Since graduation, Mike Turner’s career path has been immersed in the world of environmental innovation. He was a clean energy consultant for the United Nations Environmental Programme in Uganda and served as a climate change consultant and the clean energy policy and program director for the State of Colorado. Now, Turner is the Director of Strategic Initiatives & Finance (SIFI) at the Colorado Energy Office.
“We evaluate the technologies, policies, and incentives that will help the state achieve ambitious climate targets,” says Turner. “I think “innovation” is in the stitchwork of all the work I do, as we search for new ways to tackle big issues.”
Colorado is an international leader on climate tech and helping scale innovative clean energy technologies and the Colorado Energy Office and the SIFI team are at the forefront of this work. In his role at SIFI, Turner works on some of the most innovative clean energy technology and emerging markets.
“I basically get to identify and research the next frontier of clean energy, and then think through all the ways that the state can support the thoughtful development of these markets,” says Turner. “I get to help write energy policies, testify at the capitol, organize coalitions, give presentations and workshops around the state and country, and think about the logistics of big picture initiatives.”
Turner’s team works on emerging markets and technology such as Geothermal, Cannabis, Beneficial Electrification, Hydrogen, Carbon Dioxide Removal, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, and Renewable Energy project software.
“We are looking at the innovations that will transition us to a clean energy economy,” he says. “This requires strategic research into new markets and technologies, innovative financing models, pioneering legislation and program development, and market transformation.”
When it comes to challenges in his profession, Turner admits there are a few. At the top of the list are coordinating all the stakeholders and learning to fail quickly.
“CC helped me critically analyze information quickly, discuss with peers, and then craft a new idea or path forward. The classroom was just the first opportunity to do this, but the mentality carried over to all other aspects of life.”
Mike Turner ’04
“Many of the markets we work require in-depth stakeholder engagement. This means thoughtful engagement with local communities, policy makers, private sector players, financial institutions, and technical experts,” says Turner. “We want to make sure everyone is heard.”
And though the work is tough, Turner knows he has the strong foundation to face these challenges.
“CC helped me critically analyze information quickly, discuss with peers, and then craft a new idea or path forward. The classroom was just the first opportunity to do this, but the mentality carried over to all other aspects of life,” he says. “My CC friends and I were constantly talking, debating, challenging each other, and then being innovative, unconventional, silly. This mind set has stuck with me throughout my professional career.”
Another big challenge of Turner’s job comes with the newness of the field.
“Since we are pioneering new approaches, we have to do our research, pilot programs, and then scale – quickly,” says Turner. “We are often building the plane as we’re learning to fly it. We are very calculated in our spending and decision making. But we also have to know when something isn’t working and when we have to pivot strategies. It’s important to remain nimble and adaptive in this environment.”
Even after 10 years with the Energy Office, Turner’s job still gets more interesting, more challenging, more rewarding every year. “I never thought a job could be that way,” he says. “I love being on the bleeding edge of clean energy and the transition to a clean energy economy.”
And what’s the best part of the job? “It’s my team,” says Turner. “I mean, we’re called “SIFI!” We truly have the best energy (pun intended), synergy, ideas, and definitely have the most fun. We get to create and implement. We get to research the newest technologies and investment strategies and we get to interact with so many different stakeholders around the state and country and world.”
As for the future, Turner has big goals. “I want Colorado to be an international model for clean energy innovation and climate action. We are, in many respects, already. We have first of the nation industrial decarbonization regulations, geothermal electricity generation investments, carbon capture and sequestration goals, hydrogen fuel tax credits. I want to continue to lead this. And then teach the rest of the world.”