Nurkhat Zhakiyev

Dr. Nurkhat Zhakiyev is a visiting scholar at the Davis Center and a professor in energy and environment at Astana IT University in Kazakhstan. His research focuses on computer modeling of energy systems, decarbonization pathways, renewable energy integration, and climate-change mitigation policy in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. After receiving his Ph.D. in physics in 2015, Dr. Zhakiyev worked as a senior researcher at Nazarbayev University until 2020. From 2020 to 2025, he has been the head of the Department of Science and Innovation at Astana IT University. He is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and chair of the IEEE CIS/RA Joint Chapter. He has previously held visiting researcher positions at Gazi University and Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts (Fachhochschule Dortmund).

Updated list of publications during his time at the Davis Center (as of May 2026):

1. Rakhimzhanova, A., Zhakiyev, N., & Nugumanova, A. (2026). Short-Term Hydropower Generation Forecasting for Operational Planning and Early Energy Procurement: Evidence from Kazakhstan. Energies, 19(11), 2520. https://doi.org/10.3390/en19112520 
2. Zhakiyev, N., Khamzina, A., Bhagavathy, S. M., Salykova, L., Zakaryanova, S., & Baisakalova, N. (2026). Comparative PEST analysis for sustainable development of the electricity market in Kazakhstan. Heliyon, 12(7).   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2026.e44846 
3. Zhakiyev, N., Khamzina, A., Bakdolotov, A., & Miglio, R. D. (2026). Qualitative Analysis of Stakeholder Risk Perceptions in Kazakhstan's Energy Transformation. Frontiers in Sustainability, 6, 1706204. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2025.1706204 
4. Ormanova, G., Rakhymbay, L., Zhakiyev, N, & Mac, T. (2025). Kazakhstan’s fuel-energy flows (2021–2023): Energy balances and Sankey visualizations by LEAP. In 2025 14th International Conference on Renewable Energy Research and Applications (ICRERA) (pp. 824–829). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICRERA66237.2025.11283837 
5. Omirgaliyev, R., Shauyenova, A., Merlenkyzy, N., Maulen, A., & Zhakiyev, N. (2025). Study of Scenario Analysis of the Electricity Market of Kazakhstan Using Renewable Energy Sources on the PyPSA Tool. Applied Sciences, 15(21), 11497. https://doi.org/10.3390/app152111497 
6. Zhakiyev N, Khamzina A, Sarkulova Z, Biloshchytskyi A. Air Quality and Environmental Policy in Kazakhstan: Challenges, Innovations, and Pathways to Cleaner Air. Urban Science. 2025; 9(11):464. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci9110464 
7. Omirgaliyev, R., Khamzina, A., Yedilkhan, D., Friedrich, D., & Zhakiyev, N. (2025). An advanced data analysis method using Heating Degree-Days for estimating the efficiency of buildings in Smart cities: a case study of Astana. Results in Engineering, 107502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.107502 
8. Zhakiyev, N., Khamzina, A., Toimbek, D., Omirgaliyev, R., Kotamjani, S. S., Nazari, M. A., & Salem, M. (2025). Energy systems, CO2 emissions, and mitigation policies in three Central Asian countries: A comprehensive review. Energy Strategy Reviews, 62, 101883. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2025.101883