Erna Grelle

Erna Grelle is a principal energy systems analyst in the Energy Systems and Infrastructure Analysis (ESIA) Division at Argonne National Laboratory. Erna manages a number of research projects supporting upstream energy systems safety, reliability, and sustainability. This research area supports oil and gas, offshore renewables, marine nuclear energy, and carbon dioxide transport and storage industry and regulatory stakeholders in upholding and improving safety and equipment reliability through analytical and experimental studies. It also plays a key role in determining pathways for sustainable growth while minimizing the environmental footprint. 

Additionally, Erna supports international nuclear safety programs, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of International Nuclear Energy Policy and Cooperation. These programs focus on improving safety and reliability at post-Soviet civilian nuclear energy facilities, where her assistance has led to operational improvements at power plants in Ukraine and Armenia.

Erna was a 2020 participant of Argonne’s Launchpad program, a merit-based program designed to facilitate the professional development of early and mid-career research and development staff through enhanced coaching, mentorship, and support, while providing assistance in developing a proposed area of research.

A native of Tbilisi, Georgia, Erna is fluent in the Georgian, Armenian, and Russian languages. Erna received a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in public policy and economics from Northwestern University, with a focus on global economic policy. Passionate for teaching, Erna is also an adjunct instructor of the Statistics for Research graduate course at Northwestern University.