Cheng Zeng is an innovative and dedicated academic specialising in sustainable building services, renewable energy, energy-efficient technologies, and low-carbon solutions aimed at reducing carbon emissions and driving net-zero ambitions for a sustainable future. With a PhD in Thermal Energy Storage from Coventry University, an MSc in Construction Management (Distinction), and a BEng in Building Environment and Services Engineering, Cheng has a strong foundation in sustainable built environment research and engineering practices.
Throughout his career, Cheng has played a significant role in innovative, multidisciplinary research and engineering consultancy projects addressing critical sustainability and decarbonisation challenges. His expertise spans energy-efficient design, renewable energy integration, energy storage technologies, and building retrofitting. He has worked across diverse sectors, including residential, commercial, public institutions such as schools, industrial facilities, holiday and park homes, data centres, and greenhouses. The technologies he has worked on include heat pumps, evaporative dew point cooling systems, thermochemical energy storage, solar energy solutions, advanced air-conditioning systems, and more.
Notable achievements include managing an £814k EPSRC project on near-zero-carbon cooling systems, pioneering cooling solutions for data centres with electrical energy savings of up to 90%, and developing the first energy-efficient holiday homes. Cheng’s projects have collectively delivered significant carbon and energy savings, reinforcing his commitment to impactful, industry-relevant research.
As a Lecturer in Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies at the University of Hull, Cheng bridges cutting-edge research with teaching. He designs and delivers high-quality teaching modules, supervises dissertation projects, and mentors students, equipping the next generation of engineers with the skills to address global energy challenges. His dedication to teaching excellence is reflected in outstanding module evaluations and positive feedback from a series of successful graduates.
A Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), Cheng combines professional expertise with academic leadership, contributing to a sustainable future through innovation, collaboration, and education. He is also a Domestic Energy Assessor under training to become a Retrofit Assessor in line with PAS2035 standards.
Cheng is keen to collaborate on low-carbon solution projects for buildings and industry. He looks forward to partnering with you to deliver impactful and innovative initiatives.
For collaborative research and engineering consultancy projects, Cheng specialises in:
• Low carbon technologies in buildings and industry
• Thermochemical energy storage
• Renewable energy integration
• Novel heating and cooling systems
• Building retrofitting
For MSc dissertations, Cheng provides guidance on diverse projects, such as:
• Advanced low-carbon technologies for building applications
• Integration of distributed energy systems in urban settings
• Community energy management and decarbonisation
For PhD projects or PhD applications, Cheng welcomes discussions on novel ideas, including opportunities to develop groundbreaking applications in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Research Interests
I have several research interests:
1. Low-Carbon Heating and Cooling Technologies: My research focuses on developing innovative low-energy solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Current projects include the development of a highly efficient dew point evaporative cooler for data centres, aimed at reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency.
2. Thermal Energy Storage Systems: I am actively engaged in exploring advanced energy storage technologies, particularly thermochemical energy storage for buildings. My work includes the design and testing of novel storage systems that enhance the integration of renewable energy sources into residential and industrial energy grids.
3. Building Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation: I am committed to improving the energy performance of buildings through innovative modelling and simulation techniques. My work involves detailed analysis of building physics, energy-efficient techniques, renewable energy integration in both new constructions and retrofits.
Teaching and Learning
Renewable Energy Technologies
MSc Dissertation
Solar Energy Technologies and Systems
Energy Storage Technologies and Systems
Applied Renewable Energy
Advanced Heating / Cooling Systems
