He has delivered more than 40 major assignments in 18 countries with various agencies involving more than USD$200million in programme funds. 

 

Dr Mears first start-up in satellite communications in 1990 led to further work at the leading edge of control systems R&D and commercialisation. This included fabrication systems for advanced solar photovoltaic thin films and development of optical sensors for biomedical applications. 

 

Driven by his interests in decentralised energy services, Dr Mears established a significant portfolio of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects involving various multi-lateral clients including World Bank and United Nations. Subsequently, he joined the United Nations first as their Chief Technical Advisor on renewable energy in Southern Africa and then for Climate Change in SE Asia. 

 

Dr Mears has developed policy and programmes and provided electricity market development support affecting the lives of millions of people. In 2013 he founded SwitchDin to develop virtual power management solutions for renewable energy and battery storage for developed and emerging markets. 

Dr Mears is a recipient of the 2011 Newcastle University Alumni award for International Leadership and is co-founder of the Newcastle-based clean tech and smart city co-working space Eighteen04.