Kostecki appointed to Berkeley Lab post

The Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) has appointed Robert Kostecki as director of the Energy Storage and Distributed Resources (ESDR) Division in the Energy Technologies Area (ETA).

“Robert’s formidable experience of over 24 years at Berkeley Lab provides him with the management skills, a strong technical foundation in conducting innovative research, and the ability to develop strong scientific visions, which position him well to lead the ESDR Division,” Ravi Prasher, Berkeley Lab’s Associate Laboratory Director of Energy Technologies, said.

Kostecki’s leadership experience and pioneering research in electrochemical systems engineering, adding his research focuses on performance fundamentals of electrochemical energy storage, conversion systems, and water treatment technologies.

His work has helped bridge the gap between fundamental and applied science, leading to the advancement of those technologies, according to a statement from the Energy Department.

ESDR Division Deputy for more than four years, and was responsible for scientific, programmatic, and strategic leadership. He made significant contributions by expanding existing research programs, providing assistance with the development and maintenance of sponsor and partner relationships, and creating new research initiatives. He also served five years as the Division Deputy for Research for the Environmental Energy Technologies Division (EETD), the forerunner of ETA.

Kostecki previously served as ESDR Division Deputy for more than four years, with officials indicating he was responsible for scientific, programmatic, and strategic leadership while making significant contributions by expanding existing research programs, providing assistance with development and maintenance of sponsor and partner relationships and creating new research initiatives.

Berkeley Lab’s Energy Storage and Distributed Resources Division conducts research and develops technologies providing the electricity grid with storage capability for energy generated from renewable sources.