Kody Powell

Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering

Faculty profile 

Phone: 801-581-5126
Fax: 801-585-3540

My research work focuses on dynamic simulation, optimization, and control of complex, integrated systems. I have a special emphasis on energy systems and how energy storage and hybridization can be used to enhance the efficiency and reliability of these systems.

  • Applied Energy (Journal). Role: Editor. Young Editorial Board. 10/2022 – present
  • U.S. Dept. of Energy | Solar Energy Technologies Office. Role: Reviewer. Participated in Panel Review of the Solar Energy Technologies Office’s Ongoing Funded Projects. 01/31/2022 – 02/03/2022
  • Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering, University of Utah
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin. Project: Dynamic Optimization of Energy Systems with Thermal Energy Storage
  • Landen Blackburn, Aaron Young, Pratt Rogers, John Hedengren & Kody Powell (2019). Dynamic optimization of a district energy system with storage using a novel mixed-integer quadratic programming algorithm. Springer US. Published, 01/08/2019.
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11081-0…
  • Brody Westberg, Derek Machalek, Stephen Denton, David Sellers & Kody Powell (2018). Proactive Automation of a Batch Manufacturer in a Smart Grid Environment. ASTM International. Vol. 2. Published, 06/06/2018.
    https://www.astm.org/DIGITAL_LIBRARY/JOURNALS/SSMS…
  • A Continuous Formulation for Logical Decisions in Differential Algebraic Systems using Mathematical Programs with Complementarity Constraints. Published, 03/21/2016.
    http://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/4/1/7/htm
  • Improved large-scale process cooling operation through energy optimization. Published, 11/22/2013.
    http://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/1/3/312/htm
  • Matthew R.T. Williams, Michael Reynolds, Chris Parker, Jianli Chen & Kody Powell (2023). The impact of the electrification of buildings on the environment, economics, and housing affordability: A grid-response and life cycle assessment approach. Digital Chemical Engineering. Vol. 7, 100086. Published, 06/2023.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dche.2023.100086
  • Ethan Gallup, Tyler Gallup & Kody M Powell (2023). Physics-guided neural networks with engineering domain knowledge for hybrid process modeling. Computers & Chemical Engineering. Vol. 170, 108111. Published, 01/2023.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compchemeng.2022.108111
  • Yunzhi Chen, Lizzie Pinegar, Jake Immonen & Kody M Powell (2023). Conversion of food waste to renewable energy: A techno-economic and environmental assessment. Journal of Cleaner Production. Vol. 385, 135741. Published, 01/2023.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135741
  • Ali Khosravani, Elaheh Safaei, Michael Reynolds, Kerry E Kelly & Kody Powell (2023). Challenges of reaching high renewable fractions in hybrid renewable energy systems. Energy Reports. Vol. 9, 1000-1017. Published, 01/2023.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2022.12.038
  • Blake W Billings, An Ho, Mostafa Sahraei-Ardakani & Kody M Powell (2022). System benefits of industrial battery storage: A comparison of grid and facility control and dispatch. Sustainable Energy Grids and Networks. Vol. 32, 100958. Published, 12/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.segan.2022.100958
  • Landen Blackburn, Jacob F Tuttle, Klass Andersson, John D Hedengren & Kody M Powell (2022). Dynamic machine learning-based optimization algorithm to improve boiler efficiency. Journal of Process Control. Vol. 120, 129-149. Published, 12/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jprocont.2022.11.002
  • Blake Billings & Kody M Powell (2022). Grid‐responsive smart manufacturing: A perspective for an interconnected energy future in the industrial sector. AIChE Journal. Vol. 68, e17920. Published, 12/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.17920
  • Daniel Hill, Adam Martin, Nathanael Martin-Nelson, Charles Granger, Matthew Memmott, Kody Powell & John Hedengren (2022). Techno-economic sensitivity analysis for combined design and operation of a small modular reactor hybrid energy system. International Journal of Thermofluids. Vol. 16, 100191. Published, 11/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijft.2022.100191
  • Jiwei Yao, Kody M Powell & Tao Gao (2022). A two-stage deep learning framework for early-stage lifetime prediction for lithium-ion batteries with consideration of features from multiple cycles. Frontiers in Energy Research. Vol. 10, 1752. Published, 11/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2022.1059126
  • Blake W Billings, Philip J Smith, Sean T Smith & Kody M Powell (2022). Industrial battery operation and utilization in the presence of electrical load uncertainty using Bayesian decision theory. Journal of Energy Storage. Vol. 53, 105054. Published, 09/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2022.105054
  • Jacob Immonen & Kody M Powell (2022). Dynamic optimization with flexible heat integration of a solar parabolic trough collector plant with thermal energy storage used for industrial process heat. Energy Conversion and Management. Vol. 267, 115921. Published, 09/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2022.115921
  • Aaron Bame, Joseph Furner, Ian Hoag, Kasra Mohammadi, Kody Powell & Brian Iverson (2022). Optimization of solar-coal hybridization for low solar augmentation. Applied Energy. Vol. 319, 119225. Published, 08/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.119225
  • Derek Machalek, Jake Tuttle, Klas Andersson & Kody M Powell (2022). Dynamic energy system modeling using hybrid physics-based and machine learning encoder–decoder models. Energy and AI. Vol. 9, 100172. Published, 08/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyai.2022.100172
  • Kasra Mohammadi, Jacob Immonen, Landen D Blackburn, Jacob F Tuttle, Klas Andersson & Kody M Powell (2022). A review on the application of machine learning for combustion in power generation applications. Reviews in Chemical Engineering. Published, 08/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.1515/revce-2021-0107
  • An Ho, Daniel Hill, John Hedengren & Kody M Powell (2022). A nuclear‑hydrogen hybrid energy system with large-scale storage: A study in optimal dispatch and economic performance in a real-world market. Journal of Energy Storage. Vol. 51, 104510. Published, 07/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2022.104510
  • Landen D Blackburn, Jacob F Tuttle, Klas Andersson, Andrew Fry & Kody M Powell (2022). Development of novel dynamic machine learning-based optimization of a coal-fired power plant. Computers & Chemical Engineering. Vol. 163, 107848. Published, 07/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compchemeng.2022.107848
  • Kevin Ellingwood (2022). Thermoeconomic analysis of flexible heat integration in concentrated solar power plants Relative to geographical location. AIP Conference Proceedings. Vol. 1, 030006. Published, 05/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0086318
  • Kasra Mohammadi & Kody M Powell (2022). Proposal and assessment of a novel multigeneration system based on a supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle driven by a solar power tower plant. AIP Conference Proceedings. Vol. 1, 030016. Published, 05/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0089228
  • Wenlong Liao, Yusen Wang, Yuelong Wang, Kody M Powell, Qi Liu & Zhe Yang (2022). Scenario generation for cooling, heating, and power loads using generative moment matching networks. CSEE Journal of Power and Energy Systems. Vol. 8, 1730-1740. Published, 05/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.17775/CSEEJPES.2021.00680
  • Jacob Immonen, Kasra Mohammadi & Kody M Powell (2022). Simulating a solar parabolic trough collector plant used for industrial process heat using an optimized operating scheme that utilizes flexible heat integration. Solar Energy. Vol. 236, 756-771. Published, 04/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2022.03.044
  • Yunzhi Chen, Blake Billings, Sammy Partridge, Brittany Pruneau & Kody M Powell (2022). Grid-Responsive Smart Manufacturing: Can the Manufacturing Sector Help Incorporate Renewables?. IFAC-PapersOnline. Vol. 55, 637-642. Published, 01/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2022.09.473
  • Ethan Gallup, Titus Quah, Derek Machalek & Kody M Powell (2022). Enhancing Fault Detection with Clustering and Covariance Analysis. IFAC-PapersOnline. Vol. 55, 258-263. Published, 01/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2022.04.203
  • Zachariah Steven Baird, Dmitri Neshumayev, Oliver Järvik & Kody M. Powell (2021). Comparison of the most likely low-emission electricity production systems in Estonia. PLOS ONE. Vol. 16(12). Published, 12/30/2021.
    https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261780
  • NS Gates, Daniel C Hill, Blake W Billings, Kody M Powell & John D Hedengren (2021). Benchmarks for Grid Energy Management with Python Gekko. 2021 60th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC). Vol. 60. Published, 12/14/2021.
    https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9683…
  • Derek Machalek, Titus Quah & Kody M Powell (2021). A novel implicit hybrid machine learning model and its application for reinforcement learning. Computers & Chemical Engineering. Vol. 155. Published, 12/01/2021.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compchemeng.2021.107496
  • Anne Dougherty, Blake Billings, Nestor Camacho & Kody Powell (2021). Improving the economics of battery storage for industrial customers: Are incentives enough to increase adoption?. The Electricity Journal. Vol. 34(9). Published, 11/01/2021.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tej.2021.107027
  • Kasra Mohammadi & Kody M Powell (2021). Thermoeconomic Evaluation and Optimization of Using Different Environmentally Friendly Refrigerant Pairs for a Dual-Evaporator Cascade Refrigeration System. Processes. Vol. 9(10). Published, 10/01/2021.
    https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9101855
  • Derek Machalek, Kasra Mohammadi & Kody M Powell (2021). State-by-State comparison of combined heat and power to photovoltaic installations at manufacturing facilities with heat and power loads. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. Vol. 47. Published, 10/01/2021.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2021.101502
  • Kasra Mohammadi, Saber Khanmohammadi, Jake Immonen & Kody Powell (2021). Techno-economic analysis and environmental benefits of solar industrial process heating based on parabolic trough collectors. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. Vol. 47. Published, 10/01/2021.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2021.101412
  • An Ho, Kasra Mohammadi, Matthew Memmott, John Hedengren & Kody M Powell (2021). Dynamic simulation of a novel nuclear hybrid energy system with large-scale hydrogen storage in an underground salt cavern. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. Vol. 46(61). Published, 09/03/2021.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.07.027
  • Kody M Powell & Kasra Mohammadi (2021). Modeling, Control, and Optimization of Multi-Generation and Hybrid Energy Systems. Vol. 9(7). Processes. Published, 07/01/2021.
    https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9071125
  • Jacob F Tuttle, Landen D Blackburn, Klas Andersson & Kody M Powell (2021). A systematic comparison of machine learning methods for modeling of dynamic processes applied to combustion emission rate modeling. Applied Energy. Vol. 292. Published, 06/15/2021.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.116886
  • Kasra Mohammadi, Jon G McGowan & Kody Powell (2021). Thermoeconomic analysis of a multigeneration system using waste heat from a triple power cycle. Applied Thermal Engineering. Vol. 190. Published, 05/25/2021.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2021.1167…
  • Powell B.K.M., Machalek D. & Quah T. (2020). Real-time optimization using reinforcement learning. Computers and Chemical Engineering. Vol. 143. Published, 12/05/2020.
  • Derek Machalek, Moriah Henning, Kasra Mohammadi & Kody M Powell (2020). Economic and environmental impacts of a non-traditional combined heat and power system for a discrete manufacturing facility. Journal of Cleaner Production. Vol. 265, 121816. Published, 08/20/2020.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/…
  • Derek Machalek, Titus Quah & Kody M Powell (2020). Dynamic Economic Optimization of a Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor Using Reinforcement Learning. Proceedings of the 2020 American Control Conference. 2955-2960. Published, 07/01/2020.
    https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9147…
  • Kasra Mohammadi, Saber Khanmohammadi, Hossein Khorasanizadeh & Kody Powell (2020). A comprehensive review of solar only and hybrid solar driven multigeneration systems: Classifications, benefits, design and prospective. (pp. 114940). Vol. 268. Applied Energy. Published, 06/15/2020.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/…
  • Mohammad Saghafifar, Kasra Mohammadi & Kody Powell (2020). Design and analysis of a dual-receiver direct steam generator solar power tower plant with a flexible heliostat field. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. Vol. 39, 100698. Published, 06/01/2020.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/…
  • Kasra Mohammadi, Yazhou Jiang, Soheyl Borjian & Kody Powell (2020). Thermo-economic assessment and optimization of a hybrid triple effect absorption chiller and compressor. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. Vol. 38, 100652. Published, 04/01/2020.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/…
  • P. Brimley, D. Machalek & K.M. Powell (2019). Smart Scheduling of a Batch Manufacturer’s Operations by Utilization of a Genetic Algorithm to Minimize Electrical Demand . Smart and Sustainable Manufacturing Systems. Vol. 3. Published, 11/14/2019.
  • Futures Issue of AIChE Journal Honoree. AIChE, 11/2022
  • Green Business Award. Utah Business Magazine, 10/2022
  • Patriot Award. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, 01/22/2019
  • Excellence in Applied Energy Engineering Research . U.S. Department of Energy – Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 12/12/2018
  • Recognized as being a top-rated graduate instructor for Spring 2017. University of Utah College of Engineering, 08/29/2017
  • Excellence in Applied Energy Engineering Research. U.S. Dept. of Energy, 06/22/2017
  • Faculty Recognition Award. University of Utah Career Services, 04/07/2017
  • Graduate Research Fellowship. National Science Foundation, 03/02/2009