Ronnen Levinson

Ronnen Levinson

Energy/Environmental Policy Staff Scientist/Engineer
510-486-7494

Bio

Dr. Ronnen Levinson is a Staff Scientist and Leader of the Heat Island Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) in Berkeley, California. Within his research portfolio he develops cool roof, wall, and pavement materials; improves methods for the measurement of solar reflectance; and quantifies the energy and environmental benefits of cool surfaces. He serves on the boards and technical committees of the Cool Roof Rating Council and the Global Cool Cities Alliance, and advises policymakers, code officials, utilities, and building rating programs about cool surfaces. He holds a B.S. in engineering physics from Cornell University and an M.S. and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. He has authored or co-authored over 100 publications, and serves on the editorial boards of Energy & Buildings, Solar Energy, Solar Energy Advances, and Scientific Reports. He received the 2016 Marty Hastings Award for outstanding contributions to the Cool Roof Rating Council, and a 2016 R&D 100 Award for invention of the Cool Roof Time Machine.

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Education

Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley, 1997
Mechanical Engineering, M.S., University of California at Berkeley, 1992
Applied & Engineering Physics, B.S., Cornell University, 1990

Awards

2016 R&D 100 Award: Cool Roof Time Machine -  November 9th 2016

A Berkeley Lab-led team of scientists established a method to simulate soiling and weathering of roofing material, reproducing in the lab in only a few days what would naturally take three years. This “cool roof time machine” protocol has been approved by ASTM International, a widely referenced standards body, as a standard practice for the industry, and is expected to accelerate deployment of cool roofs, which have been shown to reduce a building’s energy use and mitigate the urban heat island effect.

R&D Magazine’s annual R&D 100 Awards recognize the top 100 technology products from industry, academia, and government-sponsored research. For more information on the awards, see the links below.

2016 CRRC Marty Hastings Award -  April 19th 2016

In recognition of the outstanding contributions Ronnen has made to the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC). Nominations for this award were solicited from the CRRC membership, and the award designation was determined by a CRRC Board Committee. The organization recognized the many years he has dedicated to serving on the CRRC Board as an ex-officio member, as well as his participation in the Technical Committee and working groups. Nominators noted his exceptional tenure with the organization and tireless advocacy for strong scientific and technical methods.

Flex Your Power -  May 24th 2007

For developing innovative cool roofing materials with solar reflecting pigments that will cut energy consumption in warm climates by 10-20%.

Journal and Editorial Board Memberships

Energy and Buildings, Editorial Board Member
Solar Energy, Editorial Board Member
Solar Energy Advances, Editorial Board Member
Scientific Reports, Editorial Board Member