Shanti Pless

Shanti Pless is a senior commercial building energy researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and an adjunct lecturer at the University of Colorado. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Alfred University. His research focuses on accelerating the adoption of net-zero energy and carbon practices in the built environment through applied research, industry demonstrations, startup guidance, and academic collaborations.

Research Interests: His work spans sustainable construction, renewable energy integration, building performance optimization, geothermal applications, and workforce development. Key initiatives include:

• Net-zero carbon strategies for modular and affordable housing
• District-scale energy planning
• Development frameworks for zero-energy buildings
• Industry outreach through publications and speaking engagements

Recent Publications (2024): Current research explores robotics for building systems integration, computer vision in modular construction automation, scalable decarbonization models for community developers, and policy implementation for building performance standards. These works demonstrate cross-disciplinary approaches combining construction technology, energy policy, and machine learning.

Teaching: At the University of Colorado, he instructs courses on sustainable construction practices and real estate development.