Parth Vaishnav

I focus on performing economic and environmental benefit-cost analyses of aspects of the energy transition, including the electrification of buildings and transportation. I use physics-based models (e.g., of building and vehicle energy use), optimization, and processed based cost models. Some of my projects involve building computationally-light surrogates of physics- and process-based models. I also do survey and qualitative research. Electrification will create interdependencies between sectors that current operate independently of each. It may be possible to optimize these interactions to make it easier for each sector to decarbonize, but could require automation that partly directs people’s energy use. I want to understand if people would accept such an automation, and how they might interact with it if they did.