Ellie Simon graduated in 2021 with a BS in Earth and Environmental Sciences and now works as a Development Project Manager at DTE Energy. In her role, Ellie oversees utility-scale solar projects by managing engineering tasks, procuring equipment, and permitting processes.
Her path to DTE Energy began in a natural resource economics class taught by Adam Simon, where a lab project on what would be needed to transition U-M to solar energy sparked her interest. The project allowed her to connect with members of the DTE Energy renewable energy team, leading to a summer internship and eventually a full-time role.
Ellie Simon’s work is central to DTE Energy’s sustainability efforts. Her team is responsible for building thousands of megawatts of solar and wind energy to meet Michigan's renewable energy targets.
Her academic experience at U-M provided a solid foundation for her role, particularly in understanding geology, ecology, and solar project development, which are essential for interpreting project reports.
Looking ahead, she plans to pursue a dual degree in business and a sustainability-related field. She is particularly proud of the DTE Energy solar projects she started as an intern, which are now constructed and set to become operational, marking her notable contribution to the renewable energy transition.