Dane Christensen

Dane Christensen is a Laboratory Program Manager at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), overseeing national security research. Previously, he served as a Group Manager for Cybersecurity Research and Senior Researcher for Smart Buildings. With over 50 peer-reviewed publications, four issued patents, and leadership in pioneering projects like foresee™ technology (2018 R&D 100 Award winner), he specializes in energy security, cybersecurity, and grid-edge technologies.

• Affiliation: National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Education:

• Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, Rice University
• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

His research focuses on Internet of Things, data-driven energy controls, and virtual power plants, with notable work in cybersecurity frameworks for electric grids and smart home energy systems. Key contributions include:

• Development of foresee™ technology for home energy management
• Technoeconomic studies on geothermal energy in cold climates
• Transactive energy market frameworks for grid stability
• Behavioral analysis of consumer load preferences
• Co-simulation techniques for cyber-physical systems
• Residential battery modeling for economic optimization

Scientific Awards:

• R&D 100 Award (2018) for foresee™ technology

Christensen's work spans publications, patents, and technical reports analyzing grid-edge vulnerabilities, smart home systems, and renewable integration. His collaborations address energy efficiency, cybersecurity, and sustainable community design.