Energy Science, Technology & Policy

Rashaan Keeton (MS’12) Helps Electric Utilities Meet Their Sustainability Goals
_{By Jessica Keast}

As an Energy Engineer at FirstFuel Software, Rashaan Keeton (MS’12), audits buildings remotely, delivers the results to building owners and develops products to help electric utilities reach their sustainability goals. Recognized as a global leader in customer engagement for energy providers, the cutting-edge platform provides insightful and scalable data to over 40 utilities in North America and Europe.

In May 2018, Rashaan returned to campus to give the keynote speech at the Energy Science, Technology and Policy (EST&P) Diploma Ceremony. After reminiscing fondly of his time in Pittsburgh and in the EST&P program, the alumnus encouraged graduates to persevere toward their goals, using his own career path as an example.

Rashaan said he first knew he wanted to work in green energy and sustainability as a senior in college right after spending a summer interning for a green materials startup in Ithaca, New York. He went on to obtain his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at Cornell University.

Before graduating, Rashaan knew he would need to broaden his knowledge before looking for a job in energy. He soon found the EST&P program at Carnegie Mellon University. Hoping to expand his skillset and improve his marketability, Rashaan decided on the Mechanical Engineering concentration within the program.

While a student, Rashaan was a member of the National Society of Black Engineers and worked as a teaching assistant—helping guide the design of the second-generation EST&P program website and setting the stage for the current EST&P ambassador position.

After graduating from EST&P, Rashaan moved to Boston for his first job at an energy efficiency engineering firm called Demand Management Institute (DMI). There, he learned about HVAC, lighting and process efficiency. Rashaan also spent time traveling with the company across Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Several years later, a recruiter contacted him with a position in software—an industry he says he hadn’t considered.

After accepting the position, Rashaan started performing remote audits and adding to FirstFuel’s knowledge base. He began taking what he learned at DMI and applying it on a larger scale.

Soon, Rashaan says he was screening utility portfolios for buildings that were strong candidates for energy efficiency measures and conducting webinars for customers about the audit process. Now, he mostly works on strategic electrification and product development in partnership with utilities that are looking to move beyond energy efficiency.

It’s evident that Rashaan is incredibly passionate about his work as he told EST&P students during his keynote: “Whether you leave here to work in buildings, transportation, utilities, policy or to pursue a Ph.D., the EST&P program has prepared you for careers in energy, a sector that touches almost every part of our global economy.”

He added, “We’re going to need all of you and more out there making a difference if we want to leave this world a better place for those who come after us.”