Clean Energy Fellows Institute
Clean Energy Fellows Institute
The Clean Energy Fellows Institute is an annual executive immersion program providing a platform for the exchange of ideas, opportunities, skills and community in order to develop leaders ready to succeed in the world-changing advanced energy business. The year-long immersive program dives into the Colorado and global clean energy and clean technology ecosystems.
Through a competitive process, Fellows will be chosen to join a growing list of exceptional cleantech executive alumni.
The 13th annual Clean Energy Fellows Institute program is a year-long executive immersion program that will begin in January and end in November 2024.
Bill Reinert Energy Fellows Scholarship Fund
The Bill Reinert Energy Fellows Scholarship Fund aims to equip its recipients with the necessary curiosity, knowledge, skills, and resources to become catalysts for innovation in the cleantech space, enabling them to make a positive impact on both the environment and society at large.
By investing in exceptional individuals in historically underserved communities, the fund hopes to inspire a new generation of leaders who will continue to champion innovations in clean technologies, leading us toward a cleaner, more sustainable world.
Clean Energy Fellows Institute Alumni
Since 2012, 94 esteemed Alumni have completed the Clean Energy Fellows Institute program. Their professional experience is comprised of a unique range of fields, in business, technology, policy, investing and more, providing a comprehensive array of perspectives on the clean energy industry.
Student Fellows
Student Fellow Opportunities
Colorado Cleantech is currently accepting applications from current or recently graduated students to gain access to the full program via work exchange.
Through a competitive application process, Student Fellows will be chosen to act as programming associates in exchange for involvement in the program. Student Fellows gain full and exclusive access to 50+ executives and researchers in the Colorado clean energy ecosystem, in addition to participation in tours and social events.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the program is full. Eligible candidates will be selected for 30-minute interviews and acceptances are on a rolling basis. No more than two Student Fellows will be accepted into the program.
Student Fellows can expect 8-16 hours of monthly in-person program time between January and November, and are expected to commit full time to the program dates. Some preparation work will be required before each session.
About the Program
In addition to taking experienced entrepreneurs and executives on a deep dive into industry sectors of the advanced energy and cleantech ecosystems, the Clean Energy Fellows Institute provides interactions with local and national advanced energy networks, exposure to investors active in the sector, and a chance to learn about the latest energy innovations gaining market adoption. Fellows selected for the program are educated in clean energy technologies, markets, business models, funding opportunities and policy matters. They are introduced to the network of experts and resources required to be successful in the advanced energy industry, and connected to early-stage ventures and laboratories where new energy approaches are being developed.
The Curriculum
This is not standard executive education and the curriculum is not a traditional lecture series. Instead, our curriculum creates the opportunity for a discussion dialogue with executives from industry, leading technology experts, and key ecosystem players. The program is extremely interactive, collaborative, and combines 50+ industry expert speakers, case studies, and optional lab and site visits.
During our 2023 program, we will focus on the following concentrations: Energy Efficiency and Building Technologies, Energy Generation and Delivery, Energy Storage, Transportation, Air and Water technologies, and AI/Data.
In addition, we will weave foundational industry elements throughout the technology sectors. Foundational elements to be examined include: energy policy, finance and investment, commercialization, international opportunities and challenges.
Speakers
Fellows can expect to engage with thought leaders, game changers and industry experts from a wide variety of advanced energy technology sectors. Speakers are drawn from the nation’s advanced energy ecosystem and represent the many facets of energy, finance, technology, policy, and research and development.
Interaction with research laboratories, advanced energy installations, private industry, cleantech startups and federal R&D facilities are structural components of the Energy Fellows Institute.
Testimonials
“It was a privilege to meet with leaders all around the Denver area and discuss some of the most important issues facing climate tech today. I couldn’t have asked for a better intro to the Colorado climate tech ecosystem.”
- Deanna Zhang, 2022 Fellow
“Being an EFI fellow gave me a great opportunity to expand my knowledge on cleantech and see the companies from the inside. I’ve learned a lot from both the fellows and the speakers. This is a great opportunity to build your network in CO cleantech industry.”
- 2022 Fellow
“EFI is how I ramped up my CO network in the midst of a global pandemic and allowed me to begin meeting like-minded professionals at a time when people still weren’t leaving their homes. As the world began to re-open(ish), I’ve been able to go out and meet my fellow EFI graduates as well as the speakers and alums, allowing me to create an amazing network in the cleantech industry. I can’t wait to keep growing and growing the cleantech movement here in Colorado.”
- 2021 Fellow