1981-1986 Bachelor's Degree, Department of Thermal Engineering, Tsinghua University

1986-1988 Master's Degree, Department of Thermal Engineering, Tsinghua University

1991-1994 Ph.D., Department of Thermal Engineering, Tsinghua University

1988.12-1992.1 Engineer, Department of Thermal Engineering, Tsinghua University

1994.12-present Lecturer/Associate Professor/Professor, Department of Thermal Engineering, Tsinghua University

1993.7 -1994.1 Visiting Scholar ,Universität Siegen, German

2000.1-2000.3 Visiting Scholar, Princeton University, USA

2011.1-2017.7 Chair, Department of Thermal Engineering, Tsinghua University

2017.7- Director, Low-Carbon Energy Laboratory, Tsinghua University

2022.1- Dean, Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Tsinghua University

Member, National Climate Change Expert Committee

Member, National Ecological and Environmental Protection Expert Committee

Executive Council Member, Chinese Society of Power Engineering

Editorial Committee Chair, Journal of Power Engineering

Deputy Director, Intelligent Power Generation Committee, China Energy Research Society

Deputy Director, 1st Carbon Neutrality Science and Engineering Committee, China Coal Society

Deputy Director, CCUS Committee, Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences

Member, Energy Transitions Commission (ETC)

Expert Delegate of Chinese Delegation to COP26/COP27/COP28/COP29 UN Climate Conferences

Professor Li Zheng is an expert in system optimization, specializing in clean and efficient coal utilization and energy system engineering. Addressing critical challenges such as safe operation of advanced coal combustion technologies, intelligent power generation for thermal units, and optimization of energy transition pathways, he has led major national projects and strategic advisory initiatives. His research paradigm integrates mechanistic insights, mathematical modeling, and optimization control:

Pioneered dynamic simulation technology for circulating fluidized beds (CFB), advancing China’s CFB simulation capabilities.

Developed intelligent power generation systems with digital twin integration, laser-based coal quality monitoring, and active disturbance rejection control.

Established multi-spatiotemporal superstructure optimization methods for energy transition pathways, systematically proposing China’s carbon neutrality scenarios.

2005, First Prize, Ministry of Education Science and Technology Progress Award

2006, Second Prize, National Science and Technology Progress Award2010, Second Prize, China Electric Power Science and Technology Award2015, First Prize, Ministry of Education Science and Technology Progress Award2016, First Prize, Ministry of Education Natural Science Award2019, First Prize, Sichuan Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award2019, Grand Innovation Award, CEC Power Innovation Award2020, Top 1, China Association for Science and Technology’s "Top 10 Ecological and Environmental Science and Technology Advances"2024, First Prize, China Electric Power Science and Technology Award

Professor Li Zheng has authored 75 SCI/EI-indexed papers as the first author, second author, or corresponding author, with 7 papers ranking in the top 1% of ESI Highly Cited Publications, 1 paper in the top 0.1% of ESI Hot Papers, and 1 paper consecutively listed among the Top 10 Downloaded Articles in Clean Coal Technology for two consecutive years. One of his publications was awarded the "Most Influential Paper of 2022" by the Journal of Chinese Society of Electrical Engineering.

He has published 15 academic monographs and holds 29 patents, demonstrating his innovative contributions to the field. His co-authored book Understanding Carbon Neutrality has generated significant societal impact, with 9 reprints and over 40,000 copies sold to date.

Professor Li has been honored with prestigious titles including Chang Jiang Distinguished Professor under the Ministry of Education’s Support Program for New Century Talents, and is a recipient of the State Council Special Allowance in recognition of his exceptional scholarly achievements.