Robert Noun

Robert J. Noun is adjunct professor of law at the University of Denver's Sturm College of Law. He teaches courses on renewable energy law, policy and technology. Noun formerly directed the government affairs, media relations, communications and community outreach activities for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) located in Golden, CO.  He was the chief spokesman for NREL, the nation's principal research center for renewable fuels and electricity. Mr. Noun has been involved with renewable energy for over 35 years. During his career he has made significant contributions to the advancement of renewable energy technologies.

Noun managed the NREL Wind Energy Research Program. Many of the technical improvements that appear in today's wind technology were developed during his leadership of the program. He is the author of 24 technical publications on the subjects of renewable energy law and regulation, wind energy development, and renewable energy in developing countries.

Noun has received numerous awards and recognition, including the 2005 Van Morris Award recognizing his leadership in the growth and development of NREL, the 2002 Pioneer Award for Contributions to the Development of Renewable Energy from the World Renewable Energy Network in London, and the 1996 Gold Medallion Award for the Advancement of Renewable Energy, presented by His Highness, the Emir of Bahrain. He has been a guest lecturer in the Iowa State University Science and Technology Lecture Series. In 1973 he was awarded the Reginald Hebersmith Fellow in Law from Howard University.

Before joining NREL in 1979, Noun served as legislative director for U.S. Representative Thomas Harkin of Iowa and was Representative Harkin's counsel for science and technology policy.  He has been a practicing attorney and is a member (inactive) of the Iowa and District of Columbia Bars.  He has been a member of the Environment, Energy and Resources Law Section and the Renewable Energy Resources Committee of the American Bar Association.

In 2012, Noun was appointed to the advisory board of the University Honors Program at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. He serves as a founding member and on the Board of Trustees of the St. Petersburg, Florida Conference on World Affairs. He volunteers as a reading and math tutor at the Casa de la Esperanza Learning Center in Longmont, Colorado.

Noun received his bachelor degree from the University of Iowa and his law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law.