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Dalia Patino-Echeverri

Gendell Family Associate Professor
Environmental Sciences and Policy
Box 90328, Durham, NC 27708-0328
9 Circuit Drive, Env Hall 3118, Durham, NC 27708

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 Sciences and Policy, Nicholas School of the Environment
Associate Professor of Energy Systems and Public Policy · 2017 - Present Environmental Sciences and Policy, Nicholas School of the Environment
Affiliate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society · 2014 - Present Duke Science & Society, University Initiatives & Academic Support Units

In the News


Published April 22, 2025
Energy and Business Scholars Join Forces to Solve Environmental Problems
Published February 4, 2022
The Climate Crisis is Imminent: Duke Experts Offer Their Solutions
Published November 30, 2020
A Fertile Year of Environmental Research & Learning at the Nicholas School

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Recent Publications


Renewable 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 Cite

Techno-economic assessment of repurposing oil & gas wells for Enhanced Geothermal Systems: A New Mexico, USA feasibility study

Journal Article Energy Conversion and Management: X · October 1, 2024 Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) produce renewable power that can complement variable renewable sources such as wind and solar, but EGS is expensive to deploy due to high cost of drilling geothermal wells. Repurposing abandoned or declining oil and gas we ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


RTOGov: An Electricity Governance Research Network for a Changing Power Grid

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Pennsylvania State University · 2022 - 2026

Understanding U.S. Electric Power Generator Interconnection Service Options

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory · 2025 - 2025

A Grid that's Risk-Aware for Clean Electricity - GRACE

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Department of Energy · 2020 - 2025

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Education, Training & Certifications


Carnegie Mellon University · 2006 Ph.D.