Michael Webber (engineer)

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Michael Webber
2021-Webber-Michael.jpg
Born1971 (age 54–55)
Austin, Texas
EducationWestlake High School
Alma materUniversity of Texas, B.S. and B.A. Stanford University, M.S. and Ph.D.
Scientific career
FieldsEnergy Resources
InstitutionsUniversity of Texas at Austin
Thesis  (2001)

Michael Evan Webber (born 1971) is a professor of mechanical engineering at The University of Texas at Austin and the CTO of a clean-technology venture fund. Webber serves on the advisory board for Scientific American and is the author of Power Trip: The Story of Energy [1]

Contents

Biography

Webber was born in Austin, Texas, in 1971 to Stephen and Josephine Webber. His father was professor of Chemistry at the University of Texas at Austin [2] and his mother a self-described bureaucrat. After graduating from Westlake High School in 1989, he attended the University of Texas at Austin where he played in the Longhorn Band, eventually serving as Drum Major. [3] In 1995, he received a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and a B.A. in Plan II Honors. He went to Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, to pursue a M.S. in mechanical engineering. He continued at Stanford where he was a National Science Foundation Fellow from 1995 to 1998. [4] He completed his Ph.D. at Stanford in 2001 in mechanical engineering with a Ph.D. minor in electrical engineering with advisor Ron K. Hanson. [5] He currently lives in Austin, TX, with his wife and children.

Career

Corporate career

After completing his Ph.D., Webber shifted into private research first at Pranalytica and then at the RAND Corporation where he conducted research on energy and industrial topics. [6] He currently holds six patents as a result of his innovations, mostly related to environmental monitoring and trace gas sensing. [7] With the Austin Technology Incubator, Webber helped originate the Pecan Street Project in 2008. [8] Now, Pecan Street Inc., a public private partnership, supports the innovation and development of smart grid solutions. [9] He serves on the editorial board of advisors for Scientific American . [10]

Webber has served in senior leadership positions in industry. From 2018 to 2021 he was Chief Science and Technology Officer of ENGIE Group in Paris. [11] He later became Chief Technology Officer of Energy Impact Partners, a cleantech venture capital fund, from 2021 to 2024. [12] Earlier in his career he worked at RAND Corporation (2004–2006), Pranalytica (2000–2004), and as a research fellow at NASA Ames Research Center. [13]

Academic career


Webber joined the University of Texas at Austin in 2006 as a research associate in mechanical engineering and was appointed assistant professor the following year. He was promoted to associate professor in 2012 and to full professor of mechanical engineering in 2016. [14] In 2024 he also became professor of public affairs in the LBJ School of Public Affairs. [15] Over the course of his career at UT Austin, he has held several endowed chairs and fellowships, including the Josey Centennial Fellow in Energy Resources (2012–2016) [16] , Josey Centennial Professor in Energy Resources (2016–2023), John J. McKetta Centennial Energy Chair in Engineering (2023–2025), Sid Richardson Chair in Public Affairs (2024–present), and the Cockrell Family Chair #16 in Mechanical Engineering (2025–present). [17]

In addition to his teaching and research roles, Webber has directed or co-directed a interdisciplinary programs at UT Austin. [18] These include service as associate director of the Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy (2006–2012), co-director of the Clean Energy Incubator (2009–2018), deputy director (2013–2018) [19] and director (2018) of the Energy Institute, and engineering co-director of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center beginning in 2023. [20]

Professional service

Webber has served on numerous professional, industrial, and governmental committees. At the national level, he was a member of the Roundtable on Science and Technology for Sustainability at the U.S. National Academies from 2012 to 2018, and previously served on the National Research Council’s Committee on Transitions to Alternative Vehicles and Fuels from 2011 to 2012. [1] He has held editorial positions with several leading journals and publications, including membership on the editorial boards of Progress in Energy (2018–present) and Environmental Research Letters (2008–2020). He was editor-in-chief of Current Sustainable/Renewable Energy Reports (2013–2018), a member of the Board of Advisers for Scientific American (2009–2018), a contributing editor for Earth Magazine (2007–2018), and a contributing author to ASME’s Mechanical Engineering magazine. [4]

He has been a member of the Independent Expert Panel of the Open Hydrogen Initiative since 2023 and serves on the Technical Review Panel of the Energy Systems Integration Division at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory beginning in 2021. [11] He has also been a board member of Sustainable America since 2013, served on the board of Pecan Street Inc. from 2018 to 2022, and was a board member of Engineering One Planet from 2020 to 2022. [21]

Works

Scholarly works and research

Webber’s first book, Thirst for Power: Energy, Water and Human Survival, was published in 2016 by Yale University Press and was later adapted into a one-hour documentary film broadcast nationally on PBS. [22] [23] His second major book, Power Trip: The Story of Energy, appeared in 2019 with Basic Books [24] and was accompanied by a 12-part companion television series over two seasons that premiered on PBS, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV on Earth Day 2020. [25]  

He has also published Powering Humanity: Essays on Energy and Society (2022) [26] , The Future of Buildings, Transportation and Power (2010, with Roger Duncan) [27] , From Athletics to Engineering: 8 Ways to Support Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion for All (2021, with Johnnie Johnson) [28] , and Changing the Way America Thinks About Energy: A Compendium of Commentary (2017). [29] In addition, he has developed interactive educational materials, including the open-access textbooks Energy 101 [30] and Resourcefulness: An Introduction to the Water-Energy Nexus. [31]

Webber’s research and publications span energy technology, policy, and commercialization, with a focus on grid reliability, electrification, hydrogen systems, the built environment, and the food energy water waste nexus. [17] He has authored or co-authored more than 600 scientific publications, written The New York Times [32] , The Wall Street Journal [33] , The Washington Post [34] , and Scientific American [35] , and holds six patents. His scholarly articles have appeared in leading journals, including Science, Nature , and Environmental Science & Technology . [1]

Media work

His book Power Trip was adapted into a 12-part documentary series that aired on PBS, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV, reaching more than 10 million viewers in more than 30 countries worldwide. [36] His book Thirst for Power was also adapted into a feature-length documentary, broadcast nationally on PBS in 2025. [37] In addition, he hosted the PBS special Energy at the Movies. [38]

Awards

Selected publications and speeches

Over his career, Webber has published more than 400 articles, columns, reports, commentaries, and books and delivered more than 200 lectures, speeches, and seminars. [43]

Books

Select Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

M.E. Webber, D.S. Baer, and R.K. Hanson, "Ammonia Monitoring Near 1.5 μm with Diode Laser Absorption Sensors," Applied Optics, 40(12), pp. 2031– 2042, 2001 [51]

C.W. King and M.E. Webber, "Water Intensity of Transportation," Environmental Science and Technology, 42(21), pp 7866–7872 (7pp) (September 24, 2008) [52]

A.D. Cuellar and M.E. Webber, "Cow Power: The Energy and Emissions Benefits of Converting Manure to Biogas," Environmental Research Letters, 3 034002 (8pp) July 2008. [53]

J.S. Vitter and M.E. Webber, "Water Event Disaggregation Using Sub-metered Water and Coincident Electricity Data," Water 10, 714. https://doi:10%5B%5D.3390/w10060714

Y.R. Glazer, F.T. Davidson, J.J. Lee, and M.E. Webber, "An Inventory and Engineering Assessment of Flared Gas and Liquid Waste Streams From Hydraulic Fracturing in the USA," Current Sustainable/Renewable Energy Reports, October 2017.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Dr. Michael E. Webber". Webber Energy Group. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
  2. 1 2 "Stephen E. Webber". University of Texas at Austin Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  3. ↑ "A call to marching feet". Austin American Statesman. 18 Sep 1993.
  4. 1 2 Webber, Michael. "Curriculum Vitae for Michael E. Webber" (PDF). Webber Energy Group. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  5. ↑ "People: Former Students". Hanson Group, Stanford University. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  6. ↑ "ME Directory". Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  7. ↑ "Patents & Trademarks". Pranalytica. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  8. ↑ "2008 Clean Energy Venture Summit Agenda". Clean Energy Venture Summit. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  9. ↑ "What is Pecan Street?". Pecan Street Research Institute. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  10. ↑ "Board of Advisors" (PDF). Scientific American. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  11. 1 2 "Michael Webber on What's Behind Rising Energy Costs". Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA | CGEP. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  12. ↑ "Michael Webber on What's Behind Rising Energy Costs". Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA | CGEP. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  13. ↑ EcoBrandi (2012-06-12). "Recap of Energy at the Movies with Dr. Michael Webber". The Austin Common. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  14. ↑ "Michael Webber, Faculty Profile: Experts Guide". University Communications, University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  15. ↑ "UT System Regents' Outstanding Teaching Awards". University of Texas System. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  16. ↑ "Curriculum Vitae for Michael E. Webber" (PDF). Webber Energy Group, University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  17. 1 2 Media, Texas Energy & Power (2026-01-21). "Interview with Energy Expert Dr. Michael Webber". www.texasenergyandpower.com. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  18. ↑ "Michael E. Webber | LBJ School of Public Affairs". lbj.utexas.edu. 2026-01-01. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  19. ↑ "Michael Webber Joins Energy Institute as Executive Director". Energy Institute, University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  20. ↑ "Michael Webber". www.me.utexas.edu. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  21. ↑ "Michael Webber". The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  22. ↑ Webber, Michael E. (2016-04-26). Thirst for Power: Energy, Water, and Human Survival. Yale University Press. ISBN   978-0-300-22106-0.
  23. ↑ Thirst for Power . Retrieved 2026-01-28– via www.pbs.org.
  24. 1 2 "Review: 'Power Trip' Ably Guides Us Through the History of Energy (Published 2019)". 2019-05-17. Archived from the original on 2025-10-26. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  25. ↑ "Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering - 'Thirst for Power' Documentary Explores Interconnection of Water and Energy". www.me.utexas.edu. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  26. ↑ "Powering Humanity: Essays on Energy and Society". The Rockefeller Foundation. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  27. ↑ "The Future of Buildings, Transportation, and Power by Roger Duncan and Michael E. Webber". 2021-01-12. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  28. ↑ Johnson, Johnnie; Webber, Michael E. (2021-04-08). From Athletics to Engineering: 8 Ways to Support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for All. BookBaby. ISBN   978-1-0983-5478-7.
  29. ↑ Webber, Michael E. (2009). Changing the way America thinks about energy: a compendium of commentary. Austin: Petroleum Extension Service, The University of Texas at Austin. ISBN   978-0-88698-252-2.
  30. ↑ "Energy 101 – Energy Technology & Policy". www.energy101.com. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  31. ↑ "Resourcefulness | Introduction to the Energy-Water Nexus". PBS LearningMedia. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  32. ↑ "Opinion | The Electric Grid Is a Wildfire Hazard. It Doesn't Have to Be". 2024-08-17. Archived from the original on 2025-03-03. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  33. ↑ Dieterich, Chris (2016-11-16). "'Shipping Gets Weird': Shares Surge as Analysts Struggle for Explanations". Wall Street Journal. ISSN   0099-9660 . Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  34. ↑ "Opinion | Five myths about coal". The Washington Post. 2015-08-07. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  35. ↑ Webber, Michael E. (2021-04-01). "Can Natural Gas Be Part of a Low-Carbon Future?". Scientific American. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  36. ↑ "Michael Webber's PBS Energy Show Gets a 2nd Season". Cockrell School of Engineering - University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  37. ↑ "A new documentary explores the interconnection of water and energy and how essential they are to our survival". Texas Standard. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  38. ↑ "Energy at the movies with Dr. Michael Webber". ExxonMobil. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  39. ↑ "Michael E. Webber - ASME". www.asme.org. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  40. ↑ "A Few Words With Michael E. Webber". The Rockefeller Foundation. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  41. ↑ "Webber, Michael | The University of Texas System". utsystem.edu. 2025-10-06. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  42. ↑ "Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering - Michael Webber awarded the Dads' Association Centennial Teaching Fellowship". www.me.utexas.edu. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  43. ↑ "ME Directory". Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  44. ↑ "Powering Humanity: Essays on Energy and Society". The Rockefeller Foundation. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  45. ↑ "Powering Humanity: Essays on Energy and Society". The Rockefeller Foundation. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  46. ↑ "The Future of Buildings, Transportation and Power by Roger Duncan and Michael E. Webber DW Books". www.theusreview.com. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  47. ↑ Webber, Michael (2016). Thirst for Power: Energy, Water, and Human Survival. Yale University Press. ISBN   978-0-300-21246-4.
  48. ↑ Webber, Michael. "Changing the Way America Thinks About Energy" (PDF). UT AUSTIN.
  49. ↑ Cotton, Sarah K.; Petersohn, Ulrich; Dunigan, Molly; Burkhart, Q.; Zander Cotugno, Megan; O'Connell, Edward; Webber, Michael (2010-06-01). Hired Guns: Views About Armed Contractors in Operation Iraqi Freedom (Report).
  50. ↑ Webber, Michael (2009). Changing the Way America Thinks About Energy. Austin, Texas: Petroleum Teaching Extension, University of Texas at Austin. ISBN   978-0-88698-252-2.
  51. ↑ Webber, M.E.; D.S. Baer; R.K. Hanson (2001). "Ammonia Monitoring Near 1.5micrometers with Diode Laser Absorption Sensors". Applied Optics. 40 (12): 2031–2042. doi:10.1364/ao.40.002031. hdl: 2152/20303 . PMID   18357207.
  52. ↑ King, C.W.; M.E. Webber (24 Sep 2008). "Water Intensity of Transportation". Environmental Science and Technology. 42 (21): 7866–7872. Bibcode:2008EnST...42.7866K. doi:10.1021/es800367m. PMID   19031873.
  53. ↑ Cuellar, A.D.; M.E. Webber (July 2008). "Cow Power: The Energy and Emissions Benefits of Converting Manure into Biogas". Environmental Research Letters. 034002. 3 (3) 034002. Bibcode:2008ERL.....3c4002C. doi: 10.1088/1748-9326/3/3/034002 . hdl: 2152/20290 .
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