Executive Energy Leadership Academy
NREL's Executive Energy Leadership Academy, or Energy Execs, provides industry and community leaders an opportunity to learn about advanced energy technologies to guide their organizations in energy-related decisions and planning.
Erik Kuhn, Research Operations Manager, provides a tour the Integrated Biorefinery Research Facility Pilot Plant.
Bethany Sparn, NREL Systems Engineering Researcher, gives a tour of the Smart Power Laboratory in the Energy Systems Integration Facility.
Participants in the Energy Execs program get a first-hand look at the Visualization Laboratory at the Energy Systems Integration Facility.
Participants in the Energy Execs program get a first-hand look at the Visualization Laboratory at the Energy Systems Integration Facility.
Martin Keller, NREL Laboratory Directory, speaks to participants in the Energy Execs program during the event at the Energy Systems Integration Facility.
Chris Deline, Staff Engineer, National Center for Photovoltaics leads a tour of the Outdoor Test Facility.
Joseph Berry, Senior Research Scientist and Team Lead, Perovskite and Hybrid Solar Cells and David Moore, Director's Fellow, lead a tour of the Process Development and Integration Laboratory in the Science and Technology Facility.
Energy Execs participating in networking activities.
Keith Wipke, Laboratory Program Manager, Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technologies, leads an in-depth discussion at the Hydrogen Fueling Facility.
Todd Vinzant, Scientist in the Biosciences Center, speaks to attendees during a tour of the Field Test Laboratory Building.
Katie Gaston, Chemical Engineer, speaks to attendees during a tour of the Field Test Laboratory Building.
Energy Execs tour the Solar Radiation Research Laboratory.
Energy Execs tour the Research Test Field at the National Wind Technology Center.
Graduation ceremony for the 2018 Energy Execs participants.
Alumni and new graduates of the Executive Energy Leadership Program mingle during a conference session for the group.
Energy Execs Program
The Energy Execs program is designed for leaders interested in exploring renewable energy and energy-efficiency technologies, applications, and issues. Participants travel to NREL's main campus in Golden, Colorado, for four multi-day sessions held from June through September.
Apply to the Energy Execs Program
Applications are due by 5 p.m. MT on Jan. 13.
Learn more about Energy Execs by viewing the sample syllabus and our frequently asked questions, or email us at eexecs@nrel.gov.
What You'll Learn
The program provides an in-depth look at solar and wind power, bioenergy, hydrogen and transportation, energy-efficient building technologies, and energy systems integration. Course content includes information on performance characteristics of the technologies, economics, and analytical tools.
You'll gain access to:
- Briefings by world-renowned researchers and engineers
- Tours of state-of-the-art research laboratories
- Visits to renewable energy installations.
Program Outcomes
Upon completing the program, participants will demonstrate what they've learned through a group project relating to the course content.
Program Dates
The 2023 Energy Execs program will be held June 21–23, July 19–21, Aug. 23–25, and Sept. 20–22 (local COVID-19 restrictions permitting). There is no cost to participate in the program, although those who are accepted are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses.
In Their Own Words
Observations from previous Energy Execs program participants on the impact of this experience:
NREL Energy Execs provides a fulfilling opportunity to interact with the lab's talented
researchers, partnership developers, and leadership team. Our cohort of participants
was a good size, and the program curriculum was paced appropriately, such that each
session included time to discuss informed questions, learn from each other, and reflect
on the topics from month to month. I recommend the program to those who work in energy
and have interest in professional growth through learning about NREL's capabilities
and their potential applications."
— Justin Leveque, section chief, Research and Emerging Issues, Colorado Public Utilities
Commission (Energy Execs Class of 2022)
This program gave me the push I needed to get more excited about the technology and
more motivated to explore what is possible. And that will only serve to improve outcomes,
of that I am certain."
— Michael Peterson, Renewable Natural Gas Supply Development lead, Shell (Energy Execs
Class of 2022)
NREL Energy Execs provides a fulfilling opportunity to interact with the lab's talented
researchers, partnership developers, and leadership team. Our cohort of participants
was a good size, and the program curriculum was paced appropriately, such that each
session included time to discuss informed questions, learn from each other, and reflect
on the topics from month to month."
— Andy Berger, vice president, Environmental Compliance and Policy/ESG, Tri-State
Generation and Transmission Association Inc. (Energy Execs Class of 2021)
NREL Energy Execs is easily one of the best professional development opportunities
I've been able to participate in. I came away with a more thorough understanding of
not just my area of work in the energy space but of the next big frontiers across
all of NREL's research areas. I now have the benefit of integrating that knowledge
and systems thinking in my work. Energy Execs is a no-brainer for anyone working in
energy."
— John Jameson, senior energy and sustainability analyst, ICF (Energy Execs Class
of 2019)
Energy Execs Graduates
Since 2007, more than 350 decision makers from 39 U.S. states have participated in Energy Execs. See the list of Energy Execs alumni sorted by program and year.
Are you an Energy Execs alumnus? Send your updated contact information to us at eexecsalumni@nrel.gov.