Yizhi Zhang received his Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. degrees in electrical engineering from Beijing Jiaotong University in 2023, 2018, and 2016, respectively. He worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at Beijing Jiaotong University in 2023, where he focused on modeling and energy management for renewable energy systems and smart grids, specifically integrating electric vehicles (EVs) with power networks.
In January 2024, Yizhi joined McMaster University’s McMaster Automotive Resource Center (MARC) as a postdoctoral research fellow. His current research interests include modeling, optimization, and design of energy management systems and power distribution systems.
Full Profile
Yizhi Zhang discovered his passion for physics and mathematics in high school, which led him to pursue a career in electrical engineering. In 2012, he enrolled at Beijing Jiaotong University, where he built a strong academic foundation in the field over the course of his undergraduate studies.
From 2016 to 2018, Yizhi pursued his master’s degree at the Center for Protection and Control of Power Systems at Beijing Jiaotong University. His thesis focused on the protection of isolated power systems, where he developed an innovative strategy to optimize power grid topology, ensuring reliable energy delivery to critical industrial loads. He also formulated an efficient mathematical model for energy flow calculations in combined heating and power systems.
In November 2018, he began his Ph.D. at Beijing Jiaotong University, focusing on the modeling, control, and optimization of renewable energy systems and smart grids—particularly their integration with electric vehicles (EVs) and power networks. His research led to the development of a novel control strategy for power battery production parks, reducing outage costs by 12% through the optimized dispatch of EV charging, energy storage, industrial production, and multi-energy systems (electricity, heating, cooling, and gas). After completing his Ph.D., he continued his research into the design and sizing of energy systems for industrial parks, gradually shifting toward practical, industry-focused solutions in response to the challenges of system-level implementation.
In January 2024, Yizhi joined Dr. Ali Emadi’s research team at the McMaster Automotive Resource Centre (MARC) at McMaster University. His current work applies his expertise in modeling and optimization to the fields of aerospace electrification and electrified transportation. He is currently developing a high-voltage power distribution system for aerospace applications and contributing to the design of key components for solid-state power controllers (SSPCs).
