Martin Keller

Martin Keller has served as director of NREL and president of the Alliance for Sustainable Energy—the
company that operates NREL for the U.S. Department of Energy—since 2015. Under his leadership, the
laboratory’s active partnerships with industry, universities, foundations, and governments now number
more than 1,000, compared to 696 in 2015, generating more than $1 billion in research and
development. NREL once again set a record for new partnerships in FY23, with $143 million; 30
agreements were for $1 million or more. The laboratory’s business volume has grown from $382.7
million in 2017 to $783.5 million in 2022. To keep up with this growth, the number of regular full-time
employees at NREL has increased by 82% over Keller’s tenure; overall, staffing has more than doubled to
over 3,600. Keller is a visionary leader who is committed to people, teams, and partnerships. He
innovatively and pragmatically applies private sector best practices at NREL to achieve game-changing
scientific outcomes. Working collaboratively with his leadership team, Keller has developed a strategy
for NREL focused on three key initiatives: integrated energy pathways, circular economy, and electrons
to molecules. This strategy drives advanced scientific research, programs, projects, and partnerships at
NREL. From 2006 to 2015, Keller led energy, biological, and environmental research programs at Oak
Ridge National Laboratory. His efforts culminated in his being promoted to serve as the associate
laboratory director for the Energy and Environmental Sciences Directorate during his last 6 years there.
Keller received his doctorate in microbiology from the University of Regensburg, Germany.