NREL’s "Clean Energy Innovators" Book Finds Audience During Busy Year

By National Renewable Energy Laboratory Director Martin Keller

In the mountain town of Vail, Colorado, and the halls of Harvard, in libraries and classrooms as well as the offices of government officials in Colorado and Washington, D.C., Clean Energy Innovators: NREL People Working to Change the World is finding an audience. 

Since it was published a year ago, libraries from Jefferson County, Colorado, to Jefferson County, Washington, as well as the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and History Colorado, have added print editions or electronic links. Along the way, the book about the human side of NREL has racked up nearly 3,000 downloads since its publication.

You can download a free PDF copy.

I am proud the general public is getting the chance to get to know us better by reading this book.

When I visit Washington, D.C., I have handed copies to senators, such as Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and members of the U.S. House of Representatives as well as congressional staffers, Energy Department colleagues, and members of energy associations. I also presented copies to businesses and partners from around the world when they visit NREL.

During this year, the book’s historical content, starting with the early days of the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) in 1977, has gained special attention.

Matthew Hersch, associate professor of the history of science at Harvard, wrote, “As a chronicle of an important and understudied institution and its dedicated and forward-looking staff, Clean Energy Innovators is a valuable resource for historians of science, technology, and the politics of late-20th-century alternative energy research.”

Likewise, those in the field of sustainability have been impressed. The town of Vail’s Energy Efficiency Coordinator Cameron Millard said Innovators “is definitely inspiring. I loved reading the back stories for the individuals featured. A lot of unique stories and interests.”

It has resonated with teachers in higher education.

“It is a brilliant idea to weave the story of the NREL people with the innovation that takes place at NREL. It not only gives the research a human face; Clean Energy Innovators also makes the research much more accessible for the nonspecialist,” said Roel Snieder, the W.M. Keck distinguished professor of professional development education at the Colorado School of Mines.

Yet, because the stories are aimed at a general audience, Clean Energy Innovators has found a home in high school classrooms and counseling centers.

“I appreciate the writing style. It should be accessible to my students and our staff alike,” said Matthew Lapaire of Denver’s Northeast Early College High School.

As part of the book’s outreach this past year, author Ernie Tucker spoke with classes at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois.

“The students really liked it, and I will be sure to continue to share the books with them for the rest of the year, including with the last project with the juniors,” said Liz Timmons, Fenwick’s advanced placement science teacher.

Members of renewable energy associations and corporations have reacted favorably as well.

 The book spawned a panel discussion on April 6 at NREL’s Flatirons Campus with a number of those featured in the “Wild West of Wind” chapter in the book. Other discussions are likely in the future because there’s a lot to consider.

That’s part of the reason why I’ve taken the time this year to highlight the chapters in the book; not to toot our own horn—though I value the many contributions made by our scientists, engineers, and analysts over the years. But rather to let people know that Clean Energy Innovators is a way to get to know us as real people—and to share our passion for solutions.

We hope this book inspires readers, especially the younger generations, to see themselves engaged in this vital mission.

Our work isn’t finished. Please visit our website, nrel.gov, for ongoing accounts of NREL’s research and the people engaged in finding new ways to change the world for the better. And if you like the book, please recommend it to someone: a friend, student, teacher, or librarian. While projects will change, one thing won’t: the dedication reflected in the pages of Clean Energy Innovators.