An experienced business executive, Professor Hart has held a series of senior roles within the energy and power sector in the UK, Asia and North America as an engineering director, chief technology officer and chief operating officer. He is currently Vice President of two marine engineering companies that are part of the JD Irving group.
He has worked extensively in the offshore sector in renewables and in oil and gas, building a diverse portfolio of international expertise in marine energy systems and subsea engineering, developing intellectual property and technologies from fundamental research through to concept and then full commercialization. He is a recognized industry leader in wave energy conversion technologies in the US and has advised the US Department of Energy repeatedly on innovation strategies for this technology.
Professor Hart earned his MSc in Marine Technology and his PhD in subsea welding from Cranfield University.
Professor Simon Pollard, Cranfield’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Water, Energy and Environment, said: “I am delighted to welcome Phil back to Cranfield. His extensive business experience and deep expertise in bringing technologies to market is exactly what the sector needs and his industry experience will enhance energy and power at Cranfield for our students, staff and business partners. We look forward to working with Phil on new opportunities in the area of sustainable, secure and affordable energy supplies.”
Commenting on his appointment, Professor Hart said: “Cranfield is where I started out my research journey and I am thrilled to be returning to lead a highly talented team delivering leading-edge solutions for industry. Cranfield Energy and Power is uniquely positioned to support the sector globally in its transition to a lower carbon future.”
Cranfield Energy and Power carries out research and teaching activities across a wide range of technologies, from the production of fossil and renewable fuels, their conversion and use in the generation of low carbon heat and power and renewable power generation options using solar, wind and wave/tidal sources. It boasts expertise in process and component modelling, materials behavior and the experimental evaluation of concepts and service issues for scale-up or reliability and life estimation.
