Yixing Xu
About Yixing Xu
Yixing Xu is the Research Director at Breakthrough Energy, with a background in electrical engineering and extensive experience in energy systems modeling and research management.
Company
Yixing Xu currently works at Breakthrough Energy as Research Director in Seattle, Washington, United States.
Professional Titles
Yixing Xu is the Research Director at Breakthrough Energy. Previously, he held the title of Senior Research Manager at Gates Ventures and Intellectual Ventures. He also served as a Senior Research Scientist and Research Manager at Intellectual Ventures.
Educational Background
Yixing Xu has an extensive educational background. He achieved a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a Post-Doctoral degree in Power System from Texas A&M University. Additionally, he received a Certificate in Business from Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. His undergraduate studies were in Electrical Engineering at Tsinghua University.
Key Projects and Collaborations
Yixing Xu founded and led an open-source energy system modeling project, which was highlighted by Bill Gates in his book 'How to Avoid a Climate Disaster'. Xu also regularly reported to Bill Gates on clean energy transition pathways. He was the lead author of the U.S. Macro Grid study, which was cited by the Department of Energy. Furthermore, Xu has delivered talks at institutions like Stanford University, National Science Foundation, Microsoft, Google, and the United Nations. He has collaborated with researchers from esteemed universities in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
Leadership and Team Building
During his tenure at Breakthrough Energy, Yixing Xu has led the international energy systems modeling collaboration program. He expanded his team from a single person to a group comprising 13 technical members, 3 contractors, 5 summer interns, and 6 groups of collaborators.