Executive Energy Leadership Academy

NREL's Executive Energy Leadership Academy (Energy Execs) provides energy industry professionals and community leaders exclusive, in-depth information about NREL’s research and programs so they can better design renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies at their organizations.

A group of people inside a laboratory look at objects pointed out by another person.

2024 Energy Execs program participants tour the Field Test Laboratory Building on NREL's South Table Mountain campus.

Two people present to a group of onlookers as they stand in a field amid solar panels and buildings.

Byron McDanold, research technician, and Silvana Ovaitt, research scientist, host a tour of the Photovoltaic Central Array Testing Site at NREL's South Table Mountain campus.

A group of people pose in front of a wind turbine and a large horizontal object labeled 'NREL'.

2024 Energy Exec participants tour NREL's Flatirons Campus to learn about wind and water power research.

A person gestures to a fenced-in area containing various structures and equipment as a group looks on.

Keith Wipke, Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technologies Laboratory Program manager, hosts of a tour of the outdoor Energy Systems Integration Facility hydrogen lab.

A group of people stand beside a structure, with construction equipment and the mountains in the background.

NREL's Flatirons Campus near Boulder, Colorado, is home to the National Wind Technology Center.

View of a two-story facility, with workers and equipment on the bottom floor and visitors in hard hats on the top floor.

2022 Energy Execs program participants tour the Integrated Biorefinery Research Facility on NREL's Golden, Colorado, campus.

Sixteen people smile and pose on a grassy field in front a set of solar panels.

The 2022 Energy Execs class tours Jack's Solar Garden in Longmont, Colorado.

A person with their back to the camera stands among electrical equipment outdoors while speaking to a group.

Mark Kutchenreiter, research technician, hosts a tour of the Solar Industrial Mesa Test Area at NREL's Golden, Colorado, campus.

A person holds up a framed piece of blue glass while three others look on.

Lance Wheeler, materials science researcher, provides a switchable photovoltaic windows demonstration for the 2022 Energy Execs class.

Participants travel to NREL's main campus in Golden, Colorado, for four multiday sessions held June–September.

While there is no cost to participate in the program, participants are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses.

Learn more about Energy Execs by viewing the sample syllabus or emailing us at eexecs@nrel.gov.

Applications for the 2025 program are now open. The deadline to apply is Jan. 10, 2025, at 5 p.m. MST.

What You'll Learn

The Energy Execs program provides an in-depth look at solar and wind power, bioenergy, hydrogen and transportation, energy-efficient building technologies, and energy systems integration. Just as energy technology has advanced over the years, the program has continually evolved to incorporate the latest innovations and breakthroughs. Participants will 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.

Eligibility and Requirements

Successful applicants must:

Apply to the program using the link provided on this page each fall. NREL typically notifies applicants of their final status in mid-March.
Commit to attending all sessions (dates below) in person at NREL's South Table Mountain campus in Golden, Colorado, and their organization must signify this commitment in its recommendation letter. Participants who miss sessions will be excluded from completing the program.
Meet NREL's site access requirements, per U.S. Department of Energy regulations.

Program Dates and Location

The 2025 Energy Execs program will be held on the following dates:

June 11–13
July 16–18
Aug. 20–22
Sept. 24–26.

Session times are:

Wednesdays and Thursdays: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.–noon.

We recommend arriving the Tuesday before the first session and departing on Friday after the last session has concluded.

Find information about transportation and lodging near NREL's South Table Mountain campus.

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In Their Own Words

Observations from previous Energy Execs program participants on the impact of this experience:

The NREL Executive Energy Leadership Program is a fascinating look at renewable energy technology from seriously smart people. Not only do you get an inside look at NREL, but you have a front seat to all the advancements that researchers are working on to make the world a better place. Plus, the Energy Execs team make you feel welcome, ensures you have what you need, and constructs an agenda that makes the travel and time commitment very much worthwhile. Definitely apply for this program!"

Michael Rovito, Deputy Director, Alaska Power Association (Class of 2024)

NREL Energy Execs is a wonderful opportunity to learn about cutting-edge clean energy technology from leading researchers and technical experts. The program is designed to expand your knowledge but also challenge your assumptions, so come ready to learn from your peers and hear different approaches and perspectives for a more complete and rewarding learning experience."

Justin Leveque, Section Chief, Research and Emerging Issues, Colorado Public Utilities Commission (Class of 2022)

It was amazing to witness first-hand the remarkable research and groundbreaking projects at NREL. Engaging with world-renowned researchers and engineers, and gaining exclusive access to innovative laboratories, provided an unparalleled, eye-opening experience. The strategic partnerships they have forged also left a lasting impression on me. The NREL Energy Execs program felt like being handed the key to the future of energy, offering invaluable insights into the forthcoming advancements in renewable energy. This journey has been profoundly enlightening and inspiring, reinforcing my optimism for what lies ahead in the realm of sustainable innovation."

Kate Zettl, Director, Energy/Environmental Engineering, UPMC’s Center for Sustainability (Class of 2024)

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 (Class of 2022)

The Energy Execs program provided me with an insightful perspective into the vast range of work the team at NREL is pursuing, presented in an engaging format that I would not otherwise have had access to. I also particularly appreciate that my participation in the program served as a way to meet NREL staff—outside of the program—directly engaged in my line of work, offshore wind.

Omar Muneeruddin, Strategic Supply Chain and Logistics Manager, National Grid Ventures (Class of 2024)

This summit was nothing short of an exceptional opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge on advanced renewable energy technologies like wind power, bioenergy, energy systems integration and learn how to apply these innovations in the field at scale—showing how we turn out commitments into tangible and impactful action. Developing innovations at the speed and scale required to meet our decarbonization goals is no easy feat, but by learning about equity-centered renewable energy technology solutions, tools available to those in the clean energy space, and what's coming next from the leaders at NREL, I'm more confident than ever that we can succeed."

Claire Behar, Chief Commercial Officer, Hy Stor Energy (Class of 2022)

Energy Execs Graduates

Since its inception in 2007, the Energy Execs program has grown to include nearly 400 participants representing 39 U.S. states, one U.S. territory, and three countries. See the list of Energy Execs alumni sorted by program and year.

U.S. map with numbers corresponding to the number of NREL Energy Execs alumni in each state: Washington (2); Oregon (1); California (17); Idaho (2); Nevada (5); Arizona (6); Utah (1); Colorado (220); New Mexico (4); Kansas (1); Oklahoma (3); Texas (12); Minnesota (9); Iowa (1); Missouri (1); Arkansas (1); Louisiana (1); Wisconsin (8); Illinois (5); Mississippi (1); Michigan (6); Indiana (2); Ohio (8); West Virginia (1); New York (6); Pennsylvania (5); New Hampshire (1); Massachusetts (4); New Jersey (1); Connecticut (1); Delaware (1); Maryland (3); Washington, D.C. (22); Virginia (9); West Virginia (1); North Carolina (6); Tennessee (2); Georgia (3); Florida (5); Alaska (8); Puerto Rico (1); and international countries (3).

State/Territory	Number of Participants
Washington	2
Oregon	1
California	17
Idaho	2
Nevada	5
Arizona	6
Utah	1
Colorado	220
New Mexico	4
Kansas	1
Oklahoma	3
Texas	12
Minnesota	9
Iowa	1
Missouri	1
Arkansas	1
Louisiana	1
Wisconsin	8
Illinois	5
Mississippi	1
Indiana	2
Michigan	6
Ohio	8
New York	6
New Hampshire	1
Massachusetts	4
Connecticut	1
New Jersey	1
Pennsylvania	5
Delaware	1
Maryland	3
West Virginia	1
Virginia	9
Washington, D.C.	22
North Carolina	6
Tennessee	2
Georgia	3
Florida	5
Alaska	8
Puerto Rico	1
International	3

Are you an Energy Execs alumnus? Send your updated contact information to us at eexecsalumni@nrel.gov.

Contact

If you have any questions about Energy Execs, contact eexecs@nrel.gov.