Staff Testimonial

Marianna Russo

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Energy, Environment and Infrastructure

I joined the ESRI as a postdoc research fellow in energy economics in January 2017, after completing my PhD in finance at Cass Business School – City, University of London, UK. Prior to beginning my PhD, I worked as a senior energy analyst in the studies and research department at Eni, an Italian multinational oil and gas company headquartered in Rome. My contributions included, among others, energy demand and price forecasting.

My academic work combines energy economics and applied econometrics. At the ESRI, I have been given the opportunity to expand my research interests, blending quantitative finance and risk analysis with energy market design and integration between energy and financial markets. My research covers different topics analysing and designing interdependencies and interactions in evolving energy systems to enhance decision-making in those systems.

During my experience at the ESRI, I have been involved in cutting-edge research projects, inspired by an international and vibrant team of researchers across multiple disciplines. I was initially involved in the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) strategic research cluster (SRC) Sustainable Electrical Energy Systems (SEES). The goal of the project was to investigate the technical and socio-economic requirements involved in creating flexible and integrated sustainable electrical energy systems. I then gained exposure to the Energy and Policy Research Centre (EPRC) project within the area of energy market design and regulation. This project has given me the opportunity to meet with and advise policymakers and multiple stakeholders.

The ESRI promotes both independent and team-oriented research, offering the opportunity to engage in international networks and collaborations. Personal initiative is encouraged and supported to create knowledge that fosters policy-relevant thinking, both on a national and international level. I am currently working on projects in collaboration with University College Dublin, Cass Business School, the German Aerospace Center, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and Penn State University. Overall, these projects aim to assess alternative electricity market designs to manage the challenges and uncertainties associated with increasing renewable energy penetration.

The ESRI has helped me to thrive in a dynamic and interconnected environment. A typical day can span from data search and modelling, seminars and workshops, brainstorming and calling colleagues, meetings with stakeholders and policymakers, or one of the many amazing activities organised by our Sport & Social Committee. ESRI is a unique place where knowledge, passion and community perfectly blend in a friendly and rewarding environment.