Vikaran Khanna (2010)
Senior Advisor in R&D at the Norwegian Transmission System Grid
Working on the intersection of electrification of energy and digitalization of information. Curious about the world, my strength lies in learning, distilling information, connecting the dots, and working collaboratively.
I am passionate about the systems transition to a decarbonized energy future and relish working on fundamental interdisciplinary challenges with a focus on long term social impact. I endeavour to 'make it happen' and love enabling people. I am also deeply interested in civic engagement and strengthening democratic institutions.
In 2015, I co-founded SocialSolar where we focused on developing solar DC micro-grids and prototyped portable energy storage solutions made from recycled laptop batteries. One of the highlights of this journey was installing a PV system to meet the energy needs of a school with 300+ children in Boppapur village in Karimnagar district, Telangana, India.
During my PhD, I investigated techniques to change quantum states of matter using ultrafast high energy lasers with an aim to develop superconductors at room temperatures. I had the pleasure of working with amazing scientists and collaborated/led experiments at laboratories in the UK (Diamond Light Source), Germany (BESSY, FELBE) and US (LCLS).
