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Ric O’Connell

Executive Director

Ric is the founding executive director of GridLab, hired in 2017 to launch the organization. Ric leads the GridLab team of experts providing comprehensive technical grid expertise to policy makers and advocates. A recognized leader in renewable energy technology and policy, Ric has provided engineering support for more than 8 GW of utility scale solar projects worldwide, including several of the largest projects in the world.

Prior to GridLab, Ric was at Black & Veatch for 12 years where he was instrumental in building the global renewable energy consulting practice. While at Black & Veatch, Ric provided expertise to the Energy Foundation China program and had leadership roles on a number of high profile policy studies including 20 percent Wind Energy by 2030, and the California Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative.

Ric has a BSEE from Duke University and a Master’s in Renewable Energy Policy from CU Boulder.