Dr. Richard Haut is currently a Senior Research Scientist at the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC). He serves as the Principal Investigator (P.I.) for various projects associated with securing energy for the future. A major effort is serving as P.I. for the award winning Environmentally Friendly Drilling Program in partnership with Texas A&M University, Sam Houston State University, other universities, industry and environmental organizations with the objective of integrating advanced technologies into systems that significantly reduce the environmental footprint of petroleum drilling and production. The effort was recognized by the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, receiving their Chairman’s Environmental Partnership award in 2009.
Dr. Haut served as the Director of the Sustainable Technologies Group at the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) from 2002 to 2006. In the position, he was responsible for directing various HARC teams associated with high performance green building systems and materials, trace chemical detection, offshore technologies, cryogenics/superconductivity and air emissions reduction technologies - moving knowledge to action in supporting policies and technologies that improve human well-being and the environment. Dr. Haut also served as P.I. for various projects associated with ecologized building systems, and represented HARC on various committee and organizations, including the EPA’s Regional and Local Land Revitalization Team. During his tenure, the Group won a variety of awards, including the Innovative Technology Award for Wood Treatment Processing, the Citizen’s Environmental Coalition President’s synergy award and an honorable mention for the Keep Houston Beautiful award. Dr. Haut established various projects concerning the built environment with the City of Houston, in particular, the Solar America Cities program, various energy efficiency and renovation programs, the George R. Brown Solar Pilot Program and the East Harris County Solar Energy Pilot Program, one of the largest roof-top solar installations in Texas.
Dr. Haut’s technical background includes a Masters degree and a Ph.D. in Engineering. He has over 25 years of industry technical and management experience prior to joining HARC in June 2002, having been responsible for analyzing offerings for key technologies or niche capabilities and developing synergistic, strategic relationships in the energy industry. He also was instrumental in establishing joint ventures and other joint industry programs, including the start-up of Enventure Global Technology where he was the Chief Operating Officer. Over a two year time period, Dr. Haut was involved in the successful development of Enventure, taking it from conception to profitability during this time period. In 1999 he received Hart Publication’s Meritorious Award for Engineering Innovation and in 2002 received the Natural Gas Innovator of the Year Award from the Department of Energy. Dr. Haut’s career includes a ten year time period where he was assigned to North Sea operations as a well technology manager and advisor for drilling and completion operations in both Norway and Scotland.
Dr. Haut has been invited to speak at various conferences, has authored numerous papers, has been awarded over three dozen patents and has several patents pending. He has also been requested to participate in Congressional hearings and briefings. He was featured in the Wall Street Journal, February 11, 2008 as well as the Summer 2008 edition of Echoes, the alumni magazine of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and has been interviewed on multiple occasions by the media. He has frequently been asked to speak about sustainable development, the built environment and energy production. In addition, he has given testimony to Congress concerning research and technology developments to produce energy in an environmentally sound and safe manner and served on a five member work group to assist the National BP Deepwater Horizon Gulf Spill and Offshore Drilling Commission. He is a board member of the Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America (RPSEA) where he also chairs the Environmental Advisory Group. He also worked with other community leaders to found the Houston Chapter of the US Green Building Council (USGBC) served on the USGBC – National Research Committee where he represented all non-profits across the U.S.
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