, Changsha, China, in 2012; M.Sc. degree in Power Systems from the University of Manchester, Manchester, UK, in 2013. In 2018, she started her PhD study fully funded by the UK Government Scholarship awarded to an international student in Transient Energy Storage Systems at the University of Huddersfield, UK. Following this, Yiheng was appointed as Senior Power System Researcher (postdoctoral role) in Transportable Energy Storage Systems and Associate Researcher (postdoctoral role) in Grid-linked Energy Storage Systems, at University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland, and the University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. In 2023, Yiheng joined the University of Huddersfield to work as a Lecturer in Electrical Engineering. 

Research

Her research to date has mainly focused on the field of electrochemical energy storage systems (Lithium-free and Sodium-based batteries, e.g., Sodium-nickel Chloride and Sodium-iron batteries) and associated power electronics for power systems and renewable energy integration. This research includes alternative technologies to implement this function, such as electrochemical devices (batteries and supercapacitors), electromechanical devices (flywheel motor-generator units), other technologies, and power electronic converters. Her interest is in researching and developing the technical requirements for power system transient energy storage systems that better interface energy sources and utility grids and utilise each component in the power train more effectively, including AI-driven battery management systems, etc.

Dr Hu is keen to look for highly motivated PhD students, postdocs, visiting scholars and internship students to join her research group. For interested candidates, please feel free to contact her for more details.

Key Research Interests

• Energy storage systems
• Renewables integration
• Power system analysis
• Electric machines

Leadership in Energy, Equality, and Sustainability

Her work and aspirations go far beyond her immediate responsibilities. She continuously contributes to the energy storage sector in her own unique ways, particularly by mentoring and empowering women in the energy industry. Through her guidance, she helps amplify women's voices in the field of energy storage and fosters diverse perspectives that drive innovation and sustainability. She has been selected three times as a mentor in women-focused energy programs, including the inaugural 2020 and 2025 editions of the Women in Energy Storage Mentoring Programme, as well as the 2023 Women in Renewable Energy in Africa Mentoring Programme. She is also a member of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) in the UK, a professional network that offers support and inspiration for women’s professional development. In addition, she serves on the committee of the WES Climate Emergency Group (CEG) in the UK, which leads initiatives on sustainability and carbon reduction targets. Alongside WES, she has organised and co-hosted multiple events - efforts that led to her being recognised among the Top 50 Women in Engineering in the UK in 2022 (https://www.wes.org.uk/we50-awards/we50-2022-inventors-and-innovators/). Her commitment lies in empowering women, creating equitable opportunities, and accelerating the transition toward cleaner and smarter energy systems.

• Mentor, 3rd Cohort Women in Energy Storage Programme, hosted by Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), team up with Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET), 12/2024 – 09/2025
  Mentee: Maria Marcela Fragozo Diaz, Process Engineer, Vicoma (during the program period) 
• Mentor, the Women in Renewable Energy in Africa Mentoring Programme, Hosted by Gender and Economic Inclusion IFC, 05/2023 – 12/2023
  Mentee: Nomathemba Ndlovu, Zimbabwean, University Teaching Assistant, National University of Science and Technology (during the program period) 
• Mentor, the Women in Energy Storage Mentoring Programme, hosted by Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), team up with Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET), Mentee,09/2020 - 09/2021
  Mentee: Yi Xu, Financial Analyst, World Bank, USA (during the program period)

Current PhD students: 

Main Supervisor, Xingyu Liu, Project title: Integration of Distributed Energy Storage Systems to Enhance Adaptability and Reliability of Electrical Power Grids Towards Net-Zero Solutions (Scholarship Funded)

Main Supervisor, Mengxin Sun, Project title: A Novel Permanent Magnet Machine Design for Enhanced Low-Voltage Traction in Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, (Scholarship Funded)

Co-supervisor, Aisha Al Debri, Project title: Intelligent Disaster Management Application: A Unified Framework for AI-Enhanced Alerts, Location Services, and Community Engagement, (Scholarship Funded)

Module Leader

• Electrical Principles 2 (NIE2299)
• Electrical Energy Conservation (NIE2202) 
• Enterprise: Electronic Product Design and Manufacture (NIE2208)

Year Tutor

• Year 0 Tutor (Foundation year) 

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Last updated 20th August 2025