Hannah Pauling

Hannah Pauling serves as Researcher II-Geoscience within the Thermal Energy Science and Technologies group at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Center for Energy Conversion and Storage Systems, specializing in geothermal resource characterization and techno-economic analysis.

Education:

• Master of Geophysics, Colorado School of Mines
• Bachelor of Geophysical Engineering with minor in Economics, Colorado School of Mines

Research Focus: Pauling's work integrates geophysical data processing for geothermal resource assessment with renewable energy policy economics. She actively promotes stakeholder engagement and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within geothermal research, developing methodologies for community-centered project development and equitable resource access.

Publication Trends: Her recent research (2023-2025) demonstrates concentrated expertise in geothermal play fairway analysis, superhot enhanced geothermal systems exploration at Newberry Volcano, and geothermal heat pump database development. These works consistently combine geophysical modeling, risk assessment frameworks, and technoeconomic analysis to address exploration barriers.

Professional Engagement: As an active member of Geothermal Rising, Pauling contributes to industry knowledge sharing. Her career trajectory includes progressive roles from Physical Science Intern at USGS (2017-2018) through Engineering Intern at GeoStabilization International (2018) to Data Analyst Graduate Intern at NREL (2019-2020), establishing her technical foundation in geothermal systems.

Research Environment: Working within NREL's Thermal Energy Science and Technologies group, she contributes to the laboratory's mission of advancing energy conversion technologies through collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches to geothermal resource development.