Peter Ndirangu Maina

Currently engaged in research that bridges geothermal energy utilization, electrochemical systems, and sustainable hydrogen production, I focus on integrating technical insight with system-level innovation. My previous work in geothermal resource exploration and energy systems analysis provides a strong foundation for the interdisciplinary approach required in this PhD project. My key research focus areas and activities include:

• Conduct ongoing literature reviews to evaluate recent advances in solid oxide electrolysis (SOEC) technology, geothermal integration models, and green hydrogen production pathways.
• Actively synthesize technical, economic, and geospatial information to identify patterns and develop research questions relevant to geothermal-SOEC system design.
• Organize and structure complex data—ranging from geothermal resource profiles to techno-economic indicators—for use in system modeling and sustainability assessments.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams across academic, industrial, and energy utility sectors to generate insights that inform real-world application of research outputs.
• Engage in comparative analysis of geothermal systems in Kenya and Iceland to support field validation and localization of hydrogen production strategies.
• Pursue continuous knowledge acquisition through academic exchange, seminars, and collaboration with SOEC experts and geothermal stakeholders.
• Contribute to the advancement of integrated renewable systems by focusing on high-efficiency, site-adapted solutions for hydrogen and ammonia production.

• Managed project planning, budgeting, and reporting in alignment with World Bank standards, providing critical insight into energy sector financing and long-term infrastructure planning.
• Spearheaded a large-scale capacity-building project in the energy sector, with a strategic focus on geothermal innovation, technical training, and applied research readiness.
• Coordinated multi-stakeholder engagement—including energy utilities, academic institutions, and international partners, to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and technology transfer.
• Promoted research-driven training frameworks that now inform methodological approaches to system integration, sustainability, and energy policy alignment in the PhD research.

• Leveraged interdisciplinary expertise in both Geology and Geomatics departments, enhancing geological models and spatial data integrity.
• Led and supported geothermal resource exploration through subsurface mapping, structural geology analysis, and conceptual model development.
• Applied advanced GIS tools and remote sensing techniques to integrate geophysical, geochemical, and geological datasets for resource characterization and siting optimization.
• Contributed to geothermal reservoir evaluation and data interpretation across Kenya’s major geothermal fields.
• Synthesized large, multi-format datasets to inform decision-making.
• Developed technical reports and visualization tools used for internal planning and external stakeholder engagement.

• Conducted field investigations, geophysical surveys, and hydrogeological mapping to support water and geothermal resource development.
• Interpreted geological, hydrological, and geochemical data for site suitability assessments.
• Utilized field instrumentation and data analysis tools for aquifer characterization, building practical skills in data-driven system modeling and spatial planning.
• Collaborated with environmental and engineering teams, strengthening interdisciplinary coordination.