Bio

Edgar Virgüez is an energy systems engineer and geographer who investigates net-zero emissions energy systems. Currently, he works as a Research Engineer at the Energy Science & Engineering Department at Stanford University. His research findings (>20 papers) have been published in top-tier journals like Energy & Environmental Science and Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T), obtaining more than 600 citations. He has participated in nineteen research/consultancy projects with a total budget of USD >25 million, working with organizations such as the U.S. Department of Energy, the World Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank. As part of these projects, he has directed life-cycle assessments and cost-benefit analyses of integrating new fuels into energy markets, designed decarbonization strategies for local governments, and assessed the benefits of transitioning into net-zero emissions energy systems.

Dr. Virgüez has been recognized as a global expert in energy systems, appointed: a) to the Expert Advisory Panel of the Earthshot Prize (a prestigious international award founded by Prince William of Gales, awarding more than 6.25 million USD annually), b) as an Expert Reviewer of the Schmidt Sciences Decarbonization and Energy Virtual Institute (DEVI) (awarding multiple grants for up to 10 million USD), c) as one of the seven inaugural Executive Editorial Board Members of the Environmental Research: Energy journal, and d) as an Editorial Board Member of the Scientific Reports journal (Nature Portfolio). Similarly, he serves as a peer reviewer for 13 journals (e.g., ES&T, Nature Sustainability).

He has developed as a next-generation pedagogue, teaching 16 courses, serving more than 560 students, and achieving high ratings from his students. For his contributions and exemplary promise as a higher education leader, he has received several professional honors (total amount of professional awards USD 33,365). In 2020, he was selected as one of the seven recipients of the K. Patricia Cross Future Leader Award by the Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U), identified as a rising star from a 200-nominee pool from 118 institutions in the United States. In 2022, his research contributions were recognized with the Best Paper Award from the Energy and Environment Group of the American Association of Geographers and the U.S. Carbon Program Leadership Award from the Carbon Cycle Science Program & North American Carbon Program.

At Duke University, where he conducted graduate studies, he received several of the most prestigious awards for graduate students, including the 2021 Graduate School Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (<0.1% of doctoral students) and the 2021 Forever Duke Student Leadership Award (<0.5% of graduating students). In 2022, he was selected as a board member (Young Trustee) of Duke University’s highest governing body, the Board of Trustees. Dr. Virgüez was appointed from 2022 to 2025.

His solid knowledge base arises from his academic formation. At Duke University, he completed a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences and Policy with a Certificate in College Teaching (’22) and an M.A. in Environment (Energy and Environment) with a Geospatial Analysis Certificate (’18). At Universidad de los Andes, he obtained an M.Sc. in Environmental Engineering (’10), a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering (’09), and a B.Sc. Environmental Engineering (’09). Additionally, he has strengthened his transferable skills by participating in professional certificate programs in Australia, the United States, and Colombia. Acknowledging his academic excellence and research contributions, he has been awarded scholarships and fellowships for more than USD 795,000 from competitive national and international programs sponsored by institutions such as the Sloan Foundation and Procter & Gamble (P&G).

Academic Appointments

  • Research Engineer, Energy Science & Engineering

Honors & Awards

  • Best Student Paper Award (Energy and Environment Specialty Group), American Association of Geographers (2022)
  • U.S. Carbon Program Leadership Award, U.S. Carbon Cycle Science Program & North American Carbon Program (2022)
  • LatinX Awards: Excellence in Activism Award, Duke University (2022)
  • Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (<0.1% of Duke University’s Ph.D. students), Duke University Graduate School (2021)
  • Forever Duke Student Leadership Award (<0.5% of Duke University Class of 2021), Duke University & Duke Alumni Association. (2021)
  • Chron15: 15 leaders, pioneers, and icons at Duke University, Duke University Chronicle (2021)
  • International Awards Program: Graduate/Professional Academic Wizard of the Year, Duke University International House (2021)
  • Advancing Diversity and Inclusion Award (Energy and Environment Specialty Group), American Association of Geographers (2021)
  • K. Patricia Cross Future Leader Award, Association of American Colleges and Universities (2020)
  • Australia Awards International Fellow, Australia’s Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (2015)
  • Procter & Gamble’s Prestige Award, Procter & Gamble (P&G) Colombia (2008)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

  • Trustee (Board Member), Duke University (2022 - Present)
  • Expert Advisory Panel, Earthshot Prize (2024 - Present)
  • Executive Editorial Board Member, Environmental Research: Energy (2023 - Present)
  • Future Leaders Society Advisory Committee, American Association of Colleges and Universities (2022 - 2023)

Professional Education

  • Ph.D., Duke University, Environmental Sciences and Policy (2022)
  • Certificate, Duke University, College Teaching (2022)
  • M.A., Duke University, Energy & Environment (2018)
  • Certificate, Duke University, Geospatial Analysis (2018)
  • M.Sc., Universidad de los Andes, Environmental Engineering (2010)
  • B.Sc., Universidad de los Andes, Chemical Engineering & Environmental Engineering (double major) (2009)

Service, Volunteer and Community Work

  • Board of Trustees, Duke University (July 1, 2022 - Present)

    Selected as a board member (Young Trustee) of Duke University’s highest governing body, the Board of Trustees. Recognized as an individual of outstanding character, ability, and vision from the current ~10,000 graduate and professional student body and ~8,000 graduate or professional alums of Duke’s Class of 2021 and 2022. Identified as an emerging leader with the qualities necessary to act as a university fiduciary responsible for procuring Duke’s long-term health, overseeing and aligning its strategic direction, educational policy, finances, and operations with its mission. Duke University Board of Trustees.

    Location

    Durham, NC

  • Executive Editorial Board Member, Environmental Research: Energy (June 1, 2023 - Present)

    One of the seven members appointed to the Executive Editorial Board for the Environmental Research: Energy journal. Recognized as a prominent scientist in the energy field, tasked with giving the journal its scientific authority, providing the publishing team with intelligence on the latest scientific and technological developments, and advocating for the journal within scientific communities. Institute of Physics (IOP) Publishing.

    Location

    Palo Alto

  • Expert Advisory Panel, Earthshot Prize (February 1, 2024 - Present)

    Member of the Expert Advisory Panel for the Earthshot Prize. Recognized as an experienced, reputable professional from across the globe tasked with reviewing Earthshot nominations for their impact potential, uniqueness, and innovation. The Earthshot Prize, led by Prince William of Wales, annually selects five winners across five categories (nature, air, oceans, waste-free world, & climate), awarding $6.25 million ($1.25 million per category) as a catalyzer to help scale their proposed solutions. Earthshot Prize.

    Location

    Wales

Contact

  • Academic
    evirguez@stanford.edu
    University - Academic staff Department: Energy Science & Engineering Position: Research Engineer

Additional Info

Links

All Publications

  • Planning reliable wind- and solar-based electricity systems ADVANCES IN APPLIED ENERGY Ruggles, T. H., Virguez, E., Reich, N., Dowling, J., Bloomfield, H., Antonini, E. A., Davis, S. J., Lewis, N. S., Caldeira, K. 2024; 15

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.adapen.2024.100185

    View details for Web of Science ID 001301508100001

  • The Influence of Regional Geophysical Resource Variability on the Value of Single- and Multistorage Technology Portfolios. Environmental science & technology Li, A. X., Virguez, E., Dowling, J. A., Wongel, A., Covelli, D., Ruggles, T. H., Reich, N., Lewis, N. S., Caldeira, K. 2024

    Abstract

    A stylized macro-scale energy model of least-cost electricity systems relying only on wind and solar generation was used to assess the value of different storage technologies, individually and combined, for the contiguous U.S. as well as for four geographically diverse U.S. load-balancing regions. For the contiguous U.S. system, at current costs, when only one storage technology was deployed, hydrogen energy storage produced the lowest system costs, due to its energy-capacity costs being the lowest of all storage technologies modeled. Additional hypothetical storage technologies were more cost-competitive than hydrogen (long-duration storage) only at very low energy-capacity costs, but they were more cost-competitive than Li-ion batteries (short-duration storage) at relatively high energy- and power-capacity costs. In all load-balancing regions investigated, the least-cost systems that included long-duration storage had sufficient energy and power capacity to also meet short-duration energy and power storage needs, so that the addition of short-duration storage as a second storage technology did not markedly reduce total system costs. Thus, in electricity systems that rely on wind and solar generation, contingent on social and geographic constraints, long-duration storage may cost-effectively provide the services that would otherwise be provided by shorter-duration storage technologies.

    View details for DOI 10.1021/acs.est.3c10188

    View details for PubMedID 39007544

  • The climate sciences need representation from the Global South ONE EARTH Virguz, E., Leon, L., Freese, L. M. 2024; 7 (3): 370-373

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.oneear.2024.01.016

    View details for Web of Science ID 001290886900001

  • How I balanced my Ph.D. research with opening doors for others Science Virguez, E. 2022; 662: 376

    View details for DOI 10.1126/science.abq8440

  • High-resolution data shows China's wind and solar energy resources are enough to support a 2050 decarbonized electricity system APPLIED ENERGY Li, M., Virguez, E., Shan, R., Tian, J., Gao, S., Patino-Echeverri, D. 2022; 306

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117996

    View details for Web of Science ID 000709734400004

  • Utility-scale photovoltaics and storage: Decarbonizing and reducing greenhouse gases abatement costs APPLIED ENERGY Virguez, E., Wang, X., Patino-Echeverri, D. 2021; 282

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.116120

    View details for Web of Science ID 000599655100006

  • Renewable energy quality trilemma and coincident wind and solar droughts COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT Li, M., Ma, Q., Shan, R., Abdulla, A., Virguez, E., Gao, S., Patino-Echeverri, D. 2024; 5 (1)

    View details for DOI 10.1038/s43247-024-01850-5

    View details for Web of Science ID 001348910100002

  • Oahu as a case study for island electricity systems relying on wind and solar generation instead of imported petroleum fuels APPLIED ENERGY Covelli, D., Virgueez, E., Caldeira, K., Lewis, N. S. 2024; 375

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.124054

    View details for Web of Science ID 001291274100001

  • Preventing bad behavior in academia. Science (New York, N.Y.) da Cruz Albino, R., Brimble, M. A., Zdenek, C., Vandenbroeck, K., Masud, S., Zhang, X., Cosentino, M., Gupta, A., Abdul-Ghani, R., Gerarduzzi, C., Jackson, P., Oomen, R., Servais, B., Manjunatha, A., Bulthuis, N., Romero-Molina, C., Teng, D., Kosanic, A., de Angeli Dutra, D., Alekkou, D., Venturini, A. M., Virguez, E., Obasa, A. E. 2024; 385 (6704): 22-24

    Abstract

    We gave young scientists this prompt: Describe one change to scientific policy or culture that would substantially decrease incidents of scientific misconduct or other unethical behavior.

    View details for DOI 10.1126/science.adr0734

    View details for PubMedID 38963843

  • Identification of reliable locations for wind power generation through a global analysis of wind droughts COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT Antonini, E. A., Virguez, E., Ashfaq, S., Duan, L., Ruggles, T. H., Caldeira, K. 2024; 5 (1)

    View details for DOI 10.1038/s43247-024-01260-7

    View details for Web of Science ID 001178129600002

  • The role of dispatchability in China's power system decarbonization ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Li, M., Shan, R., Abdulla, A., Virguez, E., Gao, S. 2024; 17 (6): 2193-2205

    View details for DOI 10.1039/d3ee04293f

    View details for Web of Science ID 001162871100001

  • Changing outdated expectations. Science (New York, N.Y.) Singh, G., Teng, D., Turki, H., Bouchard, L., Chen, Y., Chugh, M., Wen, J., Chen, E. Y., Bezerra, P., Wu, L., Huang, J., Wen, Q., Hartzell, C., Stroup, B., Klinger, M., Perez, E. C., Virguez, E., Kirshner, S. N., Xu, C., Sharma, V. 2024; 383 (6678): 24-26

    View details for DOI 10.1126/science.adn4211

    View details for PubMedID 38175880

  • Reframing international students’ success: Institutional responsibility for international student wellbeing and belongingness Supporting College Students of Immigrant Origin: New Insights from Research, Policy, and Practice Suresh, M., Wagnon, J., Hall, T., Campos, R., Wakio, S., Virguez, E., Sperling, J. Cambridge University Press. 2024; 1: 332-351

    View details for DOI 10.1017/9781009408240.020

  • Copy-and-paste fixes can’t decarbonize Global South cities Nature Cities Virguez, E. 2024; 1 (8): 492-493
  • Disproportionate energy disruptions afflicted rural Hispanic households during winter storm Uri Environmental Research: Energy Kumar, A., Ruggles, T., Virguez, E. 2024

    View details for DOI 10.10188/2753-3751/ad6a1d

  • Opportunities and constraints of hydrogen energy storage systems Environmental Research: Energy Dowling, J., Ruggles, T., Virguez, E., et al 2024; 1 (3)

    View details for DOI 10.1088/2753-3751/ad58e5

  • Low-carbon transition pathways of power systems for Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau region in China ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Liu, Z., Li, M., Virguez, E., Xie, X. 2024; 17 (1): 307-322

    View details for DOI 10.1039/d3ee02181e

    View details for Web of Science ID 001112655400001

  • Move up or move over: mapping opportunities for climate adaptation in Pakistan's Indus plains ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS Schmitt, R. P., Virguez, E., Ashfaq, S., Caldeira, K. 2023; 18 (11)

    View details for DOI 10.1088/1748-9326/acfc59

    View details for Web of Science ID 001087014100001

  • NextGen Voices: Historic introductions. Science (New York, N.Y.) Bismuth, K., Sharma, V., Powell, J. R., Tang, H., Cao, B., Huang, J., Patel, R. J., Bezerra, P., Zhang, X., Wen, Q., Oda, F. S., Verstiuk, O., Khan, M. S., Virguez, E., Zhi, Y., Dedyo, J. M. 2023; 382 (6666): 28-30

    View details for DOI 10.1126/science.adk8769

    View details for PubMedID 37797006

  • AI in search of human help SCIENCE Heim, A., Bharani, T., Konstantinides, N., Powell, J., Srivastava, S., Cao, X., Agarwal, D., Waiho, K., Lin, T., Virgueez, E., Strielkowski, W., Uzonyi, A. 2023; 381 (6654): 162-163

    View details for DOI 10.1126/science.adi8740

    View details for Web of Science ID 001046573800011

    View details for PubMedID 37440643

  • The Effect of Down-Cascade Re-Regulation on Alleviating the Flow Regime Alteration Induced by an Up-Cascade Reservoir WATER Wang, Y., Wang, X., Virguez, E., Zheng, K., Hu, T., Mei, Y., Wang, H. 2023; 15 (12)

    View details for DOI 10.3390/w15122166

    View details for Web of Science ID 001017832000001

  • The future of scientific societies. Science (New York, N.Y.) da Silva, C. F., Virguez, E., Eker, S., Zdenek, C. N., Bergh, C., Gerarduzzi, C., Ge, Y., Klinger, M., Allareddy, V., Hoots, E., Henriquez, T., Waiho, K., D'Ippoliti, C., Al Harraq, A., Xu, H., Zou, J., Xia, Y., Abdul-Ghani, R., Chugh, M. 2023; 380 (6640): 30-32

    View details for DOI 10.1126/science.adh8182

    View details for PubMedID 37023192

  • Guiding the deployment of electric vehicles in the developing world ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS Dioha, M. O., Lukuyu, J., Virguez, E., Caldeira, K. 2022; 17 (7)

    View details for DOI 10.1088/1748-9326/ac765b

    View details for Web of Science ID 000810747600001

  • What I promised my mother. Science (New York, N.Y.) Virguez, E. 2022; 376 (6593): 662

    View details for DOI 10.1126/science.abq7831

    View details for PubMedID 35511994

  • Integrating wind and photovoltaic power with dual hydro-reservoir systems ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT Wang, X., Virguez, E., Mei, Y., Yao, H., Patino-Echeverri, D. 2022; 257

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.enconman.2022.115425

    View details for Web of Science ID 000819922400003

  • Energy storage reduces costs and emissions even without large penetration of renewable energy: The case of China Southern Power Grid ENERGY POLICY Li, M., Shan, R., Virguez, E., Patino-Echeverri, D., Gao, S., Ma, H. 2022; 161

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112711

    View details for Web of Science ID 000745081600007

  • Graduate student perspectives on transforming academia CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE Sykora-Bodie, S. T., Jones, J., Hastings, Z., Lombardi, E., Barnett, M., Davis, O. N., Ferrari, O. M., Polanco, V., Hofner, A. N., Hunter, B., Ippolito, T., Krantz, W., Neyra, O., Perez-Figueroa, O., Raub, K. B., Sou, J., Virguez, E., Waters, T., Whitten, J. 2022; 4 (1)

    View details for DOI 10.1111/csp2.556

    View details for Web of Science ID 000718789000001

  • Embracing the value of cultural wealth from underrepresented groups Teaching Gradually: Practical Pedagogy and Classroom Strategies for Graduate Students by Graduate Student Virguez, E. Stylus Publishing LLC. 2021: 190-196

    View details for DOI 10.4324/9781003447382-40

  • Clustering and dispatching hydro, wind, and photovoltaic power resources with multiobjective optimization of power generation fluctuations: A case study in southwestern China ENERGY Wang, X., Virguez, E., Xiao, W., Mei, Y., Patino-Echeverri, D., Wang, H. 2019; 189

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.energy.2019.116250

    View details for Web of Science ID 000504505700062

  • New Index for Runoff Variability Analysis in Rainfall Driven Rivers in Southeastern United States JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGIC ENGINEERING Wang, X., Virguez, E., Chen, L., Duan, K., Dong, Q., Ma, H., Mei, Y., Wang, H. 2019; 24 (12)

    View details for DOI 10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0001826

    View details for Web of Science ID 000497999000001

  • Integrating wind, photovoltaic, and large hydropower during the reservoir refilling period ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT Wang, X., Virguez, E., Kern, J., Chen, L., Mei, Y., Patino-Echeverri, D., Wang, H. 2019; 198

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.enconman.2019.111778

    View details for Web of Science ID 000491213400045

  • Abating carbon emissions by means of utility-scale photovoltaics and storage: The Duke Energy Progress/Carolinas case study Cigre Conference Virguez, E., Patino-Echeverri, D. FISE-IEEE. 2019: 1-6

    View details for DOI 10.1109/fisecigre48012.2019.8985012

  • Uncertainty of greenhouse gas emission models: A case in Colombias transport sector Valenzuela, M. M., Espinosa, M., Virguez, E. A., Behrentz, E., Ulengin, F., Li, K., Boltze, M. ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. 2017

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.trpro.2017.05.380

    View details for Web of Science ID 000404963804051

  • Influence of driving patterns on vehicle emissions: A case study for Latin American cities TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART D-TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT Rodriguez, R. A., Virguez, E. A., Rodriguez, P. A., Behrentz, E. 2016; 43: 192-206

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.trd.2015.12.008

    View details for Web of Science ID 000370889700017

  • On the assessment of marginal life saving costs for risk acceptance criteria STRUCTURAL SAFETY Fischer, K., Virguez, E., Sanchez-Silva, M., Faber, M. H. 2013; 44: 37-46

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.strusafe.2013.05.001

    View details for Web of Science ID 000329476800004

  • Supporting decisions on global health and life safety investments Faber, M. H., Virguez-Rodriguez, E., Faber, M. H., Kohler, J., Nishijima, K. CRC PRESS-TAYLOR & FRANCIS GROUP. 2011: 434-443

    View details for Web of Science ID 000392245600052

  • Defining guidelines for the application of the marginal life saving costs principle for risk regulation Fischer, K., Virguez-Rodriguez, E., Sanchez-Silva, M., Faber, M. H., Faber, M. H., Kohler, J., Nishijima, K. CRC PRESS-TAYLOR & FRANCIS GROUP. 2011: 444-451

    View details for Web of Science ID 000392245600053

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0732-9832