Dr Menglong Lu is an Associate Research Fellow at the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre, University of Wollongong. He received his PhD from the University of Wollongong in 2026, with an Examiners’ Commendation for Outstanding Thesis. His research focuses on the optimal design, operation and flexible control of net-zero and grid-interactive building energy systems. He combines building performance simulation, multi-objective optimisation and uncertainty analysis to investigate the integration of renewable energy, battery storage, heating and cooling systems, and electric vehicles in buildings. His work aims to improve building energy efficiency, economic performance, occupant comfort and interactions between buildings and the electricity grid. His current research further explores how building energy flexibility can be characterised, unlocked and reliably delivered through advanced control strategies and occupant participation.