Paolo Conti

Energy Engineer with experience in academia and short-term consultancy, specializing in energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy audits, and cost-benefit analysis.

Pisa, Tuscany, Italy

About

CURRENT JOB University of Pisa - DESTEC Department, Associate Professor/Researcher in Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer, s.s.d. ING-IND/10. - research topics: design, modeling, performance assessment, control optimization, and integration of energy-saving and renewable solutions in HVAC systems and buildings. - teaching activities: lecturere for the courses “Building energetics and HVAC systems” and "Heat Transfer" at for the Energy Engineering graduate program at the University of Pisa. EDUCATION - Ph.D. in “Electrical and thermal energetics,” at the Engineering School “Leonardo da Vinci,” University of Pisa, Graduation date: May, 22nd, 2015. Thesis: Sustainable design of ground-source heat pump systems: optimization of operative life performances. Tutors: Prof. Walter Grassi, Prof. Daniele Testi. - MS in Energy Engineering, Engineering School, University of Pisa, Final score: 110/110 with honors. OTHER ACTIVITIES - Short-Term Consultant for energy-related companies, associations, and public institutions. - Member of the IGA Heat Expert Group for the improvement of data collection and statistics methodologies for Geothermal Heating\&Cooling (heat pumps included). - Member of the IGA-UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) committee for the promotion and the maintenance of the UNFC specifications on geothermal energy (United Nations Framework Classification for Resources). - Italian Geothermal Union (UGI): Italian Geothermal Union (UGI), DESTEC Department, University of Pisa, Italy. BoD member (2015-2017). Executive Secretary (2015-2017). Member of the Scientific Committee.

Experience

  • Università di Pisa (Full-time · 9 yrs 4 mos)
    • Associate Professor
      Sep 2024 - Present · 1 yr 11 mos

      Energy Engineer with experience in academia and short-term consultancy, specializing in energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy audits, and cost-benefit analysis for energy solutions. Core expertise includes design, modeling, performance assessment, control optimization, and the integration of energy-saving and renewable solutions for HVAC systems and buildings.

    • Senior Researcher
      Sep 2021 - Dec 2024 · 3 yrs 4 mos

    • Assistant Professor / Researcher
      Apr 2017 - Dec 2024 · 7 yrs 9 mos

      Research topics: renewable energy; energy efficiency in buildings; ground-source heat pump technology; geothermal energy; thermodynamics; heat transfer; optimization. Teaching activity: Professor for the course in "Building energetics and HVAC systems", Energy Engineering.

  • Consultant activity for energy efficiency and RES systems in buildings at Self-employed
    Jan 2015 - Present · 11 yrs 7 mos

    • Design advisor for HVAC project involving traditional and renewable energy sources • Energy efficiency advisor for buildings refurbishment • Cost-benefit analyses and HVAC optimization

  • Short Term Consultant for projects involving integrated RES energy efficiency solutions in buildings at The World Bank
    Jan 2019 - Present · 7 yrs 7 mos

    • Writing assistance and reviewing Terms of Reference for recruitment of consulting firms that would implement the core analytical work for the Sustainable Heating projects. • Support the Bank team to supervise the work of consultants and reviewing deliverables. • Feasibility and cost-benefit assessment of potential air-conditioning options. • Technical support to the Bank team during missions to discuss project implementation and study results.

  • Executive Secretary at Italian Geothermal Union
    Apr 2011 - Feb 2018 · 6 yrs 11 mos

    Main activities: - Data collection and database implementation of geothermal direct uses in Italy. - Collaboration with the Italian "‘Gestore dei Sistemi Energetici"’ (GSE) for the data collection of the national statistical system on renewable energy (SIMERI). - Member of the IGA-UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) working group for the development of Geothermal Specifications for the UNFC-2009 (United Nations Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral Reserves and Resources) - Member of the International Geothermal Association (IGA) Resources & Reserves Committee

  • University of Pisa (5 yrs)
    • Research fellow
      Jan 2015 - Dec 2016 · 2 yrs

      Research activity concerns the optimized design of ground-coupled heat pump systems (GSHPs) to improve energy efficiency of buildings. In particular, I am developing tailored models for GSHP subsystems, simulation algorithms and optimization routines to obtain an effective and practical design methodology. The latter one is based on a cost-benefit approach, ensuring higher operative performances, lower installation costs, and a sustainable exploitation of the ground-source.

    • PhD on Electrical and Thermal Energetics
      Jan 2012 - May 2015 · 3 yrs 5 mos

      The title of my PhD Thesis is "Sustainable design of ground-source heat pump systems: optimization of operative life performances". The research activity deals with the development of an innovative approach to the design of ground-source heat pump systems (GSHP), based on performance optimization during the entire operational life, according to cost-benefit considerations.