Overview
Personal Profile
Paul Denholm is a senior research fellow—the highest technical position at NLR—leading research in grid applications for energy storage and solar energy. He pioneered a variety of research methods for understanding the technical, economic, and environmental benefits and impacts of the large-scale deployment of renewable electricity generation. He has delivered more than 100 invited presentations to agencies including the National Science Foundation, the World Bank, and the International Energy Agency. He has co-authored more than 100 articles related to renewable energy integration. Although his official title is principal analyst, he is still an engineer at heart, and in his free time he likes to build contraptions of dubious functionality, such as a concentrating solar marshmallow cooker.
Research Interests
Effects of large-scale renewable energy deployment in electric power systems
Role of grid flexibility in integrating renewable energy, including energy storage, demand response, and efficient market design
Professional Experience
Electrical Engineer, Bardac Drives Corp. (1995–1999)
Education/Academic Qualification
Bachelor, Physics, James Madison University
Master, Instrumentation Physics, University of Utah
PhD, Land Resources/Energy Analysis and Policy, University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Collaborations and Top Research Areas From the Past 5 Years
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The Past, Present, and Future of Peaking Thermal Power Plants in the United States: Article No. 114886
Vanatta, M., Sergi, B., Cole, W., Denholm, P. & Mai, T., 2026, In: iScience. 29, 3, 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
1 Scopus Citations -
What Can We Learn from US National Transmission Studies? Article No. 102339
Mai, T., Brown, P., Palchak, D., Brinkman, G., Brooks, A., Denholm, P., Gramlich, R., Homer, J., Lew, D., Kuna, J., Okullo, J., Pfeifenberger, J., Rose, A., Simeone, C. & Wright, J., 2026, In: Joule. 10, 2, 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Exploring the Future Energy Value of Long-Duration Energy Storage: Article No. 1751
Schleifer, A., Cohen, S., Cole, W., Denholm, P. & Blair, N., 2025, In: Energies. 18, 7, 21 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
4 Scopus Citations -
Fundamentals of Resource Adequacy for Modern Power Systems
Denholm, P., 2025, 55 p.Research output: NLR › Presentation
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Achieving an 80% Renewable Portfolio in Alaska's Railbelt: Cost Analysis
Denholm, P., Schwarz, M. & Streitmatter, L., 2024, 111 p.Research output: NLR › Technical Report
Awards and Honors
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NREL Distinguished Member of Research Staff
Zhu, K. (Recipient), Vidal, J. (Recipient), Tao, L. (Recipient), Tan, J. (Recipient), Smith, W. (Recipient), Schaidle, J. (Recipient), Reese, M. (Recipient), Parilla, P. (Recipient), Palmintier, B. (Recipient), Musial, W. (Recipient), Moriarty, P. (Recipient), Mann, M. (Recipient), Mai, T. (Recipient), Luther, J. (Recipient), Laurens, L. (Recipient), King, J. (Recipient), Johnston, S. (Recipient), Jackson, R. (Recipient), Hodge, B.-M. (Recipient), Heath, G. (Recipient), Hale, E. (Recipient), Habas, S. (Recipient), Gruchalla, K. (Recipient), Gevorgian, V. (Recipient), Geisz, J. (Recipient), Fleming, P. (Recipient), Farrell, J. (Recipient), Ding, F. (Recipient), Denholm, P. (Recipient), Ciesielski, P. (Recipient), Churchfield, M. (Recipient), Bomble, Y. (Recipient), Blackburn, J. (Recipient) & Ciesielski, P. (Recipient), 2021
Prize: Honorary award