by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Dr. Thomas Ackermann – A leading figure in wind energy and its integration into energy systems. He founded Energynautics, which advises on grid integration solutions for renewable energies. His insights into decentralized energy grids offer a vision of sustainable, reliable energy for the future.
Dr. Dirk Uwe Sauer – Renowned for his research in energy storage systems and their applications in decentralized energy grids, Sauer's work at RWTH Aachen University is pivotal in transitioning to more sustainable energy systems.
Jigar Shah – Co-founder of Generate Capital and founder of SunEdison, Shah is a strong proponent of renewable energy solutions and decentralized systems. He envisions a future where local renewable sources power communities.
Lorenzo Kristov – As a principal at California Independent System Operator (CAISO), Kristov has been at the forefront of redesigning power systems to incorporate decentralized energy resources, ensuring grid reliability and resilience.
Dr. Jessica J. Trancik – An Associate Professor at MIT, Trancik's research centers around evaluating the environmental impacts of energy technologies and developing models to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon solutions, including decentralized grids.
James Newcomb – A program director at the Rocky Mountain Institute, Newcomb focuses on the transformation of electricity systems. He believes in the decentralization of power grids as a way to ensure resilience and security.
Emma Pinchbeck – As the CEO of Energy UK, Pinchbeck champions the benefits of decentralized energy and advocates for policies that promote its widespread adoption.
Mark Jacobson – A professor at Stanford University, Jacobson's research on 100% renewable energy systems has paved the way for understanding how decentralized grids can play a role in achieving this vision.
Prof. Dr. Eicke R. Weber – An expert in photovoltaics and renewable energies, Weber's advocacy for decentralized energy systems emphasizes their role in achieving a sustainable future.
Helima Croft – A managing director and the global head of commodity strategy at RBC Capital Markets, Croft's insights into energy markets underscore the increasing importance and feasibility of decentralized grids in the energy transition.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Dr. Jefferson Tester – The Croll Professor of Sustainable Energy Systems at Cornell University, Dr. Tester's contributions to geothermal energy and research are renowned. He has authored numerous publications and is a leading voice advocating for enhanced geothermal systems and their potential.
Maria Richards – Serving as the Coordinator of the Geothermal Lab at Southern Methodist University, Richards has played a crucial role in mapping geothermal resources and is a key advocate for geothermal applications beyond electricity, including direct-use applications.
Dr. Roland N. Horne – A Thomas Davies Barrow Professor at Stanford University, Dr. Horne's research primarily focuses on geothermal reservoir engineering. He has provided many innovations and insights into the optimal and sustainable extraction of geothermal energy.
Paul Thomsen – With a background in both public policy and the private sector, Thomsen's contributions as a former Chair of the Geothermal Resources Council and as a business leader in the sector provide a comprehensive view of geothermal's potential.
Dr. Marit Brommer – As the Executive Director of the International Geothermal Association (IGA), Dr. Brommer's work is central in promoting geothermal energy on a global scale, emphasizing its significance in the renewable energy mix.
Andy Blair – Known for his grassroots approach, Blair has been a stalwart advocate for geothermal energy's local applications, particularly in off-grid scenarios and remote areas. He also emphasizes community engagement in geothermal projects.
Alexander Richter – Founder of ThinkGeoEnergy, the leading geothermal energy news platform, Richter's expertise lies in connecting industry stakeholders, disseminating news, and driving awareness about geothermal developments worldwide.
Karl Gawell – As the Executive Director of the Geothermal Energy Association, Gawell's work is instrumental in policy advocacy, fostering collaborations, and promoting best practices within the geothermal industry in the United States.
Jacques Roulleau – A leading expert in European geothermal projects, Roulleau's involvement with France's deep geothermal energy sector has provided invaluable insights into technological advancements and efficient project management.
Dr. Brian Anderson – Leading the Department of Energy's Geothermal Technologies Office, Dr. Anderson's work focuses on cutting-edge research, driving investment, and fostering collaborations in the geothermal sector, ensuring the U.S. leverages its geothermal potential effectively.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Henrik Stiesdal – Often referred to as the “godfather of wind energy”, Stiesdal has contributed to the development of modern wind turbines. He has been part of the wind energy industry since the late 1970s and was the Chief Technology Officer of Siemens Wind Power.
Steve Sawyer – As the former Secretary-General of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), Sawyer played a pivotal role in promoting wind energy globally. He consistently advocated for the integration of wind energy into the global energy mix.
Christine Lins – Lins served as the Executive Secretary of the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21). Under her leadership, the importance of wind energy, among other renewable sources, was highlighted globally through influential reports.
Dr. Fort Felker – With an extensive background in aerospace engineering, Dr. Felker has been a major figure in wind turbine aerodynamics. He's the Director of the National Wind Technology Center at NREL, playing a pivotal role in research advancements.
Ditlev Engel – As the CEO of DNV GL Energy, and former CEO of Vestas, one of the world's largest wind turbine manufacturers, Engel's insights into the wind energy market are highly regarded.
Dr. Rebecca Barthelmie – A professor at Cornell University, Dr. Barthelmie specializes in atmospheric science and wind energy. Her research on the aerodynamics of wind farms is foundational to the industry.
Emma Pinchbeck – The CEO of Energy UK, Pinchbeck previously served as the Executive Director of RenewableUK, where she strongly advocated for wind power, emphasizing its crucial role in the UK's energy transition.
Mark Z. Jacobson – A professor at Stanford, Jacobson's research involves creating roadmaps for transitioning countries to 100% renewable energy. His work often highlights the significant role of wind energy in achieving this vision.
Morten Dyrholm – As the Group Senior Vice President of Vestas, Dyrholm has been at the forefront of wind energy innovations, especially in areas of turbine technology and wind project management.
Giles Dickson – The current CEO of WindEurope, the association representing the wind energy sector in Europe, Dickson is a prominent voice in policy discussions related to wind energy and its growth in Europe.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Dr. Zhengrong Shi – Often referred to as the “Sun King”, Dr. Shi is the founder of Suntech Power, one of the world's largest solar panel manufacturers. His innovations in solar cell technology and commitment to making solar energy accessible have made him an industry legend.
Elon Musk – While primarily known for Tesla and SpaceX, Musk's solar venture, Tesla Energy (formerly SolarCity), is instrumental in pushing the boundaries of solar tech. Their solar roofs and battery storage solutions are notable contributions to the industry.
Dr. Martin Green – A professor at the University of New South Wales, Dr. Green is known for his pioneering research in photovoltaics. He's credited with developing some of the world's most efficient solar cells.
Lyndon Rive – Co-founder of SolarCity alongside his cousin Elon Musk, Rive played a crucial role in making solar energy mainstream in the U.S. residential market.
Jigar Shah – The founder of SunEdison, Shah introduced the “no money down solar” concept which revolutionized solar financing. He's also an author and hosts the podcast “The Energy Gang”, discussing the latest trends in renewable energy.
Dr. Aimee Curtright – A researcher at RAND Corporation, Dr. Curtright's work extensively focuses on the technological, environmental, and economic aspects of renewable energy, particularly solar and its potential impacts.
Danny Kennedy – Co-founder of Sungevity, one of the leading global solar service companies, Kennedy is a staunch advocate for solar energy solutions. He's also the author of “Rooftop Revolution” which delves into how solar power can address global challenges.
Julia Hamm – As the President and CEO of the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), Hamm has been instrumental in guiding utilities into the solar age, ensuring collaboration between utilities and the solar sector.
Dr. Alan Finkel – Australia's Chief Scientist from 2016 to 2020, Dr. Finkel has been a prominent advocate for solar energy, emphasizing its role in the country's energy future and driving various solar energy research initiatives.
Neha Palmer – As the head of energy strategy at Google, Palmer is responsible for spearheading the company's transition to renewable energy. Under her leadership, Google has become the world's largest corporate buyer of renewable power, with significant investments in solar energy.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Dr. Mark Z. Jacobson – A professor at Stanford University, Dr. Jacobson's work has largely focused on developing roadmaps to convert energy infrastructure of buildings, towns, and even countries to entirely renewable sources. His interdisciplinary research combines climatology, air pollution, and renewable energy solutions.
Elon Musk – Apart from his ventures in space and electric cars, Musk's SolarCity (now Tesla Energy) endeavors to provide solar power solutions for homes and businesses, and his work on the Tesla Powerwall and Powerpack brings energy storage into the limelight.
Dr. Dan Arvizu – Serving as the Director of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Dr. Arvizu has been pivotal in driving research on renewable technologies, especially solar and wind energy systems.
Dr. Steven Chu – A Nobel laureate physicist and former U.S. Secretary of Energy, Dr. Chu is known for his emphasis on renewable solutions and the need to address climate change. He played a key role in the U.S. government's investment in green energy.
Jigar Shah – Founder of SunEdison, Shah introduced a transformative business model for solar energy by offering solar as a service, thus eliminating upfront costs for customers. He's also known for his podcast “The Energy Gang,” discussing latest trends in the energy sector.
Dr. Christina Lampe-Önnerud – Founder of Boston-Power, she focuses on next-generation lithium-ion battery technology. Her innovations are crucial for energy storage, a cornerstone of renewable integration.
Henrik Poulsen – As the CEO of Ørsted, formerly DONG Energy, Poulsen transformed the company from a primarily fossil fuel-based utility to one of the world's largest wind energy firms, pioneering offshore wind farms.
Dr. Jennifer Rupp – Professor at MIT, Dr. Rupp specializes in solid-state materials and has done pioneering work on materials for efficient energy storage and conversion, aiding renewable energy adoption.
Danny Kennedy – Co-founder of Sungevity, a global solar energy company, Kennedy is an advocate for decentralized, renewable solutions. He's also the author of “Rooftop Revolution: How Solar Power Can Save Our Economy – and Our Planet – from Dirty Energy.”
Michael Liebreich – Founder of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Liebreich provides invaluable insights, research, and data on the renewable sector. His platform tracks investments and trends in the renewable energy tech landscape.
