JUWAN HA
Ph.D. in Design, North Carolina State University
jha4 [at] ncsu.edu
Bio
I am a Ph.D. student in the Building Energy Technology Laboratory (BETlab) within the Ph.D. in Design Program at North Carolina State University (NC STATE), advised by Dr. Soolyeon Cho. I served as the 2024–2025 President of the NC STATE Chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). I was a Fellow in both the 2024 KIETS Climate Leaders Program and 2025 Sustainable Futures Fellows, contributing to interdisciplinary leadership teams that develop solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. I am also the Principal Investigator (PI) of the 2024–2025 Next-Generation Science & Technology (S&T) Leaders NET project, supported by the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST).
Outside of NC STATE, in the summer of 2025, I started a Ph.D. internship with the Electricity Infrastructure & Buildings Research Division at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Poplawski. There, I developed a Differentiable Predictive Control (DPC) framework for coordinated, occupancy-based supervisory control of lighting and HVAC systems, leveraging the Scientific Machine Learning library Neuromancer. In the summer of 2024, I also interned with the Building Technology & Urban Systems (BTUS) Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) under the mentorship of Dr. Donghun Kim, where I developed an AI-powered assistant leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs) to accelerate the deployment of low-cost Model Predictive Control (MPC) technology for Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings (GEBs).
I am deeply interested in implementing microgrids at the community-level using grid-edge resources such as Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings (GEBs) and Electric Vehicles (EVs). My research focuses on developing Multi Agent Reinforcement Learning (MARL) technology for building Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems by incorporating Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) such as Thermal Energy Storage (TES), Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Vehicle-to-Building (V2B), and Building Envelope as Virtual Batteries. This approach aims to enhance the energy flexibility of buildings, reducing peak loads. Also, I aim to develop technologies that support right-sizing decisions for DERs at the community level and improve resiliency, facilitating the implementation of microgrids within communities.
News
* Scroll for more- [08/08/25] Excited to be selected as the 2025 KSCEA Student of the Year, in recognition of my outstanding scholarly contributions to the field of civil, environmental, and architectural engineering.
- [06/17/25] Excited to be starting a Energy and Environment Internship Program (EEIP) PhD internship with the Electricity Infrastructure & Buildings Research at Pacific NorthWest National Laboratory (PNNL).
- [06/02/25] Awarded the Ph.D. in Design Travel Scholarship, College of Design, North Carolina State University.
- [06/01/25] Awarded the 2025 Travel Grant from the Korean-American Society of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineers (KSCEA).
- [05/13/25] Excited to be selected as the Next-Generation Science & Technology (S&T) Leaders NET at Korean Federation of Science & Technology Societies (KOFST).
- [05/02/25] Awarded the 2025-2026 ASHRAE Graduate Student Grant-in-Aid as one of 20 exemplary graduate students worldwide selected for outstanding research in ASHRAE related technologies. [Link] [Link]
- [04/10/25] I serve as a Task Force member for the International Energy Agency – Energy in Buildings and Communities Programme (IEA-EBC) Annex 96: Grid-Integrated Control of Buildings.
- [12/18/24] Excited to be selected as the 2025 Sustainable Futures Fellows. [Link]
- [11/07/24] Awarded the 2025 ASHRAE Student Activities Travel Grant for the Winter Conference in Orlando, FL, as one of five nationally selected student leaders and a Rising Star. [Link]
- [08/19/24] I am serving as the President of the ASHRAE Student Branch at NC State.
- [05/28/24] Excited to be selected as the Next-Generation Science & Technology (S&T) Leaders NET at Korean Federation of Science & Technology Societies (KOFST).
- [05/21/24] Excited to be starting a summer internship with the Building Technology & Urban Systems (BTUS) Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL).
- [12/18/23] Excited to be selected as the 2024 KIETS Climate Leaders Program Fellow [Link]
- [07/03/23] I was selected as a recipient of one of the 2023 FAEE Scholarships from the Foundation of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE).
- [05/11/22] I was awarded the University Graduate Fellowship for the 2022-23 academic year, which recognizes outstanding entering doctoral students at NC STATE.
- [03/18/22] I was awarded the Annual Best Paper Award by the Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS).
- [03/19/21] I was awarded the Annual Best Paper Award by the Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS).
- [11/20/20] I was awarded Best Paper Award of Fall Conference by the Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS).
- [11/10/20] I was awarded Young Pioneer Researcher Award by Gyeongsang National University.
- [04/24/20] I was awarded Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award by the Architectural Institute of Korea (AIK).
- [05/16/19] I was awarded Young Pioneer Researcher Award by Gyeongsang National University.
- [04/26/19] I was awarded the Annual Best Paper Award by the Architectural Institute of Korea (AIK).
Publications
Most recent publications on Google Scholar.
‡ indicates equal contribution.
Improving Energy and Data Efficiency in Factory Buildings: A Physics-Informed Neural Networks-Based Model Predictive Control (PINNs-Based MPC) Approach
Juwan Ha, S.M. Lee, Y. J. Kim, S.Y. Cho
2025 ASHRAE Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ, June 21 - 25, 2025
Development of Integrated Loop Control Algorithm for Improvement of Water-side Economizer Efficiency and Expansion
K.H. Kim, Y.J. Kim, Juwan Ha, Y.H. Song
International Journal of Refrigeration, Volume 177, September 2025, Pages 29-39
Development of the AI-tech assistant to transfer research outcome knowledge for accelerating low-cost MPC technology deployment
S.W. Ham, Juwan Ha, S.J. Lee, D.H. Kim
2025 ASHRAE Winter Conference, Orlando, FL, USA, February 10-12, 2025
Research on a Plan of Free Cooling Operation Control for the Efficiency Improvement of Water-side Economizer
Y.J. Kim, K.H. Kim, Juwan Ha, Y H. Song
Energies, 2024, 17(12), 2804.
Energy Saving Evaluation with Low Liquid to Gas Ratio Operation in HVAC&R system
Juwan Ha, Y.J. Kim, Y H. Song
Energies, 2022, 15, 7327
Energy Efficiency Analysis on Free Cooling Operation Mode with Water-side Economizer System in Data Center
Y.J. Kim, Juwan Ha, Y H. Song
Journal of KIAEBS, Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS), Feb.2022.
Development of Control Algorithm for Cooling Tower Low-Approach Temperature
Juwan Ha, Y.J. Kim, H.Y. Kim, Y H. Song
Journal of KIAEBS, Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS), Oct.2021.
Sensitivity Analysis and Bayesian MCMC based on Artificial Neural Network Surrogate Model for Input Variable Uncertainty Calibration
S.C. Park, Juwan Ha, K.S. Park, Y.H. Song
Journal of KIAEBS, Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS), Aug.2021.
Annual Best Paper
A Study on the Energy Reduction Measures of Data Centers through Chilled Water Temperature Control and Water-side Economizer
Y.J. Kim, Juwan Ha, K.S. Park, Y.H. Song
Energies, 2021, 14(12), 3575
A Study on the Cooling Performance of Water-side Economizer System on The Chilled Water Return-side Applying Partial Operation
Y.J. Kim, Juwan Ha, Y.H. Song
Autumn Conference for Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS), Chungju, Republic of Korea, Nov.2020.
Best Paper Award of Fall Conference
Energy Evaluation of Data Center with Low Cooling Water Temperature and Free Cooling
Y.J. Kim, Juwan Ha, K.S. Park, K.H. Lee, Y.H. Song
Journal of KIAEBS, Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS),Oct.2020.
Annual Best Paper
Verification of Low-temperature Condenser Water and Operation Time considering Climate Zones
Juwan Ha, Y.J. Kim, H.Y. Kim, Y.H. Song
Journal of KIAEBS, Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS), Jun.2020.
Verification of Thermal Environment and THI Prediction Equation of Hen House by Field Measurement and Model-based Simulation
Juwan Ha, H.H. Chang, K.J. Cha, Y.H. Song
Journal of KIAEBS, Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS), Apr.2020.
Annual Energy Consumption Cut-off with Cooling System Design Parameter Changes in Large Office Buildings
Juwan Ha, S.Y. Cho, H.Y. Kim, Y.H. Song
Energies, 2020, 13(8), 2034
A Study on Annual Cooling Energy Consumption Cut-off with Cooling Tower Control Change
Juwan Ha, K.S Park, H.Y. Kim, Y.H. Song
Journal of KIAEBS, Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS),Dec. 2019.
An Operation Status of Library Building using BEMS Data -Energy Performance Evaluation on Initial Stage of Completion-
S.C. Park, Juwan Ha, H.Y. Kim, Y.H. Song
Journal of KIAEBS, Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS),Dec.2018.
A Study of Zero Energy Building Verification with Measuring and Model-based Simulation in Exhibition Building
Juwan Ha, K.S Park, H.Y. Kim, Y.H. Song
ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH, Architectural Institute of Korea (AIK),Sep.2018.
Annual Best Paper
Improving Energy and Data Efficiency in Factory Buildings: A Physics-Informed Neural Networks-Based Model Predictive Control (PINNs-Based MPC) Approach
Juwan Ha, S.M. Lee, Y. J. Kim, S.Y. Cho
2025 ASHRAE Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ, June 21 - 25, 2025
Development of Integrated Loop Control Algorithm for Improvement of Water-side Economizer Efficiency and Expansion
K.H. Kim, Y.J. Kim, Juwan Ha, Y.H. Song
International Journal of Refrigeration, Volume 177, September 2025, Pages 29-39
Development of the AI-tech assistant to transfer research outcome knowledge for accelerating low-cost MPC technology deployment
S.W. Ham, Juwan Ha, S.J. Lee, D.H. Kim
2025 ASHRAE Winter Conference, Orlando, FL, USA, February 10-12, 2025
Research on a Plan of Free Cooling Operation Control for the Efficiency Improvement of Water-side Economizer
Y.J. Kim, K.H. Kim, Juwan Ha, Y H. Song
Energies, 2024, 17(12), 2804.
Energy Saving Evaluation with Low Liquid to Gas Ratio Operation in HVAC&R system
Juwan Ha, Y.J. Kim, Y H. Song
Energies, 2022, 15, 7327
Energy Efficiency Analysis on Free Cooling Operation Mode with Water-side Economizer System in Data Center
Y.J. Kim, Juwan Ha, Y H. Song
Journal of KIAEBS, Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS), Feb.2022.
Development of Control Algorithm for Cooling Tower Low-Approach Temperature
Juwan Ha, Y.J. Kim, H.Y. Kim, Y H. Song
Journal of KIAEBS, Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS), Oct.2021.
Sensitivity Analysis and Bayesian MCMC based on Artificial Neural Network Surrogate Model for Input Variable Uncertainty Calibration
S.C. Park, Juwan Ha, K.S. Park, Y.H. Song
Journal of KIAEBS, Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS), Aug.2021.
Annual Best Paper
A Study on the Energy Reduction Measures of Data Centers through Chilled Water Temperature Control and Water-side Economizer
Y.J. Kim, Juwan Ha, K.S. Park, Y.H. Song
Energies, 2021, 14(12), 3575
A Study on the Verification Approach Temperature of Cooling Tower according to the Change L/G Ratio
Juwan Ha, Y.J. Kim, Y.H. Song
Autumn Conference for Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS), Chungju, Republic of Korea, Nov.2020.
A Study on the Cooling Performance of Water-side Economizer System on The Chilled Water Return-side Applying Partial Operation
Y.J. Kim, Juwan Ha, Y.H. Song
Autumn Conference for Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS), Chungju, Republic of Korea, Nov.2020.
Best Paper Award of Fall Conference
Energy Evaluation of Data Center with Low Cooling Water Temperature and Free Cooling
Y.J. Kim, Juwan Ha, K.S. Park, K.H. Lee, Y.H. Song
Journal of KIAEBS, Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS),Oct.2020.
Annual Best Paper
Verification of Low-temperature Condenser Water and Operation Time considering Climate Zones
Juwan Ha, Y.J. Kim, H.Y. Kim, Y.H. Song
Journal of KIAEBS, Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS), Jun.2020.
A Study on the Cooling Energy Consumption Cut-off in the Intermediate Season of the Data Center
Y.J. Kim, Juwan Ha, Y.H. Song
Summer Conference for The Society of Air-conditioning and Refrigerating Engineers of Korea (SAREK), Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea, Jun.2020.
Verification of Thermal Environment and THI Prediction Equation of Hen House by Field Measurement and Model-based Simulation
Juwan Ha, H.H. Chang, K.J. Cha, Y.H. Song
Journal of KIAEBS, Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS), Apr.2020.
Annual Energy Consumption Cut-off with Cooling System Design Parameter Changes in Large Office Buildings
Juwan Ha, S.Y. Cho, H.Y. Kim, Y.H. Song
Energies, 2020, 13(8), 2034
A Study on Annual Cooling Energy Consumption Cut-off with Cooling Tower Control Change
Juwan Ha, K.S Park, H.Y. Kim, Y.H. Song
Journal of KIAEBS, Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS),Dec. 2019.
A Study on the Thermal Storage Loss Rate for the Geothermal Storage System
S.C. Park, Juwan Ha, Y.J. Kim, Y.H. Song
Autumn Annual Conference of Architectural Institute of Korea (AIK), Daejeon, Republic of Korea, Oct. 2019.
An Operation Status of Library Building using BEMS Data -Energy Performance Evaluation on Initial Stage of Completion-
S.C. Park, Juwan Ha, H.Y. Kim, Y.H. Song
Journal of KIAEBS, Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS),Dec.2018.
A Study of Zero Energy Building Verification with Measuring and Model-based Simulation in Exhibition Building
Juwan Ha, Y.H. Song
Autumn Conference for Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Chapter of Architectural Institute of Korea (AIK), Jinju, Republic of Korea, Nov. 2018.
THI Index within Laying house according to the Predicted Outside Temperature
Juwan Ha, Y.H. Song
Autumn Conference for Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS), Incheon, Republic of Korea, Nov. 2018.
A Study of Zero Energy Building Verification with Measuring and Model-based Simulation in Exhibition Building
Juwan Ha, K.S Park, H.Y. Kim, Y.H. Song
ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH, Architectural Institute of Korea (AIK),Sep.2018.
Annual Best Paper
A Study on Economic Analysis for Adapting Ice Thermal Storage System to Retrofit of Heat Source System
Juwan Ha, Y.H. Song
Autumn Conference for Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems (KIAEBS), Seoul, Republic of Korea, Nov. 2017