Menu
Search

About the Energy Initiative

The MIT Energy Initiative is MIT’s hub for energy research, education, and outreach—connecting faculty, students, and staff to develop the technologies and solutions that will deliver clean, affordable, and plentiful sources of energy. Our mission is to create low- and no-carbon solutions that will efficiently and sustainably meet global energy needs while minimizing environmental impacts, dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigating climate change. Within MIT, we strive to foster a sense of community among those interested in energy.

We pair world-class research teams from across the Institute with MITEI’s government and industry members to respond to specific energy challenges. Through our Low-Carbon Energy Centers, companies and government entities can join to advance research through these consortia focused on particular technology areas. The Centers are a key element of MIT’s Plan for Action on Climate Change.

To explore the potential of and challenges for key energy technologies and sources and energy-related systems, MITEI conducts multidisciplinary research studies, engaging with and informing policymakers and industry decision-makers. Our most recent studies on energy technologies and sources are The Future Of Nuclear Energy in a Carbon-Constrained World and The Future of Solar Energy; The Future of Energy Storage is currently underway. Each examines the role of a specific energy source in meeting future energy demand under carbon dioxide emissions constraints. Our energy systems studies are Utility of the Future (2016) and Mobility of the Future (anticipated Fall 2019); these studies engage advisory groups of outside industry stakeholders to share insights and exchange ideas about the future of the sectors and systems.

MITEI created and administers the interdisciplinary Energy Studies Minor for undergraduates. Through this program and other initiatives, such as the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program in energy and the graduate Energy Fellows program, we prepare future energy innovators, researchers, and policymakers to lead and implement the transition to a low-carbon economy while addressing climate change. Our graduates have gone on to exciting careers in the public, private, nonprofit, and academic sectors. In addition to academic programs and funding for research, opportunities for students include workshops and events to help develop skills and explore career paths. We also support student-led energy groups.

We share our work and engage with faculty, students, industry members, and the broader community through seminars, symposia, and conferences on timely energy topics—with speakers from within MIT as well as invited outside faculty and other experts. We also highlight recent MIT energy news and opportunities through our newsletter and on our social media channels—as well as through Energy Futures, a twice-annual magazine of energy research and other energy activities at MIT.

What We Do


More Information

OverviewDownload

Low-Carbon Energy CentersDownload | More information

Impact ReportDownload

 

Energy Studies MinorDownload | More information

Undergraduate ResearchDownload | More information

Energy FellowsDownload | More information

Executive Leadership

Robert Armstrong Director

MIT Energy Initiative

Robert Armstrong directs the MIT Energy Initiative, an Institute-wide initiative at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology linking science, technology, and policy to transform the worlds energy systems. A member of the MIT faculty since 1973, Armstrong served as head of the Department of Chemical Engineering from 1996 to 2007. His research interests include energy, the rheology of complex materials, and polymer fluid mechanics.

In 2008, Armstrong was elected into the National Academy of Engineering for conducting outstanding research on non-Newtonian fluid mechanics, co- authoring landmark textbooks, and providing leadership in chemical engineering education.

Armstrong received the Warren K. Lewis Award in 2006 and the Professional Progress Award in 1992, both from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and the 2006 Bingham Medal from the Society of Rheology, which is devoted to the study of the science of deformation and flow of matter. Armstrong was a member of MIT’s Future of Natural Gas and Future of Solar Energy study groups and is co-chairing the Future of Storage study currently underway. He co-edited Game Changers: Energy on the Move with former Secretary of State George P. Shultz.
Robert Stoner Deputy Director for Science and Technology

MIT Energy Initiative

Robert Stoner, MITEI’s deputy director for Science and Technology, also directs the Tata Center for Technology and Design—an MIT graduate program that trains future engineering and business leaders to invent technologies that address unmet needs and challenges in India and elsewhere in the developing world. Stoner also served as a study group member of Future of Solar Energy study.

He is the inventor of numerous optical and electronic devices and has an extensive international business background, having held senior positions at Intel and Zygo Corporations and founded technology companies in the United States and Europe. He was also an adjunct professor of Engineering at Brown University from 1995 through 2002. Immediately prior to joining MIT, he served in senior roles at the Clinton Foundation in Africa and India.
Martha Broad Executive Director

MIT Energy Initiative

Martha Broad, MITEI’s executive director, oversees MITEI’s finance, operations, communications and events teams that support MITEI’s research, education and outreach activities. In addition, as a member of MITEI’s leadership team, she plays a key role in managing the ongoing development of MITEI’s Low-Carbon Energy Centers. She has been an invited speaker at Chatham House’s Energy Transitions Conference, ARPA-E’s Energy Innovation Summit, the MIT Energy Conference, and other events. She serves on MIT’s Climate Action Advisory Committee for implanting the Institute’s Plan for Action on Climate Change. She also served on the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Decarbonizing Energy.

In addition, she spearheads MITEI’s collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy to design, manage, and host the annual Clean Energy Education and Empowerment (C3E) Women in Clean Energy Symposium and serves as a C3E Ambassador.
 
Previously, as part of the senior management team of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), Broad led programs and studies that focused on the commercialization of clean energy technologies. By collaborating with universities and public and private partners, she helped facilitate the state’s successful installation of hundreds of megawatts of wind and solar systems.
Louis Carranza Associate Director

MIT Energy Initiative

Louis Carranza was previously vice president for strategic development at IHS, where he worked for 17 years. There, he served as executive director and co-chair of CERAWeek – one of the top five corporate leader conferences in the world – and conceived and implemented the CERAWeek partnership program. He was also co-director of the IHS scenario planning initiative. Earlier at CERA, Carranza was responsible for managing the firm’s global power practice.
Emily Dahl Director of Communications

MIT Energy Initiative

Emily Dahl has worked at the intersection of energy, sustainability, and policy communications for more than 10 years. At MIT Energy Initiative, she leads the communications team, which is responsible for public and media relations, digital media, publications, articles, and other content related to MITEI’s research, education, and outreach efforts. Emily’s background includes lead communications and digital media roles with Massachusetts quasi-public agencies, regional and national clean energy organizations, and political campaigns.
Antje Danielson Director of Education

MIT Energy Initiative

Antje Danielson joined MITEI after eight years at Tufts University, where she directed the Tufts Institute of the Environment and was an assistant professor in the Department of Public Health. Her areas of interest are energy education and carbon capture and storage. She is also interested in research on conditions that underpin interdisciplinary research and collaborations.

Her previous roles include deputy director for sustainability at the Centre for Research into Earth Energy Systems at Durham University in the UK, where she initiated a carbon capture and storage working group. Danielson is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Council for Science and the Environment and has also served as President of the Council for Environmental Deans and Directors. She received teaching awards from Harvard University and an Exceptional Contribution Award from Durham University. In 1999/2000 she co-founded the car-sharing company Zipcar.

Antje holds a PhD in geochemistry from the Freie Universität in Berlin, Germany.
Robert Tolu Senior Fiscal Officer

MIT Energy Initiative

Robert Tolu has worked for 17 years in finance and previously sponsored award administration for Harvard University and Education Development Center. At MITEI, he serves as senior fiscal officer and is responsible for overseeing all financial matters, pre- and post-award, to ensure smooth operations and minimal surprises. Robert’s extensive experience includes work with the federal government, industry, and foundation funders.

Governing Board

The Governing Board provides input to MITEI leadership on overall direction and member activities and serves as the Program Committee for the Energy Research Seed Fund. The Board meets twice a year—in the spring to review seed fund progress and proposals and in the fall at the time of the annual MITEI Research Conference. Founding and Sustaining members each have a seat on the MITEI Governing Board with the directors of MITEI and the MIT Energy Council.

Energy Council

The Energy Council helps shape MITEI’s research, education, and outreach directions.

Angela Belcher Professor

Biological Engineering
Martha Broad Executive Director

MIT Energy Initiative
Vladimir Bulović Professor

Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
John Deutch Institute Professor

Chemistry
Leon Glicksman Professor

Architecture
Christopher Knittel Professor

Sloan School of Management
Robert Stoner Deputy Director for Science and Technology

MIT Energy Initiative

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee meets annually to review MITEI’s progress, provide strategic input, and report to the offices of the MIT President and Provost. MITEI Founding Members, and rotating Sustaining Members have a seat on the Executive Committee.

External Advisory Board

The External Advisory Board (EAB), composed of industry, academic, nonprofit, and public sector leaders, is chaired by George Shultz and provides oversight to MITEI. The views and guidance of the EAB greatly assist MITEI in maximizing its impact in helping to meet the world’s energy needs, reduce the environmental impacts of energy production and consumption, and influence public discourse on energy and the environment. The EAB meets annually each fall.

Norman Augustine
Retired Chairman and CEO, Lockheed Martin

Frances Beinecke
Past President, Natural Resources Defense Council

Roberto Casula
Chief Development, Operations, and Technology Officer, Eni S.p.A.

Arunas A. Chesonis
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sweetwater Energy

Rafael del Pino
Chairman, Grupo Ferrovial SA

Susan Eisenhower
Chairman Emeritus, Eisenhower Institute

Walter B. Hewlett
Chairman, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

Susan Hockfield
President Emerita and Professor of Neuroscience, MIT

Ahmad Al Khowaiter
Chief Technology Officer, Saudi Aramco

Robert B. Millard
Chairman, MIT Corporation

Mario J. Molina
Professor, University of California, San Diego

Sam Nunn
Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Nuclear Threat Initiative

John S. Reed
Former Chairman, MIT

Güler Sabanci
Chairman and Managing Director, Haci Omer Sabanci Holding AS

Arthur J. Samberg
Manager, Hawkes Financial Services LLC

Yuri Sebregts
Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Shell Global Solutions International BV

Philip R. Sharp
Retired President, Resources for the Future

George P. Shultz (Chair)
Thomas W. and Susan B. Ford Distinguished Fellow, Hoover Institution

Robert M. Solow
Institute Professor Emeritus, MIT

Thomas F. Stephenson
Partner, Sequoia Capital

Vijay Swarup
Vice President for Research and Development, ExxonMobil Corporation

Ratan N. Tata
Chairman, Tata Sons Limited

Ellen Williams
Distinguished University Professor, Department of Physics, University of Maryland

Daniel Yergin
Chairman, IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates

Administration

Administration Staff Members
Alexandra Goodwin Senior Administrative Assistant
Caleb Larson Administrative Assistant
Carolyn Sinnes Administrative Assistant, ENI-MIT Alliance
Peggy Udden Senior Administrative Assistant

Communications and Events

Communications Staff Members
Emily Dahl Director of Communications
Kelly Hoarty Events Project Coordinator
Debi Kedian Events Manager
Kathryn Luu Communications Specialist
Jenn Schlick Manager, Digital Projects
Nancy Stauffer Editor, Energy Futures
Kelley Travers Operations and Communications Coordinator

Education

Education Staff Members
Antje Danielson Director of Education
Rowan Elowe Project Assistant
Rachel Shulman Undergraduate Academic Coordinator

Finance

Finance Staff Members
Leia Amarra Fiscal Officer
Jasmine Bellitti Financial Assistant
Danny DeStefano Financial Assistant
Leposava Gagoska Senior Financial Assistant
Tiffany Greaves Financial Assistant
Edith Jaehne Fiscal Officer
Robert Tolu Senior Fiscal Officer
Nadie Trotman Fiscal Officer
Maria Tsafoulias Financial Assistant

HR

HR Staff Members
Sarah Peterson Human Resources Administrator

IT

IT Staff Members
Patrick Connelly Systems Administrator

Member Services

Member Services Staff Members
Louis Carranza Associate Director
Lihong (Wendy) Duan Program Director, Asia-Pacific Partnership Program
Brian Hodder Special Projects Manager
Aruna Joglekar Member Programs Manager

Research

Research Staff Members
Pablo Duenas-Martinez Research Scientist
Randall Field Executive Director, Mobility of the Future
Emre Gençer Research Scientist
Howard Gruenspecht Senior Energy Economist
Dharik Mallapragada Research Scientist
Raanan Miller Associate Director, SkTech/MIT Energy Initiative
Apurba Sakti Research Scientist
Karen Tapia-Ahumada Research Scientist

MITEI is affiliated with faculty members in several MIT centers, departments, and laboratories pursuing interdisciplinary energy and environmental activities. MITEI supports the financial administration of certain projects and collaborates on research and education activities with these organizations.

MITEI’s continuing work on carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technologies focuses on three areas: assessment, education/outreach, and research. MITEI Senior Research Engineer Howard Herzog leads this effort. Active internal collaborations include Ahmed Ghoniem (Mechanical Engineering) on oxy-combustion and gasification technologies, Alan Hatton (Chemical Engineering) on stimulus-response sorbents for CO2 capture, Ruben Juanes (Civil and Environmental Engineering) on geologic storage modeling, and John Parsons (Sloan School of Management) on CCS regulatory frameworks and business organization. The core of the program is the Carbon Sequestration Initiative (CSI), an industrial consortium on carbon management. The 12 members are Alstom Power, American Petroleum Institute, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Duke Energy, Electric Power Research Institute, Entergy, ExxonMobil, Shell, Southern Company, Suncor, and Vattenfall. The initiative funds research and hosts an annual two-day Carbon Sequestration Forum to examine critical technical and policy issues related to CCS.
Established in 1977, CEEPR funds research on energy and environmental policy to support improved decision making by government and industry. It is directed by Professor Christopher Knittel and jointly sponsored by MITEI, the Department of Economics, and the Sloan School of Management. Affiliated faculty and research staff as well as international research associates contribute to empirical research on policy issues related to coal, oil, gas, and electricity markets; nuclear power; transport; energy infrastructure; investment finance and risk management; and environmental and carbon constraints. CEEPR cooperates closely with associates in government and industry from around the globe to enhance the relevance of its research. Output includes working papers, policy briefs, and research input; larger, interdisciplinary studies; two annual research workshops in Cambridge, Massachusetts; and a European energy policy conference organized jointly with the Energy Policy Research Group at the University of Cambridge.
The CECP is an alliance between the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change and the Institute for Energy, Environment and Economy at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. At MIT, the CECP is associated with and supported by the MIT Energy Initiative. The goal of the CECP is to analyze the impact of existing and proposed energy and climate policies in China on technology, energy use, the environment and economic welfare by applying — and, where necessary, developing — both quantitative and qualitative analysis tools.
The goal of the Climate CoLab is to harness the collective intelligence of thousands of people from all around the world to address global climate change. Inspired by systems like Wikipedia and Linux, the MIT Center for Collective Intelligence has developed this crowdsourcing platform where citizens work with experts and each other to create, analyze, and select detailed proposals for what to do about climate change.
The MIT Energy Club is focused on the creation of a tight-knit energy community at MIT. The club holds weekly events, including document-based energy discussion groups and the MIT Energy Lecture Series, alongside signature events such as the annual MIT EnergyNight and the MIT Energy Conference. The club’s emphasis is on building a community at MIT with a deeper understanding of global energy trends and challenges through open, fact-based discussion.
MIT’s Environmental Solutions Initiative (ESI) advances science, engineering, policy and social science, design, the humanities, and the arts towards a people-centric and planet-positive future. ESI pursues this mission by mobilizing students, faculty, and staff across MIT in partnerships for interdisciplinary education, research, and convening.
The Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change integrates natural and social science to study the interactions among human and Earth systems to provide a sound foundation of scientific knowledge. Co-directed by John Reilly and Ronald Prinn, the MIT Joint Program combines traditional strengths in science and economics to aid decision-makers in confronting the interwoven challenges of future food, energy, water, climate and air pollution issues, among others. Launched in 1991, the program is recognized as a world-leading center for integrated assessment of global change. The program has developed unique analytical capabilities for investigating the complex connections among human activities and the global environment as well as associated uncertainties. At the heart of this work is the MIT Integrated Global System Modeling (IGSM) framework. This linked set of computer models analyzes interactions among human and Earth systems, enabling the program to undertake quantitative analyses of global changes and their social and environmental implications. A team of faculty, professional research staff, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students carries out the work and communicates the research results, analysis methods, and assessment conclusions to a broad range of audiences. Through publications, presentations, workshops, and briefings, the program’s work is conveyed to policy makers in the United States and in other countries, industry leaders, other analysis groups in the climate community, environmental organizations, journalists, students, educators, and the public at large. The effort is supported by ten U.S. federal agencies and an international consortium of industrial, foreign government, and foundation sponsors in North America, Europe, Japan, and China.
MITEI’s research in the area of integrated planning for local and regional energy infrastructures is centered in the Analysis Group for Regional Energy Alternatives (AGREA), led by Stephen Connors. Collaborations include the MIT-Portugal Program and ESD’s Center for Complex Engineering Systems with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), as well as MITEI’s own projects.
MITEI continues to host the MultiScale Materials Science for Energy and Environment, an international joint unit or UMI (Unite Mixte Internationale) between the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and MIT. The UMI, led by Director Roland Pellenq and Co-Director Franz Ulm, plays a critical role in MIT’s ability to respond to the research challenges of sustainable shale gas exploration. Specifically, in collaboration with Shell, Schlumberger, MIT, and the X-SHALE project, UMI carbon scientists and Materials Science and Civil Engineering faculty are leading the development of the fundamental nanoscale knowledge required for a sustainable asset management of shale gas.
In August 2013, the Office of Executive Vice President and Treasurer (EVPT) established MIT’s first Office of Sustainability reporting directly to EVPT Israel Ruiz. Julie Newman, director of Sustainability, and her staff are spearheading an expansion and coordination of campus energy and sustainability programs across campus and in the community. MITEI and the Office of Sustainability are continuing the already strong collaboration with the EVPT’s office and the Department of Facilities in campus energy education, faculty engagement, and student projects both inside and outside the classroom.
MITEI hosts the Tata Center for Technology and Design. Founded in 2012 with support from the Tata Trusts, the Center’s research and education mission is to develop solutions to challenges facing resource-constrained communities globally, with an initial focus on India.

The scope of the world’s energy problems calls for a comprehensive portfolio of responses to environmental, economic, scientific, security, and political issues. Under the MIT Energy Initiative, MIT researchers are hard at work on this portfolio, addressing alleviating immediate shortage, security, and environmental concerns. Advancing energy research and education is a main priority of the Campaign as part of the focus on improving the health of the planet.

Give now

MIT is a 501(c)(3) institution, and your gift is tax-deductible within the limitations of U.S. federal income tax laws. The Institute’s tax identification number is 04-2103594.

Industry and Public Research Collaborators

MITEI’s Member Program contributes to a critical link in the energy innovation chain — the pairing of MIT’s world-class research teams with innovators in industry.

Learn about becoming a member

MIT Human Resources maintains a list of open positions at the Energy Initiative, and is the primary contact for all applications and questions.

View open positions

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment. Read the full nondiscrimination policy.

I’m a journalist. How can I get in touch with an MIT energy researcher?
Contact MITEI Communications.

How can I learn about becoming a member?
Contact MITEI Member Services.

How can I learn about energy education?
Contact MITEI Education.

Where can I view recordings of MITEI events, seminars and other talks online?
If a MITEI event, seminar, or other talk is being recorded, you can find the video by visiting the MITEI YouTube channel. Please note that not all MITEI events, seminars and talks are recorded, but that the YouTube channel is the most up-to-date source of MITEI video recordings.

I’m a non-MIT student/researcher who would like to work with MIT faculty on energy issues. Are there opportunities available for internships and jobs?
MIT faculty work on a very wide range of energy research topics, and the best way to figure out whether there could be opportunities is to research specific departments and faculty members, and inquire through those channels. You can learn more about faculty members affiliated with MITEI here. To see opportunities with MITEI, visit MIT’s careers page and select “MIT Energy Initiative” for a department.

I’m a researcher at another academic institution. How can I get in contact with MITEI about an energy-related topic?
If you would like to reach MITEI regarding an energy-related topic such as an invention or research project, please send us more information about your proposal.

I’m an inventor. How do I get in touch with someone at MITEI about my energy-related invention?
We receive many inquiries about inventions, and unfortunately MITEI researchers are unable to review these proposals.

Contact

Have a question not answered here?

Talk to us