Sofia is interested in designing future energy systems that are clean, equitable, and resilient to climate change. Her current research examines interactions between power systems and wildfires, with a focus on incorporating consideration of social equity in power systems modeling. In her work, she has formulated several optimal decision-making models for electric grid operations and planning that incorporate non-traditional objectives, such as minimizing power outages for socially vulnerable communities. Additionally, she is collaborating with fellow graduate students to develop an expansive, geographically accurate synthetic grid, the California Test System, for geo-referenced applications.
Projects
Sofia’s work combines GIS analysis and power systems optimization to capture the environmental and social context surrounding the electric grid.
Read about a few of her research projects below.
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DynaGrid: Dynamic Microgrids for Large-Scale DER Integration and Electrification
The DynaGrid project aims to develop a framework for dynamic formation and operation of networked microgrids.
California Test System (CATS): A Geographically Accurate Test System based on the California Grid
Many synthetic grids do not reflect the real locations and paths of electric infrastructure due to security concerns. However, accurate geography is important for geo-referenced applications, including studies related to climate, topography, natural resources, and energy justice. Sofia Taylor, Jonathan Snodgrass, and Noah Rhodes, and Aditya Rangarajan are developing the California Test System (CATS), which is a geographically accurate synthetic grid, by combining publicly available locational data for California’s electric infrastructure with parameters that are realistic but not real.
A Framework for Risk Assessment and Optimal Line Upgrade Selection to Mitigate Wildfire Risk
This work addresses the risk of electric power line faults leading to wildfire ignitions. We propose a new methodology to quantify the wildfire ignition risk of electric power lines by leveraging current wildfire risk maps and estimating ignition probability from historical trends. We also present a model to identify an optimal set of lines to underground to reduce wildfire risk.
Publications
Sofia’s publications can be found on her Google Scholar page.
Sofia Taylor
(she/her/hers)
Sofia received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Renewable Electric Energy Systems from North Carolina State University in May 2020, where she conducted research in wireless charging systems for electric vehicles under Dr. Srdjan Lukic. She received a Research M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering and a certificate in Energy Analysis and Policy in May 2022 and is currently working towards a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research, advised by Dr. Line Roald, examines interactions between power systems and wildfires, with a focus on equitable decision-making.