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Topic: Solar

[Episode #251] – South Australia on Point

This episode is the final part in our miniseries about Australia's energy transition.

In late 2024, Chris traveled to Australia and recorded interviews with a wide range of experts who are intimately involved in the energy transition there. We featured some of them in the earlier episodes of this miniseries, namely, Episodes #234, #235, #246, #247, and #249.

In this episode, we take a close look at South Australia, where rooftop solar alone already powers the entire state grid at times. By 2027, South Australia plans to operate with 100% variable renewable energy, making it the first gigawatt-scale grid in the world to achieve this milestone.

The challenge? SA Power Networks, the distribution grid operator, doesn't control generation, transmission, or metering, and doesn't buy or sell electricity. This means South Australia must figure out how to maintain a stable, reliable grid consisting largely of customer-owned energy resources.

In this conversation, James Brown, Head of Network Strategy at SA Power Networks, explains how his team of engineers and stakeholders are finding innovative solutions to meet this challenge. Their approaches will offer valuable lessons for grids worldwide as they, too, transition to electricity systems almost entirely powered by variable renewables.

Guest:

James Brown is Head of Network Strategy for SA Power Networks. James is responsible for facilitation and oversight of long-term strategy to ensure that the network, and the services it delivers, adapt to changing environmental factors.

James has over 10 years’ experience delivering world-leading strategy and innovation in the energy sector. His current role is leading the Network Strategy team at SA Power Networks’ Network Innovation Centre, responsible for pilots, trials and major programs of work that are shaping the distributed energy future.

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-brown-a856a7114/

Geek rating: 9

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[Episode #249] – Solar Innovation in Australia

This episode continues our miniseries on Australia’s energy transition.

In late 2024, Chris traveled to Australia and recorded interviews with a wide range of experts who are intimately involved in the energy transition there. Previous episodes in this miniseries are Episode #234, Episode #235, Episode #246, and Episode #247.

In this episode, we feature three researchers and entrepreneurs in Australia who are advancing solar technology research and development:

  • Martin Green, Professor at University of New South Wales, Sydney and Director of the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics.
  • Craig Wood, CEO of Vast Energy, a concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) company.
  • Richard Payne, CEO of RayGen, a concentrated solar PV and solar thermal company.

In the next and final episode in this miniseries, we’ll take a close look at how one Australian state is solving the challenges of knitting together customer-owned systems into a reliable power grid.

Guest #1:

Craig Wood is the CEO of Vast. Craig has led Vast since 2016, proving the internationally awarded solar thermal technology at a Pilot Plant in regional NSW and leading the development of Vast Solar’s first utility-scale plant in Mount Isa, Queensland.

Craig is an experienced leader with a background in corporate management, structured finance and the energy and technology sectors. Prior to joining Vast in 2015, he worked in London, NewYork, Sydney and Perth and has held leadership roles in diverse industrial and manufacturing organisations including Browne’s Dairy, Archer Capital, and Lehman Brothers.

Craig holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Western Australia and a MSc of Finance from the London Business School. He was also a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford.

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-wood-59bb3a111/

On the Web:  https://www.vast.energy/

Guest #2:

Dr. Martin Green is Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales, Sydney and Director of the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, involving several other Australian Universities and research groups. His group’s contributions to photovoltaics are well known and include holding the record for silicon solar cell efficiency for 30 of the last 39 years, described as one of the “Top Ten” Milestones in the history of solar photovoltaics. The PERC solar cell that he invented in 1983 and his team developed to its full potential accounted for 91.2% of worldwide silicon solar module production in 2021 (CPIA).

Major international awards include the 1999 Australia Prize, the 2002 Right Livelihood Award, also known as the Alternative Nobel Prize, the 2007 SolarWorld Einstein Award, the 2016 Ian Wark Medal from the Australian Academy of Science, the prestigious Global Energy Prize in 2018, the 2021 Japan Prize, the 2022 Millenium Technology Prize and, with three former students, the 2023 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering.

On the Web:  Martin’s page at UNSW

Guest #3:

Richard Payne is the CEO of RayGen, where he has been since 2015. Previously at RayGen, he served as Chief Operating Officer responsible for the development of RayGen’s core technology. Prior to that, he worked at Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited, where he held the roles of Engineering Manager, General Manager of Operations, and Chief Operating Officer. Richard is a qualified Chemical Engineer and spent time in the steel industry as a process engineer prior to his role in developing and commercializing fuel cell technology. He’s committed to tackling climate change and protecting of the environment, and is passionate about birdwatching and native gardening.

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-payne-0a83871/

On the Web: https://raygen.com/

Geek rating: 8

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[Episode #247] – Energy Innovations in Australia

This episode is part of a miniseries about Australia's energy transition.

In late 2024, Chris traveled to Australia and recorded interviews with experts closely involved in its energy transition. The first of those interviews was featured in Episode #234, and the second in Episode #235. In Episode #246, we explored how the Australian government is working with the grid power sector to plan its transition to renewables while maintaining system reliability.

In this episode, we explore innovative approaches Australia is using to manage the evolution of its energy system.

To tell this part of the story, we weave together the perspectives of several guests:

  • Darren Miller, CEO of ARENA, explains their investment focus on early-stage technologies.
  • Gabrielle Kuiper, energy and climate change professional, shares insights on DER integration across Australia.
  • Stephanie Unwin, CEO of Horizon Power, discusses the unique challenges of managing a remote utility in Western Australia.
  • Professor John Boland describes how he and his wife used low-tech solutions to transform an uncomfortable old house into a comfortable urban oasis.

In the next miniseries episodes, we'll explore more innovations in solar power and take a close look at how one Australian state is solving the challenges of knitting together customer-owned systems into a reliable power grid.

Guest #1:

Darren Miller has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) since 2018. With 30 years’ experience across renewable energy, electricity retail, technology, finance, media and entertainment, Darren has led ARENA into new strategic areas. With a focus on optimising Australia’s electricity transition, commercialising renewable hydrogen, supporting the transition to low emissions metals and decarbonising transport, Darren’s leadership has given clear and defined purpose to ARENA in meeting Australia’s net zero targets and setting Australia up as a potential renewable energy superpower.

Prior to ARENA, Darren was co-founder and CEO of Mojo Power, an innovative electricity retailer. He was also previously the Director of Asset Finance at Sungevity Australia, and co-founder and CEO of Sumwise, a technology and services company. His breadth of experience includes managing investments for Publishing and Broadcasting Limited and Consolidated Press Holdings, as well as in corporate finance and advisory at Ernst & Young. He is a Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from the University of New South Wales.

On the Web:  https://arena.gov.au/

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenhmiller/

Guest #2:

Dr Gabrielle Kuiper is an energy, sustainability and climate change professional with over 20 years’ experience in the corporate world, government and non-government organisations and academia. Dr Kuiper has held senior executive or senior advisory energy-related positions at the Energy Security Board, in the Office of the Prime Minister, at the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and in the NSW Government. Dr Kuiper currently works internationally and in Australia on policy and regulation to support Distributed Energy Resources (DER), including as a guest contributor with IEEFA, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, an international independent think tank focused on speeding up the energy transition.

On Twitter: @GabrielleKuiper

On the Web: Gabrielle’s reports for IEEFA

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-gabrielle-kuiper-2016/

Guest #3:

John Boland is Professor of Environmental Mathematics and Deputy Director of the Industrial AI Research Centre at the University of South Australia.

His research covers a wide range of areas in what can be termed environmental mathematics, from water resource management to renewable energy utilisation to energy efficient house design to environmental accounting.  He is a Fellow of the Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand, and of the Australian Institute of Energy.  He has had 35 successful PhD student completions and is an Australian Expert member of the International Energy Agency Task 16 on solar resource assessment and forecasting for photovoltaic systems.  He has performed consultancy work on topics including integration of renewables into the grid and the reliability standard for electricity for the AEMO and AEMC.

Chris Bryant is a qualified Permaculture Designer, and her background as a health professional combines well with permaculture principles to enhance her own and others’ health and comfort.

John and Chris have been featured on Gardening Australia in a segment entitled Mediterranean Mindset.  They also manage a private conservation park at Monarto, fully heritage listed, where they have a Biodiversity Credit Scheme grant to enhance the biodiversity over ten years.

On the Web: https://people.unisa.edu.au/john.boland

Guest #4:

Stephanie Unwin is the CEO of Western Australia’s regional power provider, Horizon Power. Ms. Unwin a Senate member of Murdoch University, Non Executive Director of Energy Vault,  Director of the Industry body: Energy Networks Australia, and a member of the investment committee at Kilara Capital. Her past experience included being non-executive director of Zenith Energy, Alacer Gold Corp and Integra Mining Limited, as well as non-executive director and then CEO at Phylogica. Ms Unwin has held several executive roles with Verve Energy, then transitioning to Synergy, and CBH Group. She was also a board member of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency for over 5 years. Ms Unwin commenced her career with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, then with Freehills. She then joined Craig Readhead & Co and was made a partner of the boutique practice Pullinger Readhead Stewart. Ms Unwin subsequently joined Maxim Litigation Consultants as principal. Ms Unwin holds Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Economics (BEcon) from Murdoch University. She is also a Harvard Business School (AMP) graduate.

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-unwin-63934b2b

On the Web:  https://www.horizonpower.com.au/

Geek rating: 6

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[Episode #246] – Meeting Australia’s 2030 Target

This episode is part of a miniseries about Australia’s energy transition.

In late 2024, Chris traveled to Australia and recorded interviews with a wide range of experts who are closely involved in its energy transition. The first of those interviews was featured in Episode #234, and the second in Episode #235.

In this episode, we'll see how the Australian government is working with the grid power sector to plan and execute its transition to renewables—despite a political opposition committed to fossil fuels and nuclear. We'll also explore what's being done to ensure adequate capacity and maintain system reliability during this transformation.

To tell this story, we weave together the perspectives of several guests:

  • Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy for the Australian Labor Party, explains Australia's decarbonization targets and the government's framework to achieve them.
  • Matt Kean, Chair of Australia's Climate Change Authority, shares his team’s findings about the best pathways to meet those targets.
  • Alex Wonhas of AMPYR shares insights from helping grid operator AEMO develop Integrated System Plans that describe how to evolve the system toward those targets while maintaining reliability.
  • Tristan Edis of Green Energy Markets discusses the technical considerations of orchestrating new grid power resources.

In the subsequent episodes in this miniseries, we’ll be exploring how Australia is using innovation to meet the challenges of the transition. We’ll also take a closer look at how they use DER integration to support the system while helping customers gain more control over their energy bills and even save money.

Guest #1:

Dr. Alex Wonhas is a veteran senior executive and thought leader who has shaped the national and state-based strategic agendas in Australia’s energy sector for more than three decades.

Through roles including Executive General Manager at AEMO, Managing Director at Aurecon, and Executive Director at CSIRO, he has worked extensively with governments and industry in the Energy and Resources sector on issues ranging from strategic investment decisions in a complex and rapidly changing market environment, development and procurement of new large-scale infrastructure, impact of new technologies, to operational and organisational improvement. He is currently the CEO of AMPYR Australia.

Alex has served on a range of energy and resources related advisory committees and boards, including the Energy Corporation of New South Wales, CSIRO Chile, Evergen, CO2CRC, ANLEC, and the Australian Solar Institute. He has a PhD in Theoretical Physics from the University of Cambridge.

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwonhas/

Guest #2:

Chris Bowen is Minister for Climate Change and Energy for the Australian Labor Party, representing Prospect, New South Wales in the House of Representatives. He has held a wide range of portfolios including serving as Treasurer, Minister for Human Services, Minister for Immigration, Minister for Financial Services, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Competition Policy, Minister for Small Business and Minister for Tertiary Education. Chris has been responsible for a range of significant policy reform programs in these portfolios.

He served as Interim Leader of the Labor Party and Acting Leader of the Opposition following the 2013 Federal election and served as Shadow Treasurer.

On Twitter: @bowenchris

On the Australian Government website: https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=DZS

On the Web: https://www.chrisbowen.net/

Guest #3:

The Hon. Matt Kean is the Chair of Australia’s Climate Change Authority. He is also the Director of Regulatory Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at Wollemi Capital.

Matt was most recently the New South Wales (NSW) Government Shadow Minister for Health. He was Deputy Leader of the NSW Liberal party from August 2022 until March 2023. Throughout his 13-year political career, Matt also held ministries of Innovation and Better Regulation, Treasury, Energy and Environment. He was the local New South Wales Government member for Hornsby from 2011 until 2024.

As Treasurer and Energy Minister of NSW, Matt championed climate action that is in the best interests of households and businesses. In 2020, he delivered the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap: A 20-year plan for NSW’s energy infrastructure. The roadmap spurs private investment in renewable energy while reducing emissions and power bills for the people of NSW.

On Twitter: @Matt_KeanMP

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kean-mp/

On the Web: https://www.climatechangeauthority.gov.au/

Guest #4:

Tristan Edis has worked on commercial and policy initiatives for the energy transition for 24 years.

Currently he is the Director of Analysis and Advisory at Green Energy Markets. He undertakes research to support clients making investment, trading and policy decisions related to energy and carbon abatement markets.

Tristan has written extensively on how to improve the energy system and markets to deliver reliable and affordable energy while also addressing climate change.

Previously, he has worked in the Clean Energy Council for the Australian Government, Ernst & Young, and the Grattan Institute think tank. He was also the editor of a clean energy news website called Climate Spectator.

On Twitter: @TristanEdis

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristan-edis-7b107998/

On the Web:  https://www.greenmarkets.com.au/

Tristan’s research papers in IEEFA

Tristan’s articles in AFR

Tristan’s articles in The Guardian

Tristan’s articles in Watt Clarity

Tristan’s articles in Renew Economy

Tristan’s articles in Inside Story

Tristan’s articles in The Australian

Geek rating: 5

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[Episode #245] – Evolving the UK Energy System Part 3

In the first part, Episode #240, we reviewed the UK's unique strategies for procuring energy transition solutions. In the second part, Episode #241, we covered how the nation’s energy regulator is driving investment to support the transition.

To conclude this miniseries, we welcome back Julian Leslie, who first joined us in Episode #174. Julian is now Director of Strategic Energy Planning and Chief Engineer at Britain’s National Energy System Operator (NESO), a recently-created agency tasked with preparing Great Britain's electricity network for net zero operation by 2030. He also coordinates regional and national plans for Britain’s energy system—including gas and emerging heat networks—to meet decarbonization targets.

In this conversation, we review the progress of the innovative Pathfinder programs we discussed back in 2022, which invited the market to provide solutions that could help Britain integrate more wind and solar into its grid. We walk through the extensive process that NESO is undertaking to plan and coordinate the development of a fully decarbonized power grid by 2030. And we discuss in detail how Britain is working to massively expand its capacity in offshore and onshore wind, solar, transmission, and battery storage to meet that goal.

By setting clear decarbonization targets, then collaborating with industry and stakeholders to carry out plans to meet them, the UK is showing the world how to execute a successful energy transition. We hope this miniseries inspires other nations to follow their example.

Guest:

Julian Leslie is Director of Strategic Energy Planning and Chief Engineer at the UK’s National Energy System Operator (NESO). Julian is a chartered engineer with three decades of transmission system operation, planning and investment experience. Julian’s role is to prepare Great Britain’s electricity network for net zero operation, defining future network needs so that market and network owners can invest in the right technology solutions at the right time. Julian is also developing whole energy system plans on a national and regional basis.

On Twitter: @JulianLeslie6

On the Web:  Julian’s profile at NESO

Geek rating: 7

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[Episode #242] – IEA Outlook 2025

What important trends are shaping the energy transition today? And what is the outlook for oil and gas demand?

In this conversation, Tim Gould of the International Energy Agency (IEA) returns to discuss key insights from the agency’s flagship annual report, the World Energy Outlook 2024. We consider the enormous implications of IEA’s view that global demand for all fossil fuels will peak and begin a slow decline within the next five years. To explore this, we take a closer look at the state of the oil and gas industry, comparing its expectations to what climate science and energy system modeling tell us about the future of fossil fuels. We also consider how the energy transition could reduce overall demand for fossil fuels, creating excess supply imbalances that reshape global markets and trade geopolitics.

Our discussion also touches on the IEA’s forecast that low-emission electricity sources like solar, wind, and nuclear will account for more than half of global power generation before 2030. Further, we explore the rising energy demand from data centers, shifting expectations for hydrogen, and the investments needed to keep clean energy growing at a pace that meets our climate targets.

Guest:

Tim Gould is co-head of the World Energy Outlook series at the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA). He designs and directs the work together with the IEA’s Chief Energy Modeller and contributes to the Outlook as a principal author. He also oversees the Agency’s analysis of energy investment and finance, including the World Energy Investment series. Tim has been at the IEA since 2008, and joined initially as a specialist on Russian and Caspian energy before going across to join the World Energy Outlook team under the (then) Chief Economist, Fatih Birol, who is now the IEA’s Executive Director. Before IEA, he worked on European and Eurasian energy issues in Brussels and also spent ten years working in Eastern Europe, primarily in Ukraine. He studied at Oxford University and Johns Hopkins SAIS.

On Twitter: @tim_gould_

On the Web:  http://www.iea.org

Geek rating: 7

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[Episode #241] – Evolving the UK Energy System Part 2

This episode is the second in a miniseries about how the UK is transforming its energy system. If you missed Part One, featuring Adam Berman discussing the UK’s decarbonization progress, you can find it here.

In this conversation, Luke Ames Blackaby from Ofgem, the UK’s electricity and gas regulator, joins us to discuss how the agency is supporting technology development to meet the UK’s 2030 clean power and 2050 full decarbonization targets.

We explore a wide range of critical topics, including flexible electricity tariffs, cost-effective expansion of the transmission system for renewable energy, and adapting gas networks for hydrogen. Additionally, we cover integrating heat networks, leveraging electrified rail as a flexible demand asset, and using storage to manage variable renewable generation. Finally, we examine how regulations can evolve to accommodate emerging technologies like demand flexibility and optimize existing infrastructure.

Guest:

Luke Ames Blackaby is the Head of Ofgem’s Innovation Hub. The Innovation Hub is responsible for delivering Ofgem’s innovation support services, in the form of a regulatory sandboxes and bespoke advice to innovators, and for managing the delivery of Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). The Hub is also leading on the policy development for network innovation within RIIO-3, the price control setting process for gas distribution, and gas and electricity transmission, licensees for 2026-31.

On the Web: Ofgem Innovation Hub

Geek rating: 7

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[Episode #240] – Evolving the UK Energy System Part 1

This episode kicks off a new miniseries exploring how the UK is evolving its energy system through world-leading efforts to meet its decarbonization goals. In 2024, it closed its last coal-fired power plant and conducted its most successful Contract for Difference (CfD) auction yet, which attracted a diverse range of renewable energy projects—including more than enough offshore wind bids to make up for the lack of such projects in the 2023 auction.

The UK also launched an astonishingly ambitious effort to develop an economy-wide energy planning process for the entire country, conducted by the newly-established National Energy System Operator (or NESO). NESO produced its first report, providing essential guidance to all participants in the country’s energy system. Additionally, Great British Energy was created, which will make the British government a direct investor in renewable energy projects.

In this episode, we speak with Adam Berman, the Director of Policy and Advocacy at Energy UK, the nation’s energy industry trade group. He advocates for ways to speed up the UK’s journey to net-zero through enabling low-carbon investment in clean power generation. We review all of 2024’s developments in detail, and outline the path forward for the UK’s energy transition.

Guest:

Adam Berman is the Director of Policy and Advocacy at Energy UK. He advocates for ways to speed up the UK’s journey to Net-Zero through enabling low-carbon investment in clean power generation. Prior to Energy UK, Adam was European Policy Director at IETA (International Emissions Trading Association), an organisation which advocates for robust and effective carbon pricing. Previous roles included working as an analyst in the energy industry on international climate policy issues, and as a researcher in the UK Parliament.

On the Web: Energy UK

Geek rating: 7

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[Episode #234] – Transition in Australia 2024

In August 2024, Chris commenced a three-month research trip across Australia and New Zealand to explore their unique challenges and opportunities in the energy transition, and to conduct interviews with the people involved. This episode kicks off a miniseries based on those travels.

We start by speaking with Giles Parkinson, a journalist for more than 40 years who has arguably covered Australia’s energy transition more thoroughly and consistently than anyone else. Giles is the founder and editor of Renew Economy and the co-host of the weekly Energy Insiders Podcast as well as the founder of two other websites: One Step Off The Grid, which provides information to consumers contemplating what they can do to support the energy transition, and The Driven, which is billed as “Australia’s most-trusted and well-read electric vehicle news site.”

In this roughly 90-minute conversation, we frame up the big picture on Australia’s energy transition, including the major themes and vectors of change. We discuss several significant energy transition projects as well as the politics of the energy transition in Australia, including the roles of various government agencies.

Guest:

Giles Parkinson is founder and editor of Renew Economy, and is also the founder of One Step Off The Grid and founder/editor of the EV-focused The Driven. He is the co-host of the weekly Energy Insiders Podcast. Giles has been a journalist for more than 40 years and is a former business and deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review.

On Twitter: @GilesParkinson

On LinkedIn: Giles Parkinson

On the Web:  Giles’ page at Renew Economy

Geek rating: 6

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[Episode #229] – US Distributed Solar Potential

What is the full potential for distributed solar power in the US?

Many models have been developed to explore how a decarbonized US energy system could look, consistently finding that solar power would be the dominant source of electricity. Yet, we don’t really know the full potential for distributed solar. Even the term “distributed solar” isn’t very well-defined, potentially referring to many different kinds of solar power installations.

In today’s conversation, we review the available estimates for small rooftop and ground-mounted systems typically found on buildings, solar panels on canopies over parking lots, and innovative floating solar arrays over bodies of freshwater. Additionally, we explore emerging options such as installations on brownfield sites, agricultural lands, and alongside roadways.

Then we add it all up to see how big of a role distributed solar could actually play in a fully decarbonized US electricity system—with a surprisingly large result! But you’ll have to be a premium member and listen to the end to find out what it is.

In this episode, we are joined by Robert Margolis, a Senior Energy Analyst with the Strategic Energy Analysis Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (or NREL), which is part of the US Department of Energy. With more than 20 years of focused research on solar in the US, and his deep familiarity with energy technology and policy and energy-economic-environmental modeling, he is one of the top experts on the potential for distributed solar in the US.

Guest:

Robert Margolis is a Senior Energy Analyst in NREL’s Strategic Energy Analysis Center. Since joining NREL in 2003, he has served as key advisor to the U.S. DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office. In this role he has helped to define and carry out a broad analytical agenda focused on examining the potential for and challenges related to wide-spread adoption of solar energy. He led the Solar Futures Study (2021), the On the Path to SunShot Study (2016), and the SunShot Vision Study (2021). His main research interests include energy technology and policy; research, development, and demonstration policy; and energy-economic-environmental modeling.

On the Web:  Robert’s page at NREL

Geek rating: 4

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