Distributed energy resources and microgrids have become more common in the last decade for humanitarian, defense, and industry applications both on and off the grid. This growth is being driven by the declining cost of renewables and increasing societal interest in energy access, autonomy, resiliency, and sustainability. In this presentation, Nathan Johnson and Samantha Janko will draw on their extensive experience designing and delivering training programs - including to veterans - to build a pipeline of engineers, technicians, managers, and operators for the changing energy economy.

Nathan Johnson is an Assistant Professor at Arizona State University (ASU) and the Director of the Laboratory for Energy and Power Solutions (LEAPS) where his research team takes energy innovations from concept to construction with a focus on grid modernization, microgrids, off-grid solutions, critical infrastructure, and workforce development. Before joining ASU, he worked in product development for the energy sector across 15 countries. Dr. Johnson is an active educator with training and workforce-development programs inside and outside the university.

Samantha Janko is the Managing Director of LEAPS at ASU and a Systems Engineering PhD student. Her primary research focuses on self-organizing and distributed microgrid control algorithms. She also has a passion for teaching and enjoys managing and developing content for several of the LEAPS team's workforce development programs.

Co-hosted by the East-West Center and the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University.