Varun Sivaram

Dr. Varun Sivaram is a physicist, author, and recognized authority on clean energy technology. Sivaram is senior fellow for energy and climate at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). He is also the founder and CEO of Emerald AI, a technology company that enables AI data centers to flexibly consume electricity and bolster the power grid. Sivaram brings experience spanning the corporate, policy, and academic sectors, including as a C-suite executive at two multibillion-dollar publicly listed companies, as a senior U.S. diplomat, and as a physicist with expertise in clean energy technologies. His book Taming the Sun on the future of solar energy was named by the Financial Times among “the best books of the decade.”

A Rhodes and Truman Scholar, Sivaram holds a doctorate in condensed matter physics from Oxford University, where he developed advanced solar photovoltaic technologies, as well as undergraduate degrees in engineering physics and international relations from Stanford University. His background in scientific research and policy positions him at the intersection of energy innovation, geopolitics, and climate change.

Sivaram's career includes roles in the corporate, government, and academic sectors. He served in the White House and State Department as managing director for clean energy and senior advisor to Secretary John F. Kerry, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. Sivaram created and led the First Movers Coalition, a public-private partnership on climate. Prior to his diplomatic work, Sivaram was chief strategy and innovation officer at Ørsted, a Fortune Global 500 company and major producer of offshore wind energy, and previously served as chief technology officer at ReNew Power, India's largest renewable energy producer. Sivaram is founder and CEO of Emerald AI, a technology company focused on enabling AI data centers to flexibly consume electricity and support the power grid. He also serves as senior fellow for energy and climate at the Council on Foreign Relations.

As an author, Sivaram has contributed influential works in the clean energy sector. His book, "Taming the Sun," explores the future of solar energy and was recognized by Financial Times among the best books of the decade. He is also lead author of "Energizing America: A Roadmap to Launch a National Energy Innovation Mission," which advocates for increased federal funding to accelerate clean energy transitions and support advanced U.S. energy industries. Sivaram's essay on clean energy innovation in Foreign Affairs magazine has been cited by leaders in the field. His work has appeared in publications including New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, Nature, Nature Energy, Nature Climate Change, Scientific American, and MIT Tech Review.

Sivaram's public engagement includes TED Talks on AI energy solutions and India's clean energy transition, which have been viewed by millions. He has spoken at events such as the Aspen Ideas Festival, SXSW, IHS CERAWeek, and the World Economic Forum. TIME Magazine named Sivaram to its TIME 100 list of influential climate leaders and its TIME 100 Next list. MIT Technology Review recognized him among the top 35 innovators under 35, Forbes Magazine included him in its top 30 under 30, and the World Economic Forum named him a Young Global Leader. Sivaram addresses policymakers, business leaders, and general audiences on topics related to renewable energy, climate policy, and technology innovation.