The C3E program was created to help close the gender gap and increase participation, leadership, and success of women in clean energy fields. Their awards, given each year in eight categories, recognise mid-career women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and accomplishments in clean energy, while also mentoring other women in the field.
The alumna is the Chief of Staff for Energy Systems Integration at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) which specialises in the research and development of renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy systems integration, and sustainable transportation.
After spending seven years in the Air Force, Kate began her career at NREL in 2008. As a senior engineer and modelling and analysis group manager at NREL, she led activities supporting clean energy deployment through techno-economic modelling and analysis of energy efficiency, renewable energy, storage, and microgrid opportunities. She was the programme lead for the development of NREL’s REopt model, widely used today to evaluate cost-optimal selection and sizing of energy assets for grid-connected and off-grid energy systems.
At the awards, Kate said:
I am very honoured to have been chosen for this C3E Award. It is especially meaningful to see my work at NREL recognised in such a significant way in this critical time as we work toward an equitable global clean energy transition that benefits everyone.
C3E’s Social, Economic, and Policy Innovation Award recognises scientists, researchers, and practitioners working at universities, national laboratories, or in industry who are researching and analysing how technologies, economics, public policy, equity, and decision-making interact to affect the adoption of clean energy systems. In order to be chosen for this award, nominees must demonstrate outstanding leadership and extraordinary achievement in their fields.
Photo credit: NREL