Transmission · 4 min
The Impact of Interregional Transmission Policy on Cost, Emissions, and Reliability
See all explainers ↓A methodology for long-term hourly electricity demand forecasting driven by GDP and invariant load profiles
↗ Read PaperMini Capacity Expansion Model
↗ Try It See all tools ↓
Juan Senga
Senior Postdoctoral Associate
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Videos
Video Explainers
Plain-language breakdowns of my research and its policy implications — designed for curious non-experts, useful for researchers too.
Transmission · 4 min
The Impact of Interregional Transmission Policy on Cost, Emissions, and Reliability
A summary of our findings on interregional transmission requirements versus builds that are centrally coordinated — from our Nature Energy paper.
Full Talks & Lectures
Conference presentations, invited lectures, and panel recordings — for those who want the full technical picture.
MIT Energy Initiative · Cambridge, MA
January 30, 2026
Data Center Flexibility and the Grid
Invited lecture during MIT's IAP 2026 on how to model data center flexibility.
MIT CEEPR · Washington, DC
December 3, 2024
Estimating the Cost of Building Transmission
Session on Overcoming Barriers to Large-Scale Energy Projects as part of the 2024 CEEPR Fall Workshop.
MIT CEEPR · Cambridge, MA
May 16, 2024
Evaluating the Impact of the BIG WIRES Act
Session on transmission policy analysis as part of the 2024 CEEPR Spring Workshop.
Try It Yourself
Hands-on tools built from my research — no coding required.
Capacity Expansion · Energy Systems
Mini Capacity Expansion Model
Adjust assumptions about fuel costs, demand, and policy — and watch how the grid responds. Built to make the logic behind energy planning intuitive and explorable.
Research
Peer-reviewed papers, working papers, and preprints. Click any card to access the full paper.
iScience · 2026
Flexible data centers reduce power system costs but can increase emissions
Examines the grid-level impacts of flexible data center load scheduling. Finds that while demand flexibility reduces total power system costs, it can shift generation toward higher-emission sources — highlighting a key trade-off for grid operators and policymakers.
Supply chains & disaster response.
Impact
Research cited by legislators, regulators, and policymakers.
Rep. Casar's grid proposal could have prevented most Winter Storm Uri grid failures
Office of Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35) cited our Connect the Grid Act analysis showing that Texas grid interconnection could have prevented ~80% of the 2021 blackouts.
ICYMI: MIT, Columbia, EPI laud Hickenlooper's BIG WIRES as transmission solution
Office of Sen. John Hickenlooper (CO) highlighted our analysis supporting the BIG WIRES Act as a key solution for expanding interregional transmission capacity.
In the News
Coverage of my research in news outlets, policy briefs, and media appearances.
How data centers can better manage energy use
↗ Read ArticleTranslating energy research into energy policy
↗ Read ArticleMIT study says flexible arrangements for data center energy consumption can produce cost savings
↗ Read ArticleJensen Huang says data centers need to do a better job amid backlash
↗ Read ArticleWhat's the best way to expand the US electricity grid?
↗ Read ArticleOne solution to U.S. grid expansion minimizes costs and emissions. The other maximizes reliability.
↗ Read ArticleFlexible data centers can reduce costs – if not emissions
↗ Read ArticleHow data centers can learn to turn off and help the grid
↗ Read ArticleData center flexibility can save consumers money but may come with higher emissions: MIT
↗ Read ArticleMIT analysis finds BIG WIRES Act could reduce US power outages by nearly 60%
↗ Read Article80 percent of 2021 blackouts preventable with addition of Texas to national grid: Study
↗ Read ArticleBlackouts could be slashed if Texas joins the U.S. grid — study
↗ Read ArticleMIT report: 80% of 2021 Texas winter storm outages could have been prevented if state joined national grid
↗ Read ArticleConnecting ERCOT to other grids could reduce outages, MIT study finds
↗ Read ArticleConnect the Grid Act podría mejorar la fiabilidad de la red eléctrica en Texas
↗ Read ArticleContact
I'm always happy to discuss my research, explore collaborations, or connect with practitioners and policymakers working on energy transition challenges. Feel free to reach out via email or find me on the web.
Download my full CV for a complete list of publications, talks, teaching experience, and affiliations.
Download CV (PDF)