Research interests

Energy system modeling, technoeconomic analysis, data-driven decision support, analytical toolset standardization; energy systems and technologies, carbon management, energy technology supply chains, energy and development

Career path

Mengyao joined Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in 2023, where she conducts research on technoeconomic and policy analyses for energy and climate technologies. Her work addresses critical energy security topics such as carbon capture and carbon dioxide removal, hydrogen and alternative fuels, and energy technology supply chains. She is dedicated to advancing open-source, user-friendly datasets and tools that streamline the evaluation of energy systems and technologies.

Prior to LLNL, Mengyao was a consultant at Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc. (E3) in San Francisco, where she led modeling studies and developed analytical toolsets for power and gas sector planning, decarbonization policy analysis, and emerging energy and climate technology assessments. Her work supported public- and private-sector clients in navigating complex energy transitions.

Mengyao was an early contributor to the development of a macro-energy modeling framework during her postdoctoral research at the Carnegie Institution for Science. Her PhD research focused on material characterization and computational optimization for integrating carbon capture technologies into low-carbon energy systems.

Highlights

Lead contributor to LLNL’s Systems-to-Atoms (S2A) modeling framework, focusing on system-scale modeling: systems2atoms GitHub repository.

Subject matter expertise

Technoeconomic analysis, data analysis, energy system planning, decarbonization pathways; carbon capture and removal, hydrogen and alternative fuels, energy technology supply chains

PhD Energy Resources Engineering, Stanford University, 2018

MS Environmental Engineering and Science, Stanford University, 2013

BEng Chemical Engineering, Minor in Humanities, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), 2011

Selected publications

1. Yuan, M., G. Bucci, T. Chatterjee, S. Deo, J. R. Kitchin, C. D. Laird, W. Li, T. Moore, C. Myers, W. Sun, E. M. Sunshine, B.-X. Wang, M. J. McNenly, and S. A. Akhade. 2025. "Integrated Systems-to-Atoms (S2A) framework for designing resilient and efficient hydrogen infrastructure solutions." Energy & Fuels 39 (14): 7119–7128. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.4c05903. (Front cover)
2. Sun, Y., J. H. Nelson, J. C. Stevens, A. H. Au, V. Venugopal, C. Gulian, S. Kasina, P. O'Neill, M. Yuan, and A. Olson. 2022. "Machine learning derived dynamic operating reserve requirements in high-renewable power systems." Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy 14 (3): 036303. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0087144.
3. Stevens, J., M. Yuan, B. Wheatle, A. Burdick, N. Schlag, R. Go, O. Sawyerr, and J. McGarry. 2022. CPUC IRP Zero-Carbon Technology Assessment: Final Report. Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc. (E3) prepared for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/-/media/cpuc-website/divisions/energy-division/documents/integrated-resource-plan-and-long-term-procurement-plan-irp-ltpp/2022-irp-cycle-events-and-materials/cpuc-irp-zero-carbon-technology-assessment.pdf.
4. Yuan, M., F. Tong, L. Duan, J. A. Dowling, S. J. Davis, N. S. Lewis, and K. Caldeira. 2020. "Would firm generators facilitate or deter variable renewable energy in a carbon-free electricity system?" Applied Energy 279: 115789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115789.
5. McQueen, N., P. Psarras, H. Pilorgé, S. Liguori, J. He, M. Yuan, C. M. Woodall, K. Kian, L. Pierpoint, J. Jurewicz, J. M. Lucas, R. Jacobson, N. Deich, and J. Wilcox. 2020. "Cost analysis of direct air capture and sequestration coupled to low-carbon thermal energy in the United States." Environmental Science & Technology 54 (12): 7542–7551. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c00476.
6. Mahone, A., L. Mettetal, J. Stevens, S. Bharadwaj, A. Fratto, M. Mogadali, V. Venugopal, M. Yuan, and A. Olson. 2020. Hydrogen Opportunities in a Low-Carbon Future: An Assessment of Long-Term Market Potential in the Western United States. Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc. (E3) prepared for the Advanced Clean Energy Storage (ACES) project. https://www.ethree.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/E3_MHPS_Hydrogen-in-the-West-Report_Final_June2020.pdf.
7. Yuan, M., H. Teichgraeber, J. Wilcox, and A. R. Brandt. 2019. "Design and operations optimization of membrane-based flexible carbon capture." International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control 84: 154–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2019.03.018.
8. Yuan, M., K. Lee, D. G. Van Campen, S. Liguori, M. F. Toney, and J. Wilcox. 2019. "Hydrogen purification in palladium-based membranes: An operando x-ray diffraction study." Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 58 (2): 926–934. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.8b05017.
9. Yuan, M., S. Liguori, K. Lee, D. G. Van Campen, M. F. Toney, and J. Wilcox. 2017. "Vanadium as a potential membrane material for carbon capture: Effects of minor flue gas species." Environmental Science & Technology 51 (19): 11459–11467. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b02974.
10. Yuan, M., K. Narakornpijit, R. Haghpanah, and J. Wilcox. 2014. "Consideration of a nitrogen-selective membrane for postcombustion carbon capture through process modeling and optimization." Journal of Membrane Science 465: 177–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2014.04.026.

 

For a full list, see: Google Scholar

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