Wenqin Li
Energy System and Policy Analyst, Computational Engineering Divisionn
Engineering Directorate
Contact: 925-423-7240 | li76 [at] llnl.gov (li76[at]llnl[dot]gov)
Education and Professional Experience
BS in Vehicle Engineering, China Agricultural University, 2013
PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2018
Professional Interests
Wenqin is a systems analysis engineer specializing in improving system efficiency and evaluating the economic and environmental feasibility of technologies critical to the global energy transition and climate change. With expertise in techno-economic analysis, life cycle assessment, and integrated process modeling, she leads interdisciplinary efforts to help translate early-stage innovations into scalable, real-world solutions. She has led multiple DOE-funded projects assessing biomass conversion, carbon capture, and CO₂ utilization technologies, shaping their deployment strategies and long-term viability. She is a co-author of LLNL’s landmark reports, Getting to Neutral and Roads to Removal, which outline California’s and the nation’s pathways to net-zero emissions through carbon removal. Her work bridges the gap between research, policy, investment decision-making, and market adoption, advancing systems-based approaches that guide technology scale-up and deployment.
