Levi M Larsen
About
I am an interdisciplinary economist working at the intersection of markets, technology, and long-term energy planning. My career has included roles in economic analysis, financial modeling, and strategic consulting across several sectors, including energy, biotech, and technology. I’ve contributed to projects involving cost modeling, investment evaluation, and the development of analytical frameworks for emerging technologies.
My Phd research focuses on how energy market structures can evolve to support reliable, low-carbon power systems. By combining theoretical modeling with practical experience evaluating real-world projects, I aim to bring a systems-level perspective to questions of investment, policy design, and resource integration.
I completed my MSc in Economics at the University of Edinburgh and earned 3 bachelor’s degrees in Economics, Finance, and International Business at Utah State University. I have previously worked in industry for Idaho National Laboratory (Energy), Thermo Fisher Scientific (Biotech), Goldman Sachs (Banking), as well as my own a private consulting business.
Research
Current Research Focus
My current research focuses on energy market design for low-carbon power systems. I specifically explore how market structures can be designed to integrate clean baseload and variable energy resources, with energy storage. Using a combination of theoretical frameworks and applied modeling, my work examines how different market mechanisms (e.g. capacity markets) influence investment incentives, operational reliability, and system-level efficiency in transitioning power markets.
Previous Research Focus
Prior to my PhD, my research centered on the economics and financial modeling of nuclear energy deployment. I led and contributed to studies on project cost drivers, learning dynamics, and investment risks across advanced reactor technologies, industrial heat applications, and maritime nuclear systems. This included developing comparative cost models, analyzing historical cost behavior, and evaluating financing mechanisms for large-scale nuclear projects.
The Link Between my Past and Present Research
Together, my previous project-level research and my current system-level work allow me to evaluate energy investment challenges from both the perspective of individual assets and the broader market structures that govern their deployment.
Publications
2025
-
Mukhi, Sanjay;
Abou-Jaoude, Abdalla;
Larsen, Levi.
(2025)
Configurations of Commercial Advanced Nuclear-Maritime Applications.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Kavur, Ahmet;
Abou-Jaoude, Abdalla;
Larsen, Levi;
Parsons, John.
(2025)
A Techno-Economic Analysis of Hydrogen and Ammonia Production with a Maritime Nuclear Power Plant.
Transactions of the American Nuclear Society
Abstract
-
Biwalkar, Rohan;
Talabi, Sola;
Abou-Jaoude, Abdalla;
Larsen, Levi.
(2025)
Development of the PRIME Methodology for Nuclear Reactor Cost Estimation.
Transactions of the American Nuclear Society
Abstract
-
Spangler, Ryan;
Qin, Sunming;
Larsen, Levi;
Bolisetti, Chandu;
Abou-Jaoude, Abdalla;
Shirvan, Koroush.
(2025)
Potential Cost Reduction in New Nuclear Deployments Based on Recent AP1000 Experience.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Larsen, Levi M.;
Kim, Jisuk;
Richards, Scott;
Kim, Taek K.;
Davidson, Eva;
Asgari, Mehdi.
(2025)
Infrastructure and resource development needs to support a significant expansion of US nuclear capacity.
Energy Strategy Reviews
Academic article
2024
-
Lawrence, Svetlana;
Larsen, Levi;
Joseck, Frederick;
Price, Jason;
Chester, Matt.
(2024)
Decoding the IRA's Unlocking of Nuclear Uprating and Hydrogen Cogeneration.
Other
-
Larsen, Levi;
Lefler, Kelly;
Cullen, Greg;
Nichols, Emily;
Goodson, Stephen.
(2024)
The Economics of Nuclear Power.
Other presentation
-
Baranwal, Rita;
Larsen, Levi;
Stewart, Robb;
Taj, Sarfraz;
Macdonald, Ruaridh.
(2024)
From reactor to reality: Timelines and opportunities to decarbonize with nuclear energy.
Other presentation
-
Larsen, Levi.
(2024)
Reducing Costs and Improving the Economics of Nuclear Power Generation.
Other presentation
-
Lantgios, Iza;
Larsen, Levi.
(2024)
The Potential for Coupling Direct Air Capture with Nuclear Power Plant Uprate.
Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference
Abstract
-
Larsen, Levi;
Abou-Jaoude, Abdalla;
Guaita, Nahuel;
Stauff, Nicolas.
(2024)
Nuclear Energy Cost Estimates for Net Zero World Initiative.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Larsen, Levi;
Lantgios, Iza;
Gonzales, Ronald;
Joseck, Frederick;
Lawrence, Svetlana.
(2024)
Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program: Technical and Economic Considerations for Uprate of Existing Nuclear Reactors with Cogeneration.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Bolisetti, Chandrakanth;
Hanna, Botros;
Abou-Jaoude, Abdalla;
Larsen, Levi;
Zhou, Jia;
Shirvan, Koroush.
(2024)
Quantifying Cost Reduction Pathways for Advanced Nuclear Reactors.
Transactions of the American Nuclear Society
Abstract
-
Larsen, Levi;
Lantgios, Iza;
Gonzales, Ronald;
Federline, Eric.
(2024)
Uprating for Clean Hydrogen: Nuclear Energy’s Role in Advancing a Hydrogen Economy in the Status Quo.
Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference
Abstract
-
Guaita, Nahuel;
Abou-Jaoude, Abdalla;
Larsen, Levi;
Stauff, Nicolas.
(2024)
Updating Nuclear Energy Cost Estimates for Net Zero World Initiative.
Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference
Abstract
-
Bryan, Haydn;
Larsen, Levi;
Culler, Megan j;
Oncken, Joe E.
(2024)
Remote Nuclear Power Plant Operation: Navigating the Opportunities and Challenges in Public Perception.
Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference
Abstract
-
Larsen, Levi;
Abou-Jaude, Abdalla;
Mukhi, Sanjay;
Dowling, Meg.
(2024)
Identifying Nuclear Cost Targets for Competitive Maritime Decarbonization.
Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference
Abstract
-
Larsen, Levi;
Guaita, Nahuel;
Lantgios, Iza;
Jaoude, Abdalla Abou;
Stauff, Nicolas;
Zhou, Jia.
(2024)
Nuclear Energy Cost Estimates for Net Zero World Initiative – 2024 Update.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Jenson, Will;
Larsen, Levi;
Asgari, Mehdi;
Davidson, Eva.
(2024)
Quantifying Socioeconomic Impacts of Electricity Generating Technologies.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Bolisetti, Chandrakanth;
Jaoude, Abdalla Abou;
Hanna, Botros Bishara;
Larsen, Levi;
Zhou, Jia;
Shirvan, Koroush.
(2024)
Quantifying Capital Cost Reduction Pathways for Advanced Nuclear Reactors.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Abou-Jaoude, Abdalla;
Larsen, Levi;
Guaita, Nahuel;
Trivedi, Ishita;
Joseck, Frederick;
Lohse, Christopher.
(2024)
Meta-Analysis of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Cost Estimations.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Larsen, Levi;
Biegel, Kathryn;
Guaita, Nahuel;
Foss, Andrew.
(2024)
Effects of the U.S. inflation reduction act on SMR economics.
Frontiers in Nuclear Engineering
Academic article
2023
-
Larsen, Levi;
Lawrence, Svetlana;
Josek, Fredrick;
Choi, Yong-Joon;
Wendt, Daniel;
Greschuk, Matt.
(2023)
Assessing the Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on Nuclear Plant Power Uprate and Hydrogen Cogeneration.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Abou-Jaoude, Abdalla;
Lin, Linyu;
Bolisetti, Chandrakanth;
Worsham, Elizabeth;
Larsen, Levi;
Epiney, Aaron.
(2023)
Literature Review of Advanced Reactor Cost Estimates.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Root, Samuel;
Knighton, L.;
Cheng, Wen-Chi;
Larsen, Levi;
Sweeney, Kathleen;
Boardman, Richard.
(2023)
Comparison of Energy Storage and Arbitrage Options for Nuclear Power.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
D, Boardman, Richard;
C, Bryan, Haydn;
Byung-Hee, Choi,;
Alejandra, Herrera de Reyes, Maria;
Todd, Knighton,;
Larsen, Levi.
(2023)
Nuclear-Driven Chemical Conversion Pathways (S&T Accomplishment Report) | OSTI.GOV.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
2021
-
Larsen, Levi.
(2021)
Competitive Giants: How Large Credit Unions Impact Loan Pricing in the U.S.
University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
Masters thesis
-
Dryden, W. Aaron;
Larsen, Levi;
Britt, David W.;
Smith, Mark Thomas.
(2021)
Technical and economic considerations of cell culture harvest and clarification technologies.
Biochemical engineering journal
Academic article
Journal publications
-
Kavur, Ahmet;
Abou-Jaoude, Abdalla;
Larsen, Levi;
Parsons, John.
(2025)
A Techno-Economic Analysis of Hydrogen and Ammonia Production with a Maritime Nuclear Power Plant.
Transactions of the American Nuclear Society
Abstract
-
Biwalkar, Rohan;
Talabi, Sola;
Abou-Jaoude, Abdalla;
Larsen, Levi.
(2025)
Development of the PRIME Methodology for Nuclear Reactor Cost Estimation.
Transactions of the American Nuclear Society
Abstract
-
Larsen, Levi M.;
Kim, Jisuk;
Richards, Scott;
Kim, Taek K.;
Davidson, Eva;
Asgari, Mehdi.
(2025)
Infrastructure and resource development needs to support a significant expansion of US nuclear capacity.
Energy Strategy Reviews
Academic article
-
Lantgios, Iza;
Larsen, Levi.
(2024)
The Potential for Coupling Direct Air Capture with Nuclear Power Plant Uprate.
Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference
Abstract
-
Bolisetti, Chandrakanth;
Hanna, Botros;
Abou-Jaoude, Abdalla;
Larsen, Levi;
Zhou, Jia;
Shirvan, Koroush.
(2024)
Quantifying Cost Reduction Pathways for Advanced Nuclear Reactors.
Transactions of the American Nuclear Society
Abstract
-
Larsen, Levi;
Lantgios, Iza;
Gonzales, Ronald;
Federline, Eric.
(2024)
Uprating for Clean Hydrogen: Nuclear Energy’s Role in Advancing a Hydrogen Economy in the Status Quo.
Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference
Abstract
-
Guaita, Nahuel;
Abou-Jaoude, Abdalla;
Larsen, Levi;
Stauff, Nicolas.
(2024)
Updating Nuclear Energy Cost Estimates for Net Zero World Initiative.
Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference
Abstract
-
Bryan, Haydn;
Larsen, Levi;
Culler, Megan j;
Oncken, Joe E.
(2024)
Remote Nuclear Power Plant Operation: Navigating the Opportunities and Challenges in Public Perception.
Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference
Abstract
-
Larsen, Levi;
Abou-Jaude, Abdalla;
Mukhi, Sanjay;
Dowling, Meg.
(2024)
Identifying Nuclear Cost Targets for Competitive Maritime Decarbonization.
Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference
Abstract
-
Larsen, Levi;
Biegel, Kathryn;
Guaita, Nahuel;
Foss, Andrew.
(2024)
Effects of the U.S. inflation reduction act on SMR economics.
Frontiers in Nuclear Engineering
Academic article
-
Dryden, W. Aaron;
Larsen, Levi;
Britt, David W.;
Smith, Mark Thomas.
(2021)
Technical and economic considerations of cell culture harvest and clarification technologies.
Biochemical engineering journal
Academic article
Part of book/report
-
Lawrence, Svetlana;
Larsen, Levi;
Joseck, Frederick;
Price, Jason;
Chester, Matt.
(2024)
Decoding the IRA's Unlocking of Nuclear Uprating and Hydrogen Cogeneration.
Other
Report
-
Mukhi, Sanjay;
Abou-Jaoude, Abdalla;
Larsen, Levi.
(2025)
Configurations of Commercial Advanced Nuclear-Maritime Applications.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Spangler, Ryan;
Qin, Sunming;
Larsen, Levi;
Bolisetti, Chandu;
Abou-Jaoude, Abdalla;
Shirvan, Koroush.
(2025)
Potential Cost Reduction in New Nuclear Deployments Based on Recent AP1000 Experience.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Larsen, Levi;
Abou-Jaoude, Abdalla;
Guaita, Nahuel;
Stauff, Nicolas.
(2024)
Nuclear Energy Cost Estimates for Net Zero World Initiative.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Larsen, Levi;
Lantgios, Iza;
Gonzales, Ronald;
Joseck, Frederick;
Lawrence, Svetlana.
(2024)
Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program: Technical and Economic Considerations for Uprate of Existing Nuclear Reactors with Cogeneration.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Larsen, Levi;
Guaita, Nahuel;
Lantgios, Iza;
Jaoude, Abdalla Abou;
Stauff, Nicolas;
Zhou, Jia.
(2024)
Nuclear Energy Cost Estimates for Net Zero World Initiative – 2024 Update.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Jenson, Will;
Larsen, Levi;
Asgari, Mehdi;
Davidson, Eva.
(2024)
Quantifying Socioeconomic Impacts of Electricity Generating Technologies.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Bolisetti, Chandrakanth;
Jaoude, Abdalla Abou;
Hanna, Botros Bishara;
Larsen, Levi;
Zhou, Jia;
Shirvan, Koroush.
(2024)
Quantifying Capital Cost Reduction Pathways for Advanced Nuclear Reactors.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Abou-Jaoude, Abdalla;
Larsen, Levi;
Guaita, Nahuel;
Trivedi, Ishita;
Joseck, Frederick;
Lohse, Christopher.
(2024)
Meta-Analysis of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Cost Estimations.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Larsen, Levi;
Lawrence, Svetlana;
Josek, Fredrick;
Choi, Yong-Joon;
Wendt, Daniel;
Greschuk, Matt.
(2023)
Assessing the Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on Nuclear Plant Power Uprate and Hydrogen Cogeneration.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Abou-Jaoude, Abdalla;
Lin, Linyu;
Bolisetti, Chandrakanth;
Worsham, Elizabeth;
Larsen, Levi;
Epiney, Aaron.
(2023)
Literature Review of Advanced Reactor Cost Estimates.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Root, Samuel;
Knighton, L.;
Cheng, Wen-Chi;
Larsen, Levi;
Sweeney, Kathleen;
Boardman, Richard.
(2023)
Comparison of Energy Storage and Arbitrage Options for Nuclear Power.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
D, Boardman, Richard;
C, Bryan, Haydn;
Byung-Hee, Choi,;
Alejandra, Herrera de Reyes, Maria;
Todd, Knighton,;
Larsen, Levi.
(2023)
Nuclear-Driven Chemical Conversion Pathways (S&T Accomplishment Report) | OSTI.GOV.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Report
-
Larsen, Levi.
(2021)
Competitive Giants: How Large Credit Unions Impact Loan Pricing in the U.S.
University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
Masters thesis
UTSTILLING
-
Larsen, Levi;
Lefler, Kelly;
Cullen, Greg;
Nichols, Emily;
Goodson, Stephen.
(2024)
The Economics of Nuclear Power.
Other presentation
-
Baranwal, Rita;
Larsen, Levi;
Stewart, Robb;
Taj, Sarfraz;
Macdonald, Ruaridh.
(2024)
From reactor to reality: Timelines and opportunities to decarbonize with nuclear energy.
Other presentation
-
Larsen, Levi.
(2024)
Reducing Costs and Improving the Economics of Nuclear Power Generation.
Other presentation
Outreach
2025
-
LectureLarsen, Levi. (2025) Unlocking the Potential of Nuclear Energy: Impacts of Cost Reduction Strategies and Govt Intervention. NTNU Energy Transition Week , Trondheim 2025-03-30 - 2025-04-03
-
LectureLarsen, Levi. (2025) Economics of Advanced Nuclear. NE States Advanced Nuclear Virtual Workshop 2024-12-31 -
2024
-
LectureLarsen, Levi. (2024) Modeling Nuclear Energy Technoeconomics and Pathways to Cost Reductions. NEI Advanced Reactor Forum , Washington, DC 2023-12-31 -
-
LectureLarsen, Levi. (2024) Updates to Small Modular Reactor Cost Estimation. International Atomic Energy Agency, Small Modular Reactor Workshop , Idaho Falls, Idaho 2023-12-31 -
2023
-
LectureLefrère, Chris; Larsen, Levi; Rizea, Lavinia; Serin, Canet. (2023) Hydrogen from Nuclear Power: Technology Perpectives. Hydrogen from Nuclear Power: Technology Perpectives 2023-09-11 -