Mike Gravely

Team Lead and Senior Electrical Engineer
Energy Systems Research Office
California Energy Commission

Mike Gravely is the Team Lead and Senior Electrical Engineer for the Energy Systems Research Office at the California Energy Commission. His team is managing over $300 million in microgrid, energy storage and related energy research and demonstration projects. In this role, he oversees the full spectrum of research activities to improve the California Electric Grid including assessing future energy storage needs for California and addressing the grid related issues associated with integrating higher concentrations of renewables. In 2020, the Energy Commission awarded over $100 million in state funds and vendor cost-share investments to over 25 new grants to complete research and demonstration projects with new and emerging energy storage technologies. One key area of this research is focused on understanding the capability and value of long duration energy storage solutions (from 10 hours to 100+ hours) to assist California in transitioning to the goal of 100 percent zero-carbon resources by December 31, 2045.

Mike has a BSEE from the Virginia Military Institute and an MSEE from California State University at Sacramento. Prior to the Energy Commission, Mike served in executive positions in the Federal Government and private industry including addressing the business challenges of a startup energy storage company. Mike also serves as the Military Advisor to the Chair of the California Energy Commission. As Military Advisor he leverages his over 22 years of military service to coordinate Energy Commission activities with the Department of Defense bases in California.