About the Alliance

Alliance Concept for NREL

Battelle and Midwest Research Institute (MRI) have enthusiastically formed Alliance solely to be NREL’s management and operating (M&O) contractor. Alliance, which is equally owned and governed by Battelle and MRI, is fully accountable to DOE for NREL’s performance under the new contract. The Battelle-MRI team has a history of successfully working together and takes pride in NREL’s long association with DOE.

A prime goal of Alliance is to ensure that NREL becomes the catalyst for the creation of a renewable energy epicenter. Initially, it will be centered at the Laboratory, but will eventually expand to help bring about global adoption of clean energy. Alliance wants to create an opportunity for NREL to become the focal point for renewable energy—a "Silicon Valley for renewables."

Alliance will accomplish this through:

• Strengthening NREL's scientific, technical and analytical foundations by adding talent and connecting the Laboratory to the nation's research engine at leading universities and laboratories.
• Creating a Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis in partnership with MIT, Stanford and the Colorado research universities. This will provide credible and objective technology, market and policy insights that will inform R&D, commercialization, policy and market decisions to accelerate the impact of our portfolio on national energy goals.
• Introducing new people, systems and approaches for commercialization and deployment to move innovations rapidly from concept to customer.
• Building a "Campus of the Future" that leverages our partnerships and showcases sustainable energy on and near the NREL site.
• Creating a safe and supportive work environment for this vibrant, innovative and entrepreneurial Laboratory that will attract and retain the best talent from around the world.

Alliance Governance

NREL will be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of five executives each from MRI and Battelle, and one each from the following five universities: the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, Colorado School of Mines, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford.

Alliance Leadership

Dr. Dan Arvizu, president of the Alliance, will continue to serve as NREL's laboratory director. He has led NREL under MRI’s management for the last 3 years. During that time, he has begun the transformation of the laboratory by reorganizing and strengthening high-risk science, developed a 10-year campus buildout plan to accommodate $200 million of capital improvements aligned with the science, technology, and laboratory support mission, and hired nearly 300 new staff.

Dr. Robert (Bob) McGrath will be NREL’s Deputy for Research, Development, and Demonstration. Bob joins the Alliance from the Ohio State University where he is Senior State University President for Research and a close partner with Battelle on Energy matters. Dr. McGrath combines outstanding research and management credentials with a record of leading transformational change.

Mr. William (Bill) Glover will serve as NREL’s Deputy and Chief Operation Officer, a position similar to that which he has held at NREL for the past 3 years. Mr. Glover’s record demonstrates that he is among the most experienced and effective operational leaders in the national laboratory system. Since coming to NREL in 2006 Mr. Glover has established the first comprehensive vision for NREL’s campus, oversaw the completion of the LEED Platinum Science and Technology Facility, led the effort to initiate the construction of the Research Support Facility (RSF) and the Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) and revamped its construction management capabilities.

Ms. Casey Porto will be NREL’s Senior Vice President for Commercialization and Deployment. Ms. Porto has a proven track record of building innovative, successful technology commercialization organizations in both university and national laboratory settings. At Oak Ridge National Laboratory, she streamlined IP management, grew a Privately-Funded Technology Transfer Program, and helped create a venture capital network around ORNL leading to $8M in funding for three energy sector start-up companies.

Ms. Bobi Garrett will be NREL’s Senior Vice President for Integration, Planning, Analysis and Assessment. Ms. Garrett combines broad experience in energy research management, energy analysis, and strategic planning with a deep understanding of DOE’s renewable energy and energy efficiency programs and NREL. During her ten-year tenure at NREL she has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to build or renew major organizations and programs.