Mohammad Saffari
Dr.
Contact Details
S370
T:Ext. 5604
E:mohammad.saffari@dcu.ie
Assistant Professor | Principal Investigator
DCU School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Stokes Building
Glasnevin Campus
Dublin 9, Dublin City University
T:0035317005604
E:mohammad.saffari@dcu.ie
W:https://www.dcu.ie/mechanicalengineering/people/mohammad-saffari
Dr. Mohammad Saffari is a Principal Investigator at Dublin City University (DCU), Ireland, specialising in advanced energy systems for buildings, with a particular focus on hybrid thermal energy storage, heat pump integration, and AI-driven optimisation. His work operates at the intersection of engineering, data science, and sustainability, with a clear mission to accelerate the transition towards net-zero, flexible, and resilient energy systems.
Dr. Saffari has an extensive international research portfolio, having contributed to high-impact multidisciplinary projects across Europe and beyond, including Spain, Germany, Australia, and Ireland. His work spans both fundamental research and applied innovation, addressing real-world challenges in building decarbonisation, renewable energy integration, and intelligent energy system design.
He leads pioneering research on hybrid thermal energy storage (TES), including phase change materials (PCM) and thermochemical storage, integrated with renewable technologies such as heat pumps and photovoltaic systems. His research advances intelligent control and optimisation frameworks - combining model predictive control (MPC), multi-objective optimisation, and machine learning- to enhance system performance, reduce carbon emissions, and unlock demand-side flexibility in buildings and district energy systems.
Dr. Saffari has contributed to several nationally and internationally funded projects, including serving as the DCU collaborator in the SEAI-funded GEONORM geothermal energy project and as a Principal Investigator in the Horizon Europe-funded HYSTORE project. Within these initiatives, he works closely with leading academic institutions, industry partners, and R&D organisations across Europe to develop next-generation thermal energy storage technologies and integrated energy solutions. His research is underpinned by advanced modelling and simulation platforms, including FMU-based co-simulation environments and AI-enhanced optimisation frameworks, enabling high-fidelity system analysis and real-time control strategies.
Beyond academia, Dr. Saffari is actively engaged in innovation and commercialisation. He is a selected participant in the ConceptionX Venture Programme, where he is developing an AI-driven platform designed to transform building retrofits through intelligent system design, predictive analytics, and techno-economic optimisation. His broader vision is to translate deep-tech research into scalable digital solutions that reshape how buildings are designed, retrofitted, and operated in a low-carbon future.
Dr. Saffari collaborates extensively with industry, policymakers, and international research networks, contributing to strategic EU funding initiatives and interdisciplinary programmes focused on clean energy transition. His work supports the electrification of heating, integration of renewable energy sources, and the advancement of smart, low-temperature district heating systems.
He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and continues to contribute to emerging research areas, including explainable AI in energy systems, hybrid optimisation methodologies, and AI-assisted building performance modelling.
His expertise and insights are also recognised beyond academia, contributing to public discourse on energy and sustainability. In an interview with The Irish Times, he highlighted Ireland’s strategic position as a hub for data centres and renewable energy innovation, emphasising the critical role of energy storage and engineering solutions in addressing growing energy demands and decarbonisation challenges. His broader philosophy underscores the role of engineering and innovation in transforming challenges into opportunities for sustainable development.
Dr. Saffari is also an active contributor to international knowledge exchange platforms. He has delivered invited presentations to global thermal energy storage (TES) networks, sharing advancements in modelling, simulation, and integration of innovative TES systems within the built environment. His contributions focus on enabling scalable, interoperable, and high-impact solutions that support grid balancing and energy flexibility - one building at a time.
Book Chapter
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Eleni Mangina, Elizabeth Burke, Ronan Matson, Rossa O’Briain, Joe M Caffrey, Mohammad Saffari (2022) 'Plant Species Detection Using Image Processing and Deep Learning: A Mobile-Based Application' In: Plant Species Detection Using Image Processing and Deep Learning: A Mobile-Based Application. Denmark : Springer, Cham. [Link] [DOI] |
Conference Publication
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Marotta, I.; Frazzoni, G.; Fyne, O.; Saffari, M.; Kieseritzky, E.; Aguiar, D.; Caponetto, R.; Frazzica, A.; Vasta, S.; Palomba, V. (2026) Eurotherm seminar #119: Contribution of thermal energy storage towards decarbonization Novel approaches for the State-of-Charge estimation in latent thermal energy storage: A computer vision setup Lleida, Spain, | |
| 2026 | Marotta, I.; Frazzoni, G.; Fyne, O.; Saffari, M.; Frazzica, A.; Vasta, S.; Palomba, V. (2026) Proceedings of the SDEWES Conference Deep learning approaches for the estimation of the state-of-charge in latent thermal energy storage technologies Canary Island, Spain, | |
| 2025 | Mohammad Saffari; Jean-Baptiste Mestrallet; Adamantios Bampoulas; Eleni Mangina (2025) Springer, Cham Techno-Economic Analysis of a Residential Building with Electric Heat Pump and Integrated Solar PV System: A Case Study from Ireland https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-06806-4_52 | |
| 2025 | Anandhi Parthiban; Adamantios Bampoulas; Valeria Palomba; Eleni Mangina; mohammad saffari (2025) 2025 60th International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC) A multi-objective optimization framework for enhanced building energy performance using a thermal energy storage system [DOI] | |
| 2022 | M Saffari; C Roe; DP Finn (2022) 2022: CLIMA 2022 The 14th REHVA HVAC World Congress Enhanced building energy flexibility using passive PCM envelope and HVAC control automation https://doi.org/10.34641/clima.2022.380 | |
| 2020 | Eleni Mangina, Pranav Kashyap Narasimhan, Mohammad Saffari, Ilias Vlachos (2020) Optimising Supply Chain Logistics System Using Data Analytics Techniques . In: Ana Lúcia Martins, Joao Carlos Ferreira, Alexander Kocian eds. Optimising Supply Chain Logistics System Using Data Analytics Techniques [DOI] | |
| 2019 | David Keogh, Mohammad Saffari, Mattia de Rosa, Donal P Finn (2019) Energy assessment of hybrid heat pump systems as a retrofit measure in residential housing stock Energy assessment of hybrid heat pump systems as a retrofit measure in residential housing stock [Link] https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/201911101064 | |
| 2019 | Adamantios Bampoulas; Mohammad Saffari; Fabiano Pallonetto; Eleni Mangina; Donal P. Finn (2019) Self-Learning Control Algorithms for Energy Systems Integration in the Residential Building Sector Self-Learning Control Algorithms for Energy Systems Integration in the Residential Building Sector Limerick, Ireland, [Link] [DOI] | |
| 2017 | Saffari, M.; de Gracia, A.; Fernandez, C.; Zsembinszki, G.; Cabeza, L. F. (2017) 3RD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INNOVATIVE MATERIALS, STRUCTURES AND TECHNOLOGIES (IMST 2017) Study on the optimum PCM melting temperature for energy savings in residential buildings worldwide [DOI] |
Peer Reviewed Journal
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Adamantios Bampoulas; Kaiwalya Raj; Anandhi Parthiban; Mohammad Saffari (2026) 'Ontology-driven energy management in smart buildings: A comprehensive review of methodologies, tools, and challenges'. Energy and Buildings, . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2025.116817 | |
| 2025 | Adamantios Bampoulas; Anandhi Parthiban; Agatino Nicita; Eleni Mangina (2025) 'Social dimensions of energy transition: HYSTORE project stakeholder insights'. Energy Strategy Reviews, . [Link] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2025.101824 | |
| 2023 | Mohammad Saffari; David Keogh; Mattia De Rosa; Donal P Finn (2023) 'Technical and economic assessment of a hybrid heat pump system as an energy retrofit measure in a residential building'. Energy and Buildings, . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.113256 | |
| 2022 | M Saffari; C Roe; DP Finn (2022) 'Improving the building energy flexibility using PCM-enhanced envelopes'. Applied Thermal Engineering, . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2022.119092 | |
| 2022 | M Saffari; P Beagon (2022) 'Home energy retrofit: Reviewing its depth, scale of delivery, and sustainability'. Energy and Buildings, . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112253 | |
| 2021 | Bampoulas, Adamantios; Saffari, Mohammad; Pallonetto, Fabiano; Mangina, Eleni; Finn, Donal P. (2021) 'A fundamental unified framework to quantify and characterise energy flexibility of residential buildings with multiple electrical and thermal energy systems'. Applied Energy, 282 . [DOI] | |
| 2020 | Mohit Prabhakar, Mohammad Saffari, Alvaro de Gracia, Luisa F.Cabeza (2020) 'Improving the energy efficiency of passive PCM system using controlled natural ventilation'. Energy and Buildings, 228 . [Link] [DOI] | |
| 2020 | Eleni Mangina, Pranav Kashyap Narasimhan, Mohammad Saffari, Ilias Vlachos (2020) 'Data analytics for sustainable global supply chains'. Journal of Cleaner Production, 255 . [Link] | |
| 2020 | Cristina Piselli, Mohit Prabhakar, Alvaro de Gracia, Mohammad Saffari, Anna Laura Pisello, Luisa F Cabeza (2020) 'Optimal control of natural ventilation as passive cooling strategy for improving the energy performance of building envelope with PCM integration'. Renewable Energy, 162 :171-181. [DOI] | |
| 2020 | Paul Beagon, Fiona Boland, Mohammad Saffari (2020) 'Closing the gap between simulation and measured energy use in home archetypes'. Energy and Buildings, 224 . [Link] [DOI] | |
| 2019 | Cristina Piselli, Anna Laura Pisello, Mohammad Saffari, Alvaro de Gracia, Franco Cotana, Luisa F. Cabeza (2019) 'Cool roof impact on building energy need: The role of thermal insulation with varying climate conditions'. Energies, 12 (17). [DOI] | |
| 2018 | Saffari, Mohammad; de Gracia, Alvaro; Fernandez, Cesar; Belusko, Martin; Boer, Dieter; Cabeza, Luisa F. (2018) 'Optimized demand side management (DSM) of peak electricity demand by coupling low temperature thermal energy storage (TES) and solar PV'. Applied Energy, 211 :604-616. [DOI] | |
| 2018 | Saffari, Mohammad; Piselli, Cristina; de Gracia, Alvaro; Pisello, Anna Laura; Cotana, Franco; Cabeza, Luisa F. (2018) 'Thermal stress reduction in cool roof membranes using phase change materials (PCM)'. Energy and Buildings, 158 :1097-1105. [DOI] | |
| 2017 | Piselli, Cristina; Saffari, Mohammad; de Gracia, Alvaro; Pisello, Anna Laura; Cotana, Franco; Cabeza, Luisa F. (2017) 'Optimization of roof solar reflectance under different climate conditions, occupancy, building configuration and energy systems'. Energy and Buildings, 151 :81-97. [DOI] | |
| 2017 | Saffari, Mohammad; de Gracia, Alvaro; Fernandez, Cesar; Cabeza, Luisa F. (2017) 'Simulation-based optimization of PCM melting temperature to improve the energy performance in buildings'. Applied Energy, 202 :420-434. [DOI] | |
| 2016 | Marin, Paula; Saffari, Mohammad; de Gracia, Alvaro; Zhu, Xibingyan; Farid, Mohammed M.; Cabeza, Luisa F.; Ushak, Svetlana (2016) 'Energy savings due to the use of PCM for relocatable lightweight buildings passive heating and cooling in different weather conditions'. Energy and Buildings, 129 :274-283. [DOI] | |
| 2016 | Saffari, Mohammad; de Gracia, Alvaro; Ushak, Svetlana; Cabeza, Luisa F. (2016) 'Economic impact of integrating PCM as passive system in buildings using Fanger comfort model'. Energy and Buildings, 112 :159-172. [DOI] |
Review Articles
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Saffari, Mohammad; de Gracia, Alvaro; Ushak, Svetlana; Cabeza, Luisa F. (2017) Passive cooling of buildings with phase change materials using whole-building energy simulation tools: A review. REV [DOI] |
Published Report
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Mohammad Saffari; Mary Doorly; Kathryn Logan; Lisa Ryan; Usman Ali; Mohammad Haris Shamsi; Adamantios Bampoulas; Cathal Hoare; Mark Bohacek; Karl Purcell; Fabiano Pallonetto; James O’Donnell; Eleni Mangina (2020) Simulation and Data-Driven Tools for Building Energy Optimisation. UCD Energy Institute, . [Link] https://tinyurl.com/58858wze | |
| 2019 | Hicham Johra, Tobias Weiss, Thibault Péan, Ali Saberi Derakhtenjani, José Candanedo, Andreas Athienitis, Erwin Mlecnik, Ina De Jaeger, Dirk Saelens, Hussain Kazmi, Ilaria Vigna, Marco Lovati, Roberta Pernetti, Roberto Lollini, Young-Jae Yu, Konstantin Klein, Lilli Frison, Péter Engelmann, Yuekuan Zhou, Sunliang Cao, Jérôme Le Dréau, James Parker, Laura Aelenei, Sarah O’Connell, Marcus M Keane, Daniel Aelenei, Kun Zhang, Johann Meulemans, Marcu Brennenstuhl, Malcom Yadack, Ursula Eicker, Kyriaki Foteinaki, Rune Grønborg Junker, Rongling Li, Christian Finck, Sahra Mohammadi, Fulin Wang, Anjukan Kathirgamanathan, Despoina Christantoni, Donal Finn, Francesco D’Ettorre, Killian Murphy, Mattia De Rosa, Mohammad Saffari, Eleni Mangina, Monika Hall, Athila Quaresma Santos, Krzysztof Arendt, Glenn Reynders, Reino Ruusu, Ala Hasan, Søren Østergaard Jensen, Anna Marszal-Pomianowska (2019) International Energy Agency - Examples of Energy Flexibility in Buildings: Energy in Buildings and Communities Programme Annex 67 Energy Flexible Buildings. Danish Technological Institute, . [Link] |
Employment
Other Activities
Enterprise Engagement
Research Interests
Dr. Mohammad Saffari’s research focuses on advancing next-generation energy systems for buildings and districts, with an emphasis on integrating artificial intelligence, optimisation, and advanced thermal technologies to enable net-zero and flexible energy infrastructures.
His core research interests include:
- Hybrid Thermal Energy Storage (TES): Development and integration of advanced storage solutions, including phase change materials (PCM) and thermochemical storage, to enhance energy flexibility, efficiency, and renewable utilisation.
- AI-Driven Energy Systems & Optimisation: Application of machine learning, deep learning, and hybrid optimisation techniques (e.g., model predictive control (MPC), multi-objective optimisation) for intelligent control, forecasting, and decision-making in complex energy systems.
- Smart Buildings & Digital Twins:Design and implementation of physics-informed and data-driven digital twins for buildings, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive control, and performance optimisation.
- Heat Pump & Renewable Integration: Advanced modelling and control of heat pumps integrated with renewable energy sources (e.g., solar PV, geothermal), supporting electrification of heating and decarbonisation.
- Demand-Side Flexibility & Grid Interaction: Development of strategies to enhance building-to-grid interaction, peak load reduction, and energy flexibility through coordinated control of distributed energy resources.
- District Heating & Low-Temperature Networks: Optimisation and control of next-generation district heating systems, including low-temperature and renewable-integrated networks.
- FMU-Based Co-Simulation & Energy System Modelling: Development of high-fidelity simulation frameworks combining Modelica/FMU-based models with Python-based optimisation and AI algorithms.
- Explainable AI & Hybrid Modelling: Integration of physics-based models with interpretable AI techniques to improve transparency, reliability, and adoption of AI in energy systems.
- Techno-Economic Analysis & Decision Support: Multi-criteria evaluation of energy systems considering cost, emissions, and flexibility, supporting policy, design, and investment decisions.
Research Projects
Teaching Interests
Dr. Mohammad Saffari’s teaching focuses on bridging fundamental engineering principles with emerging digital and AI-driven approaches to energy systems. His teaching philosophy emphasises problem-based learning, real-world applications, and the integration of research-led content into the classroom.
His teaching spans both core engineering fundamentals and advanced energy system applications, including:
- Thermo-Fluid and Transport Processes – Fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, and their application in engineering systems
- Process & Systems Modelling – Mathematical modelling, system dynamics, and simulation of engineering and energy systems
- Sustainable Energy Systems for Buildings – Heat pumps, thermal energy storage, and renewable energy integration
- Sustainable Materials for Energy and Building Applications – Advanced materials including phase change materials (PCM), thermochemical storage materials, and smart materials for improving energy efficiency and flexibility
- Energy Systems Modelling & Simulation – Modelica, FMU-based co-simulation, and Python-based frameworks
- Optimisation & Control – Model predictive control (MPC), multi-objective optimisation, and decision-making under uncertainty
- AI in Energy Systems – Machine learning and data-driven methods for smart and adaptive energy systems
- Smart Buildings & Energy Flexibility – Digital twins, demand-side management, and building-to-grid interaction
Dr. Saffari is committed to equipping students with both strong theoretical foundations and practical, industry-relevant skills, preparing them to address real-world challenges in energy, sustainability, and climate innovation.