Who We Are
Klein Tech Advisors Group, based in Washington State, is led by founder Steven J Klein, a proven executive with more than 37 years of diversified experience in the energy industry. The SmartGrid News (February 10, 2014) referred to Mr. Klein as “one of our industry’s most progressive thinkers.” Mr. Klein has spoken before congressional and state energy and natural resource committees and is a highly sought-after guest speaker.
Klein is a recognized industry leader in the research, development and implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy with noteworthy projects in energy storage, smart grid, demand response, and tidal, geothermal, wind, solar and low impact hydro generation. Diverse senior technical and managerial knowledge includes development of electrical system design/smart grid, integration of distributed generation, energy storage, efficiency and demand response, Integrated Resource Planning, FERC/NERC/WECC/PEAK Reliability, energy policy and regulation, power rates and pricing, telecommunications, power purchase and sales contract negotiation, power scheduling and marketing, control area balancing, system dispatching and reliability, operations planning, environmental protection and mitigation, customer, agency and tribal engagement, and power plant licensing and development.
Under Klein's leadership Snohomish PUD launched one of the most aggressive community-based solar programs in the country as well as adding significant large scale renewable generation, including wind which went from zero to eight percent of the utility’s total resource portfolio in less than two years. In conjunction with the addition of significant new renewable resources, which by their nature can be variable and intermittent, led the development of the largest grid connected energy storage fleet in the northwest.
We have advised and consulted with numerous communities as well as public and private sector entities interested in becoming energy self-sufficient and specifically focused on renewable energy and practices that are sustainably oriented. Also serve on numerous Boards that advocate for and support for the research and development of innovative clean technologies as well as sustainably oriented electric grid design and operation.
Past and Present Board Participation
American Public Power Association (APPA), Board of Directors, CEO Climate Task Force
Beta Hatch Corporate Board of Directors, a sustainable insect protein farming leader
Clean Tech Alliance of Washington, Executive Board, Past Chair
Economic Alliance Snohomish County, Executive Board
Hotrock Energy Research Organization, Board Member
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Senior Member
Large Public Power Council (LPPC), Board Member
Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement Board, Past Chair
Northwest Public Power Association (NWPPA), Board of Trustees
NW River Partners, Board of Directors
Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee (PNUCC), Board of Directors, Past Chair
Public Generating Pool (PGP), Administrative Committee, Past Chair
Public Power Council (PPC), Executive Committee, Past Chair
Snohomish County Green Ribbon Climate Task Force
Western Energy Institute, Board of Directors
Western Washington University Institute for Energy Studies Advisory Board
Awards and Recognition
Henry M. Jackson Citizen of the Year 2015
Public Power Council “Alan Jones Award” for Outstanding Contributors to Public Power – 2015
Northwest Public Power Association (NWPPA) Life Membership Award - 2015
Governor’s Advisory Committee for State Energy Strategy 2012
Governor’s Delegation of Energy & Tech leaders on EU Trade Mission
Snohomish Co. Business Journal Executive of the Year 2011
U.S. State Dept. (USAID) Selected Representative to lead East Asia Energy Partnership Mission
