New Geothermal Lab Manager Joins NREL
"NREL's geothermal program capabilities include resource assessments, techno-economic modeling, regulatory and permitting processes, and data analysis and visualization," said Johnston. "I'm excited to lead NREL's geothermal program as we continue to advance our capabilities in key areas during the next five years. These opportunities for growth reside in the development and deployment of technologies supporting geothermal exploration and production, desalination and mineral recovery, and direct use and distributed generation."
Previously, Johnston worked with Shell for 30 years, most recently serving as reservoir engineering discipline lead within international unconventional resources at Shell's headquarters in the Netherlands. In that role, he was responsible for technical assurance of reservoir engineering for Shell's international unconventional resource projects.
At Shell, his experience also included a number of broad engineering, systems analysis, technology assessment, and technology management roles, along with focused assignments that allowed him to develop a deep subject matter expertise in reservoir engineering.
"This expertise will strengthen NREL's enhanced geothermal, hydrothermal, low-temperature, co-produced resources, and analysis efforts," said NREL Associate Lab Director Dr. Michael Pacheco. "Bud's critical relationships with industry and academia will help NREL and the U.S. Department of Energy accelerate the development of all geothermal technologies. He will also help the laboratory strengthen its existing collaboration with the Colorado School of Mines."
Johnston holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a master's degree in mineral engineering from the University of Alabama, as well as an executive master's in business administration degree from Tulane University. While at Shell, Johnston also completed a certificate training program in energy innovation and emerging technologies and is pursuing a certificate in advanced project management, both from the Stanford Center for Professional Development.