Jaquelin Cochran, Ph.D., is the director of the Grid Planning and Analysis Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, where she has worked for 13 years. Dr. Cochran’s work has focused on the evolution of the power grid with high deployment of renewable energy. She recently led the Los Angeles 100% Renewable Energy Study and a portfolio of analyses about India’s power system. Before joining NREL, Dr. Cochran was an Assistant Professor of Natural Resource Management with KIMEP University in Almaty, Kazakhstan. She also served as a Peace Corps volunteer for two years with the Polish Foundation for Energy Efficiency (FEWE) in Krakow. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from the Energy & Resources Group at the University of California at Berkeley, and a B.A. from Pomona College.
Research Interests
Interactions among people, advanced technologies, grid operations, markets, policy, and economy-wide decarbonization that enable a cost-effective and reliable grid
Education
Ph.D., Energy and Resources Group, University of California, Berkeley
M.A., Energy and Resources Group, University of California, Berkeley
B.A., Public Policy/Physics, Pomona College
Professional Experience
Assistant Professor, KIMEP, Almaty, Kazakhstan (2007–2009)
Graduate Student Instructor and Researcher, University of California, Berkeley (1995–1996)
Peace Corps Volunteer, Polish Foundation for Energy Efficiency, Krakow, Poland (1997–1999)
Energy Analyst, R.J. Rudden Associates, Annapolis, Maryland (1996–1997)
Featured Work
Cochran, J., and P. Denholm, eds. 2021. The Los Angeles 100% Renewable Energy Study. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/TP-6A20-79444.
Katz, J, Cochran, J. et al. 2019. Opening Markets, Designing Windows, and Closing Gates: India's Power System Transition - Insights on Gate Closure. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/TP-6A20-72665.
Chernyakhovskiy, I., Koebrich, S., Gevorgian, V. and Cochran, J. 2019. Grid-Friendly Renewable Energy: Solar and Wind Participation in Automatic Generation Control Systems. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/TP-6A20-73866.
McBennett, B., Rose, A., Hurlbut, D., Palchak, D., Cochran, J. 2019. Cross-Border Energy Trade between Nepal and India: Assessment of Trading Opportunities. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/TP-6A20-72066.
Barrows, C., J. Katz, J. Cochran, et al. 2018. Greening the Grid: Solar and Wind Grid Integration Study for the Luzon-Visayas System of the Philippines. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/TP-6A20-68594.
Palchak, D., J. Cochran, et al. 2017. Greening the Grid: Pathways to Integrate 175 Gigawatts of Renewable Energy into India’s Electric Grid. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL TP-6A20-68530.
Palchak, D., J. Cochran, et al. 2017. Greening the Grid: Pathways to Integrate 175 Gigawatts of Renewable Energy into India’s Electric Grid, Vol. II, Regional Study. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/TP-6A20-68744.
Jacobs, D., T. Couture, O. Zinaman, and J. Cochran. 2016. RE-TRANSITION: Transitioning to Policy Frameworks for Cost-Competitive Renewables. IEA-Renewable Energy Technology Deployment.
Cochran, J., P. Denholm, B. Speer, and M. Miller. 2015. Grid Integration and the Carrying Capacity of the U.S. Grid to Incorporate Variable Renewable Energy. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/TP-6A20-62607.
Cochran, J., M. Miller, O. Zinaman, M. Milligan, D. Arent, B. Palmintier, M. O'Malley, S. Mueller, E. Lannoye, A. Tuohy, B. Kujala, M. Sommer, H. Holttinen, J. Kiviluoma, and S.K. Soonee. 2014. Flexibility in 21st Century Power Systems. Golden, CO: 21st Century Power Partnership. NREL/TP-6A20-61721.
Cochran, J., L. Bird, J. Heeter, and D. Arent. Integrating Variable Renewable Energy in Electric Power Markets: Best Practices from International Experience. ICER Chronicle 2 (July 2014).
Bird, L., J. Cochran, and X. Wang. 2014. Wind and Solar Energy Curtailment: Experience and Practices in the United States. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/TP-6A20-60983.
Hummon, M., J. Cochran, A. Weekley, A. Lopez, J. Zhang, B. Stoltenberg, B. Parsons, P. Batra, B. Mehta, and D. Patel. 2014. Variability of Photovoltaic Power in the State of Gujarat Using High Resolution Solar Data. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/TP-7A40-60991.
Cochran, J., O. Zinaman, J. Logan, and D. Arent. 2014. Exploring the Potential Business Case for Synergies Between Natural Gas and Renewable Energy. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/TP-6A50-60052.
Cochran, J., T. Mai, and M. Bazilian. "Meta-Analysis of High-Penetration Renewable Energy Scenarios." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 29 (January 2014): 246-53. NREL/JA-6A20-58764.
Cochran, J., D. Lew, and N. Kumar. 2013. Flexible Coal: Evolution from Baseload to Peaking Plant (Brochure). Golden, CO: 21st Century Power Partnership. NREL/BR-6A20-60575.
Cochran, J., M. Miller, M. Milligan, et al. 2013. Market Evolution: Wholesale Electricity Market Design for 21st Century Power Systems. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/TP-6A20-57477.
Miller, M., L. Bird, J. Cochran, et al. 2013. RES-E-NEXT: Next Generation of RES-E Policy Instruments. Study commissioned by International Energy Agency's Implementing Agreement on Renewable Energy Technology Deployment (IEA-RETD). Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/TP-6A20-58882.
Cochran, J., L. Bird, J. Heeter, and D.A. Arent. 2012. Integrating Variable Renewable Energy in Electric Power Markets: Best Practices from International Experience. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/TP-6A20-53732.
Cochran, J. 2012. Policies and Programs to Integrate High Penetrations of Variable Renewable Energy (Presentation). Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/PR-6A20-54970.
Cochran, J., R. Benioff, H. de Coninck, and L. Wuertenberger. 2010. An Exploration of Options for Operational Modalities of Climate Technology Centres and Networks. Nairobi, Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme.
Cochran, J., et al. "Building Sector Energy Efficiency." Paper presented at Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, London, United Kingdom, October 2009.
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