September 9, 2019

Lima to lead Energy Initiative's education efforts

Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions

The Duke University Energy Initiative has appointed Dr. Luana Marangon Lima as its Associate Director for Educational Programs. She will work closely with faculty, staff, and students to enhance energy education offerings at Duke, where the Energy Initiative serves as a hub for energy activity across the university.

Lima is also Visiting Assistant Professor of Energy and Environment in the Environmental Sciences and Policy Division of Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment.

"Dr. Lima has brought interdisciplinary expertise and pedagogical savvy to the classroom and Bass Connections teams at Duke, particularly when it comes to the application of engineering, economics and data science approaches to power systems and grid management problems," noted Energy Initiative director Dr. Brian Murray. "We know she will make valuable contributions as the Energy Initiative seeks to cultivate transformational energy education offerings for Duke students at all levels and across numerous degree programs."

"While I was trained as an engineer, my research and teaching regularly cross paths with economics, law, policy, data science, and more," said Lima. "I appreciate how this opportunity with the Energy Initiative will give me the chance to interact with students and faculty across the university and help strategize about our approach to energy education." 

Prior to joining Duke, Lima was an assistant professor of the electrical and energy systems department at Universidade Federal de Itajuba (Brazil). She also worked as a consultant for several years at MC&E, a consulting company that specializes in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.

Her research and teaching focus on optimization methods and data analytics applications to energy systems more specifically renewable energy integration, electricity markets, power generation planning and scheduling, and transmission and distribution grid regulation.

She received her Ph.D. in operations research and industrial engineering from the Cockrell School of Engineering at University of Texas at Austin (2011). She holds a M.Sc. (2007) and B.Sc. (2005) in electrical engineering from Universidade Federal de Itajuba, Brazil.

The position of associate director for educational programs was most recently held by Dr. Lori Bennear, the Juli Plant Grainger Associate Professor of Energy Economics and Policy, who is currently on sabbatical.