Leading Clean Energy Innovation

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for an alumni meeting of theExecutive Energy Leadership Academy (Energy Execs), a program that empowers executives to integrate clean energy solutions in their own communities.

Since its inception, more than 200 representatives of industry, government and non-profit organizations have completed the Energy Execs program, delivered through the Executive Energy Leadership Academy. In 2014, I participated in the abbreviated program which offers decision-makers a look at renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. As part of the experience, we received briefings by NREL technology experts, research laboratory tours and visits to renewable energy installations.

Dan Fatton, ECS Director of Development and Membership Services at NREL’s National Wind Technology Center

NREL Director Dan Arvizu noted, “The continued transformation of our current energy system to one that is more sustainable will require informed decision-makers who are leading the way. We are pleased to welcome these business, community and government leaders so they can understand the implications of their energy decisions and demonstrate leadership for the long-term clean energy economy.” NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy’s primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for DOE by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

Touring NREL’s amazing campus reminded me again of the significant overlap between the technical domain of ECS and the work taking place at NREL. In fact, John A. Turner will be providing the ECS Lecture, “Hydrogen from Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting – What’s it gonna’ take?” at our upcoming meeting in Chicago. You can listen to John right now on the ECS Podcast.

The visit also inspired several ideas and provided data to support our plans to create a more sustainable campus at the ECS home office in Pennington, New Jersey. Check out our current ideas in the ECS Howe Commons Brochure to see how you can get involved, including opportunities to showcase your energy innovations at ECS Headquarters. You can also make an online donation and select “ECS Headquarters Fund” to direct your gift.