I am a fourth-year PhD Student in the Operations, Information and Decisions Department at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. I am fortunate to work with 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

INFORMS Annual Meeting 2025

Title: Grid-Scale Mobile Battery Energy Storage Systems
Session: SA48 - Data-driven Decision Making
Time: Sunday, October 26, 8:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Location: Building B Level 3 B308

Title: When Where Watt: Harnessing the Value of Time and Location for Renewable Electricity Generation
Session: MB26 - SOLA Award Location Analysis
Time: Monday, October 27, 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Location: Building A Level 4 A412

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
Finalist, Society of Location Analysis (SOLA) Best Student Paper Award 2025 (Winner TBA)

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 6110: Quality and Productivity
MBA Core with Christian Terwiesch
Fall 2025 (Full-time MBA), Fall 2025 (Executive MBA)

OIDD 6970: Retail Supply Chain Management
MBA Elective with Santiago Gallino
Fall 2025 (Full-time MBA), Fall 2024 (Full-time MBA)

OIDD 6730: Global Supply Chain Management
MBA Elective with Santiago Gallino
Spring 2025 (Full-time MBA)

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

OIDD 6150: Operations Strategy
MBA Core with Gerard Cachon
Fall 2023 (Full-time MBA)

College of Engineering, University of California at Berkeley:

IEOR 162: Linear Programming and Network Flows
UG Major Requirement with Dorit Hochbaum
Head Student Instructor - Fall 2021