Professor Destenie Nock: Recipient of the 2023 George Tallman Ladd Research Award
The College of Engineering honored Professor Destenie Nock with the prestigious George Tallman Ladd Research Award in recognition of her exceptional work in the domains of energy transitions and justice. Her well-funded research initiatives, impactful publications, and unwavering commitment to fostering a more equitable world have set her apart as an exemplary academic deserving of this prestigious honor.
Transforming Energy Equity and Redefining Energy Poverty
Professor Nock's research focuses on energy justice within the context of energy and climate change. She explores equity and justice within energy systems, particularly their implications in the transition to sustainable energy.
Her work extends internationally, focusing on sub-Saharan Africa, where she applies operations research, decision analysis, and energy systems engineering to gain new insights and develop advanced analytical tools. Her research on energy systems, marked by a systemic approach and the use of multiple-criteria decision-making, has made a significant impact in sub-Saharan Africa. Her work on energy planning in the region continues to gain recognition.
One of Nock's most significant contributions is her redefinition of energy poverty. She introduced a new metric that goes beyond the traditional "energy burden," shedding light on how impoverished households use less energy, leading to potential health risks and diminished quality of life. Her findings, published in Nature Communications, highlight an aspect of energy poverty that was previously overlooked.
“Destenie has established herself as one of the thought leaders in energy justice with her impactful work in identifying metrics and developing approaches to address energy poverty,” says CEE Professor and Department Head Burcu Akinci. “This is a well-deserved award and recognition for Destenie.”
National and System-Level Impact
Nock's influence extends to the national and energy system levels. Her work with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory introduced a multiple-criteria decision analysis framework for decarbonizing the U.S. electricity system. The necessity of adopting a more comprehensive perspective that transcends mere cost minimization. Nock advocates for government intervention in the form of technology mandates and regulatory measures.
Professor Nock's impact is evident through her prolific publications and funding success. She and her collaborators have published 20 papers in prestigious journals, with 10 in 2022 alone. Her research is well-funded, enabling the backing of numerous student and project endeavors.
Nock's influence extends to the national and energy system levels. Her collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory introduced a multiple-criteria decision analysis framework for decarbonizing the U.S. electricity system. Her findings emphasize the need for a broader view beyond cost minimization, advocating for government intervention through technology mandates and regulation.