Saad Siddique

Saad Siddique is an Economist & Energy Analyst in ELPC’s Chicago office. He works in transitioning the energy and utility systems to decarbonized, efficient, and affordable systems for communities. Prior to ELPC, Saad worked at GTI Energy in their Low Carbon Resources Initiative to strategize long term decarbonization efforts for the US economy. During graduate school at UT Austin, Saad interned at the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality to regulate the emissions from oil and gas production facilities. Saad is a member of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps that is run by VP Al Gore. He was also the managing editor for an energy economics journal and led student chapters on 4 continents for an international energy economics professional society. Saad was awarded Repsol’s STEM Innovation award and was featured in their video titled “Future Leaders of the Energy Sector”. He is a recipient of the J. N. Tata Scholarship and has a background in mechanical engineering and energy economics. He uses techno-economics and analytics to push forward rapid and deep decarbonization through just transitions while expanding energy access and security.

WHAT’S A PLACE YOU LOVE IN THE MIDWEST?

I grew up in India and the first place I landed in the US was Chicago. I was mesmerized by the beauty and size of Lake Michigan. Still, am. After living in 3 other states and traveling to 30 states in the US, I would always come back frequently to visit Chicago and the other side of the lake in Michigan, its sand dunes and the Upper Peninsula. The Midwest is unique and beautiful.

WHAT DRIVES YOU TO DO THIS WORK?

Energy systems and infrastructure keep our world running. prospering, and have uplifted the lives of billions of people around the world. At the same time, these systems also damage our environment and beautiful landscapes, poison the air we breathe and the water we drink, while creating long-term and existential global climate change. This is not a good bargain. But, as a scientist and advocate, I believe, strongly, that our collective potential for creative solutions, empathy for fellow humans, and the intent to push forward with evidence, can help us advance towards a more sustainable, just, and healthier world. ELPC is a place for me to do my bit in chasing this hopeful and positive reality and future.