Events Calendar

Climate and Water Stress in a Changing Power System and Implications for the Great Lakes Region

This is a past event.

Virtual Event

Thursday, October 29, 2020, 4 pm

Event Details

This is a past event.

ME-EM Virtual Graduate Seminar Speaker Series

proudly presents

Ana Dyreson, PhD

Michigan Technological University

Abstract: Electricity systems are changing throughout the world due to rapid reductions in solar manufacturing costs, wind technology maturity, and, in some places, reductions in natural gas costs and decarbonization policies. These changes in electricity systems are shifting the relative economic competitiveness of generation technologies – especially coal and nuclear – and are also forcing new operating paradigms. Previous research attention has focused on concerns about water and climate stress on electricity systems in water-scarce parts of the world. For example, in the Western U.S., such issues focus on heat waves and drought, since drought has a significant impact on hydropower generation and both drought and heat can limit thermal power plant operation. Southern California is especially susceptible to climate-driven heat waves that stress the power system. In this talk Dr Dyreson will pivot to focus on the Upper Midwest where water-energy connections include power plant cooling from lakes and streams, offshore wind development, hydropower, and flooding events that impact energy infrastructure. The changes in the power system in this region are not unlike those in other parts of the U.S., but the way that regional climate and water availability will stress the systems in the future is unique.

Bio: Dr. Dyreson is an Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics at Michigan Technological University. Dr. Dyreson’s research interests in the energy-water-climate nexus combine her background in solar energy (PhD Mechanical Engineering, 2018, University of Wisconsin – Madison and MS Mechanical Engineering, 2014, Northern Arizona University) with her work in electricity grid modeling (Post-doctoral researcher 2018-2020, Grid Systems, National Renewable Energy Laboratory). Her work links power plant-level thermodynamic models, climate models, hydrology models, and electricity grid operation models to understand how heat and drought stress may impact future power systems. She is also interested in analysis and valuation of new and novel renewable energy systems and energy efficiency concepts such as radiative cooling, hydropower- solar photovoltaic hybrid power plants, and pumped hydropower at abandoned mines. Dr. Dyreson is passionate about teaching and improving the diversity of Mechanical Engineering as a discipline. Dr. Dyreson is a registered Professional Engineer (Wisconsin).

Invited by: Radheshyam Tewari

Stream Details

Additional Details

  • Stephanie List

1 person added

User Activity

No recent activity