Ellen Carlson

Ellen Carlson joined Synapse in 2022. She performs research and analysis—both quantitative and qualitative—on topics such as energy efficiency, building decarbonization, the future of natural gas, and energy justice. 

She has provided support and analysis on gas utility planning in Oregon, Colorado, and Hawaii, building decarbonization initiatives in Colorado and Maryland, gas sector emissions in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and solar siting geospatial analysis in Massachusetts. She has also engaged in research and support regarding energy justice and low-income energy efficiency in Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, and Maine. This includes forthcoming national guidance on distributional equity analyses for energy efficiency and other distributed energy resources. 

Prior to joining Synapse, Ms. Carlson worked at NREL’s Cold Climate Housing Research Center on Thermalize Juneau, Alaska’s first Thermalize campaign. There, she analyzed expected participant economic and energy outcomes from heat pump installation and facilitated campaign outreach and implementation. Other previous experience includes work on wall moisture resilience in remote Alaska and building energy simulation.

Ellen holds a B.S. in Physics and Growth and Structure of Cities from Haverford College.