Michael T. Burr

Director
Microgrid Institute

Michael T. Burr manages collaborative work among multidisciplinary groups of subject matter experts and leaders. He has produced more than 20 volumes of energy industry journals; moderated numerous public events, workshops, and seminars; and led formative industry initiatives to accelerate adoption of advanced energy technologies.

Michael brings 25 years of industry experience to the Microgrid Institute initiative. He began his career in 1989 on the editorial staff of Independent Energy magazine and the Independent Energy Forum, serving developers and finance executives in the independent power producer (IPP) industry. In the early 1990s he served a brief stint as communications director for the National Independent Energy Producers trade association (succeeded by EPSA). He then began an independent analysis and consulting practice that numbered among its clients IBM, Barclays PLC, PriceWaterhouse Coopers, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, and U.S. Generating Co. In the late 1990s he served as editor of PennWell's Electric Light & Power magazine. In the 2000s he served as editor-at-large for Inside Counsel magazine. He joined Public Utilities Reports in 2001, and from September 2007 through April 2014 he served as editor-in-chief of Public Utilities Fortnightly, the journal of record for the U.S. investor-owned utility industry. He also was Fortnightly's associate publisher from 2009 through 2014.

Michael founded Microgrid Institute in 2012. As its Director, he initiates and coordinates multidisciplinary work to address factors affecting the development and operation of energy microgrids. He represents Microgrid Institute in stakeholder engagements, and manages team members, collaborators, and advisers in a variety of projects, from market studies to microgrid development. 

He lives with his wife of 28 years and their three children in central Minnesota.