Frank A. Felder, Research Professor and Director of the Bloustein School’s Center for Energy, Economic and Environmental Policy (CEEEP), has been appointed Director of the Rutgers Energy Institute (REI) effective August 1, 2018. The announcement was made by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation on July 16.
The Rutgers Energy Institute integrates Rutgers’ expertise in science, engineering, economics, and policy, putting it at the forefront of alternative energy research. Its mission is to foster both fundamental and applied scientific research and policy components to develop sustainable energy production compatible with economic growth and environmental vitality. To do so, REI brings together experts from academic units and research centers at Rutgers to develop strategic teams to work on developing renewable, alternative energy sources.
Dr. Felder, an expert in energy policy and electricity markets, conducts research and teaching focused on power systems and electricity markets including reliability and resiliency, market design, energy efficiency evaluation, renewable and distributed resources, and climate change. He has been awarded several federal research grants from the U.S. National Science Foundation and Department of Energy and New Jersey State grants from the Board of Public Utilities, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Labor, and the Economic Development Authority, and from many industry organizations. Dr. Felder is a former nuclear engineer for the U.S. Navy. He obtained his PhD. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Technology, Management and Policy.
At Rutgers, he teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses in energy engineering, economics and policy; energy policy and planning; and the science, technology and policy of climate change. He has also taught short courses on electricity markets in Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe and the United States.
The REI faculty represent a diverse array of disciplines and conduct ground-breaking and innovative research in catalysis, photovoltaics for energy storage, bioenergy, carbon-negative technologies, and robust energy economic policy systems. As an institutional investment in a priority area, the REI will continue to galvanize faculty working within the institute framework to mobilize resources from large multi investigator grants, philanthropy and other sources.
Dr. Felder suceeeds Professor Paul Falkowski, the Bennett L. Smith Chair in Business and Natural Resources, Distinguished Professor of Departments of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Marine and Coastal Sciences, and Board of Governors Professor, who as served as director of the REI for the last decade. A member of the National Academy of Sciences, and recent recipient of the prestigious Tyler Prize for Environmental Sciences, Dr. Falkowski founded the REI in 2006. His vision and leadership have been central to the growth of the REI as it stays engaged in four principal areas of activity: education of undergraduate and graduate students; pioneering research; outreach to the community to share information and engage the public; and policy advice to government, business, and civic leaders who require current knowledge about energy use, alternatives, and innovations to guide decision-making and public planning.
Beginning August 2018, Dr. Falkowski will transition from his role as the REI Director and focus his efforts toward developing a new multi-organizational institute outside of Rutgers, while continuing to stay actively engaged with Rutgers and the REI as a prominent researcher, educator, and mentor.