Alex Zolan

Alex Zolan serves as a Researcher IV at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) within the Center for Energy Conversion and Storage Systems and Mechanical Engineering Department. Since joining NREL in August 2018 as a postdoctoral researcher, he has established himself as a key contributor to concentrating solar power systems research, focusing on optimal design, dispatch, and operations of hybrid renewable energy systems.

His educational background includes dual bachelor's degrees from the University of Pennsylvania (Economics and Electrical and Systems Engineering), a Master's and PhD in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Master's in Mathematics from Western Connecticut State University.

Zolan's research centers on Concentrated Solar Power with specialized expertise in heliostat technology, solar power plant optimization, and industrial process heat applications. He employs stochastic optimization and Monte Carlo simulation to model energy systems, addressing critical challenges in cost reduction and efficiency improvement for solar thermal deployment.

With 40 research outputs over five years (2021-2025), his recent publications demonstrate accelerating impact in CSP systems analysis and techno-economic modeling. The 2024-2025 works show particular focus on heliostat advancement and industrial heat applications, reflecting strategic alignment with national renewable energy priorities.

As part of NREL's Center for Energy Conversion and Storage Systems, Zolan contributes to advancing solar thermal technologies through rigorous modeling and cross-institutional collaboration. His work supports the development of cost-effective concentrating solar power systems for diverse energy applications, particularly in industrial decarbonization contexts.