Overview
Dr. Patino-Echeverri’s research focuses on public policy design for energy systems, with a particular emphasis on managing the risks arising from the uncertainties influencing the outcomes of government actions. Much of her current work focuses on the policies that affect capital investment decisions within the electricity industry, and the corresponding costs to society of electricity and air-emissions levels. Her models explore the effects of different government policies by representing the industry’s decisions under uncertainty on future technological advancements, fuel prices, and emissions regulations.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Gendell Family Associate Professor
·
2017 - Present
Environmental Social Systems,
Nicholas School of the Environment
Associate Professor of Energy Systems and Public Policy
·
2025 - Present
Environmental Social Systems,
Nicholas School of the Environment
Affiliate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society
·
2014 - Present
Duke Science & Society,
University Initiatives & Academic Support Units
Recent Publications
A dataset and protocol to enhance power system models with fossil-fuel-fired electricity generating units
Journal Article Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews · April 1, 2026 Decarbonizing the electric power sector requires integrating large shares of variable renewable energy resources. Addressing the challenges created by this integration requires analysis with power system models that have detailed and transparent representa ... Full text CiteRethinking Load Growth: Assessing the Potential for Integration of Large Flexible Loads in US Power Systems
Report · February 11, 2025 Open Access Link to item CiteRenewable energy quality trilemma and coincident wind and solar droughts
Journal Article Communications Earth and Environment · December 1, 2024 Renewable energy is essential for power system decarbonization, but extended and unexpected periods of extremely low wind and solar resources (i.e., wind and solar droughts) pose a threat to reliability. The challenge is further exacerbated if shortages of ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
RTOGov: An Electricity Governance Research Network for a Changing Power Grid
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Pennsylvania State University · 2022 - 2027Power System Modeling for the ALIGN Project (Advanced Load Integration for Grid Needs)
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by GridLab · 2025 - 2026Understanding U.S. Electric Power Generator Interconnection Service Options
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory · 2025 - 2026View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Carnegie Mellon University ·
2006
Ph.D.