Anna Stuhlmacher

Anna Stuhlmacher is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Michigan Technological University. Her research focuses on the optimization of uncertain distributed energy resources (DERs) and the coordination of the power grid with other critical infrastructure systems including water and agricultural networks.

Dr. Stuhlmacher received her academic credentials from prestigious institutions:

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, University of Michigan
• MS in Electrical Engineering, University of Michigan
• BS in Electrical Engineering, Boston University

Her research program addresses a critical challenge in modern energy infrastructure: how distributed generation, storage, and flexible loads can be optimized to provide grid flexibility while coordinating with other essential infrastructure systems. Dr. Stuhlmacher specializes in modeling and optimizing the inherent flexibility and uncertainty propagation between power systems and other infrastructure systems such as drinking water, wastewater treatment, and agricultural systems. This interdisciplinary approach is vital for improving grid reliability, particularly during periods of network stress, by increasing demand flexibility through coordinated management of multiple infrastructure systems.

Dr. Stuhlmacher's publication record reveals a consistent progression from fundamental optimization techniques for water distribution networks to more complex systems involving wastewater treatment biogas and agrivoltaics. Her research demonstrates sophisticated application of advanced optimization methods including chance-constrained programming, robust optimization, and machine learning techniques like input convex neural networks to address uncertainty in coupled infrastructure systems. The majority of her work focuses on the water-power nexus, with recent expansion into agrivoltaics as renewable energy and food production compete for land resources.

Her notable achievements include:

• Best paper award for the Electric Energy Systems Track, HICSS 2025

Dr. Stuhlmacher actively secures research funding as Principal Investigator on multiple significant grants including an NSF award focused on biogas from wastewater treatment, a PSERC award on flexible load dispatch (as Co-PI with Georgia Tech researchers), and a Michigan Tech Research Excellence Fund grant on agrivoltaics. While she indicates she is not actively seeking graduate students for the 2025-26 academic year, she remains open to working with exceptional students with strong foundations in power systems and mathematics. Her undergraduate teaching includes courses on Distributed Energy Resources, Electrical Energy Systems, and Power System Optimization, building on her previous teaching experience at the University of Michigan.

Her research leverages Michigan Tech's DOE-designated Regional Test Center for Emerging Solar Technologies, particularly for her agrivoltaics research. She has established connections with national laboratories including NREL, where she interned during her PhD studies, and maintains active collaborations with researchers at institutions like Georgia Tech. Her work bridges theoretical optimization techniques with practical applications that have immediate relevance to utility companies and infrastructure operators.