Education

Research Description

DeCarolis is interested in the interdisciplinary assessment of energy technology and policy aimed at affecting deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. His primary focus is on the development and application of energy system models to derive policy-relevant insight that is robust to future uncertainty.

Honors and Awards

• NSF CAREER Award, 2010
• ASEE Southeastern Section, Outstanding New Teacher Award, 2011
• ALCOA Research Achievement Award, 2016
• University Faculty Scholar, 2018

Publications

Building conflict uncertainty into electricity planning: A South Sudan case study

Patankar, N., Queiroz, A. R., DeCarolis, J. F., Bazilian, M. D., & Chattopadhyay, D. (2019), ENERGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, 49, 53–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2019.01.003

Evaluation of optimal model parameters for prediction of methane generation from selected US landfills

Sun, W., Wang, X., DeCarolis, J. F., & Barlaz, M. A. (2019), WASTE MANAGEMENT, 91, 120–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2019.05.004

Solid Waste Management Policy Implications on Waste Process Choices and Systemwide Cost and Greenhouse Gas Performance

Jaunich, M. K., Levis, J. W., DeCarolis, J. F., Barlaz, M. A., & Ranjithan, S. R. (2019), ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, 53(4), 1766–1775. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.8b04589

US Energy-Related Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Absence of Federal Climate Policy

Eshraghi, H., Queiroz, A. R., & DeCarolis, J. F. (2018), ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, 52(17), 9595–9604. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.8b01586

Cost-benefit assessment challenges for a smart distribution system: A case study

Sun, L. S., Thomas, J., Singh, S., Li, D. X., Baran, M., Lubkeman, D., … Watts, S. (2017), In 2017 ieee power & energy society general meeting. https://doi.org/10.1109/pesgm.2017.8274167

Evaluating the US Mid-Century Strategy for Deep Decarbonization amidst early century uncertainty

Galik, C. S., DeCarolis, J. F., & Fell, H. (2017), Climate Policy, 17(8), 1046–1056. https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2017.1340257

Evaluation of externality costs in life-cycle optimization of municipal solid waste management systems

Martinez-Sanchez, V., Levis, J. W., Darrigaard, A., DeCarolis, J. F., Barlaz, M. A., & Astrup, T. F. (2017), Environmental Science & Technology, 51(6), 3119–3127. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b06125

The Importance of open data and software: is energy research lagging behind?

Pfenninger, S., DeCarolis, J., Hirth, L., Quoilin, S., & Staffell, I. (2017), Energy Policy, 101, 211–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2016.11.046

The economics of electricity generation from Gulf Stream currents

Li, B., Queiroz, A. R., DeCarolis, J. F., Bane, J., He, R. Y., Keeler, A. G., & Neary, V. S. (2017), Energy (Oxford, England), 134, 649–658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2017.06.048

Characterization of municipal solid waste collection operations

Jaunich, M. K., Levis, J. W., DeCarolis, J. F., Gaston, E. V., Barlaz, M. A., Bartelt-Hunt, S. L., … Jaikumar, R. (2016), Resources Conservation and Recycling, 114, 92–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2016.07.012

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Grants

Proposal for an Open Energy Outlook (OEO)

Alfred P. Sloan Foundation(8/01/19 - 7/31/22)

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Proposal for an Open Energy Outlook (OEO)

Sponsor: Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

Start Date: 8/01/19

End Date: 7/31/22

Abstract

The United States must find policy solutions that enable deep decarbonization of the energy system in order to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. Appropriate action will require fundamental changes in the way we produce and consume energy. Policy makers face the monumental challenge of crafting effective climate policy in the face of deep future uncertainty. Computer models of the energy system – referred to as energy system models – provide a way to examine future energy system evolution and test the effects of proposed policy. Unfortunately, many of these computer models are opaque to outsiders and are used to run a few scenarios that produce limited insight. Given the stakes associated with climate change mitigation, we must do better. Our project aims to bring energy modeling into the twenty-first century by applying the gold standards of policy-focused academic modeling, maximizing transparency, building a networked community, and working towards a common goal: examining U.S. energy futures to inform future energy and climate policy efforts.

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Collaborative Research:NSF-NSFC:Improving FEW system sustainability over the SEUS and NCP: A cross-regional synthesis considering uncertainties in climate and regional development

National Science Foundation (NSF)(8/15/18 - 1/31/23)

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Collaborative Research:NSF-NSFC:Improving FEW system sustainability over the SEUS and NCP: A cross-regional synthesis considering uncertainties in climate and regional development

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

Start Date: 8/15/18

End Date: 1/31/23

Abstract

Economic development and environmental sustainability are often conflicting objectives (Rogers, 1997). Continued economic development often arises from ensuring environmental safeguards and sustainability (Rogers,1997). This Food-Water-Energy System (FEWS) study presents a synthesis on understanding the regional and global FEW impacts due to uncertain climate and development scenarios on two regions – Southeast US (SEUS) and North China Plain (NCP) – that experience contrasting settings on water and energy availability, but have similar portfolios on crop production (corn, soybeans, fruits, vegetables and cereals – wheat/rice) and water (primarily groundwater) and energy (coal/natural gas) appropriation. FEW system is complex and their nexus typically organizes under different spatial and temporal scales. For instance, pollution from agricultural runoff usually have local signature and has lesser impacts and the energy grid water issues typically organize at watershed scale. However, events triggered by large-scale climatic conditions such as multi-year droughts could impact both surface water and groundwater availability which could impact hydropower generation, cooling of power plants and irrigated and rainfed agriculture. But, it is unclear how much the climatic impacts on regional FEWS could impact global food prices and commodity flow. Similarly, federal policy changes (e.g., tax deductions for solar PV installation) could potentially make the nexus resilient, depending on the nature of FEWS, against climate variability. We intend to explore these research issues and perform a cross-regional synthesis on two regions, Southeast US and North China Plain, for improving food-energy-water system sustainability.

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Refinement of the FREEDM Center Cost-Benefit Model

NCSU Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management Systems Center (FREEDM)(9/01/16 - 8/31/17)

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Refinement of the FREEDM Center Cost-Benefit Model

Sponsor: NCSU Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management Systems Center (FREEDM)

Start Date: 9/01/16

End Date: 8/31/17

Abstract

The FREEDM Center is developing critical smart grid technologies that can enable the large scale deployment of renewables on the electricity distribution network. The purpose of this project is to assemble estimates of costs and benefits for FREEDM components in order to refine the cost-benefit model developed last year.

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INFEWS/T3: Solar-Powered Integrated Greenhouse (SPRING) Systems Using Wavelength Selective Photovoltaics for Complete Solar Utilization

National Science Foundation (NSF)(1/01/17 - 12/31/20)

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INFEWS/T3: Solar-Powered Integrated Greenhouse (SPRING) Systems Using Wavelength Selective Photovoltaics for Complete Solar Utilization

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

Start Date: 1/01/17

End Date: 12/31/20

Abstract

The objective of this research is to develop semi-transparent organic solar modules integrated with greenhouses along with engineered plant photo-action spectra that synergistically provide food and energy sources while conserving water for a new food-energy-water paradigm.

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Maximizing Energy for Waste While Minimizing Life-Cycle Environmental Burdens and Cost

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(12/09/14 - 3/31/19)

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Maximizing Energy for Waste While Minimizing Life-Cycle Environmental Burdens and Cost

Sponsor: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Start Date: 12/09/14

End Date: 3/31/19

Abstract

The US EPA is interested in developing a next generation tool for sustainable materials management as an update to the current Municipal Solid Waste Decision Support Tool (MSW DST). As part of this task, RTI International (RTI) will conduct a review the current SWOLF software tool being developed at North Carolina State University (NCSU) and assess the work required to convert the tool into a stand-alone desktop application, similar to the MSW DST.

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Solid Waste Management Planning for Wake County in Consideration of Cost, Energy and Environmental Emissions

Wake County(7/01/14 - 12/31/17)

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Solid Waste Management Planning for Wake County in Consideration of Cost, Energy and Environmental Emissions

Sponsor: Wake County

Start Date: 7/01/14

End Date: 12/31/17

Abstract

The overall objective of the proposed project is to assist the Wake County Solid Waste Division with long-term planning for SWM. SWOLF, a solid waste life-cycle model developed at NCSU, will be utilized to model the county’s current solid waste system and to explore and evaluate future alternatives in consideration of appropriate and county-specific preferences and constraints.

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Cybersees: Type II: Cyber-Enabled Water and Energy Systems Sustainability Utilizing Climate Information

National Science Foundation (NSF)(9/01/14 - 2/29/20)

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Cybersees: Type II: Cyber-Enabled Water and Energy Systems Sustainability Utilizing Climate Information

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

Start Date: 9/01/14

End Date: 2/29/20

Abstract

Continually increasing water demand (due to population growth) and fuel costs threaten the reliability of water and energy systems and also increase operational costs. In addition, both natural climatic variability and the impacts of global climate change increase the vulnerability of these two systems. For instance, reservoir systems depend on precipitation; whereas power systems demand depend on mean daily temperature. Currently, these systems use seasonal averages for their short-term (0-3 months) management, which ignores uncertainty in the climate, thereby resulting in increased spillage and reduced hydropower. While seasonal climate forecasts contain appreciable levels of skill over parts of the US in both winter and summer, the uptake of these forecasts for water and energy systems management has been limited due to lack of a coherent approach to assimilate probabilistic forecasts into management models. We systematically analyze various scenarios that aim at improving the performance of these systems utilizing the multimodel climate forecasts and a high performance computing (HPC) framework.

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SAVI: International Institute for Solid Waste Management Life-Cycle Modeling

National Science Foundation (NSF)(8/15/14 - 7/31/20)

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SAVI: International Institute for Solid Waste Management Life-Cycle Modeling

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

Start Date: 8/15/14

End Date: 7/31/20

Abstract

The primary goal of this proposed Science Across Virtual Institutes (SAVI) effort is to establish a self-sustaining virtual institute to enhance research, education, and outreach related to life-cycle assessment (LCA) of solid waste management (SWM) systems.

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Utilizing Municipal Solid Waste as a Biofuel Feedstock

Biofuels Center of North Carolina(7/01/11 - 4/30/13)

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Utilizing Municipal Solid Waste as a Biofuel Feedstock

Sponsor: Biofuels Center of North Carolina

Start Date: 7/01/11

End Date: 4/30/13

Abstract

Although crop and timber-based biomass have traditionally been viewed as primary choices for biofuel production, recent research suggests that municipal solid waste (MSW) may overcome a number of limitations, such as limited availability and accessibility, as compared to first-generation feedstocks . North Carolinians generate more than 9.9 million tons of MSW per year according to the N.C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources. Roughly 60% of this mass consists of paper, plastic, and food scraps that can be converted into biofuels via gasification technologies. If all of the MSW generated in N.C. were directed towards biofuels production, this feedstock would generate 297 million gallons of biofuels (assuming a conservative conversion rate of 50 gal biofuel per ton MSW), which is roughly 5% of the State?s total fuel consumption annually . This quantity would meet half of the state?s 2017 goal to have 10% of liquid fuels come from N.C. produced biofuels. However, the concept of converting MSW into liquid biofuels is relatively new. As a result, the mechanisms and infrastructure needed to make this technology a viable industry are poorly understood. Thus, the primary objectives of this proposal are to: 1. Compare conversion of MSW into biofuels with current methods used to generate electricity/heat from MSW (e.g. landfill gas to energy, waste-to-energy). 2. Summarize MSW management and operational infrastructure and evaluate how it can be used to support needed infrastructure for the biofuels industry. 3. Develop a report that can be used to educate the public and policymakers about the biofuel production feasibility/capability using MSW as a feedstock. To achieve these objectives, the Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF) and its partners (NC State University, Maverick Biofuels, Waste Industries) will conduct a meta-analysis to acquire data related to: process conversion efficiencies, processing capacity, environmental metrics, energy production, waste quantity and composition, and geospatial factors (Obj. #1). This data will then be used to examine MSW management infrastructure (Obj. #2) and develop information that can serve as a basis for a plan for integrating the use of MSW as a biofuel feedstock (Obj. #3). Issues such as waste reduction initiatives, shifts in waste composition, and their effect on the suitability of MSW as a biofuel feedstock will be considered. The primary deliverable from this $93,119 project will be a report describing the study findings. The project will be completed in 16 months. The EREF?s stakeholder base represents the majority of the solid waste industry. Thus, the EREF has the ability to leverage these results to support MSW to biofuel conversion technologies in NC and beyond.

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CAREER: Modeling for Insights with an Open Source Energy Economy Optimization Model

National Science Foundation (NSF)(1/15/11 - 12/31/16)

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CAREER: Modeling for Insights with an Open Source Energy Economy Optimization Model

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

Start Date: 1/15/11

End Date: 12/31/16

Abstract

The goal of this proposal is to develop new EEO methods to enable a system-wide assessment of energy technology and public policy aimed at delivering deep cuts in greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. This goal motivates the following research objectives: (1) develop open source datasets at both the U.S. national and multi-region global level to address questions related to the environmental and economic impacts of proposed energy and environmental policy, (2) utilize multi-core and compute cluster environments to enable rigorous uncertainty analysis, and (3) develop a joint cognitive process to allow the efficient interaction of decision makers and computer models to produce new policy-relevant insight. These research objectives will be tightly integrated with an educational plan that uses EEO models as a tool to teach students to think critically about energy technology assessment as well as energy and environmental policy from a systems perspective.

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