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About Tim Sasseen
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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. |
🎙️ Hire Tim Sasseen to Speak
Clean Energy Futurist | AI Ethicist | Systems Innovator
Tim Sasseen is a clean energy executive, engineer, and author of the bestselling Evolving Energy: Redefining Innovation in Sustainable Energy Through AI, Flow State Governance, and Natural Principles. With 25+ years leading breakthroughs in hydrogen, microgrids, and renewable transportation, Tim brings a rare ability to connect hard tech with human values — offering audiences a visionary roadmap for energy, AI, and systems design that serves both people and planet.
Signature Keynote
“Evolving Energy – Designing for Life”How AI, human intuition, and natural principles can unlock a regenerative clean energy future.
In this mind-expanding talk, Tim invites audiences to reimagine how we build our most critical systems — not as machines to be controlled, but as living ecosystems to be nurtured.
He draws on decades of firsthand experience in clean tech innovation and policy, while weaving in powerful stories from his personal journey — including a transformative move to Costa Rica that reshaped his view of leadership, design, and flow.
Audience Takeaways
Ideal For
Short Program Guide BioTimothy Sasseen
Author of Evolving Energy | Clean Tech Futurist | Systems Thinker
Tim Sasseen is a clean energy innovator and thought leader who blends 25 years of experience in hydrogen, AI, and renewable systems with visionary insights on how we govern for a regenerative future. His bestselling book Evolving Energy redefines how we build the infrastructure of tomorrow — with nature, intuition, and technology in balance.
“We don’t just need smart systems. We need wise ones.” – Tim Sasseen
Clean Energy Futurist | AI Ethicist | Systems Innovator
Tim Sasseen is a clean energy executive, engineer, and author of the bestselling Evolving Energy: Redefining Innovation in Sustainable Energy Through AI, Flow State Governance, and Natural Principles. With 25+ years leading breakthroughs in hydrogen, microgrids, and renewable transportation, Tim brings a rare ability to connect hard tech with human values — offering audiences a visionary roadmap for energy, AI, and systems design that serves both people and planet.
Signature Keynote
“Evolving Energy – Designing for Life”How AI, human intuition, and natural principles can unlock a regenerative clean energy future.
In this mind-expanding talk, Tim invites audiences to reimagine how we build our most critical systems — not as machines to be controlled, but as living ecosystems to be nurtured.
He draws on decades of firsthand experience in clean tech innovation and policy, while weaving in powerful stories from his personal journey — including a transformative move to Costa Rica that reshaped his view of leadership, design, and flow.
Audience Takeaways
- Why codified systems like AI, corporations, and policy often fail in complex, living environments — and what to do instead.
- How to apply “flow state governance” in business, energy design, and innovation leadership.
- A new model for AI in clean energy — collaborative, intuitive, and in harmony with natural evolution.
- Hopeful, practical principles for building adaptive, equitable, and regenerative infrastructure.
Ideal For
- Climate and sustainability conferences (VERGE, COP, Climate Week)
- AI and ethics events
- Clean energy industry forums
- Conscious capitalism, ESG, and systems design gatherings
- Innovation summits and executive retreats
Short Program Guide BioTimothy Sasseen
Author of Evolving Energy | Clean Tech Futurist | Systems Thinker
Tim Sasseen is a clean energy innovator and thought leader who blends 25 years of experience in hydrogen, AI, and renewable systems with visionary insights on how we govern for a regenerative future. His bestselling book Evolving Energy redefines how we build the infrastructure of tomorrow — with nature, intuition, and technology in balance.
“We don’t just need smart systems. We need wise ones.” – Tim Sasseen
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
Ballard Power Systems — Remote
Mar 2018 – Sep 2024
Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) — San Diego, CA
Nov 2016 – Mar 2018
CleanSpark, Inc. — San Diego, CA
Sep 2014 – Apr 2016
Boulder Wind Power — Boulder, CO
May 2012 – Jul 2014
Continental Wind Power — Santa Barbara, CA
Apr 2011 – Apr 2012
Clipper Windpower — Carpinteria, CA
Dec 2008 – Apr 2011
Southwest Windpower — Flagstaff, AZ
Aug 1997 – Jul 2000
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
PATENTS & INNOVATION
BOARDS & LEADERSHIP
CERTIFICATIONS & LANGUAGES
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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