Nicolas Kelly, BEng (Hons), MSc, PhD, PGCE

Dr

  • 75 Montrose St, James Weir Building

    Glasgow

    United Kingdom

  • United Kingdom

Accepting PhD Students

PhD projects

Able to supervise PhD projects in the areas of net zero energy and the built/urban environment.

Can supervise in:
Building modelling and simulation
Simulation tool development
Buildings and the urban environment
Net Zero buildings and communities
Energy efficiency in buildings
Building-integrated photovoltaics
Novel building integrated wind power devices
Solar thermal technologies
Thermal energy storage including phase change materials (PCM)
Simulation-based control of buildings
Monitoring of building energy performance and the performance 'gap'
Modelling and testing of low and zero carbon energy technologies
Probabalistic modelling of climate, building occupancy and energy use
Hydrogen and fuel cells
Decarbonising agricultural energy systems

Recent PhD projects supervised have included:
- Phase change materials integrated into the building fabric and systems
- Detailed thermal modelling of building occupants and intergration into building simulation and CFD
- Developing a probabalistic model for building occupancy and occupancy related energy demands
- Control of heterogeneous energy systems in buildings
- Modelling and assessment of trigeneration systems in buildings

Personal profile

Expertise & Capabilities

Based in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), Energy Systems Research Unit (ESRU), I am a Reader in Energy Systems with over 30 years research, teaching and KE experience in energy and the built environment. My areas of research are focused on the decarbonisation of our buildings and communities, with over 100 related peer-reviewed publications. My areas of expertise include  building modelling and simulation, simulation tool development, energy efficiency, building integrated renewable technologies, heat pumps, solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy conversion, probabalistic modelling of climate, building occupancy and energy use, thermal energy storage, flexible demand, monitoring of building performance and model predictive control.

I am happy to supervise MPhil and PhD students in any area linked to energy in buildings and communities.

I have an extensive funded research track record spaning some 30 years. My Current research projects include leading the modelling and data Thematic Working Group (TWG4) in the £10M Centre for Net Zero in High Density Buildings (CENZ-HighDB) funded by UKRI, the £3M DESNZ-funded GreenShed project, focused on the decarbonisation of beef farming, and validating the UK's new Home Energy Model (HEM) £3M, again funded by DESNZ.  

I have a long track record of collaborating with industry, leading or contributing to 8 Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) with companies including SSE, SPEN, K J Tait, Sgurr Energy (now Wood Group) and Anderson Bell Christie. I regularly lead and contribute to expert consultancy - modelling the energy performance of all types of buildings and systems and the assessment of indoor/outdoor air quality. Recent projects include investigating performance inprovement and cost reduction strategies for heat pumps with Scottish Power and assessing the potential for cross-contamination in communal hospital treatment areas.

I deliver classes to a wide range of students, developing and delivering classes in Energy Resources and Policy, Electrical Power Systems and Engineering Artificial Environments.

I am MAE Deputy Head of Department (Research), co-direct ESRU and co-ordinate the Strathclyde Energy Theme. I represent Strathclyde at board level on the International Building Performance Association (IBPSA) and East Ayrshire Council £20M CORE project. I am the current chair of IBPSA-Scotland and sit on the Power Networks Demonstration Centre (PNDC) Strategic Advisory Board. 

I was awarded the title of IBPSA Fellow in 2025 by my peers for my contributions to the field of Building Performance Simulation.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
  • SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 13 - Climate Action

Education/Academic qualification

Doctor of Philosophy, Towards a design environment for building integrared energy systems: the integration of electrical power flow modelling with building simulation, UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE

Award Date: 1 Jan 1998

Master of Science, Energy Systems and Environment, UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE

Award Date: 1 Jan 1993

Bachelor of Engineering, Environmental Engineering, UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE

Award Date: 1 Jan 1992

Keywords

  • Energy
  • Simulation
  • Buildings
  • Communities
  • Renewable energy
  • Energy efficiency
  • Heat
  • Modelling
  • Modelling Softwares and Tools

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics where Nicolas Kelly is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
  • 1 Similar Profiles

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
  • Best Paper Award - World Renewable Energy Congress X

    Kelly, N. (Recipient), Ete, A. (Recipient), Ulleberg, O. (Recipient) & Hoffheinz, G. (Recipient), Jul 2008

    Prize: Other distinction

  • IBPSA Fellow

    Kelly, N. (Recipient), Jul 2025

    Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)