PNNL

Dr. Xu Ma currently serves as an electrical engineer within the Optimization and Control Group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). He earned his doctorate in electrical engineering from Iowa State University, in 2016. Dr. Ma’s research at PNNL primarily revolves around mathematical modeling and optimal dispatch strategies for various energy storage systems, including systems for battery storage, thermal storage, and pumped storage for hydropower. His expertise extends to distributed control, robust optimization, and robust control. Dr. Ma has taken the lead on numerous energy storage assessment projects funded by the Department of Energy and the Washington State Department of Commerce. He has collaborated with utilities to assess energy storage and microgrid systems in over 10 cities across the United States.

In addition, Dr. Ma has provided technical leadership in developing advanced modeling and analytical tools for hydropower and its hybridization, collaborating with four national labs and industry partners under Department of Energy funding. His work has enhanced the modeling and valuation of hydro power and hybrid projects. Examples of his achievements include the development of a pumped-storage hydropower valuation tool and a hydro hybrid modeling approach to integrate energy storage and reduce plant wear. His contributions have strengthened PNNL’s reputation in hydro hybridization, establishing it as a key player in the field. 

• Optimization and control algorithms
• Energy storage system modeling (battery, gravity, pumped-storage hydro, etc.)
• Hydro-storage hybrid systems

• Control theory
• Energy storage
• Mathematical modeling
• Optimization algorithms

• PhD in electrical engineering, Iowa State University in 2016 

• Exceptional Contribution Award, PNNL, 2024
• Of the Year Award, Energy and Environment Directorate, PNNL, 2023
• Outstanding Performance Award, PNNL, 2019–2021
   

2024

• Yu M., X. Ma, and D. Wu. 2024. "A Hierarchical Framework for Aggregating Grid-interactive Buildings with Thermal and Battery Energy Storage." Journal of Energy Storage. PNNL-SA-192992. doi:10.1016/j.est.2024.113984

2023

• Ma X., D. Wu, and A.J. Crawford. 2023. "Incorporating Operational Uncertainties into the Dispatch of an Integrated Solar and Storage System." In IEEE Power & Energy Society Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Conference (ISGT 2023), January 16-19, 2023, Washington, DC, 1-5. Piscataway, New Jersey:IEEE. PNNL-SA-177048. doi:10.1109/ISGT51731.2023.10066460
• Ma X., D. Wu, R. Rebich, D. McCaughey, R. Major, T. Barham, and D. Quintana, et al. 2023. Energy Northwest - Advanced Grid Interactive Load Efficiency (AGILE) : A Techno-economic Assessment. PNNL-ACT-10136. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
• Zhu Y., X. Ma, D. Wu, and J. Do. 2023. "A Multi-objective Microgrid Assessment and Sizing Framework for Economic and Resilience Benefits." In IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM 2023), July 16-20, 2023, Orlando, FL, 1-5. Piscataway, New Jersey:IEEE. PNNL-SA-179479. doi:10.1109/PESGM52003.2023.10253339

2022

• Bhattacharya A., X. Ma, and D.L. Vrabie. 2022. "Model Predictive Control of Discrete-Continuous Energy Systems via Generalized Disjunctive Programming." In Modeling, Estimation and Control Conference, (MECC 2021), October 24-27, 2021, Austin, TX.
• Ma X., C. Holland, J.B. Twitchell, and D. Wu. 2022. "Optimal Sizing and Operation of a Hybrid Clean Energy Center." In IEEE Electrical Energy Storage Applications and Technologies (EESAT) 2022, Austin, TX., 1-5. Piscataway, New Jersey:IEEE. PNNL-SA-174560. doi:10.1109/EESAT55007.2022.9998017
• Ma X., D. Wu, and A.J. Crawford. 2022. Energy Northwest - Horn Rapids Solar and Storage: A Techno-economic Assessment. PNNL-ACT-10125. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
• Wu D., X. Ma, T. Fu, Z. Hou, P. Rehm, and N. Lu. 2022. "Design of a Battery Energy Management System for Capacity Charge Reduction." IEEE Open Access Journal of Power and Energy 9. PNNL-SA-172534. doi:10.1109/OAJPE.2022.3196690

2021

• Huang S., Y. Lin, V. Chinde, X. Ma, and J. Lian. 2021. "Simulation-based Performance Evaluation of Model Predictive Control for Building Energy Systems." Applied Energy 281. PNNL-SA-152893. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.116027
• Wu D., and X. Ma. 2021. "Modeling and Optimization Methods for Controlling and Sizing Grid-connected Energy Storage: A Review." Current Sustainable/Renewable Energy Reports 8, no. 2:123-130. PNNL-SA-157337. doi:10.1007/s40518-021-00181-9
• Wu D., X. Ma, P.J. Balducci, and D. Bhatnagar. 2021. "An economic assessment of behind-the-meter photovoltaics paired with batteries on the Hawaiian Islands." Applied Energy 286. PNNL-SA-156151. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.116550

2020

• Wu D., P. Wang, X. Ma, and K. Kalsi. 2020. "Scheduling and Control of Flexible Building Loads for Grid Services Based on a Virtual Battery Model." In 21st IFAC World Congress, July 12-17, 2020, Berlin, Germany. IFAC-PapersOnline, edited by R. Findeisen, S. Hirche, K. Janschek and M. Monnigmann, 53, 13333-13338. PNNL-SA-149378. doi:10.1016/j.ifacol.2020.12.167
• Wu D., P.J. Balducci, A.J. Crawford, K. Mongird, and X. Ma. 2020. "Building Battery Energy Storage System Performance Data into an Economic Assessment." In IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM 2020), August 2-6, 2020, Montreal, Canada, 1-5. Piscataway, New Jersey:IEEE. PNNL-SA-149037. doi:10.1109/PESGM41954.2020.9282053
• Wu D., X. Ma, S. Huang, T. Fu, and P.J. Balducci. 2020. "Stochastic Optimal Sizing of Distributed Energy Resources for a Cost-effective and Resilient Microgrid." Energy 198. PNNL-SA-150028. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2020.117284