Program Director

Fred Wellington is the program director of the energy systems management program where he also serves on the faculty. He has over 20 years of experience working on energy and environmental issues in the private, public and academic sectors. Prior to joining USF, Fred worked as a consultant to electric utilities, technology companies, and federal, state, and local governments on various issues related to clean energy. He's held senior consulting positions at NewGen Strategies, Leidos Engineering...

Education:
  • University of San Francisco, MS in Environmental Management, 2004
  • University of San Francisco, MBA, 2004
  • Southern Methodist University, BA Latin American Studies, 1997
  • Southern Methodist...

Academic Director

Downtown Campus, Room 205

Dr. Jim Williams is a global thought leader in the area of low-carbon energy systems.  At USF his focus is on developing a new generation of energy professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to have rewarding careers in sustainably meeting society’s energy needs.  

Dr. Williams has written extensively about the transition from today’s energy system to one that emits no climate-altering greenhouse gases (“net zero”) and is involved in many research collaborations.  He is a senior...

Education:
  • PhD in Energy and Resources, University of California, Berkeley
  • MS in Energy and Resources, University of California, Berkeley
  • BS  in Physics, Washington & Lee University
Expertise:
  • Energy technology, planning, and regulation
  • Low carbon energy systems
  • Climate change science and policy

Full-Time Faculty

Harney Science Center 440G

Dr. Saah has been broadly trained as an environmental scientist with expertise in a number of areas including: landscape ecology, ecosystem ecology, hydrology, geomorphology, ecosystem modeling, natural hazard modeling, remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS) and geospatial analysis. He has used these skills to conduct research primarily at the landscape level in a variety of systems. Dr. Saah has participated in research projects throughout the United States and Internationally...

Expertise:
  • Ecosystem ecology
  • Landscape ecology
  • Hydrology
  • Geomorphology
  • Ecosystem modeling
  • Natural hazard modeling
  • Remote sensing
  • Geographic information systems (GIS)
  • Geospatial analysis
SFH 210

Dr. Jalel Sager is a globally recognized leader in distributed renewable energy technologies, and the historical evolution of economic and energy systems. His mission at USF centers on research and service that addresses linked climate change-equity challenges, and training the next generation of energy leaders.

In 2006 Dr. Sager began to focus his career on addressing sustainability and climate change, after years spent working as a writer. Also concerned with development and equity issues...

Education:
  • PhD in Energy and Resources, University of California-Berkeley
  • MA in Energy and Resources, University of California-Berkeley
  • BA in Interdisciplinary Studies, New York University
Expertise:
  • Economic History
  • Renewable Energy & Energy Technologies
  • Ecological Economics
  • Climate Change
  • Development Engineering

Part-Time Faculty

Chris Greacen works on policy and hands-on implementation of renewable energy from village to government levels. As co-director of the non-profit organization Palang Thai he helped draft Thailand’s Very Small Power Producer (VSPP) policies and conduct studies in support of the country’s feed-in tariff program.

As a consultant to the World Bank, GIZ and ADB he assisted the Myanmar government in developing and implementing the off-grid component of Myanmar’s National Electrification Program...

Education:
  • PhD, Energy and Resources, University of California, Berkeley
  • MS, Energy and Resources, University of California, Berkeley
  • BA, Physics, Reed College
Expertise:
  • Mini grids
  • Renewable energy
  • Rural electrification in developing economies

Dr. Lee has completed in depth remarkable research and education on transitions in electric power systems and electricity markets, specifically microgrids and distributed energy resources,the role of new technologies in grid planning, and the effects of the physical structure of power systems on social equity. In 2012 as an intern for Blue Energy Dr. Lee created and developed electrification work in Nicaragua, Vietnam, and Uganda which entailed design, installation, and evaluation of off grid...

Education:
  • UC Berkeley, PHD in Energy and Resources, 2022- 
  • UC Berkeley, MS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2022
  • UC Berkeley, MS in Energy and Resources, 2018
  • UC Berkeley, BS in Electrical...
Expertise:
  • Micro-grids
  • Solar systems
  • Electric power systems
  • Engineering

Adjunct Professor Frank R. Lindh is the retired general counsel of the California Public Utilities Commission and currently a solo practitioner. Mr. Lindh has been a practicing lawyer in the field of energy law for 33 years, initially in Washington, D.C., and since 1991 in San Francisco. Lindh is former president of the Western Chapter of the Energy Bar Association, and is a past member of the Energy Bar Association's national board of directors. He also has been a member of the board of...

Education:
  • JD, Georgetown University
  • MSW, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • BA, Pennsylvania State University