Graduation Date: June 2013
Degree(s): Ph.D. Management Science & Engineering; M.S. Management Science & Engineering; B.S. Electrical and Electronics Engineering (Technological University of Panama, Panama)

Juan Carlos’ main responsibility as the 2010 MAP Fellow at United Nations Foundation was to conduct research related to the electric power industry in the United States. Particularly, he identified the necessary changes that should be pursued in order to establish a paradigm for the industry that is sustainable in a carbon-constrained future. He recommended a set of specific research questions that must be addressed thoroughly in order to propose any scientifically supported industry paradigm. The proposal classified the challenges in three distinct, yet closely interrelated components: industry ownership structure, electric utility business models, and regulatory framework.

Additionally, he played a secondary role assisting the Foundation with the work they are doing as the leaders of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves. He used his engineering background to provide assistance to the team in charge of gathering available data on cookstoves standards and test procedures around the world. Juan Carlos also helped translate into Spanish the content of the Global Alliance’s website.

One of the most valuable experiences within the Internship was representing UNF and the Energy Future Coalition in the 2010 National Town Meeting on Demand Response and Smart Grid. The event –which gathered corporate executives, utility regulators, policy makers, and academics- allowed Juan Carlos to participate in the discussions about the importance of demand side management strategies in today’s electric power industry.

“Above all, the Fellowship was an eye-opening experience that helped me to reaffirm my commitment to work in the energy economics/policy area. During this summer in DC, I experienced facets of policy making that are rarely the focus of our academic work at Stanford. Being exposed to these ‘new’ aspects represented a highly valuable lesson, which gave me the opportunity to identify my own strengths and weaknesses as a professional that wants to be involved in the field for many years. “

“The work supports the efforts of a UN Foundation initiative called the Energy Future Coalition. Among a number of projects, EFC works to change the utility business model in states to provide incentives for utilities to pursue all cost-effective energy efficiency. Juan Carlos’ work extends our knowledge base to programs outside the U.S. and was helpful in framing the many issues surrounding such a regulatory change.”