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Energy and Environment Directorate

Amy Solana

Amy Solana

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Portland Office
620 SW FIFTH AVE, SUITE #810
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 417-7568

Biography

Amy Solana has been with PNNL since 2002, and has been located in the Portland office since 2004. She works primarily with DOD, analyzing potential for and supporting net zero energy, water, and waste; implementing renewable energy projects; and maximizing efficiency opportunities in buildings and across installations. Her work involves project implementation support, technical support, technical and economic analyses, on-site audits, project feasibility assessments, and project prioritization and planning.

Recently, she has combined her experience with energy, water, and waste to lead net zero efforts for the Army Reserve, including designing and implementing a net zero energy, water, and waste pilot program for Reserve Centers. Amy has worked with the Army and Air Force since 2008 conducting renewable energy assessments including the entire suite of renewable resources, but focusing on biomass and waste-to-energy technologies. She assisted the Logistics Innovation Agency in characterizing waste generated for potential use in waste-to-energy systems at contingency bases overseas. Prior to renewables work, she primarily audited and modeled buildings and installations to identify energy efficiency opportunities, using the Facility Energy Decision System (FEDS). Amy has developed water management plans for DOE sites, conducted water audits and analyzed water efficiency opportunities for DOE and DOD, and co-authored articles on water efficiency for the Encyclopedia of Energy Engineering. Amy also has experience with green building research and design, including greening construction specifications; Utility Energy Service Contracts (UESCs) and other efficiency project funding mechanisms; and emerging technologies.

Research Interests

  • Net zero energy, water, and waste
  • Renewable energy technology analysis and implementation
  • Biomass and waste-to-energy
  • Building energy auditing & modeling

Education and Credentials

  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
  • Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
  • Engineer in Training (EIT)

PNNL Publications

2024

2023

2021

  • Yonkofski C., G.D. Tartakovsky, Y. Feng, S.A. Loper, T.A. Yoder, and A.E. Solana. 2021. "Redefining Net-Zero Water for Resilient Aquifers." Journal AWWA 113, no. 3:52-64. PNNL-SA-155669. doi:10.1002/awwa.1691

2020

  • Newman S.F., K. Shiozawa, J.D. Follum, E.L. Barrett, T.C. Douville, T.D. Hardy, and A.E. Solana. 2020. "A Comparison of PV Resource Modeling for Sizing Microgrid Components." Renewable Energy 162. PNNL-SA-152891. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2020.08.074

2018

  • Solana A.E., E.M. Wendel, W.D. Chvala, and P. Wirt. 2018. "Making Progress toward Net Zero Sites in the Army Reserve through Analysis of Multiple Scenarios." In 2018 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, August 12-17, 2018, Pacific Grove, CA. Washington, District Of Columbia:American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. PNNL-SA-133223.

2016

2015

  • Solana A.E. 2015. "Army Reserve Expands Net Zero Energy, Water, Waste." Public Works Digest XXVII, no. 2:24-25. PNNL-SA-108649.

2014

  • Solana A.E., and A. Manning. 2014. "Army Reserve Net-Zero Initiative for Energy, Water and Waste." Army Aviation. PNNL-SA-101074.

2012

  • Dillon H.E., C.A. Antonopoulos, A.E. Solana, B.J. Russo, and J. Williams. 2012. "Could Building Energy Codes Mandate Rooftop Solar in the Future?." In ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, August 12-17, 2012, Pacific Grove, California. Washington, Dc:American Council of Energy-Efficient Economy. PNNL-SA-86350.

2008

  • Solana A.E., J.C. States, W.D. Chvala, M.R. Weimar, and D.R. Dixon. 2008. "Renewable Energy Opportunities for the Army." In Proceedings of the World Energy Engineering Congress. Lilburn, Georgia:Farmont Press Inc. PNNL-SA-61859.

2006

  • Elliott D.C., G.G. Neuenschwander, T.R. Hart, J. Hu, A.E. Solana, and C. Cao. 2006. "Hydrogenation of Bio-oil for Chemicals and Fuels Production." In Science in Thermal and Chemical Biomass Conversion, edited by AV Bridgwater and DGB Boocock, 2, 1536-1546. Speen:CPL Press. PNNL-SA-41416.
  • Mcmordie K., and A.E. Solana. 2006. "Update of Market Assessment for Capturing Water Conservation Opportunities in the Federal Sector." In American Water Works Association 2006 Annual Conference and Exposition, Paper no. AWWA ACE63148. Denver, Colorado:American Water Works Association. PNNL-SA-49125.
  • Solana A.E., and G.P. Sullivan. 2006. "SERO sites use prioritization tool to meet metering requirements." Public Works Digest XVIII, no. 5:16-17. PNNL-SA-51478.
  • Solana A.E., and K. Mcmordie. 2006. "Water Management Planning: A Case Study at Blue Grass Army Depot." In American Water Works Association Annual Conference and Exhibition 2006 Conference Proceedings, Paper No.: ACE63006. Denver, Colorado:American Water Works Association. PNNL-SA-49356.
  • Solana A.E., and K. Mcmordie. 2006. "Water-Using Equipment: Commercial and Industrial." In Encyclopedia of Energy Engineering and Technology, edited by BL Capehart. Boca Raton, Florida:CRC PRess. PNNL-SA-48194.
  • Solana A.E., and K. Mcmordie. 2006. "Water-Using Equipment: Domestic." In Encyclopedia of Energy Engineering and Technology, edited by BL Capehart. 1596-1606. Boca Raton, Florida:CRC Press. PNNL-SA-48185.

2005

  • Mcmordie K., A.E. Solana, D.J. Bates, and W.F. Sandusky. 2005. "Analysis of Energy Savings in the Federal Sector through Utilities Service Programs." Strategic Planning for Energy and the Environment 25, no. 4:12-38. PNNL-SA-44075.
  • Solana A.E. 2005. "FEDS: a Building Model Used to Predict Retrofit Project Energy Savings and “Meter” Energy Consumption." In World Energy and Engineering Congress (WEEC) 2005 proceedings, September 14-16, 2005, Austin, Texas, 6 pages. Atlanta, Georgia:Association of Energy Engineers. PNNL-SA-46186.

Energy and Environment

Core Research Areas

Contacts