David P. Larson

I am a researcher at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), focusing on topics related to the integration of renewable resources into the electric grid.

I completed my PhD and MS in Mechanical Engineering at UC San Diego, where I was advised by Carlos F. M. Coimbra. Before that, I completed my BS in Mechanical Engineering at UC Merced, and participated in the UC LEADS and Cal NERDS summer research programs.

      Email  /  CV  /  Github  /  Google Scholar

Research

I am interested in machine learning, numerical optimization, and renewable energy systems. My doctoral work focused on data-driven forecasting methods for grid-connected solar power plants.

SCOPE: Spectral Cloud Optical Property Estimation
D.P. Larson, M. Li and C.F.M. Coimbra
(in preparation)

A Comprehensive Dataset for the Accelerated Development and Benchmarking of Solar Forecasting Methods
H. T. C. Pedro, D. P. Larson, and C. F. M. Coimbra
Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 2019
doi / bibtex / data

We describe and release a comprehensive solar irradiance, imaging, and forecasting dataset to help accelerate the development and benchmarking of solar forecasting methods.

Direct Power Output Forecasts from Remote Sensing Image Processing
D. P. Larson and C. F. M. Coimbra
Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, 2018
doi / bibtex

We develop a methodology for directly forecasting power output of PV plants from satellite imagery, for horizons of 1-6h ahead. Experiments validate the performance of the methodology with both current and next-generation satellite imagery from the GOES and Himawari-8 geosynchronous satellites.

Day-Ahead Forecasting of Solar Power Output from Photovoltaic Plants in the American Southwest
D. P. Larson, L. Nonnenmacher and C. F. M. Coimbra
Renewable Energy, 2016
doi / bibtex

We present a forecast methodology for producing day-ahead (24-36h) power output predictions of photovoltaic (PV) plants. Four years of power data from two, 1 MWp PV plants is used to evaluate our methodology.

Reports

Battery Energy Storage in Florida: Value, Challenges, and Opportunities
Rick Ferrera, Taylor Marvin, David Larson, Travis Lindsay, Daniel Falk

This report analyzes the potential value of battery energy storage in Florida’s electric power sector. Key conclusions are that behind-the-meter (BTM) batteries located on the premises of electricity consumers can be profitable today under certain conditions, and that momentum toward deployment of front-of-the-meter (FTM) batteries on the Florida grid has grown over the last year.

Teaching

I previously taught ENG 10: Fundamentals of Engineering Applications (2016-2018), a hands-on course that provides students with an introduction to engineering mathematics and design. From Fall 2013 to Spring 2016, I was a TA for a freshmen engineering seminar (ENG 1-3: Orientation to Engineering I-III).