Staff Engineer, Jensen Hughes; PhD, Civil Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Jihan El Ouaragli’s work sits at the intersection of sustainability, energy innovation and fire and life safety. She specializes in the safety of energy storage technologies, applying fire protection engineering principles to systems ranging from individual battery cells to electric vehicles and large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) installations. As global demand for energy storage accelerates, El Ouaragli plays a key role in helping organizations deploy these technologies safely. At Jensen Hughes, she works in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape where codes and standards are continually adapting to technological advancement. Her work has included leading fire safety design and code consulting efforts for major BESS manufacturers and developers, helping guide product design decisions through a rigorous safety lens. El Ouaragli has also led dozens of hazard mitigation analyses for energy storage installations across the United States on behalf of major utility companies. She serves as the technical lead for Jensen Hughes’ research program with supporting government-led initiatives, where she develops fire performance specifications for energy storage systems used in maritime environments. Her work has earned multiple company awards, including High Five and Trailblazer honors and recognition as one of the firm’s 2025 Rising Stars. In addition, El Ouaragli provides industry education through training and presentations at major energy storage conferences including the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Conference and Expo, where she co-led a workshop on BESS safety for more than 200 professionals. For relaxation, El Ouaragli enjoys learning languages and connecting with different cultures. She also loves cooking and experimenting with global cuisines, often drawing inspiration from European, Middle Eastern and North African culinary traditions.
