Our goal is to make the process of working with CEERE and the University of Massachusetts an efficient and direct process. CEERE has four main points of contact in our focus areas, Renewables, Energy Efficiency and Building Energy Efficiency and Environmental Quality. The leads for these areas are listed below:

Dr. Lawrence Ambs is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Massachusetts and a Co-Director of CEERE. His outreach activities and research focus include applied thermodynamics and energy conversion, with particular emphasis on building systems, thermal power generation and industrial thermal processes. Additional research interests include gas turbine combustion and mixing, steam cycle analysis, and cogeneration. In 1990 he was awarded the United Technologies Corporation’s Outstanding Teaching Award.

Dr. James Manwell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Massachusetts and Co-Director of CEERE and Director of the Renewable Energy Research Lab (RERL). Dr. Manwell provides leadership for technical assistance in support of policy development in a range of renewable energy activities. Dr. Manwell has more than 20 years of experience as a leader in research on wind power, power electronics, hybrid power systems, and commercialization of innovative energy and environmental technologies. Dr. Manwell serves on several advisory groups and is recognized as a resource for technical support to the State of Massachusetts on a range of renewable and distributed energy issues. Dr. Manwell is an accomplished educator and operates a successful research laboratory component in his University position.

Dr. Chad Nelson is Director of MAEEP and primarily responsible for technical support services to state and federal energy and environmental agencies. He is also responsible for development programs with private sector energy and technology companies. He is also lead in development of statewide programs for Research and Development investment in traditional manufacturing industries sponsored by the US DOE Office of Industrial Technologies.

Dr. Charlie Curcija is a Senior Research Fellow and the leader of the Building Energy Efficiency Program (BEEP). Dr Curcija has been very active in fenestration thermal performance research over the past 15 years and has authored and co-authored over 30 technical papers and other technical publications in this field. His primary research areas are building energy efficiency, thermal performance of building envelopes and computational heat transfer.

Dr. Beka Kosanovic is the Assistant Director of the Industrial Assessment Center. He is responsible for managing the industrial audits performed by the IAC. His research interests are combined heat and power, distributed generation, unit commitment modeling for dispatch of power plants in the gird, gas turbine combustion, mixing, and steam cycle analysis. In addition to his experience at CEERE, he has seven years of experience at an urban power plant/direct heating facility.

Dr. Anthony Rogers is a Research Associate in the Renewable Energy Research Lab. His present focus is on renewable energy, primarily wind energy. Dr. Rogers’ research areas include wind turbine controls, hybrid power systems, power electronics for wind turbines, and wind turbine dynamics. Dr. Rogers also provides technical support to for the development of energy policy, oversees wind resource measurement programs, and had developed the curriculum for a graduate level wind power course.

Tony Ellis is a Research Fellow in the Renewable Energy Research Lab. Mr. Ellis is primarily responsible for implementation of projects including evaluation of wind resources, design and construction of turbines, and monitoring system performance.

Sally Wright, PE is a Research Fellow with broad experience in power generation, energy conservation, and industrial controls for both public and private organizations. She is a registered professional engineer in mechanical engineering.

Dr. Mahabir Bhandari is a Senior Post Doctoral Research Associate in the Building Energy Efficiency Program. He has extensive modeling experience in building energy efficiency including building envelope design, fenestration systems, and integration of automation in building system controls. Dr. Bhandari has participated in work related to implementation and practice of sustainable development and energy and environmental management.