Varun Rai named director of University of Texas Energy Institute

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Indian American Varun Rai was recently named as the director of the Energy Institute at The University of Texas at Austin.

According to a university press release, Rai succeeds Michael Webber, who has served as the institute’s acting director since September 2018 when Director Tom Edgar returned to his research and teaching.

Rai’s research examines the underlying components of energy systems of social, institutional, economic and technological, and how they affect the adoption of clean energy technologies.

In addition to teaching courses in statistical analysis and energy innovation at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, Rai established the UT Energy Symposium, which is a weekly guest lecture series hosted by the Energy Institute that’s open to the public.

“Energy is perhaps more important today than it has ever been in the history of the world. Led by outstanding faculty across multiple schools, centers and departments, UT is a world leader on energy research. There is so much incredible work happening across campus spanning innovations in oil and gas, renewable energy, and storage technologies,” Rai is quoted saying in a press release. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to shape the Energy Institute into a valuable asset for supporting and elevating pathbreaking energy research at UT for a better Texas, a better United States and a better world.”

Rai is an Energy Institute faculty affiliate.

He received a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Stanford University and holds a courtesy faculty appointment at the Cockrell School of Engineering.

In 2016, Rai won the David N. Kershaw Award and Prize, given by the Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management.

“Professor Rai’s strong background in engineering, his expertise in energy policy research and his administrative experience as an associate dean make him the ideal choice to take on the leadership of UT’s Energy Institute. I look forward to working with him to strengthen the institute’s role as a front door to energy research on our campus,” Vice President for Research Daniel Jaffe, is quoted saying in a press release.