Mostafa Ardakani

Mostafa Ardakani serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Utah's College of Engineering. His academic journey includes an Assistant Professor position from 2016-2022 before his promotion to Associate Professor in 2022. Ardakani earned his PhD in Energy Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University in 2013, following MS and BS degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tehran in 2008 and 2006 respectively.

His research interests span power system optimization, transmission system operation, electricity markets, energy and environmental economics and policy, and energy transition. Ardakani's work focuses particularly on grid-enhancing technologies and their role in facilitating renewable energy integration and decarbonization. His interdisciplinary approach combines power engineering with operations research, economics, and public policy to address critical energy transition challenges.

Ardakani's publication record demonstrates consistent output in high-impact energy journals, with 12 publications between 2022-2025. His work shows a clear trajectory toward market design for grid-enhancing technologies, decarbonization policy analysis, and computational methods for power system optimization. A significant portion of his recent work addresses practical implementation challenges for grid-enhancing technologies within existing regulatory frameworks.

His teaching portfolio includes Power Electronics Fundamentals, Thesis Research for PhD students, Special Topics courses, and Undergraduate Research supervision. Ardakani actively mentors graduate students through thesis research while developing specialized knowledge in power systems and energy markets.

As a principal investigator, Ardakani manages multiple significant research grants including projects related to rural electrification (ENERGIZING DINETAH), microgrid solutions for Navajo Nation communities (MICROGRID-KAYENTA), deregulated markets for flexible transmission, and power infrastructure resilience. These grants, primarily funded by NSF and ARPA-E, reflect his focus on practical energy solutions with real-world implementation potential.