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

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

Publications

The economics of electricity generation from Gulf Stream currents

Li, B., de Queiroz, A. R., DeCarolis, J. F., Bane, J., He, R. Y., Keeler, A. G., & Neary, V. S. (2017), Energy (Oxford, England), 134, 649-658.

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.

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.

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., Jones, E. G., Hauser, L., & Jaikumar, R. (2016), Resources Conservation and Recycling, 114, 92-102.

Systematic evaluation of industrial, commercial, and institutional food waste management strategies in the United States

Hodge, K. L., Levis, J. W., DeCarolis, J. F., & Barlaz, M. A. (2016), Environmental Science & Technology, 50(16), 8444-8452.

Modelling to generate alternatives with an energy system optimization model

DeCarolis, J. F., Babaee, S., Li, B., & Kanungo, S. (2016), Environmental Modelling Review & Software: With Environmental Data News, 79, 300-310.

An enhanced linear regression-based building energy model (LRBEM plus ) for early design

Al Gharably, M., DeCarolis, J. F., & Ranjithan, S. R. (2016), Journal of Building Performance Simulation, 9(2), 115-133.

A techno-economic assessment of offshore wind coupled to offshore compressed air energy storage

Li, B. H., & DeCarolis, J. F. (2015), Applied Energy, 155, 315-322.

Characterization of uncertainty in estimation of methane collection from select US landfills

Wang, X. M., Nagpure, A. S., DeCarolis, J. F., & Barlaz, M. A. (2015), Environmental Science & Technology, 49(3), 1545-1551.

Analysis of material recovery facilities for use in life-cycle assessment

Pressley, P. N., Levis, J. W., Damgaard, A., Barlaz, M. A., & DeCarolis, J. F. (2015), Waste Management (New York, N.Y.), 35, 307-317.

View all publications via NC State Libraries

View publications on Google Scholar

Grants

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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Salinity Gradient Energy – An Inexhaustible Clean Energy Resource for North Carolina

UNC - General Administration(7/01/15 - 6/30/18)

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Salinity Gradient Energy – An Inexhaustible Clean Energy Resource for North Carolina

Sponsor: UNC - General Administration

Start Date: 7/01/15

End Date: 6/30/18

Abstract

The natural salinity gradients along the North Carolina coast are an untapped yet potentially significant resource for generating clean electricity, storing energy, and enhancing wastewater treatment. The goal of this project is to provide a holistic technical, economic, and environmental assessment of reverse electrodialysis, the only coastal energy technology that can provide all of these benefits. To do this, we will leverage expertise from multiple UNC universities, local industry and consulting partners, and coastal utilities to develop new materials, processes, models, and estimates of the full potential of this renewable resource. Our findings will expand North Carolina’s clean energy sector, attract industrial investment, and provide foundational research for future funding opportunities in coastal energy technology development.

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

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(12/09/14 - 9/30/16)

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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: 9/30/16

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 - 6/30/17)

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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: 6/30/17

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 - 8/31/18)

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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: 8/31/18

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 - 7/31/17)

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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: 7/31/17

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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Modernizing Models and Data on Methane Production from Landfills

Environmental Research & Education Foundation(8/02/10 - 7/31/13)

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Modernizing Models and Data on Methane Production from Landfills

Sponsor: Environmental Research & Education Foundation

Start Date: 8/02/10

End Date: 7/31/13

Abstract

The objective of the proposed research is to develop an improved data set and model to predict methane production from U.S. landfills.

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