May 31, 2017

Photo of Juan Torres, Associate Laboratory Director for Energy Systems Integration, NREL.

A longtime employee of the Department's Sandia National Laboratories, Torres steps into the role vacated by Bryan Hannegan, who will remain until June 23 to ensure a smooth transition.

Torres, an electrical engineer who joined Sandia 27 years ago, has served as deputy to the vice president for energy and climate programs for the past year. In that position, Torres has led efforts in cybersecurity, guided investments in advanced energy research, and played a key role in the DOE's multi-lab effort to modernize the nation's electrical grid.

"Juan's expertise encompasses many of NREL's core program areas," said NREL Director Martin Keller.  "He will lead research teams that include renewable energy systems integration, cybersecurity, grid modernization, and energy systems security and resilience."

NREL's associate laboratory directors report directly to Keller.

"I'm excited about returning to my home state of Colorado to tackle U.S. energy challenges at the nation's premier advanced energy lab," Torres said.

Torres joined Sandia after graduating from the University of Southern Colorado in Pueblo with a bachelor's degree in electronics engineering technology. He went on to earn his master's in electrical engineering from the University of New Mexico and has completed additional postgraduate engineering work at Stanford University.