Where Renewable Energy and Philanthropy Meet

With one of the largest and most prominent coalitions of weather and climate researchers in the nation, UAlbany's Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC) tackles some of the most urgent challenges facing humankind, with climate change at the top of the list. Their important work has been boosted by a newly established endowed fellowship. 

The Bailey Fellowship, named for donor and former ASRC research associate Bruce Bailey, will focus on the deployment of renewable energies on the electric grid. Shifting the electric grid closer to 100 percent renewable energy sources is a key step toward mitigating climate catastrophes caused by continued increases in greenhouse gas emissions.  

Bailey began his career in the renewable energy field while working as a research associate at ASRC. He then founded AWS Truepower, a meteorological and engineering consulting firm that served the renewables industry for more than 30 years. Ultimately the company was acquired by UL, where Bailey became the vice president of renewables. Recently retired, he remains active in the field, maintaining valuable associations with ASRC. 

“ASRC helped get me started on a long, successful career in the renewable energy industry,” said Bailey. “In return, I wanted to establish a fund that would provide growth opportunities for others for years to come.” 

The Bailey Fellows will focus on topics such as large-scale integration of renewable energy on the grid, economic assessment of renewable energy deployments, and renewable energy public policy and education. 

"I am extremely grateful for Bruce’s generous contribution to our research mission. Renewable energy and grid resiliency are highly significant for society as we seek greener energy sources and deal with continued increase in extreme weather due to climate change," said Christopher Thorncroft, director of the ASRC. “Bruce’s gift not only funds this important research, but also trains a new generation of scientists who will become leaders in advancing the deployment of renewable energies, addressing climate change, and improving lives.”