Michael Hopkins

Mike Hopkins is a cleantech entrepreneur and thought leader in the fields of energy storage, clean hydrogen, and energy transition. He was a pioneer in thermal energy storage going back to 2004 when he co-founded and went on to lead Ice Energy.

Mike currently serves as Chief Advisor and Legal Team Leader for Plus Power, a leading battery storage developer that Mike has helped since its inception.

Mike recently retired from his role as CEO of Bakken Energy. Bakken Energy began life as a midstream natural gas company but was transformed by Mike into the leading developer of large scale affordable clean hydrogen in the Midwest and architect of the Heartland Hydrogen Hub. As a result of his work in clean hydrogen, Mike is a regular speaker at major energy conferences including DOE events and CERAWeek.

Prior to his career as a cleantech entrepreneur, Mike practiced law for 18 years as a partner with Bennett Jones LLP, a preeminent Canadian law firm recognized internationally as a leader in the fields of energy and climate change. Mike sits on various for profit and not-for-profit boards, including Nelumbo, a cutting-edge nanotechnology company and the Committee for Economic Development of the Conference Board.

He has served over 30 years as a volunteer leader of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, including 12 years as Chairman of the Canadian affiliate.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts and a JD from the University of Ottawa, a Master of Arts in Law and Economics from the University of Miami and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alberta.