Dr Karen Kong Gah Hie

Dr Karen Kong Gah Hie

  • Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
  • School of Engineering
Faculty of Engineering and Technology
SDGs Focus

Biography

Dr Karen Kong Gah Hie is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Sunway University, specializing in Process Systems Engineering, with a focus on decarbonization strategies. Her primary research interests lie in the optimization of renewable energy utilization under carbon reduction targets, employing various methodological approaches. Dr Kong has consistently applied her expertise in developing mathematical models to ensure the effectiveness of decarbonization planning across regions. Previously, she investigated the feasibility of peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading networks over multiple periods, employing fuzzy multi-objective optimization techniques to determine optimal coalition structures. She has also developed a multi-period energy planning software incorporating P-graph methods, considering the dynamics of P2P energy trading. Her current research (2023 to date) explores the integration of Power-to-X (P2X) technologies within decarbonization frameworks and examines how regional collaboration can contribute to achieving overall decarbonization goals. As the first author, Dr Kong has published numerous articles in prestigious chemical engineering and energy journals, including Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering, Energy, Journal of Cleaner Production, and Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.

Academic & Professional Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Chemical Engineering), Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Malaysia (2023)
  • Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Honors), Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Malaysia (2018)
  • Foundation in Science, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Malaysia (2014)

Research Interests

  • Process intergration
  • Macro-scale energy planning
  • Mathematical modelling
  • Renewable energy
  • Process systems engineering

Notable Publications

  1. 2025 - Kong, KGH, Hong, XD, Wang, JD, Yang, YR, Liao ZW 2025, ‘Leveraging P2X for Renewable Integration: A Strategic Approach to Decarbonization’, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research. (Accepted) 
  2. 2025 - Kong, KGH, Wang, N, Foo, DCY, Hong, XD, Wang, JD, Yang, YR, Liao ZW 2025, ‘Novel Graphical Framework for Optimal Deployment of Renewable Power-to-X Technology across Multiple Regions’, Energy, vol. 322, pp. 135453.  
  3. 2024 - Kiu, JPY, Kong, KGH*, Andiappan, V, How, BS 2024, ‘Developing Resilient Peer-to-peer energy sharing scheme using “N-1” contingency’, Process Integration and Optimisation for Sustainability.
  4. 2024 - Tan, AST, Uthayakumar, H, Yeo, LS, Kong, KGH, Lo, SLY, Andiappan, V, How, BS 2024, ‘Shapley-Shubik agents within superstructure-based recycling model: circular economy approaches for fish waste eco-industrial park’, Process Integration and Optimization for Sustainability, vol. 8, pp. 487-501.
  5. 2024 - Kong, KGH, Lee AGJ, Teng, SY, Leong, WD, Orosz, A, Friedler, F, Sunarso, J, How BS 2024, ‘The P-graph Application in multi-period P2P energy trading’, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 200, pp. 114544. 
  6. 2023 - Kong, KGH, Teng, SY, Yeo, LS, Lo, SLY, How, BS 2023, ‘Synthesizing Robust Decentralized P2P Energy Trading Scheme with ‘n-1’ Contingency Analysis’, Chemical Engineering Transactions, vol. 103, pp. 205-210.  
  7. 2023 - Loy, ACM, KGH, Kong, JY Lim, BS How 2023 ‘Frontier of digitalisation in Biomass-to-X supply chain: Opportunity or threats?’, Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, vol. 8(2), pp. 101-107.
  8. 2023 - Yeo, LS, Bong, ZR, Kong, KGH, Ginjom, IRH, Teng, SY, How, BS 2023, ‘Application -Driven Honey Selection via Principal Component Analysis-Aided Optimisation’, Chemical Engineering Transactions, vol. 103, pp. 217-222. 
  9. 2022 - Kong, KGH, Lim, JY, Leong, WD, Ng, WPQ, Teng, SY, Sunarso, J, How, BS 2022, ‘Fuzzy Optimisation for P2P multi-period renewable energy trading planning’, Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 368, pp. 133122. 
  10. 2022 - Lo, SLY, Kong, KGH, Sunarso, J, How, BS 2022, ‘Preliminary Stochastic Techno-economic Study of Microalgae-based supply Chain’, Chemical Engineering Transactions, vol. 94, pp. 73-78. 
  11. 2022 - Lo, SLY, Kong, KGH, Tang, MF, Sunarso, J, How, BS 2022, ‘Synthesis of bio-hydrogen supply network via graph- theoretic approach coupled with Monte Carlo simulation model’, IOP Conference Series: Mater. Sci. Eng, vol. 1257, pp. 012011. 
  12. 2022 - Kong, KGH, How, BS, Lim, JY, Teng, SY, Leong, WD, Ng, WPQ, Moser, I, Sunarso, J 2022, ‘Shaving electric bills with renewables? A multi-period pinch-based methodology for energy planning’, Energy, vol. 239, pp. 122320.

Achievements & Accolades

Achievements
• 2024 – Innovative Technology Science and Technology Award, Zhejiang University Chemical Engineering and Olefin Polymerisation Research Group – First prize
• 2023 – Pitch your research, Swinburne Postgraduate Research Society – Second runner-up
• 2022 – Tun Taib Scholarship (State-funded scholarship) Award
• 2021 – 32nd Symposium of Malaysian Chemical Engineers (SOMChE) 2021–Best presenter award

Projects
1. Interaction Mechanism and Integration Methods of Green Electricity-Hydrogen Energy-Industrial Coupling Networks Postdoctoral Researcher Jan 2023 – Dec 2026 National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
2. Optimisation Study for Scheduled Waste Treatment Plant Allocation Planning Principal Researcher May 2025 – Nov 2025 Greenverse Sdn Bhd

Professional Associations

• Associate Member (Membership no: 100095429), Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) (2018–Present)
• Graduate Engineer (Registration no: G1183176A), Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) (Since 2018)