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Souman Rudra

Image of Souman Rudra
Email
souman.rudra@uia.no
Phone
+47 37 23 30 36
Mobile phone
+47 45 58 93 26
Office
H4046 (Jon Lilletuns vei 9, 4879 Grimstad, Norway)

Background and experience

Biography: 

Prof. Dr. Souman Rudra is a Professor of Renewable Energy at the University of Agder (UiA), Norway, where he has served since 2013. He leads the Bioenergy and Thermal Energy Research Group, focusing on sustainable energy conversion, advanced materials, and thermal process optimization. He holds a Ph.D. in Energy Engineering from Aalborg University, Denmark (2013) and a Master’s in Energy Engineering from Ajou University, South Korea (2010). His international academic engagements include visiting scholar positions at the University of Alberta (Canada), University of Twente (Netherlands), and University of Birmingham (UK). Prof. Rudra’s research spans renewable energy systems, thermal process modeling, and biofuels, complemented by work on energy materials—including photoactive nanomaterials and catalytic materials for hydrogen production, waste heat recovery, and CO₂ utilization. He integrates experimental and computational methods, such as CFD and DFT simulations, process modeling, and material characterization, to advance energy efficiency and sustainability. He has successfully led and contributed to multiple externally funded research and Ph.D. projects, collaborating with universities and industries across Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa, including Aalborg University, University of Glasgow, Ajou University, CUET, IIT, and Tanta University. A former European Climate Pact Ambassador (2021–2022), Prof. Rudra has published over 55 peer-reviewed research papers and participated in more than 20 international conferences. His leadership in interdisciplinary research and mentoring continues to support innovations in bioenergy, clean fuels, and functional energy materials—contributing to a more sustainable and climate-resilient energy future.

 

Experience

  • 4th of August, 2022 - Present

 Professor in Bioenergy and Thermal Energy, Department of Engineering and Science, Renewable Energy, University of Agder, Grimstad, Norway.

  • 15th August, 2013 - 3rd of August, 2022

Associate Professor, Department of Engineering and Science, Renewable EnergyUniversity of Agder, Grimstad, Norway

  • 1st May, 2013-31st of July, 2013

Scientific Researcher, Department of Energy Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.

  •  1st May, 2010-31st April, 2013

PhD Fellow, Department of Energy Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.

  • January, 2012- May, 2012

Visiting Researcher, Sustainable Energy Lab., Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta.Edmonton, Canada.                                      

  • 19thJanuary 09 - 27th February 09, 

Global Intern, SK Energy (Korea's largest energy group), Seoul, Korea.                                                                      

  • 4th March 08 - 28th April 10,

Research Assistant at Energy Process Lab., Ajou University, Suwon, Korea.

  • September 07 - January 08                                                           

Assistant Mechanical Engineer, C & A group, Chittagong, Bangladesh

  • 19th December, 06 to 10th February, 07,

Pacific jeans, Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Areas of responsibility

Academic Degree:

  • Ph.D, Department of Energy Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark  (2013)
  • MSc in Energy Engineering, Ajou University, South Korea (2010)
  • BSc in Mechanical Engineering, CUET, Bangladesh (2007)

 

Pedagogical competence:

  • Uniped, course in university pedagogics, University of Agder (2015-2016)
  • Qualifying course for doctoral supervision, University of Agder/University of Stavanger/University of Nord (2015-2016)
  • Basic course in pedagogy for university teachers, Aalborg University (2012)
  •  Boost your lecturing skills in English, University of Copenhagen (2012)

 

Teaching

Research

Research Interest:

I am a professor and researcher in renewable energy systems with expertise in biomass conversion, hydrogen production, thermal energy systems, artificial intelligence, and computational modeling. My research focuses on sustainable energy technologies, including biomass gasification, chemical looping, hydrodynamic cavitation, waste-to-energy, energy storage, and AI-driven optimization of energy systems. I have extensive experience leading international research projects, supervising graduate students, and collaborating with academic and industrial partners to develop innovative solutions for the global energy transition.

PhD main Supervision:

1. Hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass for co-production of advanced biofuels and biomaterials.( Started in 2024- Main supervisor)

2. Predictive maintenance of technical equipment and subsystems in biomass power plants. (started in October 2021- PhD Defence on4th May 2026- Main Supervisor)

3. Design and optimization of hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) reactor for bio-oil production. University funded project. ( Started on February 2018- PhD Defence on 3rd May, 2022 -Main Supervisor)

4. HTL of Algae Biomass for Biocrude Production. An industrial project with ACL Engineering and Norwegian Research council. (Started on April 2016)

Selected funded projects include:

Erasmus+ Global Mobility, European Commission (2026–2028), €27,618.

BIO4ENGINE: Investigating the viability of using a special blend of bioethanol and castor oil in internal combustion engines, funded by RFF Agder (2023–2024), NOK 750,000.

CO₂-COM: Use of CO₂ as a Coolant for Microsystems, funded by The Royal Society (UK) (2022–2024), £12,000.

CARE: Collaborative Action for Improving Educational Capacities in Renewable Energy to Mitigate Climate Crisis, funded by HK-dir (2022–2026), NOK 8 million.

Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Biomass, funded by the University of Agder (2018–2021), NOK 3.5 million.

Process Design for Biomass-to-Biofuel Production, funded by ACL Engineering and the Research Council of Norway (NFR) (2015–2018), NOK 3.5 million.

CFD-Based Design for Energy-Efficient Buildings, funded by the Research Council of Norway (Regional Funding) (2015–2016), NOK 500,000.

Two-Phase CO₂ Cooling System for the CMS Detector at CERN, a collaborative project involving CERN, the University of Bath, and the University of Agder (2019–2024).

Publications

  • Siddanth, S.G.; Tareq, Foysal Kabir & Rudra, Souman (2026). Engineering fast-charging anodes for solid-state sodium batteries: Materials progress, interfacial kinetics, and emerging design strategies. Journal of Energy Storage. ISSN 2352-152X. 180(B). doi: 10.1016/j.est.2026.124310. Full text in Research Archive
  • Das, Opy; Zafar, Muhammad Hamza; Rudra, Souman & Sanfilippo, Filippo (2026). Adaptive battery SOC estimation: Temporal attention-enhanced BiLSTM and quantized model comparison for scalable edge solutions. Energy Reports. 16. doi: 10.1016/j.egyr.2026.109544. Full text in Research Archive
  • Nasir, Rakib Bin & Rudra, Souman (2026). Chemical Looping and Chemical Looping Gasification for Hydrogen: Technologies, Scale-Up Status, and Data-Driven Process Optimization. Applications in Energy and Combustion Science. 26. doi: 10.1016/j.jaecs.2026.100495. Full text in Research Archive
  • Saral, Janakan S.; Rudra, Souman & Ranganathan, Panneerselvam (2026). Engineering challenges of continuous -flow hydrothermal liquefaction reactors for large-scale operations. Bioresource Technology Reports. 34. doi: 10.1016/j.biteb.2026.102636. Full text in Research Archive
  • Nasir, Rakib Bin; Kang, Tae Jin & Rudra, Souman (2026). Comparative assessment of chemical looping assisted biomass gasification for H2 production: A Thermochemical, Exergy, and Environmental Perspective. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering (CSCEE). 13. doi: 10.1016/j.cscee.2026.101336. Full text in Research Archive
  • Roy, Shetal; Rudra, Souman; Indrachapa, Muhandiram Diani & Roshid, M. M. (2025). Numerical modelling and experimental validation of an orifice plate-based hydrodynamic cavitation process for improving the biomass pretreatment. Biotechnology Reports. 48. doi: 10.1016/j.btre.2025.e00925. Full text in Research Archive
  • Indrachapa, Muhandiram Diani & Rudra, Souman (2025). TECHNO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF HYDRODYNAMIC CAVITATION-ASSISTED HYDROTHERMAL SEPARATION FOR WHEAT STRAW, CORNCOB AND SUGARCANE BAGASSE. European biomass conference and exhibition proceedings. p. 695–708. Full text in Research Archive
  • Indrachapa, Muhandiram Diani & Rudra, Souman (2025). Coupled hydrodynamic cavitation–hydrothermal separation for biomass valorization: Simulation and experimental validation, and techno-economic assessment. Bioresource Technology Reports. 32. doi: 10.1016/j.biteb.2025.102450. Full text in Research Archive
  • Hossain, Md Iftekher; Tareq, Foysal Kabir; Rudra, Souman & Carvalho, Patricia Almeida (2025). Cascaded photonic-electronic junction based plasmonic Mott–S scheme heterojunction photoelectrodes for water splitting and Zn-air battery technology. Journal of Power Sources. ISSN 0378-7753. 663. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.238906. Full text in Research Archive
  • Das, Arnab; Rudra, Souman; Hossain, Md Iftekher; Islam, Anfaj; Das, Opy & Christy, Alfred Antony [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2025). Feasibility assessment of bioethanol-castor oil blends (CASAHOL) as sustainable marine engine fuel: balancing performance and emissions. Discover Applied Sciences. 7. doi: 10.1007/s42452-025-07757-w. Full text in Research Archive
  • Bhuiyan, Md. Yasir; Rudra, Souman & Sayem, A.S.M. (2025). Pyro-gasification of Norwegian industrial solid waste (ISW) for hydrogen production and district heating application: A 4-E (energy, exergy, environment, and economic) analysis. Energy Conversion and Management: X. 27. doi: 10.1016/j.ecmx.2025.101068. Full text in Research Archive
  • Islam, Anfaj; Rudra, Souman & Kolhe, Mohan Lal (2025). Optimizing the placement of distributed energy storage and improving distribution power system reliability via genetic algorithms and strategic load curtailment. Neural Computing & Applications. ISSN 0941-0643. 37, p. 17589–17608. doi: 10.1007/s00521-025-11037-4. Full text in Research Archive
  • Hossain, Md Iftekher; Tareq, Foysal Kabir & Rudra, Souman (2025). NiFe co-doped TiO<inf>2</inf> as a high-performance bifunctional photocatalyst for enhanced oxygen evolution and reduction reactions in efficient zinc-air battery systems. Electrochemistry communications. ISSN 1388-2481. 176. doi: 10.1016/j.elecom.2025.107942. Full text in Research Archive
  • Hossain, Md Iftekher; Tareq, Foysal Kabir & Rudra, Souman (2025). Light-driven photocathodes in Li/Zn-O<inf>2</inf> (air) batteries : An analytical review, technological breakthroughs and future challenges. Energy Storage Materials. ISSN 2405-8297. 75. doi: 10.1016/j.ensm.2025.104025. Full text in Research Archive
  • Hossain, Md Iftekher; Tareq, Foysal Kabir & Rudra, Souman (2025). NiFe co-doped TiO2 as a high-performance bifunctional photocatalyst for enhanced oxygen evolution and reduction reactions in efficient zinc-air battery systems. Electrochemistry communications. ISSN 1388-2481. 176. doi: 10.1016/j.elecom.2025.107942. Full text in Research Archive
  • Ahmed, Md. Bayazid & Rudra, Souman (2025). Hydrodynamic Cavitation-Assisted Hydrothermal Separation: A Pathway for Valorizing Lignocellulosic Biomass into Biopolymers and Extractives. Processes. doi: 10.3390/pr13072041. Full text in Research Archive
  • Prokhorskii, Gleb Vladimirovich; Preißinger, Markus; Rudra, Souman & Eder, Elias (2025). An interpretable and adaptable data-driven model for performance prediction in thermal plants. Energy Conversion and Management: X. 26. doi: 10.1016/j.ecmx.2025.100950. Full text in Research Archive
  • Tareq, Foysal Kabir & Rudra, Souman (2024). Enhancing the performance of silicon-based anode materials for alkali metal (Li, Na, K) ion battery: A review on advanced strategies. Materials Today Communications. 39, p. 1–24. doi: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.108653. Full text in Research Archive
  • Tareq, Foysal Kabir; Hossain, Iftekhar & Rudra, Souman (2024). Phase transformation and electronic structure modulation of 1T-MoS<inf>2</inf> with electronegative non-metal doping as anode material for enhanced potassium-ion battery. Journal of Energy Chemistry. ISSN 2095-4956. 103, p. 735–748. doi: 10.1016/j.jechem.2024.12.024. Full text in Research Archive
  • Hossain, Iftekhar; Tareq, Foysal Kabir & Rudra, Souman (2024). Substitutional electronegative element defects-induced modification of silicene's electronic structures as high-performance cathode material for water splitting. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. ISSN 0360-3199. 101, p. 148–160. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.12.390. Full text in Research Archive
  • Das, Opy; Zafar, Muhammad Hamza; Sanfilippo, Filippo; Rudra, Souman & Kolhe, Mohan Lal (2024). Advancements in digital twin technology and machine learning for energy systems: A comprehensive review of applications in smart grids, renewable energy, and electric vehicle optimisation. Energy Conversion and Management: X. 24. doi: 10.1016/j.ecmx.2024.100715. Full text in Research Archive
  • Prokhorskii, Gleb Vladimirovich; Rudra, Souman; Preißinger, Markus & Eder, Elias (2024). A data-driven regression model for predicting thermal plant performance under load fluctuations. Carbon Neutrality. ISSN 2788-8614. 3(1), p. 1–15. doi: 10.1007/s43979-024-00108-5. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman & Akhtar, Taimur (2023). Algal Biomass Conversion: Hydrothermal Liquefaction for Advanced Bio-Fuel Production. In al, . et (Eds.), Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences 2023. Elsevier. ISSN 9780124095489. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-323-93940-9.00233-4. Full text in Research Archive
  • Prokhorskii, Gleb Vladimirovich; Eder, Elias; Rudra, Souman & Preißinger, Markus (2023). A benchmark study of supervised learning methods for predicting the live steam production of thermal power plants. In Riehl, Roger R. (Eds.), 10th Heat-Powered Cycles Conference. The University of Edinburgh. ISSN 9781912669639. p. 313–323. Full text in Research Archive
  • Nielsen, Henrik Kofoed; Vehus, Tore; Rudra, Souman & Kristiansen, Nils Randulf (2022). Chapter 9 - Biomass production, storage, and pretreatment for the production of solid biofuels. In Castro, Fernando Gomez & Gutierrez-Antonio, Claudia (Ed.), Biofuels and Biorefining Volume 1: Current Technologies for Biomass Conversion. Elsevier. ISSN 9780128241165. p. 339–380. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-824116-5.00003-9. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman & Jayathilake, Madhawa (2021). Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Biomass for Biofuel Production. In NN, NN (Eds.), Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences. Elsevier. ISSN 9780124095489. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-819727-1.00043-1. Full text in Research Archive
  • Jayathilake, Madhawa; Rudra, Souman & Christy, Alfred Antony (2021). Effect of co-liquefaction of lignin and laminaria saccharina on optimization of bio-oil yield. Energy Conversion and Management: X. doi: 10.1016/j.ecmx.2021.100151. Full text in Research Archive
  • Jayathilake, Madhawa; Rudra, Souman & Rosendahl, Lasse A. (2021). Numerical modeling and validation of hydrothermal liquefaction of a lignin particle for biocrude production. Fuel. ISSN 0016-2361. 305. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2021.121498. Full text in Research Archive
  • Jayathilake, Madhawa; Rudra, Souman; Akhtar, Naureen & Christy, Alfred Antony (2021). Characterization and Evaluation of Hydrothermal Liquefaction Char from Alkali Lignin in Subcritical Temperatures. Materials. 14(11). doi: 10.3390/ma14113024. Full text in Research Archive
  • Jayathilake, Madhawa; Rudra, Souman & Rosendahl, Lasse A. (2020). Hydrothermal liquefaction of wood using a modified multistage shrinking-core model. Fuel. ISSN 0016-2361. 280. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2020.118616. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman & Tesfagaber, Yohannes Kifle (2019). Future district heating plant integrated with municipal solid waste (MSW) gasification for hydrogen production. Energy. ISSN 0360-5442. 180, p. 881–892. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2019.05.125. Full text in Research Archive
  • Jayathilake, Rukshan & Rudra, Souman (2017). Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Equivalence Ratio (ER) and Feedstock Particle Size on Birchwood Gasification. Energies. doi: 10.3390/en10081232. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman & Rosendahl, Lasse (2016). Techno-economic analysis of a local district heating plant under fuel flexibility and performance. Energy Efficiency. ISSN 1570-646X. 10(3), p. 1–12. doi: 10.1007/s12053-016-9475-2. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman; Rosendahl, Lasse & Blarke, Morten B. (2015). Process analysis of a biomass-based quad-generation plant for combined power, heat, cooling, and synthetic natural gas production. Energy Conversion and Management. ISSN 0196-8904. 106, p. 1276–1285. doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2015.10.072. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman; Rosendahl, Lasse & Kumar, Amit (2014). Development of net energy ratio and emission factor for quad-generation pathways. Energy Systems, Springer Verlag. ISSN 1868-3967. 5(4), p. 719–735. doi: 10.1007/s12667-014-0126-4. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman; Rosendahl, Lasse & Hoffmann, Jessica (2013). Conceptual design of an integrated hydrothermal liquefaction and biogas plant for sustainable bioenergy production. Bioresource Technology. ISSN 0960-8524. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.11.051. Full text in Research Archive

View all works in NVA

View all works in NVA

  • Rudra, Souman (2026). From Biomass to Hydrogen: Thermochemical Pathways and Future Innovations. doi: https:/www.hochschule-stralsund.de/spring-school. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman (2025). Hybrid Hydrodynamic Cavitation (HC)–Hydrothermal Separation (HTS) Processing: A Next-Generation Pathway for Biomass Valorization and Bio-Product Recovery. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman (2025). Educate. Collaborate. Innovate: CARE Project as an Example for Global Knowledge Partnerships. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman (2025). CARE: Connecting Norway-Bangladesh Through Renewable Energy Education and Research. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman (2025). Pitch Presentation on professor Souman Rudra. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman (2025). Integrating Hydrodynamic Cavitation and Hydrothermal Separation for Extractables and Bio-Polymers. Full text in Research Archive
  • Das, Opy; Sui, Xin; Sanfilippo, Filippo & Rudra, Souman (2025). Battery Time-Series Data Augmentation Using a GAF-Based Generative Framework. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman & Akhtar, Taimur (2023). Experimental study on hydrothermal co-liquefaction of Laminaria digitata and Chlorella vulgaris to investigate the impact of the bio-oil yield. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman (2022). Hydrothermal processing of biomass for biofuels and biochemicals. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman (2022). The role of bioenergy in the EU renewable energy system. Illuminem. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman (2022). International cooperation will provide better expertise on renewable energy. [Internet]. Norway. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman (2021). Waste to Energy possible technologies for Bangladesh. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman (2021). Carbondioxide(CO2) based cooling system at CERN. Full text in Research Archive
  • Jayathilake, Rukshan & Rudra, Souman (2020). Char Phase Behavior of Hydrothermal Conversion of Alkali Lignin in Subcritical Temperatures. Full text in Research Archive
  • Jayathilake, Madhawa & Rudra, Souman (2019). Hydrothermal Liquefaction modeling of lignin Using A Modified Multistage Shrinking-Core Model. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman (2019). Hydrothermal Liquefaction for bio-fuel and Chemicals: An overview. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman (2018). Analysis of hydrogen production from waste-to-energy plant by gasification. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman (2018). HTL-drivstoff - erfaring og planer ved Universitetet i Agder. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman (2018). Process Symbiosis local process industries CO2 emission capture and utilization integrated with bio-gas production. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman & Tesfagaber, Yohannes Kifle (2018). Future district heating plant integrated with sustainable hydrogen production. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman & Haugstad, Bjørn (2017). Process Analysis of Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Algae. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman & Jayathilake, Rukshan (2017). Effects of variable feedstock particle size on Birchwood gasification: A CFD approach. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman (2016). Waste to Energy- Perspective technologies for Bangladesh. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman & Jayathilake, Rukshan (2016). A Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis for the effects of variable Equivalence Ratio (ER) On Birchwood Gasification. Full text in Research Archive
  • Akhtar, Taimur & Rudra, Souman (2015). Conceptual model in aspen plus for recovery of biocrude from hydrothermal algal biomass liquefaction. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman (2014). Biomass Gasification for quad-generation system. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman (2014). Process analysis of biomass based quad-generation plant. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman & Rosendahl, Lasse (2012). Development of net energy ratio for quadgeneration pathways. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman & Rosendahl, Lasse (2011). Optimization of a Local District Heating Plant Under Fuel Flexibility and Performance. Full text in Research Archive
  • Rudra, Souman; Rosendahl, Lasse & Kim, Hyung Taek (2010). A performance analysis of integrated solid oxide fuel cell and heat recovery steam generator for IGFC system. Frontiers in Energy. ISSN 2095-1701. doi: 10.1007/s11708-010-0122-x. Full text in Research Archive
  • Jayathilake, Madhawa & Rudra, Souman (2021). Numerical modelling and validation of Hydrothermal liquefaction of Lignin. Shrinking core approach on particle decomposition and a comparative analysis of biocrude and HTL char. Universitetet i Agder. ISSN 9788284270715. Full text in Research Archive

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Published Apr. 16, 2024 11:32 AM - Last modified June 30, 2026 11:26 AM