Biographical Information

Brenden Millstein studied physics at Harvard University, and graduated in 2006. During college summers he worked at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, in both a Li-ion battery group, and an advanced buildings technology group. After college, he moved to New York, where he administered energy policy through NYSERDA, a State Agency. Based in Manhattan, Brenden helped office high rises and manufacturing plants determine how they could reduce their energy use through engineering improvements, and then helped pay for some of the capital improvements. With a budget of $115 million (and help from an absolutely amazing team in Albany), the group reduced electric demand in New York by more than 140 MW. Brenden also plays a mean jazz saxophone, and has toured Japan, Switzerland, Italy, Cuba, and the United States.

Research Interests

Every Element of Climate Change and the Energy Crisis fascinates Brenden. Although Brenden loved his job in New York, ultimately government proved too slow a means to combating climate change. Now Brenden is studying business at Stanford’s GSB and taking Materials Science, Applied Physics, and mixed Engineering courses so he can start a renewable energy company.

Teaching Activities

Although Brenden has not TA’d any courses at Stanford, he has taught Jazz, Capoeira, and Breakdancing in a number of low-income after school programs.

Professional Activities

During the summer between first and second year at business school, Brenden worked for Sustainable Spaces, a residential energy efficiency company. He is now working on a non-profit startup focused on carbon reductions.