We develop methods and tools to ensure that energy systems are operated efficiently, reliably, and can adapt to changing environments. This requires solving two challenges simultaneously: ensuring that current operations meet security needs while keeping electricity affordable, and planning for future needs under uncertainty. These challenges motivate the need for complex mathematical models and computational algorithms, including AI, to capture a wide range of system states and guide decisions, such as where to build new generators or transmission lines, that are both feasible and economically sound. Reliable access to electricity is fundamental to health, education, and economic opportunity, and remains unequal across the world. By advancing tools for energy transition, our work supports improved quality of life and energy access not only in advanced grids, but also in developing and underserved regions globally.
