Center Director for the Grid Planning and Analysis Center

Co-Director, Mines/NREL Advanced Energy Systems Program 

Dr. Anderson graduated from the AES program in 2022, the inaugural cohort of students for the AES program, and now serves as the NREL Co-Director of the program.  She has been at NREL for over 17 years, serving in a variety of roles across different topics that the lab focuses on. In this interview, Dr. Anderson shares her background, her vision for AES students, and her experience in the AES program. 

Where did you grow up?

“I grew up in Newtown, Connecticut, about an hour and half outside New York City.”

What did you do, in academia or industry, before landing at NREL?

“I went to MIT to study aerospace engineering on an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship, with dreams of becoming an astronaut. After graduating, I had a 4-year commitment to serve in the Air Force, and I was stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico where I worked at the Space and Missile Systems Center. We conducted missile defense tests and launched satellites using decommissioned Minuteman and Peacekeeper missiles. While living in New Mexico, I became really interested in green building. New Mexico has a long tradition of green building, including adobe homes, straw bale, and earthships. This led me to change career trajectories, and I went back to school for a Masters in renewable energy. There weren’t many programs in green building or renewable energy in the US at the time, so I got my masters from Loughborough University in the United Kingdom. This helped me to transition over to NREL in 2008 when I got out of the Air Force. And then, after a decade at NREL, I went back to get my PhD at Mines as part of the inaugural Advanced Energy Systems cohort in 2019.”

What is your current research focus?

“I lead the Grid Planning and Analysis Center at NREL, where we develop tools and lead cutting-edge analysis focused on the future grid. We’re thinking about how we harness new technologies to address key challenges of aging infrastructure, dynamic load growth, and emerging risks from extreme weather to ensure we can deliver affordable, reliable power to meet growing energy demands. “

What influenced your decision to serve as the AES Co-Director?

“As a graduate of AES, I know this is a phenomenal program that brings together students from many different disciplines, all passionate about changing the world and enabling our future energy system. It’s also a great development program for future NREL researchers. I am excited for the chance to engage with AES students, connect them to NREL research they’re excited about, and help grow our future energy workforce. “

What do you think makes AES stand out from other graduate programs?

“AES is a compelling combination of a world class research university at Mines, and the world’s leading laboratory for energy systems integration at NREL. Students have access to the best experts and research facilities in their field. And because students work closely with NREL staff on their research projects, they have a strong path to jobs at NREL or other national labs after graduation. “

How does this make AES grads stand out in the field?

“The interdisciplinary mix of students and courses in the AES program is unique, and gives students a well-rounded understanding of not just the technical challenges of the energy system, but the economic and policy side as well. This shapes grads that are better able to understand the role of a specific technology or research area in the broader energy system, and apply their research to drive real-world impact. AES grads have also worked as part of the national lab “team science” approach, and understand how to work as part of large, cross-disciplinary teams to tackle our most complex energy challenges.”

What was your favorite part of being a student in the AES program?

“I came to the program after over a decade at NREL, and still had so much to learn. My favorite part was being part of a super smart, tight-knit cohort of students that taught me so much. I have loved watching the impact they’ve made in the world years later—from publishing innovative research in Nature Energy debunking myths around solar PV waste, to advising governors and senators on state energy policy, they are having a real impact on creating a reliable, affordable energy future.”