Graduation Date: December 2010
Degree(s): M.S. Civil and Environmental Engineering; B.A. Physics (Colorado College)

Ted’s work with NRDC was a fusion of scientific rigor, power systems creativity and investigative journalism. Ted authored a white paper titled “The Future of Demand Response: Connecting the Dots between Smart Grid and Large Scale Wind Integration”. The white paper was submitted for presentation at American Wind Energy Association (AWEA’s) annual conference, as well as for a chapter in an upcoming book on decarbonizing the electricity grid. This research also led to Ted’s co-authoring an NRDC fact sheet on the smart grid.

A second project focused on the effects of the EPA’s proposed transport rule the reliability of the electricity grid. Ted analyzed the potential for energy efficiency; demand response and slack natural gas capacity to facilitate the accelerated coal retirements expected under more stringent criteria air pollutants standards being proposed. This work was used to garner financial support for an NRDC campaign to refute the notion that the grid will collapse if air pollution standards are tightened. The analysis Ted created was published in the Grist article “Utilities can Meet EPA standards without threatening reliability”.

“I immediately felt like I was apart of the NRDC community. I was included in every relevant email chain and meeting. Experienced NRDC colleagues would frequently swing by my desk to chat about effective strategies for overcoming various political, technical and financial barriers relating to our work.”

“Talented, motivated people can contribute a great deal, even in a short time. We got a great deal from his contributions to our work and I suspect that there will be long lasting professional connections resulting from his summer here.”