Fall Conference 2019

Leon R. Roose 

Leon R. Roose currently works at the Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute (HNEI) at UH Mānoa where he started in 2012 as a faculty Specialist.  He has spearheaded the formation of GridSTART (Grid System Technologies Advanced Research Team), an HNEI research team focused on the integration and analysis of energy technologies and power systems, including smart grid and microgrid applications.  In June 2019 in Manila, Philippines, he presented a deep dive workshop at the Asia Clean Energy Forum on grid integration and system flexibility, and emerging trends in Asia. As a faculty Specialist at the HNEI, Leon is also an integral member of the newly launched Institute for Sustainability and Resilience (ISR) program at the University of Hawai‘i.  ISR will provide for instructional, research, and outreach programs relating to sustainability and resilience in Hawai‘i that serve as lessons from our Islands that can help provide global solutions.  

He was with the Hawaiian Electric Company for 19 years prior and had served most recently directing the System Integration Department.  His career at Hawaiian Electric included management responsibilities for renewable energy planning and integration, smart grid planning and projects, distribution planning, transmission planning, generation resource planning and procurement, the purchase and distribution of fuel to all utility generating plants, and the negotiation of power purchase contracts for the Hawaiian Electric companies.  

Leon is also a licensed attorney and worked in private law practice in Hawaiʻi and has held the position of Associate General Counsel at Hawaiian Electric.  He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a J.D. from the University of Hawaiʻi.