About Tim Sasseen

Tim Sasseen is a clean energy executive and systems thinker with more than 25 years of experience in hydrogen, fuel cells, microgrids, and renewable energy. He’s led breakthrough work on zero-emission transit, designed off-grid energy systems for wildfire resilience, and helped shape hydrogen legislation in states like California and Washington.

Tim’s background spans engineering, policy, and market strategy—including leadership roles at Ballard Power Systems and the Center for Sustainable Energy. These days, he works independently with organizations developing bold solutions for decarbonization, while exploring how AI and systems thinking can power the next generation of climate tech. He's also the author of Evolving Energy, a big-picture look at sustainable innovation and governance.
​
When he’s not diving deep into clean energy systems, Tim has been known to convert motorcycles to electric, prototype jungle-ready EVs, and design solar-powered housing in Costa Rica—just for fun.
“Tim brings technical mastery, market insight, and policy fluency that every company in the clean energy space needs—but few can find.

He’s led complex hydrogen and microgrid deployments, authored breakthrough strategies for fleet electrification, and helped shift entire sectors from grant-funded pilots to commercial scale.

Tim knows how to position emerging markets for impact, investment, and adoption. His ability to align engineering teams, regulators, and corporate stakeholders around a unified vision makes him an asset in any high-stakes energy initiative.”                                                                                     
                                                                   ​— Senior Executive, Fortune 500, Clean Tech Company

CV/Resume

Timothy Richard Sasseen, MSEE, MBA
Santa Barbara, CA

SUMMARY
Clean energy executive and systems innovator with 27+ years of leadership in hydrogen, fuel cells, microgrids, and distributed energy. Proven success in scaling emerging technologies, securing grant funding, and aligning stakeholders across government, corporate, and technical domains. Deep expertise in market development, technical advisory, lifecycle modeling, and clean tech policy advocacy. Mission-driven, with a track record of building sustainable energy solutions from concept to deployment.

EXPERIENCE
Consultant
Tim Sasseen LLC — Santa Barbara, CA
Sep 2024 – Present
  • Advised clients on go-to-market strategies for hydrogen, EVs, and critical mineral technologies.
  • Developed predictive maintenance tools leveraging machine learning.
  • Provided technical and business support for zero-emission fleet deployments.
  • Published Amazon Best-Seller "Evolving Energy" on AI, governance, and sustainable innovation.​
Director, Market Development & Public Relations (North America)
Ballard Power Systems — Remote
Mar 2018 – Sep 2024
  • Scaled North American fuel cell bus market from 4 to 200+ units/year.
  • Led legislative advocacy for hydrogen policy in CA, WA, and NV.
  • Directed grant proposals for hydrogen locomotives, trucks, and marine vessels.
  • Built Salesforce-based tools to manage market development pipeline.
Principal Advisor, Distributed Generation
Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) — San Diego, CA
Nov 2016 – Mar 2018
  • Designed $5M microgrid for Sonoma Junior College.
  • Secured $2M in CEC grants for solar and battery storage projects.
  • Provided technical input for California's SGIP incentive program.
Director of R&D / Interim CTO
CleanSpark, Inc. — San Diego, CA
Sep 2014 – Apr 2016
  • Designed and validated flywheel and battery-based microgrid systems.
  • Created CleanSpark’s product roadmap and secured tech partnerships.
  • Demonstrated black-start microgrid controls at Camp Pendleton.
Program Manager
Boulder Wind Power — Boulder, CO
May 2012 – Jul 2014
  • Designed SiC-based converters achieving 99% efficiency.
  • Led $6.5M wind turbine business plan and relocation strategy.
VP of Engineering / Director of System Integration
Continental Wind Power — Santa Barbara, CA
Apr 2011 – Apr 2012
  • Led full turbine prototype to GL certification within 12 months.
  • Co-inventor on new yaw mechanism; led partner development.
System Integration Lead
Clipper Windpower — Carpinteria, CA
Dec 2008 – Apr 2011
  • Oversaw redesigns for turbine control and powertrain systems.
  • Reinstated $5M EU turbine program with product dev gates.
Director of R&D
Southwest Windpower — Flagstaff, AZ
Aug 1997 – Jul 2000
  • Reduced warranty rates from 50% to <1%.
  • Led first UL certification for small wind turbines.

EDUCATION
​MBA, Rady School of Management – UC San Diego, CA (2016)
MSEE, Electrical Engineering – Michigan Technological University (1995)
BSEE, Electrical Engineering – Michigan Technological University (1993)

SKILLS & EXPERTISE
  • Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Systems
  • Energy Storage & Microgrids
  • Market Development & Grant Strategy
  • Policy Advocacy & Legislative Testimony
  • Lifecycle & Economic Modeling
  • Cross-functional Team Leadership
  • Public Speaking & Stakeholder Engagement

PATENTS & INNOVATION
  • US Provisional Patents: Hydrogen ICE Design, Carbon Capture Greenhouse, Wave Power System
  • Co-inventor: Microgrid Blackstart Methods, Turbine Yaw Mechanism

BOARDS & LEADERSHIP
  • Board Member: California Hydrogen Business Council (CHBC)
  • Co-Founder & Director: United States Hydrogen Alliance (USHA)
  • Chair: FCHEA Transportation Working Group
  • Strategic Lead: CHBC Public Transit Action Group

CERTIFICATIONS & LANGUAGES
  • German (Business proficiency)
  • Entry Level Spanish for Building 
  • Certified in Six Sigma, NFPA 70E, OSHA 10, Project Management

    Looking to Add to Your Team? Need Fractional Leadership Support? Let Tim know!