Faculty
Mike Wagner
Credentials: PhD
Position title: Charles Ringrose Assistant Professor
Email:
mike.wagner
Phone: +1 608 890 1910
Address:
Engineering Research Building, Room 1343
1500 Engineering Drive
Madison, WI 53706
Dr. Wagner is principal investigator of the Energy Systems Operations Lab, a faculty member of the Solar Energy Lab, and a faculty affiliate of the Wisconsin Electric Machines and Power Electronics Consortium. His research includes thermal systems modeling, system design and operations optimization, and predictive performance analysis of energy generation and storage technologies. Prior to joining UW-Madison, he was a senior researcher and principal investigator for over 11 years in the Thermal Systems group at the National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden, Colorado. Dr. Wagner is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison (B.S., M.S.) and Colorado School of Mines (Ph.D.).
Graduate Students
Nick Edwards
Position title: Masters Student
Email:
nmedwards2
Research |Assessing Target State Attainment in Complex Engineered Systems
Education | BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Jacob Fowler
Position title: Masters Student (Engineering Physics)
Email:
jfowler5
Research | Design Optimization of a Novel Rotating Thermal Energy Storage System
Education | BS Chemical Engineering (Minor-Nuclear Engineering), Georgia Institute of Technology
Ty Glisczinski
Position title: Masters Student
Email:
tglisczinski
Research | Optimal Dispatch and Design of a Residential PCM Heat Pump and Thermal Storage System
Education | MS Mechanical Engineering (2024), BS Applied Mathematics, Engineering, and Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Anna Groeschel
Position title: Masters Student
Email:
amgroeschel
Research | Dynamic Power Cycle Modeling for an Operator Training Plant Emulator
Education | BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Liz Keith
Position title: PhD Student (Engineering Physics)
Email:
ekeith2
Research | Low-Temperature Storage Dispatch Optimization for an Integrated Nuclear-Solar-Desalination System
Education | BS Environmental Engineering, University of Georgia
Rob McPherson
Position title: Masters Student
Email:
remcpherson
Research | A Solar Power Plant Emulator for Improved Training and Control
Education | BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Kaleb Troyer
Position title: Masters Student
Email:
ktroyer
Research | Technoeconomic Optimization of a Novel High-Temperature Particle Heat Exchanger
Education | BS Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University
Sahana Updahya
Position title: PhD Student
Email:
upadhya2
Research | Battery Degradation Modeling and Optimization
Education | MS Mechanical Engineering (2021) University of Wisconsin-Madison; B.M.S Institute of Technology, Bangalore, India
Christopher Volkwein Barreda
Position title: PhD Student
Email:
volkwein
Research | Dynamic Simulation and Operations of a Molten Salt Tower System
Education | MS Industrial Engineering & BS Industrial Engineering, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Chile.
Jacob Wenner
Position title: PhD Student
Email:
jwenner
Research | Power Hardware in the Loop Validation of Hybrid Systems Including a Thermal Generator; Modeling of Thermal Damage in Solar Receivers
Education | MS Mechanical Engineering (2023) & BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Co-Advised Students and Post-Docs
- Jack Prout (2024-current), B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2024) . Currently: Graduate Researcher, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Project title: “Improvements in PCM Heat Transfer Device Characterization.” Co-advised with Dr. Allison Mahvi.
- Payton Bartow (2024-current), B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2023) . Currently: Graduate Researcher, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Project title: “Experimental Test Loop for PCM Heat Exchanger Validation.” Co-advised with Dr. Allison Mahvi.
- Aidan Rigby (2021-current), B.S. & M.S. Nuclear Engineering, Cambridge University, UK (2020). Currently: Graduate Researcher, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Project title: “Low-Temperature Thermal Storage for High-Temperature Thermodynamic Power Cycles.” Co-advised with Dr. Ben Lindley.
Alumni
- Matt Tuman (2024), M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Thesis title: “Real-Time Simulation of a Parabolic Trough Solar Field.” Currently: Research Engineer, ATA Engineering, San Diego, CA.
- Sammie Lundin (2024), M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Thesis title: “Control Optimization of the Intelligent Building Agents Laboratory.” Currently: Engineer, Slipstream, Madison, WI.
- Willy Huang (2024), M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Thesis title: “.” Co-advised with Dr. Allison Mahvi.
- Laith Abdulmajeid, M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2023). Thesis title: “Modeling and Control of the Intelligent Building Agents Laboratory (IBAL)”. Currently: Engineer, Ford Motor Company, Palo Alto, CA.
- Brian White, M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2022). Thesis title: “Thermodynamic Cycle Modeling of Integrated Lead-Cooled Fast Reactor and Concentrating Solar Power.” Currently: Thermal Systems Engineer, Milwaukee Tool.
- Una Baker (2020-2023), Postdoc, B.S. Physics, University of Loughborough, UK (2016), M.S. & Ph.D. Nuclear Engineering, Cambridge University, UK (2020). Currently: Specialist, Nuclear Energy Agency, Paris, France. Co-advised with Dr. Ben Lindley.
- Gabriel Soto-Gonzales (2020-2022), Postdoc, B.S. Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, University of Miami (2015), M.S. & Ph.D. Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Cornell (2020). Currently: Researcher, Idaho National Laboratory. Co-advised with Dr. Ben Lindley.
- Samuel Springate, M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2021). Thesis title: “Real-time Analysis and Optimization of Dispatchable Concentrated Solar Power Systems with Thermal Energy Storage.” Currently: Thermal Engineer, SpaceX.
******
- Andrew Fernandez (2024), B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Project title: “Hybrid Power Plant Dynamic Modeling in a Power-Hardware-in-the-Loop Testbed.” Currently: Peace Corps.
- Michael Mehl (2024), B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Project title: “Seawater mining modeling in WaterTAP.” Currently: Manufacturing Engineer, AMTEC, Janesville, WI.
- Grace Stanke (2022), Undergrad Researcher, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Project title: “Modeling of a Multi-Effect Distillation Plant in a Integrated Energy System.” Co-advised with Dr. Ben Lindley.
- Toby Raza (2022), B.S. Nuclear Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Project title: “Modeling of a Supercritical Steam Rankine Cycle for IES Applications.” Co-advised with Dr. Ben Lindley. Currently: System Operator, National Grid, Boston, MA.
- Tyler Lee, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Faustin-Prinz Scholar (2023). Thesis title: “Analysis of Concentrating Solar Power Plant Operations for the Creation of Effective Training Tools.” Currently: RISE Internship, Fraunhofer Institute, Germany.
- Aryan Patel, B.S. Mechanical Engineering (2023). Project title: “Off-Design Modeling of Supercritical Steam-Rankine Power Cycles.” Currently: Graduate Student, Stanford University.
- Jack Tuohy, B.S. Mechanical Engineering (2023). Project title: “Characterization of Solar Flux Profiles on High-Temperature Solar Absorbers.” Currently: Dynamic Environments Engineer, United Launch Alliance, Denver, CO, USA.
- Jamie Wolpert, Project title: “Power-Hardware-in-the-Loop Data Collection and Analysis.” Currently: Undergraduate Student, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- Lukas Desorcy, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2022). Project title: “Battery SOC testing and analysis.” Currently: Graduate Student, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- Kenny Franzese, Project title: “Siting of a Nuclear-Solar-Desalination Integrated Energy System.” Currently: Undergraduate Student, B.S. Engineering Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- Rob McPherson, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2022). Project title: “Case Studies for Real Time CSP Plant Dispatch Optimization.” Currently: Graduate Student, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- John Steinbergs, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2022). Project title: “Monte-Carlo Modeling of Solar Flux for a Solar Receiver Lifetime Application.” Currently: Graduate Student, Penn State University.
- Matt Tuman, B.S. Engineering Mechanics, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2022). Project title: “Identification of Optimal Operating Practices in CSP using a Data Clustering Approach.” Currently: Graduate Student, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- Sammie Lundin, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2022). Project title: “Case Studies in Battery Dispatch Optimization Considering Degradation Factors.” Currently: Graduate Student, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- Ben Bates, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2022). Project title: “Dynamic Power Cycle Model for Model Predictive Control Applications.” Currently: Graduate Student, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
- Jacob Kerkhoff, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2021). Project title: “Concentrating Solar Cavity Receiver Modeling for Generalized Geometries.” Currently: Aerospace Analysis Engineer, ATA Engineering.
- Jacob Wenner, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2020). Project title: “Dynamic Model of a Thermal Generator for Power Hardware in the Loop Validation.” Currently: Graduate Student, UW-Madison.
- Brian White, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2020). Project title: “Design and Operations Optimization of a Nuclear-Solar Integrated Energy System.” Currently: Graduate Student, UW-Madison.
- Laith Abdulmajeid, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2021). Project title: “Development of a Performance Correction Model for Real Time Power Plant Optimization.” Currently: Graduate Student, UW-Madison.
In Memoriam
 |
Matthew J. Mullin, ESOL PhD Student, 2021-2023.
Remembered for his kindness, generosity, sense of humor, and keen intellect. Research: Learned Productivity Under Variable Solar Conditions |