Research Group
Head of the Renewable Energy and Building Technology Research Group
Bio
Natasa Vulic is a Professor of Renewable Energy and Building Technology with a PhD in Electrical Engineering and a double major in Mechanical Engineering and Sustainability. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on sustainable decarbonization pathways for buildings, communities, and cities, considering the interplay between evolving energy demand, renewable energy supply, and interconnected energy systems. Her work explores how sector coupling and the integration of electricity, heating, cooling, mobility, and distributed energy resources can enable more efficient and resilient local energy systems. Combining techno-economic modeling with life-cycle and systems perspectives, she develops decision-making tools and strategies to identify solutions that balance energy performance, costs, emissions, and resource use. Her research aims to support the transition toward sustainable, low-carbon communities and cities.
Research Focus Areas
- Sustainable decarbonization of buildings, communities, and cities – Transformation pathways considering energy demand, renewable energy supply, costs, and emissions
- Integration of renewable energy – Sustainable integration of distributed generation and storage in buildings and communities, aligned with local energy demand
- Sector coupling, local multi-energy systems, and energy communities – Integration of electricity, heating, cooling, and mobility for efficient and resilient local energy systems
- Techno-economic and environmental assessment – Life-cycle-based analysis of costs, emissions, energy performance, and resource efficiency
- Resource-efficient photovoltaics – Sustainable planning, integration, operation, and reuse of PV systems
Education
PhD in Electrical Engineering
May 2019
Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Energy and Environment)
December 2012
Bachelor of Science in Sustainability (Sustainable Energy, Technology and Materials)
December 2012
Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
Research Experience
Professor of Renewable Energy and Building Technology
January 2025 – Present
Scientist, Laboratory for Urban Energy Systems
Empa, Switzerland
November 2022 – October 2024
Postdoctoral Researcher, Laboratory for Urban Energy Systems
Empa, Switzerland
November 2019 – October 2022
Research Associate, Solar Power Lab
Arizona State University, USA
January 2013 – May 2019
Visiting Researcher, Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland
September 2015 – August 2016
Visiting Researcher, School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering
University of New South Wales, Australia
June 2015 – August 2015