Paulo Cesar Tabares-Velasco

Dr. Paulo Cesar Tabares-Velasco is an Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the Colorado School of Mines. His research focuses on building energy simulation, thermal storage, green roofs, and smart grid integration. Previously, he worked at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), developing tools like BEopt and advancing phase change material (PCM) modeling in EnergyPlus. He holds a PhD from Penn State University, an MSc from Colorado State University, and a BSc from the Monterrey Institute of Technology.

His work has earned multiple awards, including the 2009 Crosby Field Award and the 2011 Green Roof Research Award. He leads the Advanced Multiscale Building Energy Research (AMBER) Group and contributes to the Sustainable Energy Undergraduate Program. Key research areas include cross-laminated timber (CLT) thermal performance, district energy systems, and energy storage optimization.

Publications highlight innovations in PCM validation, CLT moisture monitoring, and building-grid interaction. He collaborates with national labs and industry partners to advance energy-efficient construction and grid resilience.