Sara Sultan is a dedicated researcher focusing on thermal energy storage and energy efficiency in buildings. Sara earned her Ph.D. in Energy Science and Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she conducted pioneering research on integrating heat pumps with thermal energy storage to drive decarbonization and enhance grid flexibility. She worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to develop demand response and decarbonization solutions for residential buildings using an integrated thermal storage. She also provided consulting and policy analysis for state energy efficiency council in Rhode Island while working for NV5, where she conducted research and analysis on diverse initiatives, including income-eligible programs and retrofits for residential sector. Currently, she is a Program Specialist at the California Energy Commission, where she focuses on building energy codes and standards to enhance building envelope. Her work is driven by a passion for advancing sustainable energy practices and policy development to reduce emissions and improve the economy.
Research Interests
Professional Skills
Research Experience
Hydro and Climate Lab, OSU, Corvallis, OR
- Designed and conducted experiments for a pico-hydro power system to improve electric efficiency
- Received trainings on research writing, experiment design, policy development, and entrepreneurship
Work ExperienceMultifunctional Equipment Integration Group, and Thermal Energy Storage Group, ORNL
- Worked at BTRIC and collaborated on projects including, Low-cost PCM, Heat pumps and thermal storage, and buildings envelope
- Conducted literature review, performed research, and collaborated with team members to perform experiments on developing thermal storage system with salt hydrate PCM, integrating Heat pump with PCM heat exchangers, controls and analysis of HP-TES for demand response and decarbonization, synthesizing phase change materials and characterization, heat pump cycle analysis
- Published research papers and technical magazine articles
- Managed project meetings, created milestone reports and presentations for deliverables
- Brainstormed new research ideas and formulated research questions to write proposals and develop business model
Education
Thesis: Heat Pump integrated with Thermal Energy Storage for Demand Response and Decarbonization in Buildings
- Completed coursework in policy, leadership, entrepreneurship and management in addition to cross-cutting energy sciences specialized curriculum
- Received trainings on technology entrepreneurship and innovation, product commercialization, science writing, policy writing, web development and data analysis
- Wrote policies for grid interactive energy storage and fossil fuels replacement in buildings for renewable energy generation. Developed memo and presented to Phil Bredesen and TVA representatives
- Participated in ICORPS energy program and worked with a startup to improve their business model by delivering concluded recommendations through market analysis and customer discovery
- Participated in DOE Jump into STEM program, developed business model and impact analysis for my research
- Mentored incoming Ph.D. students for their research during my final year
Presentations/Talks
Membership
Certifications
Prizes and Awards
Received 2023 Volunteer of Distinction award by UTK Provost on graduation for academic and professional achievements
Project
- Published work through grants funded by the Department of Energy (under Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725)
- Published work through grants funded by the Department of Energy (under Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725)
Teaching Experience
Consulting Experience
- Provided consultation to state energy efficiency councils in Rhode Island, Delaware, Massachusetts and Vermont
- Performed research and data analysis for various state programs including income eligible programs, retrofits, EnergyStar appliances, and residential and commercial new construction and multifamily programs
- Analyzed electrification, fuel-switching, decarbonization, workforce planning, rebate programs, cost of supply and future of gas dockets
- Engaged with technical working groups and stakeholder committees, delivered presentations, data reports, snapshots, technical brief, and memo
- Reviewed technical reference manuals, annual reports, energy code and standards, potential studies, and contributed to grant writing for RFPs
- Delivered council’s quarterly newsletters; designed in Canva, covered important meetings, events, and news through various websites, webinars and conferences
- Planned and implemented AI to facilitate various administrative, business and research tasks for team members. Created documentation and custom GPTs
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