Nathan Johnson

Dr. Nathan Johnson is an Associate Professor in The Polytechnic School of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University. He is also Director of the Laboratory for Energy And Power Solutions that provides technical and business solutions to facilitate the global transition to a resilient low-carbon economy. Research to commercialization efforts emphasize grid modernization, microgrids, off-grid solutions, critical infrastructure, and workforce development. Dr. Johnson also leads ASU’s Grid Modernization and Microgrid Test Bed. 

Dr. Johnson builds public-private partnerships in the US and internationally to develop and evaluate technologies leading to pilot demonstration and scale. This work is paired with innovations in business models and regulation to benefit all stakeholders, and value propositions that increase energy access, energy security, and economic development through decarbonization and cost savings. Workforce development is a passion of Dr. Johnson’s team, and they train 1000s of people each year in microgrids, cybersecurity, and other emerging technologies to meet demands in the rapidly evolving power sector. 

Before joining ASU, Dr. Johnson completed product development and business development across 15 countries. His globally focused work continues in sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, and East Asia. 

Dr. Johnson is also a member of the graduate faculty in the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, the School of Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, and the School of Sustainability. He is a senior sustainability scientist with the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory and an affiliate faculty member with the Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes at ASU.