Below is a list of speaker biographies for the 2022 CRES Conference taking place on August 6th in Golden, Colorado. Explore more about each of our speakers or use the table of contents below to navigate to a specific speaker.
2022 CRES Conference Speakers
Kyri Baker
Dr. Baker is Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder in the Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering Department. She also holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, and a joint appointment at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) through the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI). Being a professor has been her dream since she was 15 years old, and the job has exceeded her expectations.
Previously, Dr. Baker was a Research Engineer in the Power Systems Engineering Center at NREL, and a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Residential Buildings group at NREL. She received her PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in December 2014. She is interested in how advanced controls and optimization methods can help integrate renewables, facilitate building-to-grid interactions, and foster efficient operation of our future smart grids and smart cities.
Education:
PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, 2010- December 2014
M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, 2009-2010
B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, 2006-2009
Dr. Baker is Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder in the Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering Department. She also holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, and a joint appointment at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) through the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI). Being a professor has been her dream since she was 15 years old, and the job has exceeded her expectations.
Previously, Dr. Baker was a Research Engineer in the Power Systems Engineering Center at NREL, and a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Residential Buildings group at NREL. She received her PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in December 2014. She is interested in how advanced controls and optimization methods can help integrate renewables, facilitate building-to-grid interactions, and foster efficient operation of our future smart grids and smart cities.
Education:
PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, 2010- December 2014
M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, 2009-2010
B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, 2006-2009
Nate Blair
Nate Blair is the group manager of the Distributed Systems & Storage Group in the Integrated Applications Center at NREL. He has expertise in solar system modeling tools including PVWatts and Solar Prospector, concentrating solar power systems and management. His research interests include techno-economic analysis, photovoltaics, wind, geothermal power, electricity storage, and grid capacity expansion modeling, as well as international energy sector analysis and development.
Education:
Nate has a B.A in Physics, an M.S.M.E., University of Wisconsin-Madison Engineering School, Solar Energy LaboratoryM.B.A., and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business
Nate Blair is the group manager of the Distributed Systems & Storage Group in the Integrated Applications Center at NREL. He has expertise in solar system modeling tools including PVWatts and Solar Prospector, concentrating solar power systems and management. His research interests include techno-economic analysis, photovoltaics, wind, geothermal power, electricity storage, and grid capacity expansion modeling, as well as international energy sector analysis and development.
Education:
Nate has a B.A in Physics, an M.S.M.E., University of Wisconsin-Madison Engineering School, Solar Energy LaboratoryM.B.A., and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business
Christine Brinker
Christine Brinker is Senior Buildings Policy Manager in SWEEP’s Buildings Efficiency program, where she specializes in commercial building energy efficiency, including high performance buildings, benchmarking and transparency, state and local policies, net zero buildings, beneficial electrification, and commercial building energy code adoption and compliance. She’s been with SWEEP for 15 years, and before that worked at ESOURCE advising utilities on clean energy technologies and distributed energy strategy. She also spent two years living and working in Niger, West Africa, teaching environmental science in French and Zarma. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with Distinction with a BA in Economics and Environmental Policy from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she focused on clean energy economics and sustainable energy policy.
Her work at SWEEP involves helping state and local governments plan or improve energy efficiency policies and programs for the built environment, helping local jurisdictions update their energy codes, writing state legislation, serving as an expert witness for bills or dockets, designing and expanding benchmarking and transparency policies, pushing appliance standards, facilitating networks of local officials and industry stakeholders, designing outreach materials and strategies, and delving into new and innovative energy efficiency tactics.
When she’s not thinking about buildings efficiency, she’s rebuilding her house, biking Denver’s many trails, or hiking in the Colorado mountains.
Christine Brinker is Senior Buildings Policy Manager in SWEEP’s Buildings Efficiency program, where she specializes in commercial building energy efficiency, including high performance buildings, benchmarking and transparency, state and local policies, net zero buildings, beneficial electrification, and commercial building energy code adoption and compliance. She’s been with SWEEP for 15 years, and before that worked at ESOURCE advising utilities on clean energy technologies and distributed energy strategy. She also spent two years living and working in Niger, West Africa, teaching environmental science in French and Zarma. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with Distinction with a BA in Economics and Environmental Policy from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she focused on clean energy economics and sustainable energy policy.
Her work at SWEEP involves helping state and local governments plan or improve energy efficiency policies and programs for the built environment, helping local jurisdictions update their energy codes, writing state legislation, serving as an expert witness for bills or dockets, designing and expanding benchmarking and transparency policies, pushing appliance standards, facilitating networks of local officials and industry stakeholders, designing outreach materials and strategies, and delving into new and innovative energy efficiency tactics.
When she’s not thinking about buildings efficiency, she’s rebuilding her house, biking Denver’s many trails, or hiking in the Colorado mountains.
Vince Calvano
Vince Calvano provides legal representation for groups or individuals in the Colorado PUC process on various electric utility or transportation matters with a goal of making better and more sustainable energy choices. He currently chairs the CRES Policy committee.
He has represented renewable energy related nonprofits, government entities, and individuals before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission and successfully helped clients intervene in a myriad of different electric utility proceedings ranging from Electric Resource Planning and Renewable Energy Standard Compliance Planning to Demand Side Management Planning and DSM Strategic Issues dockets, as well as electric Phase I and Phase II Rate Cases, and utility solar program proceedings, among others.
Education:
J.D. and a Masters of Studies in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School, with a focus on Energy and Environmental law. Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences from Penn State. He worked as a geophysical technician before going to law school.
Vince Calvano provides legal representation for groups or individuals in the Colorado PUC process on various electric utility or transportation matters with a goal of making better and more sustainable energy choices. He currently chairs the CRES Policy committee.
He has represented renewable energy related nonprofits, government entities, and individuals before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission and successfully helped clients intervene in a myriad of different electric utility proceedings ranging from Electric Resource Planning and Renewable Energy Standard Compliance Planning to Demand Side Management Planning and DSM Strategic Issues dockets, as well as electric Phase I and Phase II Rate Cases, and utility solar program proceedings, among others.
Education:
J.D. and a Masters of Studies in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School, with a focus on Energy and Environmental law. Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences from Penn State. He worked as a geophysical technician before going to law school.
Sika Gadzanku
Sika Gadzanku is an energy technology and policy researcher in NREL’s Integrated Applications Center. Her work involves providing technical assistance to international partners on grid integration of renewable energy and supporting the REopt team in conducting renewable energy screenings and evaluating renewable energy and storage deployment potential. Her research experience includes climate change impacts on hydropower in Sub-Saharan Africa, waste-to-energy technologies, and power systems planning efforts in Ghana and Nigeria. She also has professional experience in energy consulting and distilling complex technical information to policymakers and the general public.
Sika Gadzanku is an energy technology and policy researcher in NREL’s Integrated Applications Center. Her work involves providing technical assistance to international partners on grid integration of renewable energy and supporting the REopt team in conducting renewable energy screenings and evaluating renewable energy and storage deployment potential. Her research experience includes climate change impacts on hydropower in Sub-Saharan Africa, waste-to-energy technologies, and power systems planning efforts in Ghana and Nigeria. She also has professional experience in energy consulting and distilling complex technical information to policymakers and the general public.
Allison Jackson
Allison has experience in both the environmental science and education fields. She worked as an environmental consultant in Chicago and taught for 10 years, teaching everything from 6th grade science to AP Environmental Science. Allison has a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from Indiana University and a Master’s degree in secondary science education from Northwestern University. She is forging new connections between students and Colorado Agrivoltaic Learning Center and hopes to inspire students to explore sustainable agriculture and renewable energy as future career options.
Allison has experience in both the environmental science and education fields. She worked as an environmental consultant in Chicago and taught for 10 years, teaching everything from 6th grade science to AP Environmental Science. Allison has a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from Indiana University and a Master’s degree in secondary science education from Northwestern University. She is forging new connections between students and Colorado Agrivoltaic Learning Center and hopes to inspire students to explore sustainable agriculture and renewable energy as future career options.
Scott King
Scott King, an entrepreneur, retired early because the perils of climate change compelled him to take action. He is now putting his experience, resources, and optimism into Mission Zero, an initiative he founded to amplify student-led sustainability solutions and stories. While Mission Zero is rooted at his alma mater, CU Boulder, the concept is ready to be replicated at campuses nationwide.
Scott King, an entrepreneur, retired early because the perils of climate change compelled him to take action. He is now putting his experience, resources, and optimism into Mission Zero, an initiative he founded to amplify student-led sustainability solutions and stories. While Mission Zero is rooted at his alma mater, CU Boulder, the concept is ready to be replicated at campuses nationwide.
Austin Kinzer
Austin Kinzer is a Ph.D. student in Advanced Energy Systems at Colorado School of Mines and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. His primary research is on the energy-water-food nexus and agrivoltaic modeling with a focus on tools to enable megawatt-scale agrivoltaics. As a student at Mines, he has researched carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration with the Payne Institute and served as a Climate Corps Fellow working on corporate decarbonization with the Environmental Defense Fund and Iron Mountain. Prior to Mines, Austin worked in commercial and industrial solar development and obtained his B.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Austin Kinzer is a Ph.D. student in Advanced Energy Systems at Colorado School of Mines and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. His primary research is on the energy-water-food nexus and agrivoltaic modeling with a focus on tools to enable megawatt-scale agrivoltaics. As a student at Mines, he has researched carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration with the Payne Institute and served as a Climate Corps Fellow working on corporate decarbonization with the Environmental Defense Fund and Iron Mountain. Prior to Mines, Austin worked in commercial and industrial solar development and obtained his B.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Peter Lilienthal
Dr. Lilienthal is the CEO of HOMER Energy which was acquired by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) in 2018.
His company grew out of NREL’s HOMER® hybrid power optimization software, which he developed. The software has been used by over 200,000 energy practitioners in 193 countries. Dr. Lilienthal was the Senior Economist with International Programs at NREL from 1990 – 2007 and one of the creators of NREL’s Village Power Program. He has a Ph.D. in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University. He has been active in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency since 1978. This has included designing and teaching courses at the university level, project development of independent power projects, and consulting to industry and regulators. His expertise is in the economic and financial analysis of renewable and micro-grid projects.
Dr. Lilienthal is the CEO of HOMER Energy which was acquired by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) in 2018.
His company grew out of NREL’s HOMER® hybrid power optimization software, which he developed. The software has been used by over 200,000 energy practitioners in 193 countries. Dr. Lilienthal was the Senior Economist with International Programs at NREL from 1990 – 2007 and one of the creators of NREL’s Village Power Program. He has a Ph.D. in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University. He has been active in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency since 1978. This has included designing and teaching courses at the university level, project development of independent power projects, and consulting to industry and regulators. His expertise is in the economic and financial analysis of renewable and micro-grid projects.
Josh Lake
Josh is an engineer, entrepreneur, and avid outdoorsman who loves building companies to solve our energy, climate, and sustainability challenges. His main interests are in home electrification (heat pumps!), solar energy, and electric vehicles.
Over the past 15 years, he has helped build several companies including 532 Solar (distributed generation solar energy), Amonix (utility-scale solar energy), Evercar (platform to share and rent electric vehicles), and Nuro (autonomous electric vehicles for grocery delivery). Now, he is building Elephant Energy, a one-stop-shop designed to help homeowners modernize their homes with comfort-focused electric upgrades.
Josh is an engineer, entrepreneur, and avid outdoorsman who loves building companies to solve our energy, climate, and sustainability challenges. His main interests are in home electrification (heat pumps!), solar energy, and electric vehicles.
Over the past 15 years, he has helped build several companies including 532 Solar (distributed generation solar energy), Amonix (utility-scale solar energy), Evercar (platform to share and rent electric vehicles), and Nuro (autonomous electric vehicles for grocery delivery). Now, he is building Elephant Energy, a one-stop-shop designed to help homeowners modernize their homes with comfort-focused electric upgrades.
Hunter Lovins
Hunter is the founder of Natural Capitalism Solutions and co-founder and former CEO for Strategy of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), has a long history of identifying effective pathways for change while working within our capitalist system. She is a faculty member for Bard’s MBA in Sustainability program and is the author of “A Finer Future. Creating an Economy in Service to Life” and “Climate Capitalism: Capitalism in the Age of Climate Change,” among others. Lovins brings a truly global perspective with her many decades of teaching and consulting internationally.
Hunter is the founder of Natural Capitalism Solutions and co-founder and former CEO for Strategy of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), has a long history of identifying effective pathways for change while working within our capitalist system. She is a faculty member for Bard’s MBA in Sustainability program and is the author of “A Finer Future. Creating an Economy in Service to Life” and “Climate Capitalism: Capitalism in the Age of Climate Change,” among others. Lovins brings a truly global perspective with her many decades of teaching and consulting internationally.
Alyssa Russell
Alyssa Russell is the Energy Policy Advisor for Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CASR). CASR was created in 2020 to manage the City’s ambitious climate action goals and promote policies and programs that strengthen Denver's economic vitality. Denver voters approved a special sales tax to provide CASR with up to $40M per year to implement projects such as new solar installations, electrifying buildings, and community engagement programs. In her role, Alyssa works to advance the City’s goal to achieve 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2030. She advocates for issues surrounding renewable electricity and grid decarbonization before the Public Utilities Commission and leads Denver’s Energy Future Collaboration Renewables and Resilience Working Group with Xcel Energy. Before joining the City and County of Denver, Alyssa was a Project Manager in New York where she provided consulting services for the New York State Energy Research and Development Association. She holds a Master of Environmental Management degree with a focus in energy systems from Duke University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Liberal Arts from the Louisiana Scholars’ College at Northwestern State University.
Alyssa Russell is the Energy Policy Advisor for Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CASR). CASR was created in 2020 to manage the City’s ambitious climate action goals and promote policies and programs that strengthen Denver's economic vitality. Denver voters approved a special sales tax to provide CASR with up to $40M per year to implement projects such as new solar installations, electrifying buildings, and community engagement programs. In her role, Alyssa works to advance the City’s goal to achieve 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2030. She advocates for issues surrounding renewable electricity and grid decarbonization before the Public Utilities Commission and leads Denver’s Energy Future Collaboration Renewables and Resilience Working Group with Xcel Energy. Before joining the City and County of Denver, Alyssa was a Project Manager in New York where she provided consulting services for the New York State Energy Research and Development Association. She holds a Master of Environmental Management degree with a focus in energy systems from Duke University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Liberal Arts from the Louisiana Scholars’ College at Northwestern State University.
Larry Sherwood
Larry Sherwood is President & CEO of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), where has has worked in different capacities for more than 10 years, including as the author of IREC’s U.S. Solar Market Trends report, and editor of IREC’s Small Wind Newsletter.
With over 35 years of experience in renewable energy, Larry Sherwood worked on Solar Codes and Standards and headed a number of renewable energy organizations including the Small Wind Certification Council, American Solar Energy Society, and Northeast Sustainable Energy Association.
Larry Sherwood is President & CEO of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), where has has worked in different capacities for more than 10 years, including as the author of IREC’s U.S. Solar Market Trends report, and editor of IREC’s Small Wind Newsletter.
With over 35 years of experience in renewable energy, Larry Sherwood worked on Solar Codes and Standards and headed a number of renewable energy organizations including the Small Wind Certification Council, American Solar Energy Society, and Northeast Sustainable Energy Association.
Ron Sinton
Ron Sinton is a Coloradoan who got his PhD working on high-efficiency silicon solar cells at Stanford, and then became a founding member of the PV company SunPower. After starting his own manufacturing company, Sinton Instruments, that exports electronic equipment used in solar-cell manufacturing, Ron moved the company to Boulder, CO.
In recent years, he also worked in the modeling of clean-energy systems with a particular interest in following the progress of the local utility, Xcel Energy.
This experience has allowed him to serve as a bit of a “bridge” between the technical specialists in his original field of research (PV R&D) and the quite different details of how decisions to use PV and wind are made at the utility scale, involving utilities, politicians, and regulators. He has taken a role as moderator in the technical conference in the sessions on the drive towards 100% renewables. He remains a bit of a PV-industry insider providing equipment to nearly every company worldwide that makes silicon solar cells worldwide. He also tinkers with EVs and PV arrays.
Ron Sinton is a Coloradoan who got his PhD working on high-efficiency silicon solar cells at Stanford, and then became a founding member of the PV company SunPower. After starting his own manufacturing company, Sinton Instruments, that exports electronic equipment used in solar-cell manufacturing, Ron moved the company to Boulder, CO.
In recent years, he also worked in the modeling of clean-energy systems with a particular interest in following the progress of the local utility, Xcel Energy.
This experience has allowed him to serve as a bit of a “bridge” between the technical specialists in his original field of research (PV R&D) and the quite different details of how decisions to use PV and wind are made at the utility scale, involving utilities, politicians, and regulators. He has taken a role as moderator in the technical conference in the sessions on the drive towards 100% renewables. He remains a bit of a PV-industry insider providing equipment to nearly every company worldwide that makes silicon solar cells worldwide. He also tinkers with EVs and PV arrays.
Will Toor
Will is the Executive Director of the Colorado Energy Office. He directed the transportation program at the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project and was a member of the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission. He served as Boulder County Commissioner from 2005-2012, and Mayor of Boulder, Colorado from 1998-2004. Will served on the board of the Denver Regional Council of Governments from 1998-2012, including as board chair. He led DRCOG in adopting goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles travelled in the region. He received his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Chicago in 1992.
Will is the Executive Director of the Colorado Energy Office. He directed the transportation program at the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project and was a member of the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission. He served as Boulder County Commissioner from 2005-2012, and Mayor of Boulder, Colorado from 1998-2004. Will served on the board of the Denver Regional Council of Governments from 1998-2012, including as board chair. He led DRCOG in adopting goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles travelled in the region. He received his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Chicago in 1992.