I am a third-year PhD Student in the Operations, Information and Decisions Department at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. I am fortunate to be advised by Professors Serguei Netessine and Christian Kaps.

My research focuses on emerging topics in clean energy, with a particular interest in addressing how to best integrate new technologies in existing energy systems to mitigate the impacts of climate change. In my ongoing work, I study geographically varying returns from clean energy investments to identify optimal development strategies. I also explore new business models and technology innovations in the clean energy space that improve developer returns and support more efficient operations of evolving electricity systems.

Prior to my doctoral studies, I graduated magna cum laude from UC Berkeley with a BS in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, where I was advised by Professor Candace Yano. I spent my undergraduate summers working at Tesla Energy and EDF Renewables, and my experiences there helped shape my passion for the energy transition.

Upcoming Talks

Feb 22, 2025: Early-Career Sustainable Operations Management Workshop
Title: When Where Watt: Harnessing the Value of Time and Location for Renewable Electricity Generation

May 9-12, 2025 (Final Date TBC): Annual POMS Conference
Title: When Where Watt: Harnessing the Value of Time and Location for Renewable Electricity Generation

May 9-12, 2025 (Final Date TBC): Annual POMS Conference
Title: Watts on Wheels: Grid-Scale Mobile Battery Energy Storage Systems

Research

Working Papers

When Where Watt: Harnessing the Value of Time and Location for Renewable Electricity Generation
Vishrut Rana, Christian Kaps, and Serguei Netessine
Available on SSRN

In Progress

Watts on Wheels: Grid-Scale Mobile Battery Energy Storage Systems
Vishrut Rana, Christian Kaps, and Serguei Netessine

Teaching

Teaching Assistant

The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania:

OIDD 6730: Global Supply Chain Management
MBA Elective with Santiago Gallino, March-May 2025

OIDD 6970: Retail Supply Chain Management
MBA Elective with Santiago Gallino, October-December 2024

OIDD 1010: Introduction to Operations, Information and Decisions
UG Core with Gerard Cachon and Sergei Savin, August-December 2023

OIDD 6150: Operations Strategy
MBA Core with Gerard Cachon, August-October 2022

College of Engineering, University of California at Berkeley:

IEOR 162: Linear Programming and Network Flows
Head Student Instructor for Dorit Hochbaum, August-December 2021