Jeffrey Reed Appointed Advanced Power and Energy Program Chief Scientist, Renewable Fuels and Energy Storage
Highly regarded engineer and strategist will focus on the research, development and deployment of sustainable energy solutions
Jan. 3, 2018 – Jeffrey G. Reed, until recently the director of business strategy and advanced technology for the Southern California Gas Company, will join UC Irvine’s Advanced Power and Energy Program as chief scientist for renewable fuels and energy storage. In his new role, Reed will lead and expand an existing foundation of research and market outreach in both renewable fuels and energy storage. Focus areas will include renewable gaseous fuels and related storage technologies that support the integration of high quantities of renewables on the electric grid, as well as decarbonization of the transportation sector. Working in collaboration with graduate and undergraduate students and anchor research staff, Reed’s research will explore the evolution of the electric and transportation sectors and their growing intersection, and will seek to advance renewable fuel and energy storage technologies that maximize societal benefit in reducing climate impacts and air pollution.
“Dr. Reed’s distinguished career is marked by highly acknowledged and recognized leadership, a passion for the advancement of clean energy and a persuasive advocacy of pollution free, zero-carbon power,” said APEP Director Scott Samuelsen. “He is an ideal fit for the cutting-edge research conducted by APEP, and I look forward to his contributions to our work in the clean-energy paradigm.”
During his tenure at SoCalGas and its sister utility San Diego Gas and Electric (both Sempra Energy utilities), Reed led a variety of programs, including research, development and demonstration; energy efficiency emerging technology; venture investment; and the low-emission vehicle program, and was responsible for long-range technology forecasting and strategic planning. Prior to joining the Sempra utilities, he was a senior strategy consultant with Booz-Allen-Hamilton and Accenture, and earlier served as an officer with ABB Power Generation in Switzerland.
Reed currently serves as chair of the California Hydrogen Business Council Board, and has served on the boards and advisory boards of more than a dozen sustainable energy and transportation organizations. He holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from UC Berkeley and a master’s degree in management from Stanford University.
– Will Decker / UCI
