Michael researches how to reduce global and local environmental impacts of energy systems while making those systems robust to future climate impacts. He conducts system-level analyses to understand the deployment potential and operations of new technologies given the constraints and features of the larger systems in which they are embedded. Through system analysis, his research also illuminates how the operations and evolution of energy systems respond to new technologies and other factors, e.g. nonstationary environmental conditions induced by climate change. Michael frequently collaborates with economists, climate scientists, engineers, and other disciplines.