Skip to Content

Neal Elliott

Director Emeritus

Neal Elliott directed ACEEE’s research for many years prior to transitioning to emeritus status. He continues to contribute to ACEEE’s research and policy efforts as an internationally recognized expert and author on energy efficiency programs and policies, industrial energy efficiency and decarbonization, electric motor systems, and clean distributed energy and thermal storage. Neal is a frequent speaker at domestic and international conferences. He joined ACEEE in 1993.

Prior to joining ACEEE, Neal was an adjunct associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Duke University and senior engineering project manager at the N.C. Alternative Energy Corp. (now Advanced Energy) where he was founding director of the Industrial Energy Laboratory. Prior to AEC he worked as N.C. Wood Assistance team leader for the Industrial Extension Service and Department of Wood and Paper Science at North Carolina State University. He is also a member of the U.S. Department of Energy Industrial Technology Innovation Advisory Committee (ITIAC).

Neal earned a bachelor of science and a master of science in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University, and was a dean’s fellow and received a PhD from Duke University. He is a registered professional engineer in North Carolina and has six patents in the area of thermal storage and produce processing.

Expertise:

  • Industrial energy efficiency and decarbonization technologies, programs, and policies
  • Industrial heat pumps
  • Distributed energy and thermal storage technologies and policies
  • Energy markets and policies (including natural gas, oil, coal, and electricity)

 

Authored by Neal Elliott

Turning Data Centers into Grid and Regional Assets: Considerations and Recommendations for the Federal Government, State Policymakers, and Utility Regulators
  • Brief
  • Industry and Manufacturing
  • Utilities and the Power Sector
  • Turning Data Centers into Grid and Regional Assets: Considerations and Recommendations for the Federal Government, State Policymakers, and Utility Regulators

    New policy brief explores how policymakers can help tackle data center energy consumption through flexible demand

    Oct 17, 2024

    Decarbonize and Defossilize: Transformative Policies to Reduce Chemical Industry Carbon Emissions
  • Research Report
  • Energy Efficiency Policy
  • Industry and Manufacturing
  • Decarbonize and Defossilize: Transformative Policies to Reduce Chemical Industry Carbon Emissions

    The chemical manufacturing sector is the largest and most complex portion of the U.S. industrial ecosystem and is responsible for more than 30% of U.S. industrial emissions. The chemical manufactur…

    Apr 29, 2024

    How to Decarbonize Industrial Process Heat While Building American Manufacturing Competitiveness
  • Brief
  • Energy Efficiency Policy
  • Industry and Manufacturing
  • Utilities and the Power Sector
  • How to Decarbonize Industrial Process Heat While Building American Manufacturing Competitiveness

    This brief outlines a path to electrifying 70% of industrial process heat by 2050, highlighting major challenges and opportunities. We discuss actions that four key stakeholders—federal policymaker…

    Apr 23, 2024

    Consistent Refrigerant Policy is Essential for Investment in Industrial Heat Pump Market Transformation
    industrial electrification
  • Brief
  • Energy Efficiency Policy
  • Industry and Manufacturing
  • Consistent Refrigerant Policy is Essential for Investment in Industrial Heat Pump Market Transformation

    Industrial heat pumps (IHPs) are a key decarbonization technology. As the domestic market for IHPs develops through increasing supply and demand, one area requiring additional focus is refrigerants…

    Jan 30, 2024

    Support the Work That Makes Energy Go Further

    ACEEE’s independent research and advocacy depend on the support of foundations, businesses, and individuals committed to a cleaner, more affordable energy future for all Americans.