Terry Mohn: Pioneering the Future of Energy
Terry Mohn is a name synonymous with innovation in the energy sector. As the Chairman of the Australian Microgrid Centre of Excellence, he has been instrumental in shaping how energy is researched, developed, and implemented. This not-for-profit organization fosters collaboration among industry, academia, and government, tackling some of the biggest challenges in delivering reliable, sustainable energy to underserved communities worldwide.
Beyond his leadership at the Centre of Excellence, Terry is the driving force behind General MicroGrids, Inc., a company he founded to bring executive advisory services, specializing in ustomized microgrid solutions, to global market players. With prior projects spanning San Diego, Perth, New Delhi, Nairobi, and Entebbe, General MicroGrids has been at the forefront of integrating renewable energy into existing grids, enhancing reliability, and expanding access to clean energy for communities across five continents.
In Western Australia, Terry left an indelible mark during his time at Horizon Power. There, he managed a $30M operational budget and led the deployment of a $20M Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS), transforming the way energy is distributed and managed across 38 microgrids. His work has been pivotal in supporting Horizon Power’s domestic and international initiatives.
At Sempra Energy Utilities, Terry spearheaded some of the most impactful grid modernization projects in the United States. His efforts included managing a $570M smart meter infrastructure project and securing $11M in federal grants to fund innovative smart grid research. He also played a key role in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) initiatives, where he served as a Federal Advisor, shaping smart grid programs and developing interoperability standards. In addition, Terry contributed to the GridWise Architecture Council, helping to define principles for interactive and intelligent energy systems.
As Vice Chairman of the GridWise Alliance, Terry helped bring together stakeholders from public and private sectors to drive innovation in the electric grid, fostering partnerships that enhanced collaboration and knowledge sharing. He was also a co-founder of OpenAMI and UtilityAMI, initiatives focused on creating standards for consumer access to the smart grid, and contributed significantly to the development of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) standards. These efforts collectively laid the groundwork for many of today’s modern energy solutions and smart grid frameworks.
Terry’s leadership extends to the private sector as well. During his tenure as VP and Chief Innovation Officer at BAE Systems Energy Solutions, he led initiatives to develop cutting-edge energy management systems. By managing R&D budgets and forging key industry partnerships, he helped strengthen the company’s position as a leader in energy solutions.
Globally, Terry has worked with central governments in many countries while at CleanSource Energy Partners. His efforts have resulted in transformative projects, including a $500M geothermal power plant and $150M in public-private partnerships for microgrid development. These projects have brought much-needed infrastructure to regions in eastern Africa that were in critical need of reliable energy.
As a Consultant with Sentient Energy Pty, Terry leveraged artificial intelligence to open new energy markets in Australia, New Zealand, and the US. His work at Open Access Technology International further underscores his versatility, where he developed business strategies for smart grid and microgrid systems and oversaw a $20M budget to drive the company’s growth.
Terry’s contributions also extend to research and certification. As Project Director for the Global Microgrid Center, he advanced microgrid technologies through collaborations with multinational corporations and research organizations, ensuring these technologies are adopted and implemented effectively worldwide.
With a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Engineering Technology from the Oregon Institute of Technology, graduating Summa Cum Laude, Terry’s technical foundation has been key to his success. His career reflects a commitment to not only developing advanced energy solutions but also making them accessible to communities across the globe.
Terry Mohn’s career is a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and a vision for a sustainable energy future. Whether working on cutting-edge research, managing multi-million-dollar projects, or leading global initiatives, he continues to inspire progress in the energy sector.
Committees
Past Chairman, Australian Microgrid Centre of Excellence, headquarters in Australia
Past Chairman, International Microgrid Association, headquarters in Australia
Past Chairman, Microgrid Alliance, an international non-profit energy advocacy group
Past Chairman, Microgrid Workgroup in Sustainable Energy for All, United Nations Foundation
Advisor, US Dept of Commerce Smart Grid Federal Advisory Committee
Advisor, US Dept of Energy smart grid and research
Advisor, California Energy Commission, Emerging Technologies
Advisor, Utility Standards Board
Advisor, UCLA smart grid
Advisor, UC Berkeley mechanical engineering and nano-technology labs
Advisor for Fortune 100 companies venture groups (Intel, Google, many venture funds)
Past Vice Chairman, GridWise Alliance
Co-chair (emeritus), AMI Enterprise utility distribution standards development
Co-founder, OpenAMI
Co-founder and co-chair (emeritus), OpenHAN, UtilityAMI
Elected member, Smart Grid Interoperability Panel “Architecture Committee” SGIP-AC
Recipient of GridWise Architecture Council’s 2008 Applied Interoperability Award
Recipient of GreenTechMedia’s Networked Grid Top 100
Principal investigator, SDG&E received IDC Energy Insight’s #1 Intelligent Utility
Conferences
Next Generation Utilities, IDC, Energy Central, Metering Journal, Smart Grid Newsletter,
Utility Automation, Metering America, Distributech, KEMA Utility of the Future, SAP for Utilities,
GridWeek, NARUC, CPUC, National Venture Capital Association, CleanTech San Diego, many others.
Publications
Press
Personal
Active supporting Casa Bernabe, Managua Nicaragua, Christian orphanage for girls
Active supporting Indeed and Truth, Tonj South Sudan, Christian medical clinic
Active supporting ministries and schools in India, Kenya and Uganda
Active supporting the World Bank, United Nations, Clean Energy Ministerial, multi-laterals, third-world energy ministers, legislators, financial institutions, and the energy community to eliminate global energy poverty
Volunteer to universities to develop internships and graduate motivation
Recreational interests include sailing, snow skiing, camping, hiking, and international travel
©2025 Terry Mohn. All Rights Reserved.