Experience

Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc.

• United States
• Utilities
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Senior Consultant

  • Aug 2022 - Present



Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Graduate Research Assistant

  • Sep 2020 - May 2022

  Air Quality-Related Health and Equity Implications of US Decarbonization Policy (with the Selin Group and MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change) Air Quality-Related Health and Equity Implications of US Decarbonization Policy (with the Selin Group and MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change)



Resources for the Future

• United States
• Think Tanks
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Research Assistant | Energy & Climate Program

  • Apr 2019 - Jul 2020

• Research Assistant | Energy & Climate Program

  • Jul 2017 - Mar 2019

  - Extensively further developed the Engineering, Economic, and Environmental Electricity Simulation Tool (E4ST), a software package in MATLAB used for power system resource planning and optimization, policy analysis, and assessing environmental and health impacts from air pollution.- Using E4ST and other tools, conducted detailed modeling studies of policy options for decarbonization of the electricity sector at the federal and state levels, including a proposed carbon price in New York and the Clean Energy Standard Act of 2019. Engaged with decisionmakers and stakeholders to communicate estimated effects of the polices and advise policy development.- Studied issues related to electricity system resilience and reliability, including publishing a peer-reviewed analysis projecting effects of a Department of Energy proposal to subsidize unprofitable coal and nuclear power plants that was cited extensively in media and in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s ruling document on the “Grid Resiliency Pricing Rule.”- Modeled optimal siting of solar arrays in Texas under ecological land restriction scenarios, implementing new power grid data for transmission lines, electrical busbars, and high-resolution solar resource availability.- Created a MATLAB replica of the Co-Benefits Risk Assessment (COBRA) tool used by the US Environmental Protection Agency, utilizing the underlying source-receptor matrix and descriptions of their air pollution dispersion and health-risk representations, and integrated it into the E4ST power system model.CV: https://media.rff.org/documents/Paul_Picciano_CV_BpXDYIb.pdf Show less



NERA Economic Consulting

• United States
• Business Consulting and Services
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Research Associate | Energy & Environment Practice

  • Jul 2016 - Jul 2017

  Conducted economic analysis of energy and environmental regulations, employing NERA’s electric sector optimization model as well as health-risk assessment tools such as EPA’s BenMAP program to assess changes in air quality levels. Conducted economic analysis of energy and environmental regulations, employing NERA’s electric sector optimization model as well as health-risk assessment tools such as EPA’s BenMAP program to assess changes in air quality levels.



NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholar & Research Intern

  • May 2015 - May 2016

  Researched wind and solar energy integration in the US under potential future electricity scenarios, including market expansion and new transmission infrastructure. Supported modeling analysis using the National Energy with Weather System (NEWS) Simulator, an optimization model of the U.S. electric power grid. (With Dr. Christopher Clack) Presentations: -American Meteorological Society (AMS) Annual Conference (New Orleans, LA, January 2016) -NOAA’s Science and Education Symposium (Silver Spring, MD, August 2015) Show less



University of Washington

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Assistant

  • Jun 2014 - Aug 2014

  Conducted physical oceanography research through statistical data analysis of ocean-climate model output, contributing to the program’s mission of better utilizing climate models and satellite observations to understand the ocean’s role in climate variability. (With Dr. LuAnne Thompson). Conducted physical oceanography research through statistical data analysis of ocean-climate model output, contributing to the program’s mission of better utilizing climate models and satellite observations to understand the ocean’s role in climate variability. (With Dr. LuAnne Thompson).



Catalyst 2030

• Greater Seattle Area

• Sustainability Intern

  • May 2013 - Aug 2013

  Worked on numerous environmental service projects at the Horizon House in Seattle to improve the building's energy efficiency and waste management system. Researched, annotated, and compiled resources related to sustainability in development of an extensive resource library, and created profiles for environmental organizations. Worked on numerous environmental service projects at the Horizon House in Seattle to improve the building's energy efficiency and waste management system. Researched, annotated, and compiled resources related to sustainability in development of an extensive resource library, and created profiles for environmental organizations.



Physicians for Social Responsibility

• United States
• Public Policy Offices
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Intern

  • May 2013 - Aug 2013

  Assisted with research, presentations, and media outreach regarding issues with nuclear energy and power in Washington (specifically the Hanford Nuclear Reservation and the Columbia Generating Station). Assisted with research, presentations, and media outreach regarding issues with nuclear energy and power in Washington (specifically the Hanford Nuclear Reservation and the Columbia Generating Station).



Pan Himalayan Grassroots Development Foundation

• Uttarakhand, India

• Student Volunteer

  • Jun 2010 - Jun 2010

  One month global service learning trip and home-stay in a rural village in foothills of the Himalayas. Conducted impact study in several communities on the operation of biogas systems and surveyed families regarding their energy needs. One month global service learning trip and home-stay in a rural village in foothills of the Himalayas. Conducted impact study in several communities on the operation of biogas systems and surveyed families regarding their energy needs.