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MIE Alum Michael Bakas Leading the Charge to Innovate the Clean Energy Sector

December 11, 2023 Sustainability

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Michael Bakas
Michael T. Bakas '91

Though alumnus Michael T. Bakas, who graduated from the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department in 1991, is one of only eight finalists from across the globe in the 2023 Energy Awards (in the category of “Energy Champion of the Year Individual Achievement”), that feat provides a mere glimpse into his groundbreaking career as a pioneer in the renewable-energy industry. Bakas is the executive vice president of Ameresco, a leading cleantech integrator and renewable-energy company, and the sum of all his accomplishments marks him as one of the country’s trailblazers in the clean energy transition.

Since graduating from UMass Amherst in 1991, Bakas has rocketed on an upwardly mobile path in the clean energy field. In 2000, he was a member of the founding management team of Ameresco and has been instrumental in its growth over the past 23 years from a small start-up company to a NYSE listed global energy leader. 

With more than 32 years of experience in the energy industry, Bakas developed some of the earliest advanced clean-energy projects that helped shape the markets in those states that first implemented renewable portfolio standards, beginning in Massachusetts in 2001 with Ameresco’s first “green” biogas-to-energy power plant followed shortly by its award winning renewable energy project with BMW Manufacturing Corporation at their largest manufacturing plant in the world. 

At Ameresco, Bakas directs the team responsible for the development and operations of its biomethane assets. He has championed the growth of Ameresco’s renewable-energy asset portfolio, making it one of the leading energy-services providers in North America. Ameresco has been recognized multiple times by the U.S. EPA, the California Legislature, and U.S. House of Representatives for its contribution to environmental stewardship through its innovative green-energy projects. 

Per the Ameresco website, “As the officer responsible for many of Ameresco’s complex, renewable-energy assets, Mr. Bakas has been instrumental in fostering and supporting legislation that promotes the use of renewable resources and is on the Board of Directors for the Northeast Clean Energy Council, as well as the Advisory Board for Microgrid Knowledge, the Leadership Advisory Board for Sustainability at the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (Chairman), and the Board of Advisors for the Advanced Energy Group.” 

“Over his career,” as the Ameresco bio explains, “Bakas has been tapped to provide his expertise and guidance regarding energy issues throughout the United States and to participate in discussions setting direction for federal, state, and local energy policy, including, but not limited to, providing expert testimony before the Clean Air Congressional Roundtable at the U.S. Capitol.”

Relatedly, in 2023, Bakas was appointed to the Energy and Environment Bureau Transition Team for Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, who ran on a climate and energy equity platform. 

Recognized as an energy industry leader, Bakas is regularly sought out for his expertise and opinion by numerous national media outlets, publications, and magazines and is frequently quoted in industry and business publications such as Forbes, Fortune Magazine, Distributed Energy Magazine, and Microgrid Knowledge. 

Most importantly, Mike is not only passionate about everything UMass but he has entrusted the Engineering School with his oldest daughter Allie who is currently a Junior in Biomedical Engineering.

(December 2023)

Article posted in Sustainability

Related programs

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering

Related research

  • Energy, environment, and water

Related departments

  • Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

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