The Energy Systems Modeling and Policy Analysis Area is comprised of researchers with expertise in the analysis and design of regulatory policies for the energy transition evaluated using decision-support models and in the technical and economic analysis of generation and transmission systems in the energy sector.
The research lines focus on developing sustainable energy systems through the analysis and design of public policies, energy markets, and regulatory frameworks. Key themes include energy and transport poverty, energy justice, institutional energy economics, and the philosophy of technology—emphasizing the social, ethical, and political dimensions of the energy transition. Long-term energy scenarios and robust planning under deep uncertainty are also explored, integrating equity, efficiency, and resilience into decision-making processes.
From a technical and economic perspective, the research addresses optimization models and the assessment of decarbonization technologies across sectors such as industry and transportation. This includes renewable fuels, hydrogen, the co-optimization of generation, storage, and transmission, as well as optimal dispatch in hybrid AC/DC grids. Advanced tools such as EPEC/MPEC models, strategic bidding models, and risk management frameworks are also examined, with applications in electricity, natural gas, and renewable gas markets.
Finally, the research covers emerging topics such as energy infrastructure regulation, new business models in electricity systems, and sustainable transport systems. The integration of water and energy, short- and medium-term hydrothermal planning, and the design of policies for industrial decarbonization are also key areas. Altogether, these research lines take an interdisciplinary approach—merging engineering, economics, policy, and philosophy—to address the challenges of the global energy transition.