As the Laboratory Program Manager of Analysis Coordination, Mark Ruth shepherds the laboratory's growing body of analysis work, including strengthening collaboration with partners, connecting analysis work across NREL, and positioning the laboratory for future opportunities.

Prior to becoming Laboratory Program Manager, Mark led analysis projects focused on the interface between energy sectors, particularly electricity, hydrogen, and industry. He has also been involved in bioenergy, hydrogen, and energy systems integration analysis and development. Mark has been at NREL for nearly 30 years, receiving several honors and recognitions during his tenure. 

Research Interests

Energy systems and their simulation

Biomass processing to fuels and chemicals

Hydrogen production and delivery

Industrial sector decarbonization

Education

B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Colorado-Boulder

Professional Experience

Group Manager of Industrial Systems and Fuels, NREL Strategic Energy Analysis Center (2019–2022)

Principal Analyst, NREL Strategic Energy Analysis Center (2015–2019)

Lead Analyst, NREL Energy Systems Integration (2013–2015)

Hydrogen Program Integrator, NREL Systems Engineering and Program Integration Office (2008–2013)

Interim Biomass Program Integrator, NREL Systems Engineering and Program Integration (2010–2010)

Senior Engineer II, NREL Systems Integration (2008–2008)

Senior Engineer I Macro-System Model, NREL Systems Integration (2005–2008)

Process Engineer I, NREL Biomass Center (1993–2005)

Associations and Memberships

Member, American Institute of Chemical Engineering

Featured Work

Analysis of Multi-Output Hybrid Energy Systems Interacting with the Grid: Application of Improved Price-Taker and Price-Maker Approaches to Nuclear-Hydrogen Systems, Applied Energy (2022)

Electricity Costs and Carbon Implications for CO2-to-Fuels in Selected Locations in 2030, NREL Technical Report (2022)

An Economic Analysis of the Role of Materials, System Engineering, and Performance in Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Conversion to Formate, Journal of Cleaner Production (2022)

The Technical and Economic Potential of the H2@Scale Concept within the United States, NREL Technical Report (2020)

Awards and Honors

Secretary of Energy Achievement Award, U.S. Department of Energy (2021)

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program Award, H2@Scale, U.S. Department of Energy (2018)

Staff Award, NREL (2003)