Energy systems researcher · Postdoctoral Fellow, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Kansas State University
I build optimization and techno-economic models that show which low-carbon technology mixes deliver reliable, affordable energy, and who pays for them. My current work is on firm low-carbon power, including small modular reactors, for large new electricity loads such as AI data centers.
Website · Google Scholar · ORCID · LinkedIn · Field Notes
Documented, runnable frameworks that accompany my research: the formulation with equation references, the data pipeline, a Python implementation with open-source solvers, examples and tests.
| Repository | What it models | Accompanies |
|---|---|---|
| smr-datacenter-cogeneration | A small modular reactor supplying a data center with power and steam-driven cooling, against grid supply | Energy Conversion and Management (2026, accepted) |
| nuclear-hydrogen-integration | A nuclear plant with electrolysis, hydrogen storage and ancillary services: hourly operation and lifecycle economics | Nature Communications (2026) |
| code-delayed-energization | The cost of delayed energization for AI data centers, for developers, ratepayers and society | IEEE NAPS 2026 |
| txh2-ercot-hydrogen | Two-stage stochastic planning of hydrogen in a renewable-rich grid | International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (2025) |
| ghg-load-regulation | Re-timing electricity demand by hourly emission intensity | Cell Reports Sustainability (2025) |
| reopt-hydrogen-framework | Sizing and dispatch of wind, solar, storage and hydrogen systems | Journal of Mechanical Design (2024) and conference papers |
| mfgpr-wind-power-curve | Multi-fidelity Gaussian processes for probabilistic wind power curves | ASME IDETC 2023 |
| wind-uq-surrogate | Uncertainty metrics and surrogate models for plant-level wind power | DOE-funded project |
| supply-chain-microgrid-models | Facility location with on-site microgrids and virtual power plant scheduling | Applied Mathematical Modelling (2023) and IEEE SEGRE 2023 |
- Rethinking the economics and flexibility of U.S. nuclear power through hydrogen integration and policy support. Nature Communications (2026). doi:10.1038/s41467-026-73630-y
- Techno-economic boundary analysis of small modular reactor cogeneration for hyperscale data center IT and cooling loads. Energy Conversion and Management (2026, accepted). arXiv:2608.10999
- Real-time greenhouse gas emission intensity informed demand-side load regulation for power grid decarbonization. Cell Reports Sustainability (2025). doi:10.1016/j.crsus.2025.100367
- Hydrogen's role in expanding renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions in Texas. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (2025). doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.02.303
All publications, project case studies and interactive explainers are on my website.
Contact: hlli@ksu.edu