PNNL

Jess Barcco joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) as a project manager within the Energy Transition Planning team, where she currently oversees multiple projects aimed at enhancing the safety, security, reliability, and prosperity of the U.S. energy sector.

Prior to joining Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Barcco spent 14 years at Consolidated Edison, so she brings a broad utility perspective to PNNL’s efforts in solving real-world energy challenges. As an accomplished electrical engineer and qualified business professional, she is passionate about grid modernization to ensure reliable, secure, and innovative energy systems. With a solid foundation in both technical engineering and business leadership, Barcco has developed deep expertise in energy storage solutions, utility planning, system operations, and project management.

Barcco holds a master of business administration degree from Temple University and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from City College of the City University of New York, where she also studied biomedical engineering. Throughout her career, she has led large-scale energy projects, including the development of the Fox Hills battery energy storage system, and played a pivotal role in advancing energy storage policies through collaborations with stakeholders like the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the Joint Utilities of New York.

In addition to her technical expertise, Barcco is a proven leader with a track record of managing diverse teams across areas such as project management and emergency response. She has received multiple awards for her leadership and contributions to energy storage and system reliability, solidifying her impact in shaping the future of energy systems.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Barcco enjoys traveling, volunteering for meaningful causes, swimming, hiking, and spending quality time with her family and loved ones.

• Business administration
• Business strategy
• Community management
• Document life cycle management
• Documentation practices
• Energy industry
• Engineering
• Engineering support
• Engineering technology
• Grid energy storage
• Leadership management
• Logistics management
• Mentoring
• Operations control
• Project management
• Regulatory infrastructure development
• Relationship development
• Stakeholder engagement
• Strategic concept development
• Strategy implementation
• Team building
• Teams and collaboration
• Transformational leadership

• BS in electrical engineering, City College of the City University of New York, 2009
• MBA in business administration, Temple University, 2017

• Coleader of the Advanced Technologies Working Group Energy Storage Task Force representing the Joint Utilities of New York
• Department of Energy peer reviewer for the energy storage expert review for the Energy Storage Program in 2022 and 2023

• 2024 Winter Team Award recipient for the Fox Hills battery energy storage system
• 2022 Spring Team Award recipient for efforts on the North Queens TR1 Open Auto Response and Repair
• National Fire Protection Association 1081 Industrial Fire Brigade—first female firefighter for Consolidated Edison of New York (2021)
• Dean’s Certificate of Excellence—Temple University (2017)
• National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering scholar (2008)
• National Institute of Health scholar (2007)