Investment in Research and Development (R&D) is necessary for innovation,allowing an organization to maintain a competitive edge. The U.S. Federal Government invests billions of dollars, primarily in basic research technologies to help fill the pipeline for other organizations to take the technology into commercialization. However, as Lewis Duncan suggests, it is not about just investing in innovation, it is about converting that research into application. A cursory review of the research proposal evaluation criteria suggests that there is little to no emphasis placed on the transfer of research results. This effort is motivated by a need to move research into application.One segment that is facing technology challenges is the energy sector.Historically, the electric grid has been stable and predictable; therefore, there were no immediate drivers to innovate. However, an aging infrastructure, integration of renewable energy, and aggressive energy efficiency targets are motivating the need for research and to put promising results into application. Many technologies exist or are in development but the rate at which they are being adopted is slow.The goal of this research is to develop a decision model that can be used to identify the technology transfer potential of a research proposal. An organization can use the model to select the proposals whose research outcomes are more likely to move into application. The model begins to close the chasm between research and application -otherwise known as the "valley of death".ii A comprehensive literature review was conducted to understand when the idea of technology application or transfer should begin. Next, the attributes that are necessary for successful technology transfer were identified. The emphasis of successful technology transfer occurs when there is a productive relationship between the researchers and the technology recipient. A hierarchical decision model, along with desirability curves, was used to understand the complexities of the researcher and recipient relationship, specific to technology transfer. In this research, the evaluation criteria of several research organizations were assessed to understand the extent to which the success attributes that were identified in literature were considered when reviewing research proposals. While some of the organizations included a few of the success attributes, none of the organizations considered all of the attributes. In addition, none of the organizations quantified the value of the success attributes.The effectiveness of the model relies extensively on expert judgments to complete the model validation and quantification. Subject matter experts ranging from senior executives with extensive experience in technology transfer to principal research investigators from national labs, universities, utilities, and non -profit research organizations were used to ensure a comprehensive and cross-functional validation and quantification of the decision model.The quantified model was validated using a case study i...

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This paper is motivated by a need to move research into application, specifically in the utility industry. There are many challenges facing the industry: an aging infrastructure, a growing population, and aggressive energy efficiency targets are just a few examples. Many technologies exist or are in development but the rate at which they are being adopted is slow. Despite a clear need to apply research results to the utility industry, a cursory review of how research proposals are evaluated within the utility industry confirms that technology transfer is only peripherally addressed. In addition, there is no mechanism to quantitatively assess the technology transfer potential of a research proposal. The goal of this paper is to develop an assessment model that can be used to identify the technology transfer potential of a research proposal. By doing so, an organization can select the proposals whose research outcomes are more likely to move into application.

Investment in Research and Development (R&D) is necessary for innovation, allowing an organization to maintain a competitive edge. The U.S. Federal Government invests billions of dollars, primarily in basic research technologies to help fill the pipeline for other organizations to take the technology into commercialization. However, as Lewis Duncan suggests, it is not about just investing in innovation, it is about converting that research into application. A cursory review I am grateful for my family that endured missed soccer practices and track meets, and delayed vacations so that I could pursue my passion. Craig, Sophia, and Samuel, your tolerance and patience with me are unsurpassed. I am in awe! Of course, there is my extended family in California, Washington, Texas, and Oregon that told me I couldand I did. To my committee members, I appreciate your support, encouragement, and most of all brainstorming with me to narrow my research topic. It resulted in a perfect complement to my work environment. This synergy made my research more meaningful knowing the model can have an immediate impact on how a research portfolio is selected in my organization. Notably Dr. Daimyou willingly agreed to be my chairperson and made yourself available to answer my questions, provide advice, and make opportunities available for me. In addition, you agreed to be my mentor-I respect your input and look forward to your guidance as I move forward in the academic world. While the product is important, it is really the journey that you helped me appreciate. Dr. Kocaoglu, at the time I didn't know how much I would value taking the ETM Decision Making class-it was a tough class and you challenged us. However, vi the way you presented the material, encouraged me to ask questions and to succeed, engaged me more than I realized such that I am using decision modeling as my research methodology. Thank you setting high expectations and accepting nothing less than excellence. Dr. Lutzenhiser and Dr. Kim, I appreciate your input, especially as it pertained to energy related R&Dyour expertise and thoughtful approach to energy topics and to research management was critical to the success of my research. I am thankful for a collaborative work environment and for my manager, Terry Oliver, who encourages creativity and creates a space where there is NEVER a dumb question. I am excited to see how using this model will impact our portfolio. In addition, I am privileged to have access to some of the best practical thinkers on research management. My panels were made up of world-renowned experts who, without a doubt, had a significant impact on the quality of my research. Thank you to those who must remain anonymous. Along the way, I met fabulous students who became friendswe share a common interest in higher learning and a desire to become well-rounded "T-type" people. Good luck on your journeys. I have every confidence that you will be successful. vii

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