The costs and environmental performance of energy systems are dynamic, changing dramatically over time and with location. Understanding the technology design drivers of this performance is critical for evaluating technological options and guiding their future development. The goal of our research is to combine the development of novel quantitative models and theory, with the analysis of large datasets, to evaluate candidate energy systems. We aim to understand how the dynamic performance of technologies is influenced by their engineering design and the contexts in which they operate. We then use this knowledge to determine design targets to accelerate the development of technologies in the laboratory. Our research program addresses electricity generation and transportation fuels, with an emphasis on solar cells and batteries.