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Clea Kolster

Partner and Head of Science at Lowercarbon Capital

San Francisco, California

Overview 

Clea Kolster is currently a Partner and Head of Science at Lowercarbon Capital in San Francisco, California. With a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London, Clea has made significant contributions in the fields of ClimateTech/CleanTech and EnergyTech, investing in companies like Dioxycle and Uncommon at various stages of their growth.

Work Experience 

  • Partner and Head of Science

    2020 - Current

    Invest globally in climate tech founders. Board positions in battery software, fusion energy, renewable power, industrial decarbonization, carbon capture and storage, and biotech companies.

Lowercarbon Capital funds research and invests in technologies that reduce CO2 in the atmosphere.

  • Fellow

    2020 - 2020

Clean Energy Leadership Institute is a non-profit dedicated to preparing young professionals for careers in clean energy.

  • Consultant

    2017 - 2020

    Worked on multiple cross-functional projects at a time in resource planning, climate policy design, asset valuation, economy-wide decarbonization pathway development for state agencies, utilities, asset owners, and NGOs by leveraging energy systems optimization tools and energy technology expertise.

  • Data Scientist

    2018 - 2018

    A lack of access to clean cooking fuels affects over 1/3 of the global population and kills more people than the top 3 worst diseases combined.

  • Doctoral Researcher

    2014 - 2018

    Chemical Engineering & Environmental Policy; h-index: 10 - https://tinyurl.com/cleakolster Coursework: Energy Systems Optimization - Adam Brandt at Stanford University PhD Thesis: Key Issues Impeding the Large-Scale Deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage Grantham Institute representative at UN Climate Conferences COP21 and COP23

  • Summer Associate

    2017 - 2017

  • Researcher

    2016 - 2017

    Developed an open-source iterative investment model (MIICE) that assesses the economic role of using carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery in enabling large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) deployment. Was part of the Brandt group on Environmental Assessment and Optimization in Stanford's Energy Resources Engineering Department.

  • Chemical Engineer

    2011 - 2013

    Developed a system used to quantify ozone-depleting substances in a hazardous waste stream going into a large national high-incineration plant to meet international compliance with CFCs. Devised a technical assessment and recommendation on the market and technology opportunities for metal recovery from hazardous waste streams from Veolia's UK Hazardous Waste Treatment facilities. Analyzed data on the electricity consumption and total throughput of a large regional hazardous waste treatment plant.

Articles About Clea

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