Yiyun Yao

Yiyun Yao serves as Researcher IV in Electrical Engineering at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), specializing in Power Systems Engineering. His work focuses on enhancing grid resilience and operational efficiency through advanced modeling, state estimation, and distributed energy resource integration.

Dr. Yao holds a Ph.D. and Master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology, with prior research experience at Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), Argonne National Laboratory, and IIT's Robert W. Galvin Center for Electricity Innovation.

His research spans power systems engineering with emphasis on optimal power flow, reinforcement learning applications, voltage regulation, and distributed energy resource management. Key contributions include developing machine learning-driven solutions for real-time grid optimization, anomaly detection in renewable integration, and dynamic hosting capacity improvement for photovoltaic systems. His work bridges theoretical innovation with practical grid modernization challenges.

Recent publications (2021-2025) reveal a concentrated research trajectory in distribution system optimization, featuring data-driven approaches for voltage control, outage management, and multi-resource integration (PVs, batteries, EVs). The work consistently addresses resilience challenges through advanced computational methods while expanding into emerging areas like hydrogen systems and microgrid restoration.

Scientific recognition includes:

• IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting Best Paper Award (2023)
• IEEE Power and Energy Society ISPEC Conference Best Paper Award (2021)
• IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery Outstanding Reviewer (2019)
• IEEE Transactions on Power Systems Best Paper Award (2021)
• IEEE Transactions on Power Systems Outstanding Reviewer (2023)

Dr. Yao leads critical projects including the HYPER-V hydrogen systems initiative and DER-focused grid modernization efforts, collaborating with MISO, Argonne, and industry partners. His research directly supports NREL's mission in advancing renewable integration through cutting-edge grid analytics and control frameworks.

As part of NREL's Power Systems Engineering team, he contributes to the laboratory's flagship initiatives in grid resilience, working within specialized groups focused on distribution system modernization and next-generation control architectures for high-renewable grids.