Jim Williams

Dr. Jim Williams stands as a leading authority in energy systems and decarbonization strategies, currently serving as Professor of Energy Systems Management at the University of San Francisco and Senior Fellow at Evolved Energy Research. His influential career spans academia and industry, marked by groundbreaking work as director of the Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project, which shaped international climate policy through detailed emissions reduction roadmaps for 16 high-emission countries. After earning his BS in Physics from Washington and Lee University and both MS and PhD in Energy and Resources from UC Berkeley, he established himself as a key figure in climate policy development, particularly during his tenure as Chief Scientist at Energy and Environmental Economics (E3). His landmark studies on deep decarbonization in the United States have become foundational documents for climate policy, demonstrating how to achieve dramatic emissions reductions while maintaining economic growth. His expertise encompasses renewable energy integration, electric vehicle adoption, and energy market transformation, with special focus on the three pillars of decarbonization: energy efficiency, zero-carbon electricity, and electrification. As a Mandarin speaker with deep knowledge of China's energy systems, he continues to shape global energy transition through his research and leadership in developing comprehensive strategies for achieving net-zero emissions while training the next generation of energy professionals at USF's innovative Energy System Management graduate program.