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Energy and Environment Directorate

Rajiv Prasad

Rajiv Prasad

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
PO Box 999
Richland, WA 99352
(509) 375-2096

Biography

Dr. Prasad has 20 years of experience in applying surface water hydrology concepts, developing conceptual and simulation models, assessing impacts of climate change, and applying simulation models to address issues related to flood hazard assessments, flood forecasting, water resources planning, and environmental analyses. He has led natural phenomena hazards analyses’ reviews and contributed to environmental impact assessments for new and operating commercial nuclear power reactors for the last 15 years. Dr. Prasad led the revision of the hydrologic engineering safety review guidance including those for precipitation and riverine flooding, dam breach flooding, tsunamis, storm surges, and channel diversions. He also led the development of technical bases to update guidance for nuclear power plant applicants, review of tsunami hazards at nuclear power plants, and perform probabilistic flood hazard analyses. Dr. Prasad led a team of PNNL staff that performed the reviews of post-Fukushima Near-Term Task Force recommended reevaluated flood hazards and flooding walkdowns at operating nuclear power plants. Dr. Prasad led a team of interdisciplinary PNNL scientists in compiling a report describing the effects of environmental conditions on human performance for manual actions related to flood protection and mitigation.

Currently, Dr. Prasad is leading the development of a probabilistic flood hazard assessment methodology tailored after the well-established Senior Seismic Hazard Analysis Committee process for probabilistic seismic hazard analyses. He is also developing an ecosystem services simulation-valuation framework for the U.S. Department of Defense to assist in improved land management at DoD installations.

Research Interests

  • Distributed hydrologic modeling
  • Scaling in hydrology
  • Multi-scale modeling of hydrologic systems
  • Ensemble streamflow forecasting
  • Climate change diagnosis
  • Impacts of climate change on water resources systems
  • Integrated operations of water and energy systems
  • Evaluation of flooding hazards for nuclear power plant sites

Education and Credentials

  • Ph.D., Civil and Environmental Engineering, Utah State University, Logan, Utah (2001)
  • M.S., Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India (1992)
  • B.S., Engineering, Regional Engineering College, Durgapur, India (1990)

Affiliations and Professional Service

  • American Geophysical Union
  • Review Editor, Frontiers Media SA

Awards and Recognitions

  • 2007, 2011, 2012 – Outstanding Performance Award

PNNL Publications

2024

  • Jefferson B.A., G.A. Coles, J.A. Baweja, Y.J. Chang, and R. Prasad. 2024. "Estimating the Contributions to Human Error Probability from the Convolution of the Distribution of Time Available and Time Required." In Proceedings of the 18th International Probabilistic Safety Assessment and Analysis (PSA 2023), July 15-20, 2023, Knoxville, TN, 82-91. Westmont, Illinois:American Nuclear Society. PNNL-SA-182689.

2021

  • McDowell N.G., Z. Tan, M.D. Hurteau, and R. Prasad. 2021. "Trade-offs of forest management scenarios on forest carbon exchange and threatened and endangered species habitat." Ecosphere 12, no. 10:Art. No. e03779. PNNL-SA-167413. doi:10.1002/ecs2.3779

2017

  • Coles G.A., A.C. Dalton, K.M. Branch, R. Prasad, N.P. Kohn, and A.C. Bittner. 2017. "Framework for Evaluating the Impact of Environmental Conditions on Manual Actions." In Advances in Human Factors in Energy: Oil, Gas, Nuclear and Electric Power Industries: Proceedings of the AHFE 2016 International Conference on Human Factors in Energy: Oil, Gas, Nuclear and Electric Power Industries, July 27-31, 2016, Orlando, Florida, edited by SM Cetiner, P Fechtelkotter and M Legatt, 495, 157-169. Cham:Springer International Publishing. PNNL-SA-116565. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-41950-3_14

2007

  • Wigmosta M.S., M.K. Gill, A.M. Coleman, R. Prasad, and L.W. Vail. 2007. "A Distributed Modeling System for Short-Term to Seasonal Ensemble Streamflow Forecasting in Snowmelt Dominated Basins." In Proceedings of the 75th Annual Western Snow Conference, April 16-19, 2007, Kona, HI, edited by R Julander, 187-194. Soda Springs, California:Western Snow Conference. PNNL-SA-56074.

2006

  • Wigmosta M.S., and R. Prasad. 2006. "Upscaling and Downscaling - Dynamic Models." In Encyclopedia of Hydrological Sciences, edited by MG Anderson, et al. Hoboken, New Jersey:John Wiley & Sons. PNNL-SA-44511. doi:10.1002/0470848944.hsa010

Energy and Environment

Core Research Areas

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