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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil talks with Alise Porto, SVP of Sustainability and Strategic Initiatives at Switch and two-time winner of SED’s WISE (Women in Smart Energy) Award. They discuss how Switch has driven sustainability through innovative water conservation and renewable energy initiatives.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

Alise’s journey to Switch [02:28]

The Regional Water Improvement Pipeline [04:10]

Switch’s ESG strategy [08:20]

Advice for women in sustainability [12:10]

Prioritizing sustainability

Switch is a technology infrastructure ecosystem corporation with a core business to design, construct, and operate the most advanced data centers. While headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, Switch also has locations in Northern Nevada, Michigan, Atlanta, and Texas. CEO and founder, Rob Roy, has prioritized sustainability since he founded the company. Switch believes data runs the planet and that working together can ensure it doesn’t harm the planet.

Regional Water Improvement Pipeline Project

Switch can now cool all of its data centers at its Northern Nevada campus on 100% recycled water while being powered by 100% renewable power. The company’s Northern Nevada campus in the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center is situated approximately 16 miles away from a water reclamation facility. This facility caters to the Reno and Sparks region, as well as Washoe County. Recognizing the potential benefits, Switch established a pipeline spanning 16 miles from the pump station.

This pipeline will provide over 4,000 acre-feet of water to the industrial park, allowing the construction of around 30,000 more homes in the area. Furthermore, it will save ratepayers $30 million in maintenance costs for the water reclamation facility. Using water cooling is 30% more efficient than electricity.

Working together for sustainability

Switch collaborated with the State of Nevada and Storey County to establish a tax increment area to secure funding for the construction of a pipeline, which cost nearly $40 million. This successful collaboration involved numerous stakeholders, including Tesla and Google, and allowed for the use of 100% recycled water while promoting sustainability. This opportunity was a win for everyone involved as it helps each company with sustainability initiatives. Resources & People Mentioned

Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center

Switch - Las Vegas

Connect with Alise Porto

On LinkedIn

Alise Porto joined the Switch team in 2015 and has held several key senior management roles, currently serving as Vice President of Sustainability & Strategic Initiatives. As an invaluable member of the Sustainability Team, she is responsible for the oversight of Switch’s environmental, social, and governance initiatives (ESG) and implementing sustainable energy and resource management strategies that align with the company’s overall policies and goals of being environmentally and socially sustainable, in partnership with the Policy team.

In addition, Porto leads Switch’s energy procurement strategy and energy resources, including Switch’s retail electric provider activities in Texas and various resource management initiatives. She similarly leads the development and execution of special projects associated with business development and innovative sustainable water resource management.

Alise received her degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas and completed the University of California Berkeley Sustainable Capitalism & ESG program.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil is joined by Abby Johnson. Abby is President of both Abacus Property Solutions and the Virginia PACE Authority. She is a winner of the 2023 WISE (Women in Smart Energy) Award in the category of Industry Veteran.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

Founding the Virginia PACE Authority [02:17]

How does PACE work? [06:04]

Managing public/private partnerships [09:56]

Early wins and barriers [11:26]

Working with other states [15:34]

The future for Virginia PACE [17:38]

Click here for full show notes Resources & People Mentioned

Virginia PACE Authority

PACENation

Abacus Property Solutions

Connect with Abby Johnson

On LinkedIn

Abby is Executive Director and founder of VPA. Since 2012, Abby has specialized in PACE financing, advising commercial building owners, lenders and public sector clients in PACE project and program development including crafting of PACE legislation, creating program guidelines, and launching and administering PACE programs. She has been instrumental in developing PACE programs around the country in Pennsylvania, Texas, Illinois, Florida, New Jersey, Louisiana, Oregon, North Carolina, and the Mid-Atlantic region, including Virginia. In Virginia, she was largely responsible for expanding PACE over the last five years to include resiliency, stormwater management, commercial condos, and retroactive projects. In 2019, she founded VPA to offer Virginia localities a low-cost, nonprofit option for program administration. Through Abby’s leadership, VPA has received multiple grants, including one that is funding the creation of a web-based platform that connects lenders with borrowers to fund resiliency and clean energy projects. In her capacity as an advisor, Abby works with building owners to develop “PACE-able” projects, structure PACE within the capital stack, and source senior debt as needed.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil talks with Matthew Cherrin, Vice President of Lobo Energy Incorporated - a company owned by the University of New Mexico. Matthew explains this innovative business model and the university’s $140 million conservation story.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

Matt’s role at Lobo Energy [01:44]

Seeing measurable results [05:34]

Community buy-in [10:12]

Telling the story of sustainability [14:45]

Essential partners of the programs [19:34]

Creating a sustainable energy plan [25:17]

Sustainable energy on campus

Lobo Energy is a 501(c)(3) owned by the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico and falls under the University Research Park Economic Development Act. This legislation has allowed the university to have a district energy plant on its main campus. The plant creates chilled water, electricity, and steam that it sends to the buildings on the main campus.

The university needed a reliable and more efficient system to ensure its hospital would have energy. Lobo Energy has different procurement options than the university, allowing the company to make decisions and receive approval much more quickly than through a normal procurement process.

Monitoring success

After Lobo Energy and the University of New Mexico invested in the infrastructure of its district energy system, they also installed some smart metering. Every building has submeters providing data that Lobo Energy uses to measure success. Many people working at Lobo Energy have been there for 14 years, so they understand the buildings, where zero to low-cost energy conservation measures are possible, and where upgrades need to happen.

Because of its monitoring, Lobo Energy is the eyes and ears of the university. The company uses the data to perform an audit and then communicates that effort to the right personnel, whether maintenance or engineers. The engineers, facility management, and planning department can then spend their time on the bigger upgrades while Lobo Energy takes care of the smaller details that add up.

Communication and community buy-in

A great part of why Lobo Energy is successful is community buy-in. The university would not have seen some of its accomplishments so soon without the people in the buildings communicating and supporting their efforts. At first, people were uncomfortable with the company seemingly trying to turn the lights off on people. As more savings have been reported, they have been able to see the impact of these changes. Now Lobo Energy is seen as part of the University of New Mexico’s team. Resources & People Mentioned

Lobo Energy Incorporated

University Research Park Economic Development Act Orgs. | 501(c)(3)

EnergyCAP

EnergyCAP Expands Offering to Include Financial-grade Carbon Accounting

Connect with Matt Cherrin

On LinkedIn

Matthew Cherrin is Vice President of Lobo Energy, Incorporated, which is a University of New Mexico-owned non-profit company. He has been part of a team that has helped UNM achieve over $140 million in cost avoidance and 26 percent energy reduction since 2008. Matthew holds an undergrad degree in Communications and Journalism, with a minor in Business and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. He has a wife and two children, ages four and one.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil is joined by Kulsoom Khan, Energy Efficiency Manager at Congebec. Kulsoom won a 2023 WISE (Women in Smart Energy) Award for the Energy Ambassador Program she created at her company. Kulsoom shares her experience cultivating energy culture buy-in.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

Kulsoom’s role at Congebec [02:02]

Congebec’s Energy Ambassador Program [07:02]

Employee and management buy-in [09:41]

Accomplishments of the program [16:55]

Internal employee campaigns [20:17]

First steps to start an energy program [24:23]

Click here for detailed show notes Resources & People Mentioned

Congebec

Smart Energy Decisions Announces 2023 WISE Award Winners

Global Cold Chain Alliance

Energy Excellence Program - Global Cold Chain Alliance

Connect with Kulsoom Khan On LinkedIn

Kulsoom Khan graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 2017. Since then, she has worked mainly in construction and the food industry. Kulsoom started her career in energy management at Maple Leaf Foods and joined Congebec in 2020 as Energy Efficiency Manager. Her role is to make sure all warehouses are as energy efficient as possible with their operations, manage energy-efficiency projects, and secure government funding for energy-saving initiatives. On a personal note, Kulsoom is passionate about saving energy in her daily life at home and is always giving energy-saving tips and tricks to her family and friends.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil shares a talk from Peter Kelly-Detwiler, a long-time friend of Smart Energy Decisions and author of The Energy Switch. Peter discusses new technologies and their advantages, drawbacks, and relative state of maturation, as well as a useful framework for how to think about new technologies and how they might affect enterprises going forward.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

The current state of the world of energy [02:53]

Energy storage and renewables [07:29]

Transitions in storage [16:57]

Modular nuclear reactors and hydrogen hubs [20:06]

Autonomous driving and long-haul vehicles [23:52]

Click here for detailed show notes Resources & People Mentioned

The Energy Switch: How Companies and Customers are Transforming the Electrical Grid and the Future of Power - Peter Kelly-Detwiler

WhyPKD - YouTube Channel

Longi reveals plans to open 5 GW solar module factory in US market

Thin Film Technology Corp

Cypress Onshore Wind Turbine Platform | GE Renewable Energy

Farasis Energy expects model with its sodium-ion battery to be available in 2023

Form Energy

Connect with Peter Kelly-Detwiler

On LinkedIn

Peter Kelly-Detwiler has 30 years of experience in the electric energy industry, with much of his career in competitive power markets. He’s currently a leading consultant in the electric industry, providing strategic advice to clients and investors, helping them to navigate the rapid evolution of the electric power grid. Mr. Kelly-Detwiler offers numerous keynotes and workshops on a wide range of topics. He has also written widely on energy issues for Forbes.com and GE, with over 300 articles to his credit. His book on the transformation of electric power markets - “The Energy Switch” - was published by Prometheus Books in June of 2021.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla shares a special keynote presentation from the inaugural Net Zero Forum featuring Andy Smith, Senior Manager of Global Energy Management and Sustainability at Cisco Systems. In his presentation, Andy provides a deep dive into the process Cisco recently went through to evaluate, establish and certify its net-zero goal through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Powering an inclusive future for all [02:22] * Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) [04:50] * Third-party verification of goals [07:05] * Cisco’s Scope 3 challenges [10:58] * Real estate transformation [13:56] * Carbon offset strategy [16:14]

Creating new goals Cisco has a long history of setting ambitious climate and sustainability goals. Over the last couple of years, the organization realized it needed to catch up with some market trends. While the company had an aggressive, absolute greenhouse gas reduction goal and an 85% renewable electricity target, the other leaders in sustainability were setting RE100 and net-zero goals.

With prior goals wrapping up, Cisco went through a year-long process to engage in the next phase of goal setting. Ultimately, the organization set a net-zero goal that covers all of its Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions to be achieved by 2040. Cisco also has aggressive near-term targets including a 90% reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025 and a 30% reduction focused on its largest categories of Scope 3 emissions by 2030.

Cisco chose to align with the SBTi Net-Zero Standard to have third-party verification of its aggressive goals. Before the company began the process in January 2021, internal stakeholders, employees, and customers were pushing for an updated goal that would include net zero. At the time, Cisco wasn’t ready to set that net-zero standard. While it was reporting on a couple of categories of Scope 3, the company needed to take a step back to further understand its emissions.

Scope 3 challenges At 99% of its portfolio, Scope 3 is by far Cisco’s largest source of emissions. The use of sold goods and products is about 75% of those emissions and the company’s greatest challenge. Cisco sells many products and gear that plug into its customers’ electric grids, releasing a lot of emissions in the end. The following 20% of Scope 3 emissions is from the company’s supply chain contracts and indirect procurement. The company will focus on those two categories over the next fifteen years.

Although Scope 1 and 2 are only 1% of Cisco’s emissions, the company has engaged in a robust strategy to achieve its Scope 1 and 2 goals. Addressing these emissions also helps Cisco’s customers and suppliers meet their goals. If they can replicate some of the things Cisco is doing, that will also help Cisco achieve its Scope 3 goal.

Renewable electricity is a large part of Cisco’s strategy. Clean, zero-emission power will move the company about 75% of the way towards its reduction goal for Scope 1 and 2. Cisco is focusing its efforts on renewable energy. The company has generated a few megawatts of on-site solar and hopes to triple that over the next three years.

Cisco’s hybrid transformation Cisco is going through a real estate transformation. This hybrid transformation began before COVID but was accelerated after. Currently, the company has 80 million square feet of building space, but the occupancy levels of those spaces are low. Employees want to work wherever and whenever they want. Engineers love to work at home and aren’t coming into the office as much as they had. In response, Cisco is modifying workspaces into collaboration centers where teams can work together. As Cisco transforms the workplace, it will see energy savings by reducing its square footage.

Some energy savings of a hybrid workplace will increase home energy usage. While that’s a challenge the whole industry will need to address, companies can keep in mind that commute emissions are also being reduced. Cisco believes the hybrid transformation is a positive for the world from a climate perspective.

Resources & People Mentioned * Cisco's net zero commitment

Connect with Andy Smith * On LinkedIn

Andy has over 15 years of experience in the field of sustainability and currently leads Cisco’s Global Energy Management and Sustainability team. He started working at Cisco in 2009 and has helped develop Cisco’s sustainability program into what it is today by leading a number of initiatives, including developing and achieving multiple sustainability goals, managing global energy efficiency programs, deploying a global energy and sustainability information system, and creating Cisco’s annual greenhouse gas inventories and Corporate Social Responsibility reports. Through these efforts, Cisco has been recognized consistently over the years as a leader in sustainability by numerous organizations, including Barron’s, EPA, Association of Energy Engineers, Newsweek, CDP, Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and Sustainability Roundtable.

Prior to joining Cisco, Andy worked as a consultant at Rocky Mountain Institute and DOMANI Sustainability Consulting in Colorado and served as Energy Manager for Washtenaw County Government in Michigan.

Andy has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, a B.A. from Oberlin College, and an MBA from the University of Colorado. He is also a Certified Energy Manager and Certified Carbon Reduction Manager from the Association of Energy Engineers. Andy and his family live in Boulder, Colorado and enjoy just about all outdoor activities, including rock climbing, hiking, biking, and skiing. They are also musicians and love to travel.

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This episode of Smart Energy Voices is a panel conversation from Smart Energy Decisions' recent Net Zero forum, moderated by SED's Director of Education Programs, Peter Kelly-Detwiler. The panel covers real-time challenges that companies face on their road to net zero. This conversation is a compilation of comments and notes from peer-to-peer discussions at the event. Peter is joined by Ryan Spies, VP of Sustainability for Clayco, Marianella Franklin, Chief Sustainability Officer at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and Michal Shepard, Director of Maintenance, Energy, and Engineering at Harris Teeter.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Educating higher management [03:52] * Challenges in building sustainably [09:33] * Aligning the culture for success [13:07] * Goal setting in manufacturing [18:42]

Communicating data A common theme in sustainability is that those setting targets need help understanding the implications. The solution is educating higher management through financial analysis and building a solid business case around sustainability. Such an analysis requires accurate, agnostic data.

For stakeholders and management to understand data, it must be either on a single platform or somehow otherwise digestible. Some stakeholders need to be able to view data in terms of sales, while others need to view it through the lens of efficiency or ROI. In the case of a supermarket - a business with a low margin - the CFO understands sales, so equating data to business sales will translate better for them. Sustainability teams need to find commonalities with stakeholders. New energy managers can build trust with the people in their organizations by choosing one or two good projects that make an impact. As energy managers build more confidence with others in the organization, they will gain more traction.

Understanding goals fully Some of the challenges around sustainability are in the setting of goals. Someone in the C-suite or higher will set a goal without knowing what is necessary to achieve that goal. Goal setters need to be mindful of what they're committing to from a financial perspective and know their long-term investment tolerance. They need to understand the intricate pieces that have to be put together.

All the stakeholders need to be at the table regarding higher education. Everyone from contracts, legal, procurement, and facilities to the VP of Finance with his entire budget office needs to be involved. Sustainability teams need to speak everyone's language so everyone can understand the goal, what is available, and what is required to achieve said goal.

Setting ambitious goals Internal governance is a struggle across any industry. The push is to have science-based targets, and the science is showing that there's a lot of work to be done. However, organizations need the structure to support those efforts. Developers and solution providers must discuss options for a solution to be found. While they won't have all the answers, they can work towards figuring them out.

How does a plant change from using natural gas to using hydrogen? The solution is complex and is not even available in some markets. That type of situation is common. However, organizations can share challenges and learn from each other. Because each company does business differently, the solutions peers share will differ from one manufacturer to another. Working together means that more obstacles will be overcome.

Goals need to be ambitious enough to stretch the company. Many corporations want a safe goal that they know they can achieve. Some don't set goals because they don't want to be held accountable on the other side. The ESG or energy manager should take ownership of challenging goals in an organization. Occasionally that will mean falling short, but almost reaching a higher goal is better than reaching a low, safe goal.

Resources & People Mentioned * Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

Connect with Marianella Franklin * On LinkedIn

Connect with Michal Shepard * On LinkedIn

Connect with Ryan Spies * On LinkedIn

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla shares the opening keynote presentation from the inaugural Net Zero Forum, featuring Beth Wytiaz, Net Zero Strategy Executive for Bank of America. Beth is responsible for developing and delivering the financial institution’s environmental strategy to reach net zero before 2050. In this talk, she shares Bank of America’s approach to net-zero framework and how the organization is building a robust strategy and transition plan that covers operations, supply chain, and financing activities.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Approach to zero framework [02:39] * Consistency across the financial sector [05:02] * Targets for 2030 [10:08] * Choosing targets [15:05] * Reporting and disclosing [18:27]

Net-Zero commitments In early 2021, Bank of America committed to net zero across operations, financing activities, and its supply chain. In April 2022, it rolled out its “Approach to Zero” framework. Bank of America assists clients by creating new products and services to support client investments in climate solutions. The corporation is focused on engagement with policymakers and driving universal standards within the financial sector.

Bank of America is committed to bringing a variety of data points and transforming those into decision-useful information or metrics. While continuing to build its net-zero transition strategy, Bank of America sets milestone targets that align with the latest climate science. The organization is committed to disclosing its progress annually.

Sustainable development goals In addition to its net-zero target, Bank of America has a $1.5 trillion target to mobilize capital towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with $1 trillion specific to the environment. These two goals are supplemental to each other. When it comes to products and services, the corporation is developing a variety of innovative climate solutions for its clients. That includes sustainable aviation, fuel, renewables, carbon capture, and hydrogen.

Thousands of bankers interact with clients daily, so educating bankers is vital to Bank of America’s success in reaching net-zero. To aid in that education, the organization has developed an ESG college internally, where it continues to expand the education for bankers.

The Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials In financial institutions, regulatory requirements and expectations are increasing, and Bank of America is working to drive consistency across the financial sector. The corporation has been calculating emissions for the last two decades and disclosing them. However, across all three scopes, there has yet to be a universally accepted methodology within the financial sector to calculate the emissions associated with financing activities. Attempts had been made over the years, but nothing fully came together until 2020, when the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials gained traction.

Now, over 300 financial institutions have signed up to use the standard. As a core member, Bank of America has been able to help develop and shape the methodologies along the way. There is now a methodology for business loans for project finance, listed equity and bonds, commercial real estate, consumer real estate, and consumer auto loans.

Resources & People Mentioned * Sustainable Development Goals | United Nations Development Programme * PCAF * Net-Zero Banking Alliance – United Nations Environment * Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero * Sustainable Markets Initiative

Connect with Beth Wytiaz * On LinkedIn

BIO GOES HERE

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla is joined by Dr. Wolfgang Bauer, Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University, to discuss the renewable journey he has led at the university. Wolfgang is also an active Smart Energy Decisions Advisory Board member.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Dr. Wolfgang Bauer’s career journey [01:42] * The history of power generation at MSU [05:32] * MSU’s Energy Transition Plan [14:54] * Solar arrays on the campus [22:58] * Saving money while saving the planet [30:43] * Leaving an impact on the industry [40:46]

Energy is money Organizations don’t become greener by simply throwing money into more renewable power and saving emissions - they must ensure they’re saving energy at the same time. If an organization can make an energy transition that produces fewer emissions and saves money, then that’s a win-win situation. This balanced approach to the economic conversion to renewables is one of the reasons why Michigan State University has been successful.

When MSU was creating its Energy Transition Plan, Wolfgang was the Department of Physics and Astronomy Chairperson. He volunteered to be on the committee and became one of the lead authors of the Energy Transition Plan. For two years, the committee coordinated participation not only across Michigan State University but from the wider community. They conducted public forums, held writing campaigns, and tried to reflect as wide an array of opinions as possible with the idea that, eventually, MSU would transition to 100% renewable energy.

MSU’s energy transition MSU has an “all of the above” approach for its energy transition. It has a recycling center and a surplus store. The university has recycling contracts to ensure that its waste stream is not just thrown out but rather converted into usable products. An organic waste composting facility uses the university’s lawn clippings and leaves. Research into geothermal arrays has been a dead-end thus far, but that is part of the nature of research.

MSU has an anaerobic digester to process food waste from the cafeteria system. It also uses cow manure from the College of Agriculture, reducing the need for artificial fertilizers on the fields, and it produces electricity and heat. The university also has demand reduction programs and invests up to $10 million annually in energy conservation measures.

Including the next generation Allowing students to participate in the university’s energy transition process prepares them to take that knowledge and experience into future careers and situations. MSU leads by example, creating partnerships with other entities and becoming an educational leader in energy. The university’s Energy Transition Plan set specific goals with concrete steps over the years, closely increasing the campus’s renewable energy fraction and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in measurable steps. Achieving net zero in one step isn’t realistic. Working incrementally, saving money in its energy portfolio at each stage of adding more renewables is much more doable without harming the business case for the rest of the enterprise.

Resources & People Mentioned * A Brief History of Time: Stephen Hawking * Energy Transition Plan | Infrastructure Planning and Facilities * Solar carport initiative earns national attention | Infrastructure Planning and Facilities * Better Buildings Challenge

Connect with Dr. Wolfgang Bauer * On LinkedIn

Dr. Wolfgang Bauer is a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University, where he has been on the faculty since 1988, holding a dual appointment at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. He was chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy from 2001 to 2013 and Founding Director of the Institute for Cyber-Enabled Research from 2009 to 2013. From 2013 to 2020 he served as Senior Consultant and Associate Vice President, driving the implementation of the Energy Transition Plan at Michigan State University. In 2019 he was also President of the MSU Foundation. He is co-owner of several businesses in the renewable energy sector and has consulted on renewable energy issues for the fossil fuel industry and hedge funds. He has published over 200 research articles, conference proceedings, and books, and has given over 400 invited presentations in 25 countries.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla introduces Ryan Spies, Vice President of Sustainability at Clayco. As the closing keynote speaker from Smart Energy Decisions’ Renewable Energy Forum, Ryan spoke about addressing emissions reduction through design and the role renewables should play in decarbonization strategies.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Ryan’s role at Clayco [01:52] * Focusing on building [03:15] * Embodied carbon [06:10] * Concrete and steel [08:38]

Designing for net-zero Building, materials, and construction account for a massive portion of the energy and emissions associated with everything people do. While the primary focus for emissions reduction has been on operations, the next critical step is to focus on building materials and construction. Clayco builds in ways that make the buildings inherently more energy efficient. Designing this way allows a company’s procurement department to contribute to climate action goals.

Some organizations have goals for electrification and emissions reductions for 2030 and 2040, yet they still have buildings built for natural gas. Many markets will be able to be electrified relatively simply, so preparing for that change makes sense. Geothermal makes sense in various markets as well. While the initial investment may be more costly, operational expenses will be reduced. Another consideration is solar energy, so a building’s design can also include solar panels, while a large roof can offer an incredible solar opportunity. Even if a company isn’t using all the energy provided, the company can contribute to community solar.

Embodied carbon Embodied carbon reduction has taken off in popularity over the last few years. The term encompasses the energy and footprint that goes into a building, from making and using materials to transportation to the site. For most organizations, these components would be considered Scope 3. A long-lasting impact can be had on this level when the changes are made at the designing stage. The impact of changes made in a building’s design will last for decades.

Scope 3 emissions have been receiving more attention lately because new ways of measuring have been created. Life-cycle assessments(LCAs) determine the environmental impact of all stages of a product. The next piece of the LCA is an environmental product declaration, which is essentially a cheat sheet for the carbon footprint of a product. Making an informed decision about manufacturing materials is now easier than ever before.

Using data for better choices Manufacturers are looking for solutions to the two most significant influences on carbon footprint in building: concrete and steel. Clayco’s modelers and architecture firm utilize the available data with an EC3 tool to aggregate all the available PDS. They create a model and enter it into the system to highlight the hot zones and determine where they can make changes.

Not all changes have to cost more. Some decisions are cost-neutral, only requiring a better decision. Everyone is competing on costs. If two products are relatively equal, choosing the manufacturer with the lower footprint will push the higher one to do more. A standard building with standard drywall can show almost a 50% reduction by making smarter choices. These choices are no different than what is done in a renewables plan. Engaging suppliers, experts, and people in this part of the process will result in significant carbon reduction.

Resources & People Mentioned * Clayco * Zurich North America Headquarters * Saint-Gobain to Invest $91 Million in its Montreal Gypsum Plant

Connect with Ryan Spies * On LinkedIn

Ryan Spies leads ESG at Clayco as Vice President of Sustainability. His responsibilities include developing and implementing a holistic strategy to reduce Clayco’s overall carbon footprint, identifying sustainable business opportunities for leadership, and overseeing sustainability practices and training for the enterprise. Ryan previously served as Director of Sustainability, Energy & Stewardship at Saint-Gobain where he was responsible for ESG and renewable energy strategy for over 130 facilities. Ryan holds an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis and a BS in mechanical engineering from Lehigh University.

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You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Ryan’s role at Clayco [01:52] * Focusing on building [03:15] * Embodied carbon [06:10] * Concrete and steel [08:38]

Resources & People Mentioned * Clayco * Zurich North America Headquarters * Saint-Gobain to Invest $91 Million in its Montreal Gypsum Plant

Connect with Ryan Spies * On LinkedIn

Connect With Smart Energy Decisions * https://smartenergydecisions.com * Follow them on Facebook * Follow them on Twitter * Follow them on LinkedIn

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla introduces Michael Forrester, former Director of Environment and Sustainability for the city of Cincinnati. At SED’s recent Renewable Energy Forum, Michael shared his insights on Cincinnati’s strategy of acting like a corporation that led to implementing its 100 MW PPA.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * The Green Cincinnati Plan [02:32] * The city’s motivation [05:37] * Energy initiatives [07:51] * Municipal solar array [10:37] * Monetizing capacity [16:52] * What’s next for Cincinnati? [20:11]

The Green Cincinnati Plan The city of Cincinnati has ambitious climate goals. Every five years, the city creates a climate action plan called the Green Cincinnati Plan. The most recent plan was completed in 2018 and laid out recommendations to reduce the city’s carbon by 80% by 2050. These goals were created by reaching out to the community and building a document reflecting what they wanted to see in a climate action plan.

The 2018 plan was created by convening over 30 public meetings and receiving over 1,400 public comments. The Green Cincinnati Plan is a plan of action that the city works hard to implement, and approximately 85% of the recommendations laid out in 2018 have been accomplished. The lack of action on the remainder is due to either state policy restrictions or technologies that aren’t yet ready, such as automated vehicles.

Reasons for change The summers in Cincinnati have already risen by two degrees and will rise another six or seven degrees by the end of the century. The environment that the city was initially built for is no more. Rainstorms are intensifying and contain 37% more water than previously. The city’s sewers weren’t designed to manage that much water, causing incidents such as the flooding of the Xavier University soccer field with 12 feet of water.

Cincinnati is a city of seven hills. Those hills are composed of clay soil with no bedrock, causing the soil to slump when it becomes supersaturated. The increase in rainwater is having a significant impact on Cincinnati’s budget. The main transportation artery in the city of Cincinnati, Columbia Parkway, required repair on one of the hills, so the funding for a new police station had to be used for hill repairs instead. The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati has spent over $150 million cleaning up sewer backups in residential basements in the past ten years.

Municipal solar array Because Ohio is a deregulated state, the city of Cincinnati can choose where to source its energy. Utilizing the existing budget, the city set out to reduce its carbon footprint through a 25-megawatt solar array for city operations. The city also wanted to create jobs by ensuring its residents could participate in the construction. Eventually, the project evolved into a 100-megawatt solar array so the city could achieve the cost-saving benefits of scale.

City operations alone weren’t enough, so the city had to figure out how to tap into its residential aggregation program and use that load of 83,000 residents to help achieve scale. The contract is divided into 35 megawatts for city operations and 65 megawatts for residential. The residential portion was all about partnership. The city went to the market and offered its residential accounts in exchange for a company signing a PPA on the city’s behalf. Through a series of contracts, the city of Cincinnati could maintain rights to the RECs and the capacity for the solar array. These efforts protect the city of Cincinnati while also saving it millions of dollars.

Resources & People Mentioned * Green Cincinnati Plan - Environment & Sustainability * 'A cleaner future.' Officials break ground on Cincinnati's massive new solar array project * Vistra Corp Legislative Hub * Brent Spence Bridge

Connect with Michael Forrester * On LinkedIn

Please Note: since this episode was recorded, Michael Forrester has moved on from his position for the City of Cincinnati.

Michael Forrester is the former energy manager for Cincinnati. He is responsible for the purchase of gas and electricity for City government and its residents through the Cincinnati Aggregation Program. These programs purchase 100% green electricity for City facilities, and residents, and was the 1st aggregation program to offer renewable natural gas to residents. Michael oversees efficiency improvements at City facilities and is working to develop 25 megawatts of solar throughout Cincinnati. In addition, he manages the City’s residential energy programs which include the Get Efficient Program and the SolarizeCincy program. He is a graduate of both Miami University and Indiana University.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla is joined by Dean Nelson, Founder and Chairman of Infrastructure Masons and CEO of Cato. They discuss the creation of the iMasons Climate Accord and the community efforts for diversity and inclusion, education, sustainability, and technology.

iMasons Climate Accord will present a workshop on "Decarbonizing Data Center Power" at Smart Energy Decisions' Net Zero Forum, September 12-14 in Phoenix. Click here for more information.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Dean’s career journey [02:15] * Launching iMasons [05:32] * iMasons objectives [07:37] * Compounding impact [13:03] * The iMasons Climate Accord [17:32] * Aligning the industry in labeling standards [25:39] * Community and making a difference [30:08]

Creating a community Dean started working in the digital infrastructure industry in 2008 when he was at Sun Microsystems. Sun had various communities, but Dean's industry didn't have representation. So he started a group called Data Center Pulse, which rapidly grew to around 7000 people across 66 countries. People all over the world united in their efforts on different projects.

When Dean joined eBay, the work was all-consuming and moving so quickly that he realized he was losing touch with his community. When he left eBay to take a sabbatical touring colleges with his daughter, he decided he wanted to bring his friends back together. Dean called nine people and asked for their thoughts, opinions, and ideas about how to make a community again but to do it a little differently. Now the iMasons community has 7,500 people participating in over 130 countries.

Collaboration of perspectives As a professional association run by members, iMasons’ key objectives are diversity inclusion, education, sustainability, and technology. At an event, company names are kept out of the equation. People sit together and have working sessions without knowing which company they’re helping or which is helping them. Instead, each table spends a set amount of time working on the same issue. This environment has become one of the best consulting groups because of so many perspectives coming together. Even competitors sit at the same table and work together.

The key is that iMasons aggregates and amplifies the incredible work from its members and their companies. That’s what allows it to succeed. The organization doesn’t drive and create a product. Instead, it enables the community to come together and compound its impact.

The motivation of the iMasons Climate Accord With temperatures rising, global warming, and various other climate issues, the advisory council at iMasons recognized that progress wasn’t moving quickly enough. Dean called one of the board advisory members, Christian Belady, and they gathered together 40 people who have some of the largest portfolios in the world. They spent six hours at that event creating pages and pages of content. After summarizing all the ideas, they all agreed they were aligned on carbon reduction. The result was the creation of the iMasons Climate Accord on Earth Day 2020.

Carbon reduction is a great goal, but having a standard carbon accounting methodology would be necessary for people to align. Finding or creating that standard became iMasons’ goal. If there were a common methodology or marking on products, better purchase decisions could be made based on carbon history. Also, companies will know exactly where they stand from a carbon standpoint.

Resources & People Mentioned * Infrastructure Masons * Just Let Me Learn Foundation * Christian Belady | LinkedIn

iMasons Climate Accord will present a workshop on "Decarbonizing Data Center Power" at Smart Energy Decisions' Net Zero Forum, September 12-14 in Phoenix. Click here for more information.

Connect with Dean Nelson * On LinkedIn * Company website

Dean Nelson is a seasoned technology executive with 32 years of experience deploying $10B of digital infrastructure projects across three continents. Dean is currently the CEO of Virtual Power Systems, a software platform that unlocks stranded power in datacenters, the Founder and Chairman of Infrastructure Masons, a professional association of industry executives and technology professionals uniting the builders of the digital age, and the Founder and CEO of Dean Nelson Inc, a strategic advisory and consulting company serving startups, Fortune 500 companies and investment firms.

Previously, Dean led Uber’s Metal as a Service function supporting Uber’s ridesharing business delivering over 100 million trips a week in more than 600 cities spanning 6 continents, as well as UberEats, UberFreight, UberHealth, UberForBusiness, and Autonomous vehicle and UberAir development.

Prior to Uber, Dean worked at eBay Inc as the Vice President of Global Foundation Services, which served over 300 million active users enabling over $250Bn of enabled commerce volume annually. At the end of his tenure, his team successfully integrated, then split eBay and PayPal infrastructures into two independent internet companies. Prior to eBay, Dean worked at Sun Microsystems in various technical, management and executive leadership roles. Dean holds four US patents.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla introduces the opening keynote speaker from Smart Energy Decisions’ recent Renewable Energy Forum, Amy Bond. Amy is the Sustainability Sourcing Manager at T-Mobile. In her talk, she presents actionable tips for navigating obstacles to success in implementing sustainability strategies, including her experience in executing Sprint’s first virtual power purchase agreement.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Sustainability career in 2008 [02:45] * Who is T-Mobile? [05:55] * Overcoming misunderstandings [07:56] * Challenges vs. opportunities [12:41] * DiCE platform [15:34] * The ability to influence [17:58] * Be prepared to lead [22:16]

Who is T-Mobile? T-Mobile is America’s fastest and largest 5g network and the second-largest telecommunications provider. Headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, T-Mobile is supported by about 75,000 full and part-time employees with additional offices in Kansas, Texas, Georgia, and Virginia. The company’s mission is to be the best at connecting its customers to their world.

T-Mobile is the first and only U.S. wireless company to have set a goal to be 100% sourced for electricity from renewables by 2021, which it achieved. When the goal was established in 2018, less than 10% of its energy would have qualified for RE100. In just four years, T Mobile signed 3.5 million megawatt-hours of renewable energy contracts and spent approximately $3 billion yearly with diverse suppliers.

Diversity in Clean Energy Supplier diversity is a business imperative for T-Mobile and a KPI within its procurement organization. After a conversation between Amy and her account manager at Duke Energy, Cheryl D. Comer, they pulled together a two-day business roundtable discussion with Cheryl’s other corporate accounts. Those discussions drove the formation of the Diversity in Clean Energy (DiCE) coalition, initially supported by Duke Energy, T-Mobile, Kroger, GM, and Microsoft. The coalition has a visionary outcome to advocate and open doors for diverse-owned businesses that operate within the clean energy value chain.

This platform will provide a way for minority business enterprises to elevate and market themselves to clean energy buyers. The platform is interactive and is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2022.

Overcoming miscommunication Every energy project has obstacles, and T-Mobile’s projects were no exception. One of the most significant obstacles is the miscommunication of a project or initiative. When leading a project within an organization, this issue often occurs due to misunderstanding the information the audience already has. When Amy joined the T-Mobile Energy and Sustainability Team, the company had only one community solar program. Amy thought that approach could be optimized to realize significant savings that could then be used towards purchasing renewable energy certificates. While T-Mobile’s portfolio contains many different technologies, geographies, and sizes, there was still a gap between the renewable energy certificates these projects generated and what was needed to meet the company’s renewable energy goal.

That gap left the company purchasing non-project REC, so why not use community solar savings to offset that cost? Initially, Amy received considerable pushback because the company’s previous experience was of lengthy negotiations with relatively small results. So she shifted her focus to finding ways to address these concerns and devised a new strategy that would reduce the execution timeline by more than half. What had taken over a year with one supplier for five projects now took only six months for 32 additional agreements. Reducing the impact of misunderstandings requires listening for pre-existing biases to find workarounds for a project.

Resources & People Mentioned * Simran Sethi * Cheryl D. Comer * Duke Energy * Beyond the Meter - Episode 17: Collaborating to Drive Diversity in Clean Energy * DiCE

Connect with Amy Bond * On LinkedIn

Amy Bond is the former Energy and Sustainability Program Manager for Sprint and is now a Sustainability Sourcing Manager for T-Mobile, where she continues to drive innovation. Amy was named an Industry Leader in Smart Energy Decisions’ 2022 WISE (Women in Smart Energy) Awards and was selected as one of the top 100 energy professionals in the country by Environmental Leader.

Amy’s expertise includes clean energy power and utilities procurement, waste diversion strategies, corporate goal positioning, growing green transportation access, and carbon disclosure leadership. She is also passionate about driving diversity and equity in the renewables value chain. Amy was a founding member of the Diversity in Clean Energy (DiCE) coalition, where she continues to serve on its advisory panel to amplify the voices of diverse suppliers in the clean energy sector.

Amy is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a degree in Psychology. She earned her MBA from Baker University and additionally is certified in Supply Chain Procurement, Logistics, and Negotiation.

Prior to her sustainability career, Amy was an award-winning weekly newspaper publisher and columnist in Washington State. She has also served as a marketing professional and special events coordinator.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla introduces Alexandra Failla, Director of ESG and Administration at Smart Energy Decisions. Alexandra shares SED’s first Sustainability Report, which reflects SED’s commitment to align its actions and operations with The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. We hope you’ll enjoy it, and we welcome your feedback.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Walking the walk [02:41] * SED’s mission and values [03:53] * Understanding environmental impact [05:27] * Environmental opportunities [06:53] * Social opportunities [08:15] * Operating with integrity and fairness [08:40]

Establishing sustainability goals Helping others achieve their sustainability goals has been vital to Smart Energy Decisions’ business since its inception, and the time has come for SED to establish its own sustainability goals. With this Sustainability Report, SED is proud to be the first energy-focused, business-to-business media company to showcase its progress across environmental, social, and governance sustainability dimensions.

This report was created to outline SED’s activities thus far and demonstrate commitment to sustainable development. Establishing an emissions inventory provides a starting point for planning future reductions and finding efficiencies, innovation, and risk management opportunities. SED intends to monitor its progress over time using KPIs.

Environmental impact opportunities Helping others navigate the energy transition is central to the mission and values of Smart Energy Decisions. The sustainability report details its sustainability initiatives and opportunities for improvement through the ESG framework. The report also discusses the markets that SED serves and covers environmental, social, and governance factors. This first sustainability report also focuses on the elements of SED’s business that have the most opportunities for positive impact. These topics were selected after thoughtful consideration of the organization’s stakeholder priorities and their alignment with The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

While the SED supports all of the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, SED’s first sustainability report highlights how several of these goals align with business goals. Also outlined is how SED engages with its stakeholder community by listening, collaborating, and informing existing stakeholders through numerous methods. Stakeholder engagement helps SED proactively serve the needs and desires of its community, fostering trust, confidence, and buy-in for initiatives. This commitment to stakeholder engagement helps mitigate risk and potential conflicts in the strategic planning process.

Social impact and moving forward While Smart Energy Decisions is working to reduce the impact of its environmental footprint in the future, it’s proud of what it has accomplished in the work and social component of ESG. SED’s Inspiring Diversity in Energy Series and other efforts have paved the way for others to follow in addressing this critical issue in the energy industry. SED has prioritized various social impact efforts by educating the community and providing financial assistance to organizations aligned with SED in values.

Smart Energy Decisions holds itself accountable to operate with integrity and fairness. The report outlines plans for the vendor and site selection process, customer privacy, workplace equality, and SED’s advisory board. In the future, SED aims to work with hotels and suppliers that are aligned with its sustainability goals by establishing a screening process to source vendors. SED is also working to increase the representation of minorities and women on its advisory board and as speakers at SED events. Smart Energy Decisions is excited about its new sustainability report and continuing to help companies navigate the energy transition in a sustainable manner.

Resources & People Mentioned * THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development * Smart Energy Decisions 2021 Sustainability Report

Connect with Alexandra Failla * By Email * On LinkedIn

Alexandra Failla is Smart Energy Decisions' Director of ESG and Administration, managing sustainability initiatives, social media, and coordinating content-related scheduling. She recently received her M.S. in Sustainability Management at Columbia University.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla introduces Creshona Armwood, Jordan Calverley, Monica Ferrer, and Kourtney Nelson from a panel at Smart Energy Decisions’ recent Innovation Summit conducted in concert with the inaugural Women in Smart Energy awards program. The panel was moderated by Smart Energy Decisions’ Director of Editorial and Research, Debra Chanil.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Women in Smart Energy award winners [03:04] * Working in a male-dominated industry [09:10] * The role of mentorship [16:06] * Facing bias in the workplace [23:26] * Making the room comfortable for everyone [30:35] * Asking for help is more than okay [33:58]

Celebrating Women in Smart Energy Celebrating underrepresented women’s presence, strength, and accomplishments is a significant opportunity for the energy industry. That’s the focus of Smart Energy Decisions’ Women in Smart Energy (WISE) awards program. Until recently, most women started their careers in this field through sustainability. As that narrow pathway widens, so will the inclusion and presence of women in the space in more industry functions, including energy procurement and management.

A big part of income inequality between males and females is because salaries aren’t discussed. That’s due to talking about money being culturally uncomfortable. Making those conversations more normal will help with the pay disparity. Discussing wages is a way to remove ambiguity. Having a good network of people to talk to about job offers and opportunities helps in the salary negotiation process.

The role of mentorship Mentorship can come from anywhere, not just within your own organization. The goal isn’t simply to have someone who can help you navigate internal organizational policies and politics. Mentors can be peers or people from outside of your company or even your field. Also, the feedback received isn’t always going to come through the formality of mentorship. Trusted advisors in the workspace can be a good source of constructive criticism.

There are times when a mentor can even go above and beyond by advocating and using leadership positions to speak up about issues that other people can’t. Being willing to do that can be an incredible help in the careers of young people and especially women. Trust is imperative when preparing to be a mentor. The mentor needs to be able to provide the individual being mentored with advice and address concerns and needs. Sometimes those conversations go well beyond the professional realm and into topics such as work and life balance. Being willing to serve as a mentor in those situations means extra consideration must be given to acquiring the skill sets needed to address all of the issues that may surface.

Overcoming bias Overcoming bias in the workplace also requires preparation. While the culture is changing, there is still work to be done. It’s not uncommon that when a woman walks into a room of men, there is an assumption that she doesn’t belong there. It’s important to be careful that those assumptions don’t become stereotypical conclusions. Being prepared means someone knowing that she is qualified, knowing she has much to contribute, and knowing that she belongs. Those concepts will bring about the confidence that will allow her to cut through those biases.

Because there haven’t been that many women in the energy space, male coworkers naturally aren’t used to women being there. The responsibility doesn’t entirely fall on men to help women be comfortable. Men will sometimes need help learning how to be comfortable working with women. One way to do that is by being mindful of who the combined audience is. Helping each other will benefit everyone, and some issues will fix themselves through that awareness process.

Resources & People Mentioned * WOLFPACK: How to Come Together, Unleash Our Power, and Change the Game

Connect with Creshona Armwood * On LinkedIn

Connect with Jordan Calverley * On LinkedIn

Connect with Monica Ferrer * On LinkedIn

Connect with Kourtney Nelson * On LinkedIn

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla introduces Gary Glasscock and Ryan Martin from Smart Energy Decision’s recent Innovation Summit. Gary is the Director of Fleet Management for the City of Houston. Ryan is the Interim President and Managing Partner at Evolve Houston. This panel conversation, moderated by SED’s Director of Research and Content Debra Chanil, highlights the innovative public-private partnership between the City of Houston and Evolve Houston.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Houston’s Climate Action Plan [05:20] * Public-private partnership [08:14] * The fleet study program [09:46] * EVolve Houston’s role as a facilitator [15:34] * Gary’s experience in San Antonio [20:10]

Houston’s climate action plan The City of Houston adopted its Climate Action Plan in 2020 as a strategy to reduce greenhouse emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. One aspect of that plan regards fleet management and converting all the city’s nonemergency, light-duty vehicles to EVs by 2030. In addition, the city is looking for any alternatives to implement that will reduce emissions for emergency and heavy-duty vehicles.

A typical obstacle with any change is bringing multiple departments together. Generally, city departments are focused on their particular function and are risk-averse concerning the equipment they need to function. Making a case for EVs isn’t always easy, especially with the associated cost premium compared to conventional vehicles. Recently, there was a recall of the EVs the City of Houston currently operates, which gave rise to some caution on the side of the departments.

EVolve and the City of Houston The City of Houston determined that because EVs are so complex, a public-private partnership would benefit the region to support its environmental policy goal. A passionate team of people responded to take on that charge. The City of Houston was joined by academics from the University of Houston. Retail energy providers from NRG, Shell, and the transmission line utility for the region, Centerpoint, decided to take on this problem collectively. As a product of that collaboration, EVolve was created as a public-private partnership focused on advancing clean air and climate change initiatives through electrified transportation. The programs they created have led to collaborations with the city and the education of the consumer market.

EVolve Houston began a fleet study program under the premise that they could support the market and the Houston area, given the complexities and dynamic factors involving city or corporate departments’ fleets. As a baseline, the starting place would be to study the vehicles and make decisions based on that data. EVolve studied thousands of vehicles. This study also involved a three-year look forward on vehicles and internet-connected charging station infrastructure that will be available. This study concluded that about 25% of the City of Houston’s vehicles were available to be converted to EVs. These changes would result in about $6.9 million in pro forma economic savings and about 13,500 metric tons of CO2 emissions reduction.

Houston’s city council recently approved the purchase of 97 EVs to add to their existing 40. The city looks to establish pilot programs in its larger departments with these additional EVs. The data collected from the operation of these pilot vehicles will be used to make an efficient plan for a much broader scale EV program. These pilot programs will also go a long way to ease the fears within the departments. They’ll be able to see first-hand how these vehicles can be operated in their specific applications. That experience will help with motivation from within the departments.

Encouraging the public’s interest For the last couple of years, EVolve Houston has been going to the Houston Auto Show, where it has been bringing electric vehicles. While EVs can be considered controversial in some ways, many people enjoy them. One of the best ways to make that point is to directly engage the public with the cars. In addition to the auto show, EVolve facilitates a ride-and-drive program, similar to a test drive.

EVolve also publishes academic studies, speaks on panels and webinars, and does a lot of academic work on the consumer side. In addition, the organization studies the region to determine the most viable path to curb some of the range anxiety that many people have. Recently EVolve published a regional infrastructure strategy for electrification. This study looked at all the publicly available charging in the Houston region juxtaposed against the growing current demand. The goal is to have half of new vehicle sales be electric by 2030. Keeping up with that growth and excitement will require production to pick up momentum.

Resources & People Mentioned * Green Houston * EVolve Houston * eIQ Mobility * Houston Auto Show * EVOLVE | RISE * Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator

Connect with Ryan Martin * On LinkedIn

Ryan Martin is the Interim President and Managing Partner at Evolve Houston. Ryan oversees program strategy, partnership development, fundraising, governance, legal, and management activities to further advance EV adoption within the Greater Houston area.

Ryan is a member of the Board of Directors for Houston First Corporation, where he co-chairs the Procurement Committee and drives strategic board initiatives. Ryan is also a Board Member and Corporate Secretary of Legacy Community Health, and a Board Member of Houston Botanic Garden, Whitman Controls, and LDR Leadership.

Ryan is a graduate of Harvard Law School, Louisiana State University Honors College and the Beijing Language and Culture University. Ryan is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and a licensed attorney in the State of Texas. He is a member of the Houston Committee of Foreign Relations and an interviewer for Harvard University.

Ryan resides in Houston with his wife and daughter, Elizabeth and Sasha.

Connect with Gary Glasscock * On LinkedIn

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla introduces Susan Corry of the University of Maryland College Park, David Reid of Celanese, and Peter Kelly-Detwiler of Smart Energy Decisions from a panel at Smart Energy Decisions’ recent Innovation Summit. These three leaders discuss decarbonizing thermal loads and how different types of organizations are facing this challenge.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Hard-to-Abate emissions [02:09] * Susan Corry’s role at the University of Maryland [06:31] * David Reid’s role at Celanese [09:22] * Investigating new technologies [12:28] * Resources needed to move forward [15:00] * Enthusiasm and next steps [20:40]

Addressing the thermal challenge Peter Kelly-Detwiler explains that thermal energy accounts for a quarter of our energy use and about half of our emissions. While hydrogen is clearly in the offing, other exciting technologies are emerging. A company in California just signed a lease with the U.S. government for the land where they’re going to put concentrating mirrors. The idea is to drive focused solar energy at mirrors with molten salt and generate either hydrogen or heat for thermal applications. Siemens has a project in Europe where they take wind energy and put it through resistors to warm up volcanic rock. Originally they were going to use that to generate steam and generate power. However, the roundtrip efficiencies were 30%. Now they’re pivoting to use that for thermal applications.

The real challenge with any solution is if it can be scaled. Scaling would require first that the solution is viable and then that the economy of scale can be created while the technology improves. Unfortunately, applications aren’t one size fits all, and each situation may require different technology.

University of Maryland’s energy research The University of Maryland is a flagship university within the state of Maryland. Every month, a number of the universities within the state of Maryland convene, calling themselves the Energy Committee. With each person’s partnership and relationship with various energy services companies, these meetings are an excellent opportunity to share information and discuss potential pilot projects.

As a major research institution, the University of Maryland also has several faculty members who are researching thermal space in terms of energy-related technologies. At one point, the university had a professor growing a particular type of algae for carbon capture. Unfortunately, the economics were challenging to justify, even on a small scale, so it never gained legs. While a lot of technology is being explored, newer technologies won’t be proven without the finances devoted to development.

Celanese energy challenge While some companies have a separate capital fund for sustainability or an internal cost of carbon, Celanese doesn’t have either yet. Its energy and sustainability efforts compete for capital along with every other project within the company. Funds are always a challenge, so Celanese is looking at alternatives in order to have projects justified within the company. Other financing options are sometimes available, and Celanese is trying to have an open mind to different opportunities.

Energy efficiency is still the number one project for Celanese. Recently the company challenged its energy sites to develop a 30% reduction at its sites over a five-year period. Through this method, the company has found a lot of great projects, but some of them don’t have great paybacks.The challenge is to figure out how to make the projects look better financially or find different ways to acquire the money needed to do such a project.

Resources & People Mentioned * Celanese Corporation * University of Maryland * Energy storage recharges the transition I Siemens Gamesa * A highly efficient microalgae-based carbon sequestration system to reduce CO2 emission from power plant flue gases

Connect with Susan Corry Susan Corry is the Director of Engineering and Energy at the University of Maryland College Park and has spent her career in the energy industry. Susan received her mechanical engineering degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and is a Certified Energy Manager, Certified Demand Side Manager, and Certified Existing Building Commissioning Professional. She began her career in the energy sector, working on energy and demand-side management programs with public utilities. She then moved into higher education, working for George Mason University, leading the development of long-term conservation plans to meet energy and carbon reduction goals.

Susan moved on to the University of Maryland, where she is responsible for energy procurement, energy and carbon reduction plans, renewable energy strategies, building design standards, building performance, and management of the campus power plant. Susan leads the energy committee comprised of the University System of Maryland institutions and the Maryland Department of General Services, representing all other State agencies in energy-related matters. She has served on the advisory boards of the Maryland Clean Energy Center and Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund and was past chair of DOE’s Better Buildings Alliance Higher Education Steering Committee.

Connect with David Reid * On LinkedIn

David Reid is the Senior Manager, Global Energy and Productivity for Celanese. He is a graduate of the University of Waterloo, Canada with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Chemical Engineering and is a certified energy manager (CEM).

David has more than 30 years of manufacturing experience in polymer and chemicals industries. He has held positions in Process Control, Manufacturing Operations Leadership as well as global Operational Excellence responsibilities including his current role leading the Energy and Productivity programs for Celanese manufacturing sites worldwide.

Celanese is a global technology and specialty materials company that engineers and manufactures a variety of products essential to everyday living.

Connect with Peter Kelly-Detwiler * On LinkedIn

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla introduces Scott Bargerstock of Mohawk Industries, the opening keynote speaker from Smart Energy Decisions’ recent Innovation Summit. As Director of Manufacturing, Productivity, and Global Energy, Scott shares his insights on how he is building the green bridge with Mohawk Industries’ efforts to decarbonize and save money without a formal net-zero goal.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Building the green bridge [01:55] * Scott’s work at Mohawk [03:35] * Managing ESG expectations [05:03] * Making the best of high natural gas prices [08:16] * Surprising benefits of infrared [10:26] * Innovation is what moved the industry [18:08]

Mohawk’s energy challenges Mohawk Industries is a large manufacturer, and therefore a large consumer of energy. The challenge the company has is that thermal dominates over electric. Mohawk is the world’s largest ceramic tile manufacturer, and making tile without natural gas is nearly impossible. The company is looking into alternative options, with the thermal side being the greater challenge.

Since Scott has been with Mohawk, the company has put five megawatts of combined heat and power at a plant in Tennessee, and one of its Italian plants is putting in a 10 megawatt third-party supply system. In Italy, the company has created about 10 million square feet of industrial LED retrofits. Additionally, the company’s carpet side uses a large amount of steam in its boiler controls and is figuring out how to do that more efficiently.

Finding support for improvements Fortunately, the power and natural gas events that have occurred since July of last year have helped Mohawk become a more mature company relative to energy consumption. While there’s no way to get away from ESG expectations,many of Mohawk’s products don’t have customers who expect sustainable solutions. The company has to start by figuring out how to make and manage sustainability commitments for a modest number of products and expand that across the whole company portfolio.

The increase in the cost of gas has caused many consumers and companies to become hyper-focused on finding ways to reduce costs. Mohawk is trying to take this opportunity to support the available efficiency options. A lot of the challenge is at the plant level and trying to make more product with less energy. Mohawk uses a metric showing how much energy is used to make a unit of measure of a product to see trends in production. The amount of energy used has reduced for the first time below where it was in 2019.

Innovation is about the little changes Innovation is what the energy industry does every day to become a little better, faster, and a bit more profitable. Leaders need to keep their eyes open for ideas that can be adapted to different situations. Being an innovator takes a lot of courage. Sometimes it means taking a different approach than the rest of the team, and sometimes that’s the right path. There’s no reason to wait to be great. All that’s left is to evolve the plan, maintain the course, and reevaluate the plan from time to time.

Involving the whole team is strongly encouraged. Getting everyone on board ahead of time diminishes internal resistance, helps with additional ideas, and provides additional backup and impetus when making a tough decision. Involving and motivating each other is something that can inspire anyone to innovate. Focusing on a series of minor changes will result in success.

Resources & People Mentioned * Environmental, Social & Governance | Mohawk Industries, Inc.

Connect with Scott Bargerstock * On LinkedIn

With a widely diverse industrial manufacturing background as a senior engineer or manager, followed by almost 20 years in facility/maintenance management roles with several firms, Scott has served as managing lead engineer for new technology and capital projects in addition to successfully implementing his certified lean practitioner training at multiple firms. Industries include naval shipyard work, heavy fabrication, machining, heat treating, foundry, melting, printing, and publishing also spent several years at a nuclear power plant site followed by the direction of a profit center for two companies supplying nationwide technical services serving the nuclear power industry. This experience preceded almost twenty years of maintenance and facility management experience. Scott earned his BS in Materials Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, holding a PE for Metallurgical Engineering within the state of Tennessee.

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This episode of Smart Energy Voices features a keynote conversation host John Failla had with Rob Threlkeld, Global Manager of Sustainable Energy, Supply, and Reliability at General Motors. In Episode 25, they talked about the future of General Motors, EVs, and Renewables. Listen in for this update on the dramatic changes at GM since their last conversation, including GM’s commitment to an electric future and how energy is driving the reinvention of the company.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Rob’s current role at GM [02:45] * Transformations in GM [06:10] * Becoming more dynamic as a company [08:21] * Culture shifts in GM [09:52] * What is BrightDrop? [12:18] * GM’s RE100 goal [16:07] * Technologies on the horizon [20:40]

Investments in EVs Energy has always been something of a necessary evil for General Motors, as the company requires electricity, natural gas, water, and sewer to run its facilities successfully. Now, renewables are core to its business, GM has committed to a science-based target to be carbon neutral for operations and products by 2040. The company is investing $35 billion in electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles over the next five years. Those vehicles will represent about 40% of GM’s U.S. fleet.

Thanks to all the data and analytics that can be run, the timeframe car companies once needed for development has accelerated.GM also announced that it is investing in electric boats and Wabtec for fuel cells. GM is taking the whole transportation business of today and transforming how people drive tomorrow.

Working toward electrification Addressing climate change requires a multitude of industries, not just automotive, to focus on electrification. That reality links well with GM’s renewable energy goals. GM is setting a bold path forward and leading in the renewable energy space. The company has backed up its commitment to renewables with large investments.

Speed is critical for GM to reach its transformation goals and remain a leader in this space. The company has its teams set up to collaborate and make decisions quickly. The focus has been on breaking down barriers by working with leadership and those who build the vehicles. This process helps work be done more efficiently and utilizes the company’s available data.

Exciting technologies in GM’s future With the EV movement, GM is looking at potentially having vehicle-to-grid applications. Combining EVs with fuel cells for locomotives means more technology development regarding battery storage solutions. In the end, these batteries would address some of the intermittency involved with renewables.

Wind and solar alone aren’t enough to fulfill energy requirements. The addition of battery storage is a great way to respond to demand during peak times. Fuel cells and green hydrogen can then help with long-term storage issues. The energy sector needs to consider these and various other solutions that ultimately drive a decarbonized grid.

Resources & People Mentioned * Smart Energy Voices- Episode 25 * Mary Barra - Chair and Chief Executive Officer - General Motors | LinkedIn * General Motors Keynote | CES 2022 * Wabtec and GM to Develop Advanced Ultium Battery and HYDROTEC Hydrogen Fuel Cell Solutions for Rail Industry * Anthony Davis - Manager, North America Portfolio Planning | LinkedIn * BrightDrop: All-Electric Delivery System | General Motors * Brian Janous - Board Member - Western Washington University | LinkedIn * Our Renewable Energy Journey | General Motors

Connect with Rob Threlkeld * On LinkedIn

Rob Threlkeld is the global manager of Sustainable Energy, Supply, and Reliability for General Motors, leading the company’s energy procurement efforts, including the commitment to meet the electricity needs of its global operations with 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. Threlkeld is responsible for leading the team that supports GM energy procurement and regulatory efforts. These efforts include negotiating power purchase agreements, natural gas, green tariffs, and engineering onsite renewable solutions for GM facilities across the globe, including opportunities associated with battery storage, behind-the-meter applications, and EV integration.

As part of GM’s Sustainable Workplaces team, Threlkeld shares best practices for renewable energy procurement with internal and external audiences, offering solutions for large and small businesses alike to benefit from the use of renewables.

Threlkeld is a board member of the Renewable Energy Buyer’s Association (REBA), involved in the American Wind Energy Association and Solar Energy Industries Association, two energy groups advancing the use of these renewable forms of energy. He also serves as an industry advisor to the School of Environmental and Ecological Engineering at Purdue University. He is a member of the Association of Energy Engineers, the Engineering Society of Detroit, and the Solar Power International Education Council. This year, Energy Manager Today recognized Threlkeld as one of 50 top energy managers for driving GM and the energy management industry forward.

Threlkeld began his career at GM in 2000 as manager of the powerhouse and wastewater treatment plant operations at GM’s Lordstown, Ohio Assembly Complex. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Purdue University. He is a registered Certified Hazardous Material Manager, Certified Energy Manager, and Business Energy Professional.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla introduces a keynote speaker from the recent Renewable Energy Forum. As Mary Curtiss transitions from her role as HP's Global Energy Head of Energy and Sustainability to a new role at the company, she reflects on key lessons learned during her tenure as a senior leader in the field, as well as more than 20 years of related industry experience. Listen in to hear more about Mary’s amazing career and her work at HP.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Mary’s motivation [03:19] * Measuring climate success [08:22] * Strategy for 2025 goals [11:42] * Lessons from smaller projects [16:44] * Something about Mary [19:27]

HP’s sustainability goals In 2030, HP established its vision to become the most sustainable and just technology company and is well on its way to achieving that objective. Newsweek announced the company to be the most responsible company in the industry across all sectors for the third year in a row. Part of that success is due to ambitious goals, but also transparency. HP believes that transparency with data is necessary for justice. HP has also established a goal to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2025, which applies to all of the organization’s sites globally. Many countries, and even U.S. cities, don’t have composting available, and single-use plastic is prevalent. Some of the most complex waste streams are in an office space, and COVID did not help. Employees will need to re-learn best practices as they return to their offices.

Measuring climate successes HP measures its effectiveness in climate action based on carbon emissions, forests, and circularity. By 2040, HP’s goal is to be net-zero across the whole of its value chain. Mary’s team has established an additional goal to have operations carbon neutral by 2025 and achieve 100% renewable electricity.

HP is actively seeking out projects to move away from its current heavy reliance on unbundled RECs. The organization is excited to move towards more additionality and target its highest carbon sites. Unfortunately, these sites are also where there are more challenges in getting projects going. HP has analyzed its markets to make sure they’re targeting the most impactful sites first.

Solar in Barcelona Barcelona’s large campus is HP’s headquarters for its EMEA business. Currently, the energy supply in Barcelona is fed by hydro, which isn’t the best source of energy. With water issues, companies need to move away from hydro. Technically, HP receives credit for hydro as green energy, so the Barcelona site was lower in priorities than other sites.

The strong youth employee network in Barcelona is what made the difference. The employees were relentless in their desire for solar on-site and started calling vendors themselves rather than going through the organization! Mary and her team quickly had to slow them down and re-evaluate for the most effective plan. As a result, HP ran an RFP and is covering its entire campus on-site with solar. Getting in touch with all those local employees was a fantastic example of the importance of employee engagement with community and company goals.

Resources & People Mentioned * COP26 * Save Our Shores * HP Inc. Announces Closing of Its Inaugural $1 Billion Sustainability Notes Offering * ENGIE

Connect with Mary Curtiss * On LinkedIn

Mary Curtiss has more than 20 years of experience in the construction and sustainability industry. She is now Director of Sustainability for HP Personal Systems Services. In her previous role as HP’s Global Head of Energy and Sustainability, she was responsible for developing and driving the strategy for all matters related to renewable energy, sustainability, and energy efficiency in the global portfolio. She has also been involved in a number of industry-leading forums in the San Francisco Bay Area to drive improved efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Before HP, Mary was the National Director for Enterprise Efficiency at Siemens, where she worked with clients on energy program solutions. Mary also spent time at JLL, where she led business development and program execution for their Sustainability business and managed a team of 30 Energy and Sustainability professionals to optimize corporate portfolios. During her time there, she also helped establish JLL’s Women’s Network.

Mary received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Iowa State University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Santa Clara University. She is also on the Board of Directors for Save our Shores with a mission to protect the marine habitats of Monterey Bay.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla has a conversation with Neha Palmer, CEO of EV charging infrastructure developer at TeraWatt Infrastructure. Many also know her as the former Head of Energy Strategy at Google. Neha recently wrote an article for Wired titled “Electric Vehicle Charging is the Next Billion-Dollar Market.” She spoke about the potential and challenges of the transition to vehicle fleet electrification. At Google, Neha drove a large part of the adoption of renewables, so you won’t want to miss out on her insight into this critical topic.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Neha’s background and current role [02:16] * Opportunities for EVs [06:56] * The gap between availability and charging [11:26] * Integrated systems as a resource for the grid [18:15] * Preparing the energy sector [22:11] * The role of utilities in electrification [29:53] * Accomplishments at Google [33:28]

Neha’s roles in the energy sector Neha’s career has always been in the energy industry. She’s worked on the finance side, in renewables, and has been an engineer. For the last decade, she worked at Google, helping lead its energy strategy to ensure it had the cleanest energy sources possible. Additionally, she helped the company focus on infrastructure, large substations, and transmission lines coming into project energy procurement.

Currently, Neha is the CEO of TeraWatt Infrastructure and has been there for about a year. TeraWatt was purpose-built to develop a large-scale EV charging infrastructure focused on medium and heavy-duty vehicle fleets. For those vehicles that will have a large battery size, TeraWatt provides an end-to-end solution that covers everything from the charge site location to working with the utility and managing the site once it’s operational.

Collaboration for EV infrastructure Electrification and electric vehicles require many moving parts to come together. The operations site must be managed to ensure there is a sufficient energy supply. Resources such as on-site generation and storage are leveraged. Finally, the effect on the grid must be considered. TeraWatt provides that complete stack of services.

Energy, technology, and transportation have operated relatively independently since their inception. To succeed with EVs, these areas will need to operate tightly together. The technology required for EVs is more than putting batteries in vehicles instead of combustion engines. These state-of-the-art vehicles are a wholesale renewal of technology. Energy and transportation both rely heavily on subsidies or policies, which have been made independently for centuries. Collaboration among those three industries is critical for this transition to be successful.

Preparing for the impact of EVs Interactivity is going to be required to scale electrification quickly. A slow policy process is making its way through various states and grid operators. That needs to accelerate and have clear rules so that the value of installed equipment is known. There needs to be interconnection reform as it’s currently a long process. Besides that, almost every location has its own rules. Having a better line of sight in terms of what it takes to get a project on the grid will be helpful.

Even the most forward-leaning grid operators and utilities that want to promote electrification aren’t quite anticipating the amount of impact EVs might have on their grid. Most utilities that are invested have to run an integrated resource plan process to anticipate the actual load growth on the grid. The adoption of electric vehicles needs to start being included in those integrated resource plans, and it needs to start being anticipated in the next two years.

Resources & People Mentioned * Electric Vehicle Charging is the Next Billion-Dollar Market | WIRED * TeraWatt Infrastructure * Anaheim Resort Transportation

Connect with Neha Palmer * On LinkedIn

Neha Palmer is the CEO and co-founder of Terawatt Infrastructure, a company that’s focused on scaling commercial EV charging infrastructure across the U.S. Neha previously served as the Head of Energy Strategy at Google, where she led the development of electric infrastructure and electricity procurement for the global data center fleet, helping to make Google the first company of its size to achieve 100% renewable energy for operations. Previously, Neha held leadership roles at Pacific Gas and Electric and worked as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs. Neha holds an MBA in Finance from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo.

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This episode of Smart Energy Voices presents the keynote speaker from the recent Renewable Energy Forum, Brian Janous - General Manager of Energy at Microsoft. As one of the world’s preeminent leaders in the energy transition, Microsoft is constantly innovating. Listen in as Brian provides a glimpse into the mindset and culture at Microsoft that has enabled its unique approach to innovation, including efforts to drive collaboration between peers, suppliers, and customers to enable broader adoption of renewable energy.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Microsoft’s climate commitments [02:09] * Starting sooner rather than later [04:32] * It’s about sustainability [07:50] * Giving back to the community [12:30] * Sustainability as a non-negotiable [15:54] * Sharing knowledge for the future [18:25]

Carbon negative by 2030 Microsoft has committed to be carbon negative by 2030 and to remove all of its historical emissions by 2050. The company is investing a billion dollars in climate technology to help accelerate those goals. While much progress has been made over the last ten years, more must still be done to achieve the deep decarbonization needed in the energy sector.

In 2012 Microsoft established its first commitment to be carbon neutral. At the time, the company was iterating on the concept of having all businesses pay into an internal carbon tax, then using that revenue to buy renewable energy credits and carbon offsets. The goal included Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions and employee travel. Altogether about two million metric tons of emissions were associated with that commitment.

Microsoft’s first PPA Microsoft’s first PPA began with a conversation with former CEO Steve Ballmer. Brian’s team pitched a small deal, about 75MW for seven years, as a way to start Microsoft’s renewables journey. While the project was presented to him, Steve realized it would be a hedge because Microsoft would have been assigning a fixed price. Steve interjected that Microsoft doesn’t hedge energy prices. The company can self-insure all the risks and isn’t worried about energy prices. Brian and his team regrouped and came back with something bigger.

The week before the team would present their new project idea, the CFO stepped down from the position, and Amy Hood stepped in. In her first week as the new CFO, Amy was brought a 20-year, 110MW proposal for purchasing wind energy in Texas. Brian was nervous going into the meeting, thinking that there was no chance she would agree to it. He was happily surprised when Amy decided that the plan was a great idea. It turned out that before joining Microsoft, Amy had traded energy at Goldman Sachs, so she quickly understood the details.

The future is in sharing What the industry has done over the last ten years is impressive. Goals that would have been enormous lifts a few years ago are now becoming expected of organizations. Company after company is making serious commitments to the environment. As difficult as it was, all of the things done over the last ten years were crucial steps in this journey. Carbon offsets and RECs in the long-term weren’t that consequential, but they were essential to get the industry where it is today.

While some companies must be out in front, lead, and innovate, not all can do that. Most companies will be far behind the leaders. Their role will be to learn faster than those before them. Companies will have to share their knowledge so their experience can be studied. With that sharing, there will be a lot of positive peer pressure to change faster and do more to achieve climate goals. Sharing experience will accelerate the energy industry in the journey to a sustainable future.

Resources & People Mentioned * Microsoft will be carbon negative by 2030 * About the Henry Hub

Connect with Brian Janous * On LinkedIn

Brian is responsible for leading the development and execution of Microsoft’s global data center energy strategy. These data centers provide the foundational cloud infrastructure for Microsoft’s online and cloud services for consumers and businesses worldwide. His responsibilities include oversight of energy policy, procurement, renewable energy, distributed generation, and overall environmental impact to ensure that Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure is reliable and sustainable. Microsoft plays a critical role in the energy industry, both as a large consumer and as a provider of foundational cloud services that support grid resilience and decarbonization.

Brian joined Microsoft in 2011 after 12 years in the energy industry, where he worked as a Sr. Consultant at Brubaker & Associates, assisting Fortune 500 companies with energy procurement, policy and sustainability matters. Brian holds an MBA from Webster University, a Bachelor of Science in Finance, and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Missouri. Brian has also served on the board of the American Wind Energy Association (now the American Clean Power Association). He presently serves on the board of the Institute for Energy Studies at Western Washington University.

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This episode is made in partnership with NRG. In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla is joined by Rob Gaudette, Senior Vice President of NRG Business for a discussion on the increased pressure large power users are experiencing to meet aggressive emission reduction targets. Listen in as they dive into the dynamics of this changing landscape.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Rob’s role at NRG [01:51] * NRG Business in 2022 [04:58] * Driving the customer experience [10:16] * The growing interest in customer choice [15:36] * NRG’s response to changing needs [20:58] * Customer success in energy [26:52] * Rob’s career path [30:41] * The influence of Rob’s military background [33:38] * What’s to come for the the energy industry [43:29]

NRG helping companies reach energy goals NRG is the largest B2B retail gas and power platform in North America and one of the three largest demand response providers.The company develops energy solutions that help businesses become more knowledgeable, effective, and efficient energy customers. Simply put, NRG helps industries of all kinds in the U.S. and Canada reach their energy goals.

NRG offers a simplified approach to renewable energy, helping its customers gain budget security through fixed-price contracts. NRG also helps them achieve energy flexibility — an important price strategy goal — with distributed energy and demand response. Rob’s team provides market expertise to help businesses manage their energy strategy, helping customers reach their sustainability goals and navigate the challenge of the ever-evolving energy industry.

Managing data Many of NRG’s customers are evolving from smart energy managers to smart data managers. More customers want real-time access to their information, using this knowledge to better understand their energy usage in the context of other marketplace data and trends around them.NRG’s operating platform is the central nervous system that collects that data and powers the analytics that help support the customers, making them more effective in their operations across the spectrum of NRG.

Through their operating system, NRG can track trends from the individual business level up to an extensive network level. For example, they can view one customer's usage in terms of how they are being affected, as well as their effect on a region or specific industry. NRG uses this information to make decisions that benefit its customers and deliver insights that help them make informed decisions in the future.

Customer Choice Two significant societal drivers are pushing the evolution of customer choice. The first is digital. People are now used to a digital-enabled lifestyle that never could have been imagined possible years ago. Technology has helped customers become more knowledgeable about their energy usage and options. The engaged energy customer wants to be a partner who’s constantly thinking about and tailoring their energy experience, so these partners need to accelerate their efforts to provide those types of technological solutions.

The second trend is the overarching need to decarbonize energy use. Both society and industry have a role in decarbonizing to address climate change. Energy is a massive component of decarbonization inside the economy. Renewable energy is the most visible way to decarbonize and has become more affordable and accessible than ever before. Prices are expected to continue to decrease and customer choice to continue to grow.

Resources & People Mentioned * Energy Advisory Services * NRG Products and Services * Rob’s Blog on Looking Ahead

Connect with Rob Gaudette * On LinkedIn

Robert Gaudette is Senior Vice President of NRG Business, where he manages the largest B2B retail gas and power platform and the top three largest provider of demand response in North America – overseeing market leading products and services, including renewable energy acquisition strategy and private load management programs. Leading an organization of energy professionals, Gaudette orchestrates business and corporate marketing, product development, origination, structuring, negotiation, and implementation of energy solutions that are designed to meet the growing needs of business customers of any size.

Gaudette and his team provide market expertise and help regional and national. customers manage their energy strategy and manage customer relationships from acquisition through execution and retention. Partnering with customers, Gaudette and his team increase efficiencies, reduce costs and manage risks—creating a more sustainable, resilient, affordable and empowering energy ecosystem for NRG customers.

Prior to joining NRG, Gaudette served as Chief Commercial Officer at GenOn Energy. Previous to GenOn, he was Vice President of Mirant's Mid-Atlantic business unit in Washington, D.C. During his career at Mirant, Gaudette worked in various other capacities including Director of West Power, Director of NYMEX Trading, Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer and NYMEX trader. He began his career at Mirant in 2001 as a Trading Analyst.

Earlier, Gaudette served four years as an army combat engineer officer in the U.S. Cavalry, including a one-year deployment to Bosnia. Before leaving military service for business school in 1999, he served as the executive officer of a combat engineer company in the Second Armored Cavalry Regiment.

Gaudette earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from The College of William and Mary and Master of Business Administration from Rice University.

He is a board member of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy. Gaudette serves on the Board of Advisors for the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University. He is also a board member at St. Agnes Academy and the Children’s Museum of Houston. In addition, Gaudette serves on the regional economic development committee of the Greater Houston Partnership.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla continues SED’s series on “Inspiring Diversity in Energy.” This conversation was part of the recent Distributed Energy Forum with a panel featuring Cheryl Comer, Strategic Account Manager - Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions, Gilbert Campbell, Co-Founder & CEO - Volt Energy, and Denis George, Category Manager for Energy - The Kroger Company. You won't want to miss this meaningful conversation on how collaboration can help accelerate success in diversifying the supplier rosters of large electric power users. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Backgrounds and current roles [02:31] * Challenges in engaging large customers [06:35] * The importance of collaboration [12:53] * Volt Energy’s community efforts [16:36] * What is DiCE? [18:49] * Environmental Justice PPAs [26:46]

Collaboration for new ideas Humankind is in a race against time to save the planet. Innovation and transformation need to happen. Different mindsets and thought processes working together bring value and best-in-class ideas to the table. Collaboration provides an excellent opportunity to get to know key stakeholders in other communities and become exposed to new ideas. For example, social justice and a PPA would never have been correlated before, but amazingly and effectively, they are now. Diversity focuses on connecting people in various communities so such ideas can develop and expand.

Diversity in Clean Energy (DiCE) The creation of DiCE was prompted when T Mobile became one of Cheryl’s strategic accounts. Amy Bond, Energy Procurement Program Manager - T Mobile, asked Cheryl how Duke Energy interacts with diverse suppliers. In response, Duke Energy held a two-day roundtable discussion about tracking diverse suppliers. They realized that corporations don't usually share contacts when they have them. The communication that did happen was limited to word of mouth.

Duke’s vision of DiCE is to open doors, utilize, and amplify the stories of diverse suppliers. One of DiCE's key objectives is to create a database or repository for diverse suppliers, which is being sponsored by Microsoft. They want to ensure that the energy industry has a good database without systemic barriers. While DiCE is growing, it's running on a two-year pilot in a smaller nexus with Kroger, T Mobile, Microsoft, and diverse suppliers. There is significant interest from organizations that want to join. Meanwhile, they can raise awareness and take action in their own space.

Justice in the environment Environmental Justice PPAs are Volt Energy's response to ensure that rural communities aren't left behind in the transition to clean energy. Volt Energy prioritizes developing projects in economically disadvantaged rural areas, particularly where fossil fuel plants have been shut down, to help with economic revitalization. They also recognize the plight of many minority communities that haven't had access to participate in the clean energy boom.

Volt Energy explains that these communities have risked their lives for the last 100 years to ensure everyone has power. They've dealt with environmental injustice in basic necessities like clean water and air. As power plants are shutting down in a transition to clean energy, it's fair to prioritize those communities.

There are many great environmental justice organizations doing great work both at the national and local levels. Volt Energy invests in programs and projects conducted by these organizations to continue this good work. Volt also works with small businesses. One of the major barriers for small businesses, particularly diverse small businesses, is capital. Volt Energy is looking into providing microloans to businesses to help reduce some of the financial burdens. These loans offer an avenue for scaling diverse businesses.

Resources & People Mentioned * Solar Energy Industries Association * American Association of Blacks in Energy * Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance * Dice * ESG Report - The Kroger Co. * Environmental Justice PPA

Connect with Gilbert Campbell * On LinkedIn

Gilbert Campbell is the Founder and CEO of Volt Energy Utility, a national renewable energy firm that finances and develops utility-scale solar and energy storage projects for large corporate clients, municipalities, and other institutions.

Gilbert serves on the Board of Directors at The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), The Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance (REBA), The American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE), is an Advisory Board Member at 3Degrees, and is a Founding Member of Renewables Forward.

Gilbert also co-founded Volt Energy, a national distributed generation solar development company. Under Gilbert’s leadership, Volt Energy successfully developed solar projects for numerous public and private sector clients including, Accenture, Exelon/Pepco, The Cheesecake Factory, Subaru, District of Columbia Government, Howard University, and Wake Forest University.

Gilbert is an advocate and spokesperson for diversity, equity, and inclusion in clean energy, environmental justice, and sustainability; and regularly advises federal and local officials, corporations, and other key stakeholders on policies and best practices. Gilbert has been nationally recognized for his efforts and has testified before Congress regarding the need for increased minority participation in the renewable energy sector.

In 2016, the Obama Administration presented Gilbert with the White House Champions of Change Award for his leadership in advancing climate change equity. Gilbert was named to EBONY magazine’s 2014 Power 100 List, which recognizes influential achievements by African Americans annually. Under Gilbert’s leadership, Volt is a 2014 recipient of Amtrak and The Washington Wizards Pioneer Award, which honors companies that have made a positive impact in their community. Realizing that change begins with preparation Gilbert has been a vocal proponent of STEM education and outreach opportunities for young people across the country.

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Gilbert graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.B.A in Finance from Howard University and has done post-graduate leadership training at Harvard University.

Connect with Cheryl D. Comer * On LinkedIn

Cheryl Comer is a Strategic Account Manager in the Sales and Relationship Management organization at Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions. She is responsible for developing and sustaining long-term strategic customer relationships for mutual growth, profitability, trust, loyalty, and risk management. Her assigned strategic accounts are FedEx, Kroger, Microsoft, and T-Mobile. Cheryl brings a wealth of experience from the education and legal industries.

In addition to teaching middle school and high school students music theory, solfeggio, string, symphony orchestra, and music history, Cheryl served as a high school principal of an alternative school in Phoenix, Arizona. She managed a school of 350 students and 30 staff members. During her tenure as principal, she learned to effectively balance considerations from competing stakeholders such as state mandates, instructional and support staff, parents, students, and community. Under her leadership, graduation rates and test scores increased. Cheryl is also a licensed attorney in North Carolina and Louisiana and practiced law at a mid-sized litigation boutique in downtown New Orleans before joining Duke Energy in 2018. She continues to practice law in the capacity of a pro bono attorney with Legal Aid of North Carolina and often lends a hand to family and friends when in need of sound legal advice. She is a community activist in Gaston County and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion champion.

Cheryl’s first love, however, is the cello. She began playing in an exploratory program in the 4th grade and never stopped! She plays the violin, viola, cello, and bass but is proficient on cello. Cheryl is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and the University of Michigan (where she won principal cellist of the most advanced orchestra). She earned a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit School of Law. She has been a licensed attorney since 2009. Cheryl’s passions include international travel, spending time on the beach with her family, and enjoying the zest of life. She grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, has three children, and resides in Charlotte, N.C.

Connect with Denis George * On LinkedIn

As Category Manager - Energy for The Kroger Co.– one of the Nation’s largest grocery companies with well over $110B in annual revenue - Denis George manages the Company’s renewable energy acquisition, energy contracts, regulatory intervention, as well as construction material & equipment sourcing. From 1998 to 2015, Denis served as Kroger’s corporate manager – energy with responsibilities that included energy efficiency initiatives, carbon footprint calculations, mechanical system design, and Energy Star program compliance.

During this time, Kroger has also received numerous national and regional awards for energy efficiency and sustainability, including in 2015 the Energy Star “Partner of the Year” Award, in 2012 the Alliance to Save Energy’s top award, the “Galaxy” Star of Energy Efficiency, and an “Award of Excellence” from Platt’s Publications. Mr. George has presented before numerous Commissions and Associations, including the Edison Electric Institute, Touchstone Energy Partnership, Green Retail Decisions, and the Critical Consumer Issues Forum.

Mr. George received a Juris Doctor Degree in 1985 from The University of Cincinnati College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics/Business Administration, cum laude, from Wittenberg University in 1980. Denis and his wife, Alice Sutherland George, live in Loveland, Ohio.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil talks with Keith Warner to discuss his role as Aviation Utilities Business Manager for the Port of Seattle and its affiliated utility. Among the topics they cover are the importance of resiliency, the push for electrification, and Keith’s unique perspective on moving from the private sector with Boeing to his current public sector role. Join us to hear Keith’s great insight on managing energy in transportation.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Keith’s role with the Port of Seattle [02:24] * Energy goals for the Port of Seattle [03:30] * Resiliency of operations within the port [08:00] * Programs for electrification [11:16] * Pre-Conditioned Air program [14:05] * Shifts in demand response [18:54]

Emissions goals for the Port of Seattle The Port of Seattle has the goal to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 50% by 2030 and to be carbon neutral or carbon negative by 2050. Their scope three goal is a 50% reduction by 2030 and an 80% reduction by 2050. Since creating these goals, the State of Washington has established mandates which have driven emissions compliance. The Port of Seattle has already met their 2030 goal for Scope 1 emissions, so we’re considering resetting targets to be more aggressive.

The Port of Seattle’s Scope 2 emissions, which is purchased electricity, were already 95% carbon-free because of the hydro system in the Northwest along with a small amount of nuclear power. Their Scope 1 and 2 emissions nearly all come from heating required for the airport terminals. Some emissions also come from fuel use for a fleet of buses and vehicles. Because of its power side, the port realized that they’d never achieve its goal with their current path.

Converting to renewable energy The Port of Seattle purchased renewable natural gas five years ago, but that contract didn’t last long. About two years ago, it embarked on a longer-term contract taking renewable natural gas to heat half of the airport load from a biofuel facility. That 10-year contract alone allows it to reach its goal a decade early.

Airlines have begun converting their ground support fleet to electric. The Port of Seattle has installed 300 charging units around the airport to support this effort. This access to charging has allowed the airlines to make investments to convert from diesel over to electricity. Hence, the airlines are reducing their Scope 1 emissions, which simultaneously allows the Port of Seattle to lower its Scope 3 emissions.

Pre-Conditioned Air project The Port of Seattle has a Pre-Conditioned Air project to save energy for airlines. When an aircraft lands and approaches the dock at the airport, it can plug into shore power. A large air duct is plugged into the aircraft to utilize the central heating and cooling system, which allows the aircraft to turn off their auxiliary power unit. The aircraft is entirely powered, heated, and cooled while connected to this system. This project alone saves 5 million gallons of fuel a year.

Resources & People Mentioned * Port's Innovative Proposal Hopes to Attract Renewable Natural Gas for Sea-Tac Airport * Pre-Conditioned Air | Port of Seattle * Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) | Port of Seattle * NREL

Connect with Keith Warner * On LinkedIn

Keith Warner is the Utilities Manager at the Port of Seattle, where he leads a suite of utility services including power, water, and natural gas, serving Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Seattle-Tacoma is the 8th busiest airport in the U.S. and counts as part of its vision to “be the greenest and most energy-efficient port in North America.”

Before joining the Port in 2019, Keith enjoyed a 35-year career at the Boeing Company, where he spent most of that time as the corporation’s Utilities and Conservation Manager. Keith holds a B.S. degree in Engineering and an Executive MBA.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, SED's Debra Chanil discusses distributed energy resources in higher education with Lincoln Bleveans, Executive Director, Sustainability & Energy Management at Stanford University. DERs in higher education is a complex topic that can be overwhelming. Lincoln addresses the challenges of energy reliability, resilience, and creating a granular room-to-room energy plan. He also discusses the unique intersection between the university and Silicon Valley. You won’t want to miss his insightful observations.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Lincoln’s current role at Stanford University [02:55] * Sustainability goals and DERs [07:38] * Stanford’s thermal facility [12:38] * Wildfires’ effect on energy [17:34] * The intersection of Stanford and Silicon Valley [24:39] * Lincoln’s journey from municipal to university [29:48]

Stanford’s sustainability goals As the Executive Director of Sustainability and Energy Management at Stanford University, Lincoln is in charge of energy, water, and the Office of Sustainability. Lincoln oversees everything from 24/7 operations to the long-term planning and positioning of investments to keep the university at the cutting edge. Stanford is one of the few sustainable universities in the world that has a platinum rating from AASHE.

Stanford has established zero-carbon goals for its energy supply - that includes not just electricity to the campus, but also electricity that drives a $600 million thermal plant that is the heart of the campus, making both chilled and hot water. Stanford currently has two power purchase agreements with solar farms in California, which will bring the campus to more than 100% renewable in its electric supply as of the middle of 2022. The university also has a goal of zero waste by 2030.

Replacing energy sources For many years, Stanford had a cogeneration facility, a standard gas turbine, providing both an electric supply to the campus and on-site generation. It also provided a tremendous amount of steam, which drove the heating and cooling system for the entire campus. Stanford had an interesting problem to solve when the plant reached the end of its life: How do they replace that energy source while moving forward with a more environmentally sensitive solution?

Stanford determined that they didn’t need power generation on-site or to continue using steam. Instead, they decided they could meet their needs more cost-effectively with hot and chilled water. This conversion required dozens of miles in piping and re-engineering devices for hot and cold water input. Stanford is currently doubling the chiller capacity to match the rapid campus growth and because the climate curve has been steeper than initially expected.

Reliability and resilience Stanford is fortunate to be on the cusp of reaching 100% renewable energy. At the same time, they’re dependent on a grid that isn’t under their control, including two interconnections with the California ISO through Pacific Gas and Electric. One of the significant challenges Lincoln faces in his role is figuring out reliability in the context of intensive electrification and decarbonization.

Right now, having diesel generators for emergencies is necessary from a building code perspective but it doesn’t make sense for Stanford’s broader greenhouse gas goals and is an issue they’re trying to figure out. Lincoln views the campus as a microgrid facing that challenge, similar to how hospitals face the same challenge. Obtaining reliability and resilience while simultaneously decarbonizing is one of the big and exciting challenges many are facing now and in the future.

Resources & People Mentioned * Stanford University | Institutions | STARS Reports * Stanford Energy System Innovations (SESI) * New Central Energy Facility - Sustainable Stanford

Connect with Lincoln Bleveans * On Linkedin * On Twitter

Lincoln Bleveans has been an executive in the global energy industry for over 25 years, focused on electric power and sustainability. His experience spans the globe and the energy value chain, from emerging technologies to independent power project (IPP) development to utility operations. He is an internationally recognized thought-leader, writer, and speaker on energy and sustainability. He is now Executive Director of Sustainability & Energy Management at Stanford University, leading the University's mission-critical operations and world-leading innovation and operations in sustainability, electricity, thermal energy, building energy management, water, and waste. Most recently, he was an executive at Burbank Water & Power, an innovative and high-performing electric and water utility in southern California. He is active as a mentor, advisor, and board for technology start-ups, infrastructure projects, and non-profits.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla is joined by Mona Dajani, Global Co-Head of Energy, Infrastructure, Mobility, Renewables & Water at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. Mona is a prolific dealmaker in the renewable energy space and is a highly regarded, well-recognized attorney. You’ll find her extensive experience and unique perspective enlightening. Listen to learn more.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Mona’s journey to renewable energy [03:57] * Mona’s most challenging deal [13:25] * Major trends in renewable energy deals [17:24] * What’s happening in storage? [32:17] * Important factors to accelerate the market [37:40] * What drives Mona’s passion? [44:20]

Mona’s work at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP Pillsbury’s energy and infrastructure group covers clean energy, hydrogen, ESG, sustainable finance, and anything to do with clean tech. Mona is dual qualified and represents companies in North America as well as Europe. Many of the deals she works on are incredibly challenging and most come with unique difficulties. One of Mona’s most challenging deals was during COVID because it involved companies from three continents that couldn’t meet in person, but Mona is an expert at making a deal work and negotiated it successfully. She is unique because she not only counsels clients on legal aspects of business but also on the commercial and economic aspects.

The future of clean energy The need for clean energy is accelerating, driven by COVID and the Biden administration, as well as an increase in decarbonization goals from many utilities and businesses.

Renewable energy has been focused heavily on solar and wind, but other technologies, including advanced battery storage, offshore wind, and hydrogen are moving toward commercialization. Mona has seen a lot of deal activity across the value chain, with many different stakeholders consolidating positions. Major oil and gas companies and governments are also setting ambitious climate goals, and there’s more federal support here in the U.S. and globally. Some countries have mandates or stimulus and tax incentives to capture more renewable energy deals, especially in the power, oil, and gas utility industries.

The potential of hydrogen

Hydrogen has been around for over 100 years. Many industry stakeholders are currently considering hydrogen production and storage projects, in addition to wind and solar, as part of their decarbonization strategy. The reason it’s taking off now, at least from a domestic standpoint, is because of the push for decarbonization, particularly net-zero goals. Mona has been working on hydrogen in Europe for a while, but in the past year has recently been working in the United States with blending hydrogen and natural gas to support utilities, pipelines, and oil and gas majors’ decarbonization efforts.

While clean hydrogen is expensive now, it can be equated to what solar was 15 or 20 years ago. When a country promotes hydrogen strategies with incentives, there will be a proliferation of deals. Mona is currently working on deals that combine renewables and hydrogen, as combining many different contributing elements creates a hydrogen hub, which is a favorite pathway for how clean hydrogen usage will develop.

Resources & People Mentioned * Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP * Nikola and TC Energy Sign Joint Development Agreement

Connect with Mona Dajani * On Linkedin

Mona Dajani, qualified as a lawyer in the U.S., as a registered foreign lawyer in England and a licensed professional engineer, serves as a lead lawyer in complex mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, financings, and project development transactions involving energy and infrastructure facilities in the United States and around the world. She is the global co-leader of the firm’s Energy and Infrastructure Projects Team and also leads the Renewable Energy practice, which covers clean energy, clean energy technology, hydrogen, and sustainable finance.

Mona focuses her global practice on project finance, corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, sustainable finance, portfolio acquisitions, tax equity, construction and/or restructuring for government and private clients involving energy and infrastructure projects. In her over 20 years of practice, she has led numerous financing and acquisition/disposition and project development transactions involving solar, wind, hydrogen, hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass, waste to energy, and Net Zero disruptive technology, such as connectivity, autonomous driving, and e-mobility, as well as gasification, transmission lines, and oil and gas pipelines. She has substantial experience with respect to syndicated loan and debt capital markets transactions, sustainable finance, ESG, syndicated commercial bank debt, commercial paper programs, and arranging capital for new and established energy and infrastructure companies. She has represented a wide variety of commercial and public institutions, sponsors, utilities, financial institutions, underwriters, energy and clean technology companies, private equity funds, investment banks, and multilateral agencies in transactions throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Very recently, Mona led a team of Pillsbury lawyers representing Archaea Energy LLC, an emerging leader in the development and advancement of renewable natural gas (RNG), in a business combination agreement valued at £1.15 billion with Aria Energy LLC led by Rice Acquisition Corporation, a SPAC focused on the energy transition sector. The business combination creates the leading U.S. RNG platform. The combined company, Archaea Energy, is dedicated to reducing carbon emissions through landfill gas conversion, CO2 sequestration, and green hydrogen.

Mona is on several boards, including the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE); ABANA - the preeminent U.S. organization for finance professionals and institutions with interest in the Middle East and North Africa; The Energy Lawyers Network; The Institute for Energy Law - International Section; American Bar Association - Energy and Resources; and American Bar Association - Vice Chair, Project Finance of the Energy Infrastructure and Siting Committee.

Mona has been recognized as a leading lawyer by A Word about Wind Legal Power List (twice), Financier Worldwide Power Players: Project Finance & Infrastructure 2021 - Distinguished Advisers, winner of Law 360 MVP 2021 award Project Finance 2021, Financier Worldwide POWER PLAYERS: Project Finance & Infrastructure 2021 - Distinguished Advisers, Chambers Global, Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America, IFLR1000, “Who’s Who” and other rankings by other organizations and publications. She has been named to the “Lawdragon 500: Leading Lawyers in America” and has also been listed in Superlawyers magazine. Ms. Dajani was identified for her work in renewable energy as one of “The Decade’s Most Influential Lawyers” by The National Law Journal. She has been named one of the “Five Most Influential People in Energy” by Euromoney/Institutional Investor. Mona is listed as “a leader in renewables” by ‘The Lawyer Hot 100 Lawyers’.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla talks with Daren Kaiser, Global Energy Strategy Leader - General Mills, at the recent Distributed Energy Forum. They discuss the unique challenges related to General Mills’ ambitious decarbonization goals and the tactics Daren is employing to deliver against its sustainability commitments, such as energy optimization and CHP solutions. Listen in to hear more about industrial decarbonization strategies.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Daren’s role at General Mills [02:29] * How has General Mills’ focus shifted? [04:06] * General Mills progress and goals [08:18] * 2020’s business impact [11:41] * Energy optimization efforts [12:44] * The challenges of thermal-heavy plants [16:37] * Evaluating a third-party energy service [19:37] * What’s next for General Mills? [20:57]

Daren’s role at General Mills The majority of Daren’s work has been as a technical leader in several of General Mills’ large sites across the country. He has had the opportunity to work in the utility infrastructure at each of those sites, so he’s familiar with optimization. For the last three years, Daren has been in a corporate engineering role responsible for leading and supporting some of the optimization work for utilities at General Mills’ sites globally. He’s also led broader initiatives such as wind farms, solar, and other projects in the sustainability and decarbonization areas.

General Mills’ decarbonization strategy Based on the profile and nature of General Mills’ load, electrification isn’t going to work for them right now. They’re interested in CHP because it will directly offset the natural gas they have to burn. A setback they’ve seen is capital investments or having a high enough payback to attract their own internal capital. The fact that CHP is still based on fossil fuels is another area of concern. While it provides great efficiency, it’s not a long-term solution for the environment. Right now, however, it’s a more reliable option than just solar or wind because it can run all day and when it’s needed. Over time, CHP would drive more decarbonization in today's environment than either solar or wind for the same megawatt design.

General Mills is currently focused on continuing the optimization work using the Department of Energy’s types of modeling. They’ll continue to look at renewables to expand for their RE 100 goal. Internationally, they’ve not gotten to 100% yet. By 2030, they’ll have that solved, whether it be solar or RECs. Daren hopes they’ll be piloting CHP at some sites soon and expanding to others if it’s successful. They’ll also be monitoring what’s happening in changes in technology and government incentives to see what direction there might be extra funding that doesn’t exist today.

Focusing on sustainability Industrial companies have had a challenging time establishing decarbonization strategies because so much of their emissions are generated from thermal loads. For a lot of businesses, energy optimization, utilities, and optimization were always about cost savings. However, in the last couple of years, General Mills has been placing higher importance on the sustainability and environmental aspects of this optimization work. Their renewed focus on sustainability isn’t just to be a good corporate citizen but to make the planet a better place for everyone.

Resources & People Mentioned * General Mills: Purpose * Better Plants | Better Buildings Initiative

Connect with Daren Kaiser * By email Daren.Kaiser@genmills.com

Daren has more than 30 years of experience in manufacturing. He was named General Mills’ Global Energy Strategy Leader in 2018. The company has announced a science-based goal to reach a 29% reduction in GHG emissions by 2025 compared to a 2010 baseline. Daren was Plant Tech Manager for General Mills from 1997-2017 in Buffalo, Cincinnati, Covington, GA, and Murfreesboro, TN. Previously, he was a plant tech manager for Purina and a manufacturing engineer for Frito-Lay. Daren has a BS – IEE from Iowa State University.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla talks with Doug Sansom, Managing Director – Distributed Energy Resources at NRG Energy, at Smart Energy Decisions’ recent Distributed Energy Forum. They discuss the tools that customers need in order to take control of their total energy management strategy. Listen in for insightful energy management strategies.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * 2021 Distributed Energy Resources Survey [03:40] * Optimizing energy management [05:49] * Tools that provide more control [08:19] * Proven strategies for energy optimization [12:01] * What does overall success look like? [16:29] * Sustainability is about good substitution [21:40]

Simplifying energy management Energy management is not just about providing energy for the facility - operators must also consider sustainability objectives. Reliability and economic objectives play a part as well through participation in local programs and monetizing some behind-the-meter assets. These strategies need to be cohesive, otherwise facilities’ efforts will be split and confusing.

A company often has as many as five or more vendors involved in energy management. Each vendor may have local advantages in that they have a local team to see things through for the facility in question. However, these vendors may also have different objectives. A local generator/distributor, for example, would have a very different objective than the power provider/supplier for the facility. The total energy management concept is all about bringing everything together under one vendor to coordinate common objectives and alignment to achieve the company’s goals.

Combining supply and curtailment planning Facilities and companies need to consider combining the supply side and the curtailment side of their business. In this way, they can begin to understand how to dispatch in such a way that makes the most sense to the business operation and, at the same time, impacts the cost of supply at that location.

It’s possible to lose money by going with the lowest cost vendors at every stage because the objectives are conflicting. Simplification is an essential part of energy management. Understanding factors such as the impacts of operation on energy cost, where it makes sense, the cost-benefit of operating versus not operating, and when to operate is vital to successfully optimizing a company’s energy structure through a total energy management plan. Yes, this will require a lot of work upfront, but over the long term, it has proven to be the most effective approach.

Approaching optimization Optimization is a journey that can’t be executed in a day. There are a lot of factors to understand, and it’s unlikely that that’s going to happen in one short session of analysis. This prospect can seem overwhelming to most companies, but they don’t have to try to do it alone. They can bring in outside groups to help them understand and build a total energy structure and plan. In this way, companies will know what’s necessary for the journey, when they’re going to get there, and their overall cost savings. They can measure and verify as they move through the process. Flexibility is critical as energy prices, peak hours, and availability change. Being flexible and adaptable is how a company can manage those changes to achieve its overall plan successfully.

Resources & People Mentioned * The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Connect with Doug Sansom * By Email at HughDouglas.Sansom@nrg.com

Doug Sansom currently serves as Managing Director of Distributed Energy Resources for NRG. He customizes Demand Response and Distributed Energy Resource solutions for North American utilities. For the past 17 years, Doug has served in executive positions with smart grid and demand response companies like Comcast, BPL Global, Compath Technologies, and Comverge. He has managed residential and large commercial & industrial demand response projects in the US and abroad for utilities like Visayan Electric Company, Pepco Holdings, and Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative. He has also deployed smart grid projects in Cebu City, Bangkok, Curitiba, Kuwait City, and Le Mans.

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This episode of Smart Energy Voices is produced in partnership with Evergy Energy Partners. Host John Failla is joined by Evergy’s Robert Day, Executive Director of Origination, and Grant Wilkerson, Director of New Business Development to discuss how Evergy is responding to the unique needs of large power users in both regulated and deregulated markets for renewable energy. Listen to learn more about their inside perspective.

NOTICE: The views and opinions of our guests from Evergy Energy Partners today are based solely on their personal knowledge and experience in the energy industry and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinion of Evergy or the company’s opinions of the current or future energy markets.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Who are Robert and Grant? [01:42] * What do customers want in regulated markets? [04:09] * The background of Evergy [07:00] * Evergy’s renewables in regulated markets [08:37] * Customer response to tariffs [14:49] * Evergy’s unregulated market projects [17:09] * The future of Evergy [21:37]

Who is Evergy? Evergy was created three years ago from the merger of Kansas City Power and Light and Westar Energy. This consolidation made sense as a way to bring a better product to their customers, allowing them to provide less expensive long-term costs to the service areas they had in common.

The Evergy Energy Partners division of Evergy looks at how to optimize assets for their customers and deal with the integrated market in a way that best performs for these customers. Their efforts are focused on doing what they can to push forward for the customer and provide the best products available.

Unregulated markets Evergy has had several wholesale customers who want renewable products. One action they’ve taken for these customers is to aggregate a wind farm, bringing togethers six customers who signed up for the facility. This resulted in a fully subscribed wind farm at a price the companies were willing to pay, thus giving them access to a renewable resource at a competitive price.

Another way Evergy has reached unregulated markets is through selling solar arrays to various companies. Baldwin City, Kansas has had a solar array online for about two years, allowing them to provide solar power to their community. Evergy is constructing another solar array in West Plains, Missouri, which will be completed in the Spring of 2022. Another array that is being completed within the month is located in Paragould, Arkansas. Additionally, wholesale customers have approached Evergy for help with renewables.

The future of Evergy Energy Partners Technology is changing dramatically and quickly. Solar itself has come a long way from when it was introduced to where it is now. Now the question is how to integrate technologies. In the next couple of years, demand response will play a significant role in integrating the renewable energy stream. The customers can control some of the demand response and help integrate renewable energies into their portfolios.

Customers are going to play a vital role in the future of renewables as they integrate technologies and make progress happen. Relatively simple actions such as integrating EV charging stations into the portfolio are moving in the right direction. Everyone brings something to the table and will help figure out how to make everything work together. They’ll figure out new technologies like hydrogen fuel generation and green ammonia. At some point, the resource will be found that provides what the grid needs. One of the biggest challenges in renewables is a safety net, and customers will play a crucial role in creating that technology.

Resources & People Mentioned * Evergy Energy Partners - Creative and Flexible Energy Strategies * Evergy: Renewables Direct * Evergy | Wind farm powers KCI, large businesses

Connect with Robert Day * On LinkedIn

As Executive Director of Origination, Robert Day supports the originators by removing roadblocks for the group, as well as the entire Evergy Energy Partner team. Robert has been with Evergy Energy Partners during his entire 16-year career with the company and says, "The best part of working with our customers is knowing we are bringing value to them while satisfying their needs."

Connect with Grant Wilkerson * By email

Grant Wilkerson is Evergy’s Director of New Business Development. This group is responsible for renewable product development and services for both retail customer programs as well as wholesale customers. The group concentrates on products and services centered around energy integration in retail tariffs as well as wholesale RTO market participation. He has been involved in more than 4,000 MW of renewable energy participation in Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) markets. Grant has over 30 years of industry experience. His experiences include roles in the electricity market including trader, marketer, market analytics, market design, tariff, and regulatory development. He began his career in the natural gas industry and includes Engineering and pipeline design, regulation station design and construction, metering, and SCADA system design.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla has a conversation with Dr. Becca Jones-Albertus, Solar Energy Technologies Office Director, Department of Energy. The DOE recently released the Solar Futures Study detailing the significant role of solar in decarbonizing the nation’s power grid. The study showed that by 2035 solar energy has the potential to power 40% of the nation’s electricity, drive deep carbonization of the grid, and employ as many as 1.5 million people without raising electricity prices. Listen in to hear from the mind and leader behind that study.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * The mission of the DOE’s Solar Office [04:23] * The goals of the Solar Futures Study [07:23] * Job creation through solar deployment [14:14] * Savings potential of decarbonizing the grid [16:53] * Funding for decarbonization [21:01] * Targeting Justice 40 goals [23:11] * Where will all the new solar go? [27:37] * Grid integration obstacles [30:12] * Becca’s career in renewable energy [41:37]

The Solar Office’s Mission The Solar Energy Technologies Office focuses on accelerating the advancement and deployment of technology to enable an equitable transition to a decarbonized energy system. They work on advancing both photovoltaic technology as well as concentrating solar thermal power. They address market barriers and deployment challenges and work on how to integrate solar into the energy system. They take a comprehensive look at how to accelerate seller deployment and increase the benefits that come to the U.S. that come from that deployment.

As stewards of taxpayer dollars, the Solar Office can quickly make things happen that the private sector may have taken a decade to do. The Solar Office is working hard to enhance solar’s ability to support the power grid’s reliability, resilience, and security. They’re also working to grow opportunities for good jobs for Americans in the solar industry by supporting entrepreneurs and providing workforce training. All their work is moving towards President Biden’s Justice 40 goal - to ensure that the benefits and opportunities from increased solar deployment are distributed equitably.

Decarbonizing for health benefits The health savings from decarbonizing the grid come from air quality benefits due to avoided emissions of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide in the power and transportation sectors. Achieving a clean grid alone translates to about $300 billion in savings of health benefits over the 30-year study horizon. Electrifying transportation further lowers nitrogen oxides and particulate matter and saves an additional $100 billion in health damages from these reduced vehicle emissions. These benefits come down to enhancing air quality, which translates into health savings numbers.

Ensuring an equitable transition Our fossil fuel-based energy system has disproportionately harmed low- and moderate-income communities and communities of color. The transition to clean energy needs to be viewed as an opportunity to mitigate these problems by focusing on equity. This will require changes in how the industry operates, including the need to ensure that all parties are brought to the table when decisions are being made. The needs and perspectives of local community groups must be understood. Siting new plants, transmission builds, job opportunities, and workforce training require the thoughtful inclusion of all voices in the decision-making process. There will need to be careful accounting of the benefits and opportunities to ensure support for these under-resourced areas.

Resources & People Mentioned * DOE Releases Solar Futures Study Providing the Blueprint for a Zero-Carbon Grid * SunShot Vision Study * Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS) * FACT SHEET: President Biden Takes Executive Actions to Tackle the Climate Crisis * Jigar Shah | Department of Energy

Connect with Dr. Becca Jones-Albertus * On LinkedIn

Dr. Becca Jones-Albertus serves as the acting director for the Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. She is leading a team dedicated to decarbonizing industry and increasing the competitiveness of the U.S. clean energy manufacturing sectors through process innovations, collaborations, research and development, technical assistance, and workforce training.

Dr. Jones-Albertus came to AMO from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) where she served as director. She has spent her career advancing solar technology, from fundamental research and development to advanced manufacturing. Before her tenure at the Department of Energy, Dr. Jones-Albertus was at Solar Junction where she led efforts to develop two-time world record solar cell efficiencies and to transition these technologies to manufacturing.

Dr. Jones-Albertus graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University with a B.S. in electrical engineering and holds a M.S. and Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. She has more than 10 patents and 40 technical publications.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla had the opportunity to speak with Kyle Harrison about the state of the voluntary carbon offset market. Kyle is the Head of Sustainability Research at BloombergNEF. Over the last three years, Smart Energy Decisions has had the privilege of working with BNEF and Kyle on a variety of projects and events. You won’t want to miss Kyle’s interesting and valuable perspective.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * How do carbon offsets work? [03:49] * Overall trends in the sustainability market [08:04] * The future role of carbon offsets [12:19] * Guidelines for carbon offsets [14:05] * Current carbon offset trends [19:38] * The additionality of carbon offsets [28:15] * What role do consumers play? [30:50] * Kyle’s career progression [33:18] * What impact would Kyle like to have? [40:04]

What is BloombergNEF? At the highest level, Bloomberg is a financial data provider. Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) is the market research arm of Bloomberg, specifically focused on the low-carbon transition. Kyle’s sustainability team focuses on markets and technologies. They look at the cost of solar and at power market dynamics across the United States. They also view the low-carbon transition through the lens of the private sector. Overall, Kyle and his team help companies understand ESG reporting and target setting. Once these plans are set, they provide research on how to finance and work towards achieving those targets. They help companies use strategies like stainable debt instruments or purchasing clean energy or carbon offsets to achieve a net-zero goal or other types of sustainability target.

Why do companies choose carbon offsets? In many cases, carbon offsets are going to be the final mechanism that a company will use to address emissions they can’t reduce with any other method. For example, a company might look at clean energy and electrification, or they’ll change their business model and move away from oil into technologies like hydrogen or clean energy development. Once they’ve exhausted all those options, most companies will still see some residual emissions that they can’t reduce or remove, no matter what they do. That’s where there’s going to be an opportunity for carbon offsets. On the other hand, there will also be some companies that will take the easy way out from the start — they will dive right in and purchase millions of carbon offsets quickly to meet a carbon-neutral or net-zero target, at least in the interim. There will be a range of strategies for companies in the decarbonization spectrum.

The future of carbon offsets There’s a bit of a divide between companies regarding how they view the additionality of carbon offsets. A lot of companies value the opportunity to buy carbon offsets over the counter. In this way, they can log directly into a bilateral emission reductions purchase agreement with a carbon offset project and buy those offsets long-term. Theoretically, that allows the project to get financed and therefore built. However, this requires a lot of expertise. There’s not a blueprint for carbon offsets like there is for PPA, and many companies don’t know what they’re getting themselves into when they enter the market. Some companies, instead, would love to purchase carbon offsets from an exchange.

Kyle has confidence in the growing prominence of carbon offset exchanges as more companies enter the market. The demand is too great to be satisfied through bilateral contracts alone. A faster, more liquid form of transaction is needed. The future will bring a lot more infrastructure to make the carbon offsets market look more like a commodities market. Kyle expects that the price for carbon offsets of all types will rise significantly over the long term and that they will increase more quickly for removal offsets than avoided offsets. Nonetheless, both of those parts of the market will be much more expensive a couple of years down the line than they are today.

Resources & People Mentioned * Climate Action 100+ * Science Based Targets: Ambitious corporate climate action * The LEAF Coalition * Pachama * Nori Carbon Removal Marketplace

Connect with Kyle Harrison * On LinkedIn

Head of Sustainability Research, BloombergNEF

Kyle leads BNEF’s sustainability research team, which publishes content on the private sector's transition to the low-carbon economy. The team focuses on core areas like environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting, target-setting, low-carbon pathways, and sustainable finance. Kyle specializes in corporate clean energy procurement, net-zero targets, and voluntary carbon offsets.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla is joined by Chris Castro, Director of Sustainability & Resilience and Co-Chair of the ‘Future-Ready’ initiative for the City of Orlando. Chris has accomplished a tremendous amount with the city in an amazingly brief time. Listen in to learn more about the thrilling work Chris is currently doing and about this fascinating personal journey in the field of sustainability.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Chris’ beginning in sustainability [02:40] * Effectively building and creating teams [10:06] * Orlando’s sustainability program [11:21] * Seven key priority areas for urban sustainability [17:11] * Climate strategies for cities [20:52] * What’s next for Orlando? [25:30] * Chris’ entrepreneurial projects [29:18] * The biggest challenge in Chris’ career [36:20]

Chris in the City of Orlando Over the last seven and a half years, Chris has had the privilege to work as the Senior Adviser to Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer and direct the Office of Sustainability and Resilience. He oversees some exciting policy interventions, program developments, and partnerships that are being established to advance the overall vision of Orlando. The city’s work is securing its status as one of the most environmentally friendly, socially equitable, inclusive, and economically vibrant cities in the 21st century.

Sustainability challenges in Florida Changing people’s behaviors is extremely difficult to do. Changing the behaviors of an institution like a city that’s been around for hundreds of years adds a whole new level of complexity. That’s the genuine challenge that municipal government leaders like Chris and public officials are trying to address. Florida has had leadership that called climate change a hoax and made legislative sustainability measures banned or illegal. Now Florida has leadership focused on preemptions and stripping local governments’ home rule to address some of the most significant issues. In the recent legislative session, Congress and Florida’s governor signed a preemption bill regulating energy systems within Florida’s cities.

What’s different about Orlando’s sustainability program? A city might have a strong mayor who says that sustainability is a priority. Initiatives will be created — and then a new mayor with a different initiative takes office, and efforts are shifted elsewhere. When Chris began working with the City of Orlando, he started the process of institutionalizing sustainability in the city. He helped the city create an office in the executive department. Now Orlando’s ordinance has a specific chapter focused on sustainability and resilience, and it calls for a Director in the Office of Sustainability. They also have a chapter in internal policies and procedures focused on sustainability that specifically calls out this office. Importantly, they’ve created long-term permanence of this work beyond the mayor’s term.

Chris now oversees an office of thirteen individuals. He describes his office as a sustainability consulting firm. Their role is to help the Chief of Police, the Chief of Fire, the Head of Public Works, and the Streets and Stormwater Department implement and change operational procedures to ensure that the city is moving towards its sustainability goals. This model for how a city can transition towards a zero-carbon economy has made Orlando one of the leading cities advancing sustainability.

Resources & People Mentioned * Penelope Canan - Sociology * IDEAS For Us - Advancing Environmental Action Worldwide * Climate First Bank * Buddy Dyer * Epcot Theme Park * Kenneth LaRoe - Founder & CEO - Climate First Bank * Paris to Pittsburgh

Connect with Chris Castro * Their website * On Twitter * On LinkedIn * On Facebook

Chris serves as the Senior Advisor to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Director of Sustainability & Resilience, and 'Future-Ready' steering committee member at the City of Orlando — developing a comprehensive set of policies & programs that has turned Orlando into one of the leading cities in America accelerating sustainability, resiliency, and climate action. Chris is best known for his entrepreneurial efforts prior to coming to the City, including as Co-founder and President of the global sustainability nonprofit, IDEAS For Us, a clean energy consulting firm Citizen Energy, and a renowned urban farming social enterprise Fleet Farming. In 2020, Chris also joined partners to launch ‘Climate First Bank’, the first B-Corp community bank in Florida working to advance ESG and local sustainable investing. Outside of work, Chris serves on many nonprofit and academic boards, including the UCF Energy Research Center, US Green Building Council of Florida, Project Greenschools, and Goodwill Industries of Central Florida. In December 2018, Chris starred in the National Geographic documentary on climate change called "Paris to Pittsburgh" to share the Orlando journey on climate action with millions of people around the World.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla sits down with Tripp Borstel, Head of Transformation at ENGIE Impact. They discuss key levers to work and issues relating to the use of carbon offsets. There’s a lot to cover when it comes to achieving zero emissions - and the scale of the challenge requires creating alignment across a variety of parties within an organization. Listen in to this conversation from Smart Energy Decisions’ recent Renewable Energy Forum.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Tripp’s background and current role at ENGIE [01:46] * What is needed for the energy transition? [03:29] * ENGIE Impact’s definition of net-zero [06:22] * The importance of science-based targets [10:54] * Choosing the best pathway [14:50] * Green thermal and mobility [19:35] * What role should offsets play? [24:21] * ENGIE’s emission reduction commitments [29:30]

Energy efficiency Electrification is often thought of as a way to make the transition from short-term to long-term energy solutions. For a large-scale plant, electrification would be no small feat, so one area that’s getting a lot of interest is heat pumps to replace or augment large boiler systems or other thermal energy sources. What’s interesting is that space is going back to energy efficiency, specifically thermal energy efficiency.

On the longer-term horizon is hydrogen. One important note is the distinction between green hydrogen and other sources of hydrogen. Generating hydrogen using renewable resources is important from a carbon perspective. For instance, in Chile, which arguably has more solar capacity than just around anywhere on the planet, they’re thinking about how to ship that renewable energy since they can’t use it all domestically. A solution is that hydrogen can be put into different forms, sent to a port, shipped to another area, and then used as an energy source.

Navigating energy transformation Decarbonization is a massive transformation, yet it’s often significantly less funded than other major transformations. A lot of the work is in carefully considering what investment is needed to achieve the established goals. There are two components of transformation. One is technical transformation, which includes mobility solutions, energy efficiency solutions, and renewable energy needed. The second component is the human and organizational systems that need transforming inside of an organization. That requires designing programs that engage the entire organization and create alignment and ownership across the different parties.

Everyone’s role in the energy transition The scale of energy transition requires senior leaders to provide inspiration and marshal the organization’s resources. Data is crucial for measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions. It’s what determines the progress and confirms ROI. CFOs play a critical role in planning how to finance those decarbonization solutions and procurement organizations in Scope 3 emissions. They determine how to engage the suppliers and help those suppliers reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Marketing has an important role, particularly internally. They establish a narrative that will engage employees in a way that’s authentic to the organization.

Resources & People Mentioned * The Paris Agreement * Andrew Winston – Winston Eco-Strategies * The Big Pivot * Nikola Energy * The Blue Carbon Initiative

Connect with Tripp Borstel * On LinkedIn

Tripp is a Director with ENGIE Impact’s Sustainability Solutions. He has 15 years of experience as a strategy consultant to senior executives in developing climate and energy strategies. His focus is on managing the cultural dynamics of strategy and building high levels of stakeholder alignment throughout the strategy development process. Tripp has worked with corporations, non-profits, and cities. Currently, his work focuses on helping organizations develop net zero targets and strategies. He lives in Oakland, California, and has an MBA from UC Berkeley.

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The Big Pivot: Radically Practical Strategies for a Hotter, Scarcer, and More Open World

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This episode of Smart Energy Voices continues our series on Inspiring Diversity in Energy with a panel from the recent Renewable Energy Forum. Smart Energy Decisions’ Debra Chanil sat down with Ajulo Othow, co-founder and CEO of EnerWealth Solutions, LLC, and Dana Clare Redden, founder of Solar Stewards. With this experience in creating companies in the solar space, they’ll discuss the challenges of entrepreneurship and what they think is needed to bring more diversity to the solar industry. Listen in to learn what you can do to help inspire diversity.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Ajulo and Dana’s backgrounds in the energy industry [03:12] * The founding of EnerWealth Solutions [10:08] * Dana’s experience with discrimination [14:06] * Regulatory impacts on energy transition [18:10] * Success stories from Ajulo and Dana [23:19] * What is needed for more diversity in solar? [28:35]

Diversity in the boardroom The topic of diversity has been front of mind for quite some time. The discrimination and barriers have been very stark. One example is the number of anecdotes about women in board meetings voicing some expertise that no one acknowledges, followed by a male counterpart expressing the same idea - and having it be accepted. These types of experiences, microaggressions, and full-out discrimination are a very impactful part of anyone’s journey who experiences them. That’s why Dana feels that the work she and Ajulo are doing is so important. They must tell their stories to make things better for those coming along the path. There’s always a challenge to leverage that experience towards something good, and the good certainly exists. It’s an opportunity to zero in on those allies who see the value in others. Diversity is an ongoing conversation and opportunity to recognize the advantages to be gained by having a diverse team.

Building resilient communities There is plenty of conversation to be had about how to accomplish the energy transition. However, there is a much more nuanced conversation around our transition to clean energy that is also important to have. There is a way in which carbon reduction occurs that reinforces the same sorts of inequities and leaves behind coal communities and others heavily reliant on fossil fuel industries in general. There needs to be much more discussion about how to make this transition equitable. The Biden Administration’s Justice 40 Initiative - focusing on delivering 40% of overall benefits of federal investments addressing the climate crisis to disadvantaged communities and the establishment of an Environmental Justice Scorecard - is a much broader effort than we’ve had before.

It’s of critical importance for this nation to make it a priority to have greater resiliency in communities. That can be accomplished in several ways, but distributed generation is one of the easiest. FERC 2222 served as the signal to the market that DERs have a place within a big, strategic energy plan. Dana’s motivation is to make sure that those assets are located in communities of color to gain the benefits. Dana believes that every private sector actor who has a sustainability goal should have an environmental justice goal incuded within that.

What is needed to encourage diversity in solar? Giving communities the opportunity to see solar as an excellent career and a solution in their neighborhoods is a first step. People get excited at the possibilities of solar, but they have to learn about it first. Having visibility of the people in solar is encouraging as well. For a young person, seeing Ajulo, Dana, or people in AABE (American Association of Blacks in Energy) will help them become engaged with the solar industry. The more open and welcoming this space is to all sorts of talent, the better off everyone will be in terms of saving the planet.

Resources & People Mentioned * Next OMB Post: The Path to Achieving Justice40 * Coalition for Green Capital - US National Green Bank * FERC Order No. 2222: Fact Sheet * American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) * BOSS

Connect with Dana Clare Redden * On LinkedIn

Celebrating over a decade in the solar industry, Dana Clare Redden is a passionate solar professional dedicated to the development of distributed generation solar globally. Growing up in a small rust-belt town in western Pennsylvania, the environmental impacts of fossil fuels shaped her perspective, particularly for disenfranchised communities and those most vulnerable. Realizing this need for environmental justice and greater resources, Dana founded Solar Stewards, a social enterprise connecting corporate social responsibility initiatives with schools and universities, affordable and senior housing, places of worship, and nonprofits in marginalized communities. Dana holds a Bachelors of Science degree from Drexel University as well as an Executive MBA from IE Business School and Brown University. She is among GRIST Magazine’s 50 Fixers, a two-time judge at the DOE/NREL Solar District Cup, and an ACORE Accelerate member. She currently resides in Atlanta, GA where she continues to work at the intersection of climate action, environmental justice, and social entrepreneurship for communities worldwide.

Connect with Ajulo E Othow, Esq. * On LinkedIn

Ajulo Elisabeth Othow grew up amidst southern traditions in her home state of North Carolina. Her parents, both teachers, imbued her with a love and caring for others as she prepared herself educationally to succeed in her chosen career. At a young age and as she grew into maturity, she traveled with her parents to continents outside of North America, where she became conscious of national and international conditions of humanity. Ms. Othow is now an attorney practicing in Granville County. Ms. Othow is also a solar project developer, one of the only women of color solar developers in the nation; her projects are designed to aid in minority land retention and rural economic development. For more than fourteen years prior to becoming an attorney, she worked with people in small towns across all thirteen southeastern United States, places where people’s one hope is for a future where their children can return home and live a good life.

Ms. Othow holds a Master’s Degree in International Development from George Washington

University, further graduate work in Public Policy from Duke University, and a Doctorate of

Jurisprudence from Northeastern University School of Law. Ms. Othow lives in Oxford, NC with her young son, and mother.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil talks with Katherine Canoy, Director of Energy and Climate Practice at 3Degrees. As more organizations are making ambitious climate commitments, such as net-zero emissions, many companies grapple with the most effective way to address their Scope 3 emissions. Debra and Katherine discussed practical steps that organizations can take to tackle their value chain emissions at SED’s recent Renewable Energy Forum. Listen in on the discussion of this hot topic: reducing Scope 3 emissions.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Katherine’s experience with value chain emissions [03:23] * Defining Scope 3 value chain emissions [05:30] * The value chain emission picture [07:07] * How to address Scope 3 emissions [10:33] * The importance of perspective in climate action [14:15]

From intern to industry leader Katherine’s experience with value chain emissions goes back about fourteen years. She joined the Walmart team in 2007 as a grad school intern. She joined full-time after the company learned that about 90% of its total emissions fell outside its operational boundaries. During her first summer on the job, the team embarked on their first supplier sustainability engagement, holding in-person meetings to address carbon measurement and reductions. There was so much they didn’t know at the time, and the questions were very simplistic. Over the years, after learning so much from their suppliers, consultants, non-profits, and customers, Walmart came to be considered a leader in this space.

Many of the challenges her team faced in 2007 with measuring and reducing value chain emissions remain today. Now, 14 years later, as a consultant with 3Degrees, Katherine has the opportunity to help other organizations navigate these challenges.

Why is Scope 3 crucial? Scope 3 is an increasingly important topic in corporate climate commitments. As part of the United Nations 2015 Paris Agreement, keeping climate change at or below 1.5 degrees Celsius was stressed as critically important to avoid grim effects. To meet that limit, global emissions need to decline from 2010 levels by 45% by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050.

For such a dramatic decline in emissions, it’s necessary not just for governments to make Scope 1 and 2 targets but also for companies to make aggressive Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions targets. The concept is for companies to hold each other accountable, causing more swift and aggressive action. Therefore, public disclosures and corporate goal frameworks must include Scope 3 emissions.

The value of perspective Perspective is just as important in climate action as in any other aspect of life. It is easy to assume that suppliers, vendors, and customers are on the same journey - but sitting in a different place in the value chain can mean different pressures, different resources, and different amounts of leverage. Cost is typically top of mind for any new initiatives, including carbon reductions. Companies need to reach the right decision-makers and show them a business case for climate action. It can be overwhelming to reach out in your value chain to gather that information. The good news is that there are a lot more people working on this now than ever before with more tools and more knowledge available.

Resources & People Mentioned * Project Gigaton * Greenhouse Gas Protocol * UNFCCC The Paris Agreement

Connect with Katherine Canoy * On LinkedIn

With more than 15 years of experience in the energy, sustainability, and climate industries, Katherine Canoy has expertise in renewable energy procurement, energy efficiency, supply chain climate initiatives, and greenhouse gas measurement and reporting. Her client-focused perspective, gained from more than a decade with Walmart’s energy division and previously as an environmental compliance consultant, guides Katherine in benchmarking, goal setting, and project execution at a global scale. As part of Walmart’s goal to reduce supply chain greenhouse gas emissions by 20 million metric tons, Katherine led teams of internal and external stakeholders and managed greenhouse gas reduction projects in a variety of target industries. To help Walmart achieve its goal to be powered 100% by renewable energy, she awarded 420 MW of renewable energy contracts and managed a portfolio of 154 MW of installed onsite solar. Most recently, Katherine was at C2 Energy Capital, a distributed generation solar developer and investor.

Katherine resides in Durham, North Carolina with her husband and two kids, and spends much of her free time answering all the questions a 4-year old can conjure. She holds an MBA from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a MEM in Energy and Policy from Duke University, and a BS from University of Mary Washington.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla speaks with Victor Udo, Bucknell University’s Director of Sustainability. Bucknell University recently announced a 7-acre solar array on the campus. Victor explains how the project came about, how it fits in with their overall sustainability strategy, and what was needed to overcome the sometimes contentious process to gain local ordinance to proceed. This episode is a must-listen for other large power users, especially in higher education.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Victor’s journey to and current role at Bucknell [03:22] * The role of renewables in Bucknell’s sustainability plan [08:07] * The beginning of Bucknell’s solar array project [12:57] * What’s next for Bucknell’s sustainability journey? [16:25] * How will the utility sector need to change? [18:51] * Why is sustainability important to Victor? [22:27] * The biggest influential person in Victor’s life [26:19] * Using your opportunity to help society [31:36] * How does Nigeria move forward as a country? [34:03]

Victor Udo’s experience in renewables Victor is a Nigerian-born American. He started in a battery manufacturing plant in Nigeria through a company in Germany and is excited to see the industry go back to batteries, which he sees as the future of capturing renewable energy. Victor studied in the U.S. at a small school in Birmingham, Alabama. He went on to Howard University, where he worked in a lab with one of his professors. At that time, renewable energy was a thing of the future. After finishing his master’s degree, he was given the opportunity to work for Atlantic City Electric, eventually purchased by Pepco.

When Victor had worked for Pepco for several years, his governor in Nigeria asked him to go back and help with the power infrastructure there, serving about 6 million people. He spent seven years in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. After coming back to the U.S., Victor was offered a position with Bucknell University as the Director of Sustainability. He currently works with the students, faculty, staff, and administration to make sure Bucknell has a solid strategy. They’re developing a ten-year plan to help the university become carbon neutral by 2030. They are also doing their part in restoring the ecology by planting trees.

Bucknell’s carbon-neutral goal Sustainability is something that Bucknell has been involved with for a long time. When Victor joined them, there was a lot that was already going on. In 2008, the university had already committed to becoming carbon neutral. His assignment was to create a sustainability plan focused on carbon neutrality, reducing waste, and encouraging biodiversity and natural habitats. They began by clearly defined terms and what they would do and decided what to do about carbon neutrality. Strategies they discussed were enhancing efficiency, powering the campus, and carbon pricing.

Planning a trajectory with unknown factors Bucknell is creating a roadmap for their carbon neutral by 2030 goal, which should be completed in the next one or two years. They don’t have all the answers yet. Technology isn’t where it needs to be, and there will be financial implications. Also, they don’t know yet what offsets might be acceptable or what their community will prefer. They’re looking at all options that will help them to become both carbon neutral and budget neutral. As with many organizations who have made carbon reduction commitments, Bucknell is in the process of figuring things out as they go.

Resources & People Mentioned * PV - Bucknell University’s new solar array receives approval * Which Way Nigeria?: Structure, Leadership And Equitable Sustainable Development * Sustainability Insights For Electric Power Sector Transformation: Looking at Nigeria * James Knight - Director for Energy & Utilities - Bucknell University

Connect with Victor Udo * On LinkedIn

Dr. Victor Udo is the Director of Sustainability at Bucknell University. Lewisburg, Pennsylvania where he Chairs the President’s Sustainability Council (PSC) consisting of the President, Provost, CFO, senior faculty, students and staff.

He provides the PSC leadership to oversee a simultaneous planning and implementation process for the environmental sustainability objectives in the university strategic plan under four cross-disciplinary working groups - Zero Waste, Carbon Neutrality, Ecological Conservation/ Restoration, and Socially Responsible Investing.

Dr. Udo works with students, faculty, and staff on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) impact investments for innovative sustainability results, including budget-neutral carbon neutrality and circularity enabled waste minimization and ecological vitality.

Dr. Udo is a former CEO with international sustainability and utility processes leadership in academia, state and local governments, and Fortune 500 corporate energy companies. He has significant experience in identifying, analyzing, and incorporating global energy, economic, environmental, and educational trends into both public and private sector governance and infrastructure management.

He is passionate about the convergence of renewable energy resources and storage, electrification of transportation, AI, IoT, and Blockchain in the decarbonization, decentralization, and digitalization of business, academic, and public policy processes.

Dr. Udo obtained his Ph.D. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Delaware. He has a Master’s degree in Energy and Environmental Policy from the University of Pennsylvania along with a Master’s and BSEE from Howard University. Dr. Udo is an Author with several publications, including global, national, and local, sustainable development.

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Which Way Nigeria?: Structure, Leadership And Equitable Sustainable Development

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla sits down with Miro Sutton, Managing Director – Renewable Advisory, Strategy and Origination, NRG Energy. This discussion covers the state of community solar, including key trends, benefits, and common misperceptions. You’ll want to listen in to learn about NRG’s unique approach to developing community solar projects.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Miro Sutton’s background and current role at NRG [02:05] * The current state of community solar [05:21] * Benefits for community solar customers [11:20] * Misperceptions about community solar [13:59] * Community solar’s environmental benefits [17:55] * NRGs unique approach to community solar projects [20:29] * A recent example of a community solar deal [26:34]

Why community solar? The most apparent benefit of community solar is economical. Customers can get guaranteed savings without having to risk money. The only risk is the opportunity cost of a project that may or may not have worked out. That guarantee has been an attractive value proposition in the market and has opened many doors in the industry. Another benefit in some areas is the flexibility of assignment. For example, if a customer has a business that they want to close and open another, they can move their contract to the new business.

From a politician’s perspective, they can increase the solar on the grid through local projects without making a giant deal. They’re also able to democratize access to solar across multiple types of residential and commercial customers who would otherwise not have access. It checks the RPS box, equity box, and all the boxes that politicians love, making for a successful program from all perspectives.

Current trends in community solar Today, savings are guaranteed no matter what the bill credit value is. The customer agreements have gotten a lot friendlier and are moving toward opening up to a lot more people. Financers also are starting to understand that community solar is not like onsite solar or VPPAs. There’s less risk to the individual customer. The customers’ flexibility also translates to flexibility for managing components for the developer.

From the developer’s perspective, there are other trends as well. There’s more focus on LMI (low- or moderate-income) customers. This market brings in new considerations such as qualifying and maintaining the LMI status. The developers also have to deal with increasing grid considerations and interconnections. These factors have been seen in Massachusetts and now Maine. They’re something to consider but are, for the most part, being resolved favorably for the industry.

Streamlining community solar NRGs process is focused on saving their customers time and money. The main focus is on saving the customers time. Part of this is due to programs being fragmented and nuanced. Rather than customers worrying about timing and which provider to choose, NRG takes care of all of those details. They are there to prepare their customer with everything needed to take the plan to their leadership and get it executed. One of the first things NRG does is present a customized contract template to the legal teams on the customer side. After that document is finalized, NRG takes it to the development community with a request for offers. This process saves a significant amount of time for the customer and creates an entirely homogenized experience. Using a model like this, it’s no wonder NRG has been successful in community solar projects across the nation.

Resources & People Mentioned * Starbucks Deal to Power with Renewable Energy * New York state will consolidate billing for community solar customers

Connect with Miro Sutton * On LinkedIn

Miro Sutton leads the Renewable Advisory team at NRG, assisting Fortune 500 customers in their renewable procurement efforts by creating customized renewable and sustainable energy solutions. He has been part of 4+GW of renewable transactions in his career. Miro has 14 years of experience working in the renewable energy industry, including seven years with NRG. Miro has originated over 1.5GW of renewable energy projects for Fortune 100 C&I customers including Ecolab, US Bank, Lowes, and other similar entities. Additionally, Miro has supported C&I customers 400+MW of Community Solar subscription agreements across four states. Miro was involved in the founding of the Carbon War Room, the promotion of PACE financing solutions, the creation of the Cash for Clunkers bill (“CARS” H.R. 1550), and the development of international programs.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla is joined by Zephyr Taylor, Global Director of Renewable Energy, Mars Inc. This engaging conversation took place during Smart Energy Decisions’ Renewable Energy Forum. They discussed Mars’ progress against its “Sustainable in a Generation” plan and its ambitious emissions reduction and renewable energy goals. Listen to hear more about Zephyr’s work at Mars and for bonus content exclusive to this episode only!

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Zephyr’s background and role at Mars [02:07] * Mars’ “Sustainable in a Generation” plan [04:05] * Sourcing renewables in global markets [08:26] * The biggest challenge in a global portfolio [13:42] * What’s next for Mars Inc? [16:32] * Zephyr’s journey to renewables [21:45] * Zephyr’s proudest accomplishment [28:36] * What would Zephyr like for the future? [33:10]

Sustainable in a Generation Mars’ “Sustainable in a Generation” plan encompasses two key categories: a healthy planet and healthy people. As a renewable energy commercial head, Zephyr supports the healthy planet/ environmental side of the equation. The first goal for the company’s sustainability initiative is decarbonization. Their internal goal is 67% by 2050 of all of their emissions, and, 100% of Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2040. Renewable energy is the strategy Mars is using to address most of their Scope 1 and 2 emissions, pursuing these deals because most of their direct emissions come from energy usage.

Mars’ renewable energy targets include their thermal usage, principally natural gas burned for industrial processes in gas boilers at their factories. This problem is a fundamentally different challenge than solving renewable electricity needs from a commercial and technological perspective. That energy subsector is in a much earlier stage, with pilot projects such as hydrogen and anaerobic digesters. Because of its unique challenge, renewable thermal will become an increasingly disproportionate part of Zephyr’s day. He looks forward to being part of Mars’ finding the most viable commercial models to replace fossil gas and integrate into their global portfolio.

Global renewable energy deals The U.S. was Mars’ first market to make a major power purchase agreement. In 2015, that came in the form of a large wind farm in Texas that covered 100% of Mars’ electricity needs in the country. That set in motion the global perspective of addressing renewable energy needs through large, offsite deals. In countries where offsite deals aren’t available, Mars looks for alternative deal structuring options such as onsite, behind the meter, and shorter-term compilations to achieve as much renewable energy coverage as possible. There are some commonalities in the approach to evaluating different markets and renewable energy deal structures - but to a large degree, that’s where the commonality ends.

Understanding individual markets Energy and renewables are some of the most hyper-localized markets and sectors for any commodity. The way energy is bought and sold, key market participants, the counterparties to any deal, and the regulatory environment differ drastically between markets, especially in less regulated markets. The intriguing aspect is that there can be situations where there are markets with a developed renewable energy sector from some perspectives. However, the regulatory, commercial, and contracting environments are such that you can’t easily contract bilaterally. The processes from one market aren’t going to transpose smoothly into another. Every individual market requires a unique approach to do the market assessment and to understand the market risk and design to get the best deal for your company.

Resources & People Mentioned * Mars' Sustainability Plan * Renewable Energy Forum - Summer 2021 * Renewable Thermal Collaborative

Connect with Zephyr Taylor * On LinkedIn

As the Global Commercial Director and Category Lead for Renewable Energy, Zephyr oversees Mars’ renewable energy sourcing throughout the world – including market assessment, supplier engagement, deal structuring and negotiation, and key internal stakeholder management alongside team oversight.

Zephyr has led the development and execution of strategic renewable energy initiatives for the public and private sectors globally. His expertise includes policy and regulation, project development and transaction structuring, and thought leadership on energy market reform and stakeholder mobilization.

Zephyr holds an MBA and a Master of Environmental Management from Yale University. He received his undergraduate degree with Highest Honors in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, produced in partnership with EDF Renewables, host John Failla is joined by Raphael Declercq, Executive Vice President, Distributed Solutions & Strategy at EDF Renewables North America. Raphael has been working with EDF for 12 years, with a background in consulting and banking. Since mid-2010, his role has been to build an offering for C&I customers and other entities looking for distributed solutions. Listen as they discuss the changing needs of large electric power users and how EDF is evolving in response to those needs.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * EDF’s global footprint [03:37] * The evolving needs of recent times [08:44] * How is EDF responding to current needs? [13:21] * Powerflex’s solar component [18:53] * Storage’s role in Powerflex [22:29] * EV charging in the Powerflex model [28:04] * The essential software providing solutions [33:00] * Microgrid projects [38:12] * How can we be successful in the future? [40:50]

EDF’s worldwide scope EDF Renewables is one of the largest producers of electricity globally, operating the largest transmission and distribution networks in Europe. As a developer and operator of renewable projects, EDF is an integrated energy player and is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange. Present in 22 countries, EDF is growing in North America, starting with wind and diversifying in solar and storage. They’ve been very active in helping the US transform the energy industry by providing those projects. Historically the company mainly provided those projects to load-serving entities and utilities in particular. But in 2010, they started to see demand come directly from end-users as those entities were looking for solutions closer to home.

Distributed energy via Powerflex EDF has been working on storage for years, with 40-megawatt hours that are in construction or already operating, primarily in California. Even as they are seeing an increased relevance for this technology, a new question has come up recently. Customers who already have a meter system for solar are asking why they should bother adding more investment for storage. The answer is that the regulations are going to evolve. The direction the regulators are going to take will be to encourage storage, increasing the effectiveness of solar.

C&I customers are maturing in their approach to solve self-imposed challenges on the ESG side. EDF is gathering all the distributed energy that is dedicated to C&I customers onsite under the Powerflex brand. Powerflex provides a one-stop shop for solar, storage, and smart EV charging needs. EDF has developed an energy management system (EMS) that orchestrates those different pieces, allowing customers to maximize their savings while meeting their ESG goals.

Coordinating Technologies EDF has created a unique platform that allows customers to pick from multiple models and plug them into a common core. These options will enable customers to maximize savings and the consumption of solar with different assets. The integrated EMS that EDF has invested in allows various assets to be coordinated. It maximizes the availability of kilowatts in the system without going through expensive, lengthy upgrades of transformers and equipment. It also allows EV owners to plug in, enter information into an app, and schedule energy consumption in a way that avoids creating energy peaks. That avoidance of peaks is essential for the energy bill and the grid. The same software can maximize how batteries are used to prevent peaks due to the profile of solar. Projecting further in the decade, having hundreds of assets operating in a coordinated way will allow grid operators to be served with more flexible grid services.

Resources & People Mentioned * EDF Renewables Powering Progress | Sustainable Energy in North America * Exxon: At least 2 board members lose seats in fight over climate change * PowerFlex: Home

Connect with Raphael Declercq * On LinkedIn

Raphael leads the Distributed Solutions business unit of EDF Renewables North America and works with the President & Chief Executive Officer to craft and implement the Strategy of EDF Renewables.

Raphael has responsibility over the teams and legal entities conducting activities at the distribution level. Through a combination of acquisitions and internal growth, Raphael had a leading role in building the commercial solar, storage, and smart Electric Vehicle charging business of EDF Renewables. He now oversees the operations of this fast-growing part of our business. In his strategy role, he has a focus on identifying growth opportunities for EDF Renewables businesses in North America.

Prior to transferring to North America in 2011, Raphael worked for EDF Renouvelables in Paris as Deputy Executive Advisor. In North America, Raphael initially focused on divestitures and merger & acquisitions. Earlier in his career, Raphael was a strategy consultant at McKinsey & Company, where he primarily focused on the energy and heavy industry sectors. Raphael holds Masters in Management from HEC Paris business school and CEMS (Community of European Management Schools).

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla is joined by his friend and colleague Peter Kelly-Detwiler, founder of NorthBridge Energy Partners. Peter is an active faculty member of Smart Energy Decisions and has decades of experience in the energy industry. Join as John and Peter discuss Peter’s new book: The Energy Switch.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Who is Peter Kelly-Detwiler? [02:19] * Peter’s motivation for writing his book [03:53] * Changing the face of the grid [09:14] * Enabling the grid change [17:08] * Coordinating the state and federal levels [23:43] * Adoptable pricing models [27:08] * Is a 100% carbon-free grid possible? [31:08] * Peter’s passion for clean energy [39:54] * The hopeful impact of The Energy Switch [47:39]

The journey to “The Energy Switch” Peter Kelly-Detwiler has been in the electric industry for 30 years. Starting as a consultant for the Cree Indians, he next spent a few years in Chile, then came back to the USA and worked in competitive retail energy markets. From there, he moved into starting up Constellation Energy, where they paid large customers not to use energy during periods of peak demand. In 2012, Peter took severance from Epsilon/Constellation and began his modern life. He was curious to figure out how all the aspects of the grid were going to start working together. In his hunt for information, he wrote hundreds of Forbes articles, which led him to begin working with SED.

Eventually, Peter felt as though he had written enough articles that he had a good picture of the industry. During his research, he had tried to find a single source, document, or conversation that would help him put all his thoughts together, but he couldn’t find what he was seeking. So he decided to create this resource himself, framing and contextualizing concepts to be understandable to readers.

Helping people understand clean energy While writing, Peter tried to maintain the perspective of what it was like not to know what he had learned. Thinking in this way, he could make technically complex information accessible to everyone. By attaching the concepts to people, Peter was able to use stories to onramp the nuances and complexities of whatever space they inhabited.

In his book, Peter lists four stages that are necessary for grid change. The first step is changing the grid to be able to manage supply and demand instantaneously. Second, many renewables have to be introduced into the system. The third step is changing the negative covariance. Fourth is bringing in longer-duration resources. Creating these resources is what California is doing with their new RFPs, and other companies are doing this with liquid air. Ultimately these changes will get companies to about 70-80%. Part of the struggle of the fourth step is what to do from a seasonal perspective. Storage is needed to move vast amounts of power, which is likely a role for hydrogen.

Is a 100% carbon-free grid possible? Due to long-duration storage issues, the most significant gap in progress is in the last 25%. While possible conceptually, the solution is yet to be found, and the focus will need to shift to new technologies. As the path is navigated, new ideas will surface that will bridge the last gap.

One example of the direction of change is the increasing electric vehicle sales. In the future, gigawatt-hours or terawatt-hours of energy are expected to be driving around on wheels. However, these batteries do nothing while the vehicles aren’t being used. Companies like Volkswagen say they will make all of their vehicles bidirectional by next year to create more use for these batteries. Ford’s F150 Lightning will be capable of plugging into homes and providing backup power in the event of outages. Bringing that power back to the grid will create a product people want while helping the energy transition.

Resources & People Mentioned * The Energy Switch * GE Minds + Machines * IEA Net-Zero by 2050 * Be one of the first 10 people to email john@smartenergydecisions.com requesting a copy of The Energy Switch and we will send you a signed copy!

Connect with Peter Kelly-Detwiler * Peter Kelly-Detwiler on LinkedIn

Peter Kelly-Detwiler - Smart Energy Decisions’ Director of Educational Programming and Principal of NorthBridge Energy Partners - has 30 years of experience in the electric energy arena, with much of his career in competitive power markets. He’s currently a leading consultant in the electric industry, providing strategic advice to clients and investors, helping them to navigate the rapid evolution of the electric power grid. Mr. Kelly-Detwiler offers numerous keynotes and workshops on a wide range of topics. He has also written widely on energy issues for Forbes.com and GE, with over 300 articles to his credit. His book on the transformation of electric power markets - “The Energy Switch” - will be published by Prometheus Books in June of 2021.

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The Energy Switch: How Companies and Customers are Transforming the Electrical Grid and the Future of Power

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At a recent Innovation Summit, host Debra Chanil sat down with Ken Watson, a Sr. Manager of Key Accounts at Acuity Brands, and Andrew Blauvelt, the Vice President of Sales at Acuity Brands for the BuildingOS product group. In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, they discuss the shift in building industry energy metrics and establishing baselines in a world with inconsistent occupancy levels and changing public health guidelines. Listen to hear Andrew and Ken share their extensive experience and insight on best practices for navigating this dynamic shift.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Andrew Blauvelt’s and Ken Watson’s roles in their companies [02:02] * How has 2020 impacted building management? [02:50] * The solution for last year’s data [05:00] * Predictive modeling’s role in ensuring health [07:31] * Resource optimization and new technologies [10:10] * Occupant engagement dashboarding [11:10] * Next steps for energy and efficiency managers [11:49] * Where are companies headed in the coming year? [16:08]

Predictive modeling in response to 2020 Organizations that have used 2020 as a benchmark for climate goals will want to revise their plan for using that year. There were so many variables in 2020 that the data isn’t an accurate representation of what can be expected. COVID-19 has impacted building management in terms of occupancy and energy consumption levels. 2020 usage has skewed the data to the point that it can’t be considered to plan future uses. In addition to COVID, there have been severe weather events throughout the country. The fallout of the pandemic has led to stricter indoor air quality guidelines. Future energy consumption will be increased relative to the past.

Moving forward will require baselines that are established on predictive modeling. Predictive modeling uses real-time data to establish performance baselines essential to helping teams forecast consumption. While corporate sustainability requirements are still a top priority, energy management needs to understand the effects of fluid conditions such as occupancy level, operating hours, and new code requirements.

Involving stakeholders in new technologies Buyers should engage stakeholders by leveraging the current conditions around indoor air quality requirements, fluctuating baseline models, and the uncertainty of future building operations. The ability to aggregate, normalize, predict, and learn across an enterprise of thousands of buildings should no longer be considered a luxury. These tools are needed now. Occupant safety and awareness are paramount to building necessary trust. Communicating that to the industry will help partners be viewed as pioneers within those respective industries on providing safe and trustworthy spaces. Occupant and stakeholder engagement dashboarding helps create a feedback loop that allows organizations to share things like real-time energy use, project status, green initiatives, and post-covid improvements that have been made.

How does a company begin to change? The first step is using the tools that a company already has. In this case, the tool is the air ventilation, bringing more air into a space, flushing out the area, and allowing there to be as much fresh air as possible. The next step is seeing things deeper than airflow, such as particulates, CO2, and VOCs in the air, and then actively managing via alerting and dashboarding how the safe space for your customers is being created. While working that back to sustainability goals, that data can also be used in those predictive models to help you understand the effects of that airflow and new fan energy. The final step is actively comparing those pathogens. Several technologies allow a low-flow UVC to neutralize pathogens up to 99%. These new variables need to be brought back to regression modeling to understand the targets and goals.

For energy and facility managers, the first step should be focusing on low-hanging fruit. Low-cost measures like schedule optimization are an excellent way to get the most out of existing infrastructure. After that, focusing on quick payback projects like an LED retrofit will help get the baseload as low as possible by minimizing capital expense. An ideal end state would be to have an entire portfolio sub-metered and sensored within a single, highly available system. Making adjustments like these, one step at a time, is what will create the energy industry’s needed change.

Resources & People Mentioned * BuildingOS

Connect with Ken Watson * LinkedIn

Ken Watson is a Sr. Manager of Key Accounts with over 10 years of experience working with enterprise organizations. Ken is an advocate for cloud-based EMIS solutions that enable clients to hit their climate and energy reduction targets using actionable data. His previous experience in managing and procuring energy gives him a deep understanding of the needs building operators have to improve overall energy performance. Prior to his current role as a Senior Manager of Key Accounts at Acuity Brands, Ken worked as a Business Development Manager for Digital Services at Siemens. He's a Certified Energy Manager and Certified Energy Procurement Professional through the Association of Energy Engineers and a LEED Green Associate. Ken holds a Bachelors of Business Administration/Finance from Illinois

Connect with Andrew G Blauvelt * LinkedIn

Andrew Blauvelt is the Vice President of Sales at Acuity Brands for the BuildingOS product group. He works closely with building owners, operators, consultants and systems integrators to provide a platform which aggregates, normalizes and benchmarks all building related data.

Andrew believes transparency and collaboration are essential to unlocking sustainable buildings that close the loop between owners and occupiers. Andrew has a strong background in building sciences starting as a building automation technician, working as an energy engineer for AECOM, managing business development for Siemens in energy services and analytics, and currently designing a seamless edge to cloud experience at Acuity Brands. Andrew holds a Bachelors in Physics from Albion College, a Bachelors in Materials Science & Engineering from the University of Michigan, and a Masters in Energy Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil discusses several innovative retro-commission projects with Robert Berninger, Director of Plant Operations, Energy and Engineering at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). Bob oversees more than 4 million square feet of critical care facilities in the heart of New York City. Listen as he recounts his experience evaluating potential projects so you can benefit from the great insights Bob has to share.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Robert Berninger’s role at MSKCC [02:18] * Sloan’s innovation award [03:28] * The importance of FDD (Fault Detection & Diagnostics) [05:24] * Current retro-commissioning [09:44] * Cogeneration projects [11:11] * Sloan Kettering’s vendor vetting process [14:49]

Beginning Moves to Fault Detection & Diagnostics Robert Berninger oversees approximately eleven buildings as well as the entire energy budget for the institution. Bob started at MSKCC as the Energy Manager and has worked with them for over fifteen years. In his time there, the institution has kept its energy footprint steady while also doubling in square footage. A significant factor in that achievement was Fault Detection & Diagnostics (FDD). Bob was initially leery of fault detection. He thought it would highlight issues in the building that they couldn’t correct due to other issues. They began with a systematic approach, starting with the chilled water plant, heating plant, and ended with the VAV box level. With FDD, MSKCC is alerted when an issue occurs rather than waiting for a problem to be reported. This reduction in time from issue to resolution has saved energy, time, and money.

Innovation Awards In 2020, MSKCC won the Smart Energy Decisions Innovation Award for Healthcare Energy Data Management for Virtual Energy Monitoring and Fault Detection and Diagnostics. The project started as a response to New York City Local Law #87, which requires all buildings over 25,000 square feet to have an energy audit and retro-commissioning every ten years. In 2018, the Breast and Imaging Center at MSKCC was due for this audit, so they engaged a vendor to create a report. MSKCC used this report to come up with several capital ECMs (energy conservation measures) that had been highlighted. One of the projects was to install a virtual energy managing and fault diagnostic system. This addition was in response to the finding that any time a system was retro-commissioned, the energy usage would gradually increase and undo the initial benefits if the system wasn’t constantly monitored. With fault detection and diagnostics, MSKCC is able to find out immediately if something wasn’t working correctly. This warning allows them to address issues and maintain the benefits of the original adjustments.

The Positive Results of Retro-commissioning Bob defines retro-commissioning as bringing the building back to its original design intent. Recommissioning is going back and commissioning the building again if the building was commissioned in its beginning. And finally, continuous commissioning is using the tools that you have with the BMS and FDD to make sure that the building is operating at its design intent at all times. The continuous detection will provide an alert if something within the system drifts, allowing an immediate repair.

The main campus of MSKCC is using steam to hot water conversion along with cogeneration. The three buildings in the project use Con Ed steam, which is a relatively wasteful system. MSKCC is working on converting 130 air handlers using steam preheats to hot water, changing out the coils, or re-using their chilled water coils for heating using low-temperature hot water. They’re also installing a total of 3.3 MW of cogeneration, which is matched to their base heating load so that there’s no waste of heat. Overall the project will save the institution about $8-10 million per year in energy costs. That’s an improvement anyone can support.

Resources & People Mentioned * 2020 Innovation Awards * Local Law #87 * Local Law #97

Connect with Robert Berninger * On LinkedIn

Robert (Bob) Berninger is the Director of Plant Operations, Energy and Engineering at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). In his 15 years with MSKCC, Bob has held various positions, first as the Energy Manager, overseeing and implementing energy conservation projects, and then as Plant Operations Manager. Currently, he is a Director managing the day-to-day operations of the HVAC systems and staff, overseeing the energy management systems and energy budgets, exploring and implementing energy conservation measures. Prior to this position, Bob was the Assistant Manager of the Physical Plant at Columbia University. He holds a B.E. in Marine Engineering from SUNY Maritime College. Robert is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Certified Energy Auditor (CEA), and a Certified Sustainable Development Professional (CDSP). He also holds a United States Coast Guard Chief Engineer’s Steam and First Engineer Motor License. He is a member of the Association of Energy Engineers and is a past President of the New York City Chapter of AEE. Bob was awarded the International Energy Manager of the Year in 2016 by the Association of Energy Engineers.

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Sustainable finance has emerged as a key driver in the energy transition. In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla is joined by Kara Mangone, Managing Director and Global Head of Climate Strategy at Goldman Sachs. Kara has worked at the forefront of Goldman Sachs’ sustainability commitments over the years, first leading sustainability reporting and investor engagement, then as Chief Operating Officer of Goldman Sachs’ Sustainable Finance Group and now as Global Head of Climate Strategy. Listen in to learn more about Kara’s efforts at Goldman Sachs.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Kara Mangone’s role at Goldman Sachs [01:52] * What is sustainable finance? [03:48] * Growing activity around sustainable finance [08:18] * Global investments into Net-Zero [13:39] * The role of the financial community [19:49] * How did Goldman Sachs get started in sustainability? [26:42] * Sustainable finance in long-term strategy [29:15] * The future of sustainable finance [36:00] * Kara’s career path at Goldman Sachs [41:16]

What is sustainable finance? The role of a financial institution in sustainability isn’t always straightforward. At Goldman Sachs, the approach to sustainable finance starts with the firm’s purpose: to advance sustainable economic growth and financial opportunity. This philosophy sits at the center of everything they do. The manifestation of that philosophy has taken the form of a $750 billion commitment to finance, invest, and advise in sustainable finance by 2030.

Sustainability is representative of risk and opportunities for markets and economies. Climate, for example, can be a transition and physical risk relevant for corporate strategy and portfolio decisions. For Goldman Sachs, sustainable finance shows up in its work with clients, how the firm is managed and the gaps it looks to identify and address in the broader ecosystem. Its work with clients involves engaging at different points in their journeys as they consider the impact of sustainability on their business strategies and performance.

Goldman Sachs’ climate strategy role Kara has a dynamic position leading climate strategy at Goldman Sachs. Her role covers multiple areas, including advancing business practices, the firm’s work with its clients, and its impact on a more resilient future. Every day provides unique opportunities and challenges. One day they could be collaborating with colleagues on their approach to climate risk management and related reporting. Another day could be spent advising clients on their climate considerations and applying them to their business strategy. They also work with nonprofits and the public sector to advance global ambitions on climate.

The journey for sustainable finance Goldman Sachs has a long history of sustainable finance. Their journey started in 2005 with the release of its inaugural environmental policy framework that acknowledged the detrimental impacts of climate change. Several years later, they had their inaugural green financing target. The firm also has demonstrated a track record investing in inclusive growth. Its urban investment group was founded in 2001, which drives investments in communities and economic development, and in the subsequent years the firm has launched high-impact signature programs to promote economic empowerment for women and small businesses, including its One Million Black Women initiative.

There’s an incredible multiplier effect of having the experience and capabilities that Goldman Sachs has developed by partnering with their clients and stakeholders. They use their experience not only to improve their mark but to help other institutions learn to advance their approach as well.

Resources & People Mentioned * Goldman Sachs' Sustainability Report * CEO David Solomon’s 2019 Op-Ed * Environmental Policy Framework * OS-climate * Apple and partners launch $200 million Restore Fund

Connect with Kara Mangone * Kara Mangone on LinkedIn

Kara has spent her career at Goldman Sachs at the intersection of shareholders, policymakers, interest groups, and the firm’s leadership, helping the firm define and execute on its sustainability objectives.

Currently, she is the Global Head of Climate Strategy and is responsible for working across all divisions of the firm to deliver on the firm’s signature climate initiatives. In this capacity, she plays an integral role in the firm’s leadership on climate change, including advancing the firm’s thought-leadership, policy positions, business practices, and external engagement efforts on climate.

Previously, she was Chief Operating Officer of Goldman Sachs’ Sustainable Finance Group, which partners with the firm’s businesses to deliver sustainability-related solutions to clients. These solutions include helping clients to develop capabilities to address climate transition and drive more inclusive growth.

Prior to that, Kara was a managing director in Investor Relations, where she led engagement with the firm’s investors globally on corporate governance and sustainability and worked with management and a diverse array of external partners to develop best-in-class sustainability reporting and disclosure.

Kara earned a BS in English and Finance from Boston College and an MBA from Columbia Business School. She was named a 2020 Millennium Leadership Fellow by the Atlantic Council.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla sits down with Dennis Elliot, Assistant Vice President for Facilities at California Polytechnic State University, to discuss Cal Poly’s climate action plan and decarbonization efforts. In a recent interview Dennis had with SEV’s sister podcast, Beyond the Meter, John learned about the great work Dennis and his team are doing at Cal Poly. Listen to this follow-up interview to learn more about Cal Poly’s work and how it is changing the way academia views its climate impact.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Cal Poly’s ambitious climate action plan [03:02] * Accelerating Cal Poly’s net-zero goal [09:00] * Collaborating for net neutrality [13:44] * Santa Cruz’ model of savings [18:18] * Cal Poly’s carbon offsets [23:14] * Electrification for net-zero [28:59] * Evaluating new suppliers and solution [38:47]

Cal Poly’s master plan Until a few years ago, Cal Poly hadn’t made a comprehensive utilities plan. They had run feasibility studies to assess particular infrastructure needs, but they’d never taken a broader approach across all utility categories at a master planning level. As part of Cal Poly’s 2035 Master Plan development, they recognized the need for a more holistic approach.

To keep their model as accurate as possible, Cal Poly engaged its peers at the Chancellor’s office. By comparing their plans to the database of all the retrofits that have been done across the University of California system, Cal Poly was able to ensure accuracy for various types of construction. Cal Poly evaluated what the impact of maintenance trades staffing would be. Using APPA guidelines for staffing, they updated the model to be more tailored to the university.

Improvements rather than carbon offsets When reductions are as low as they can get, carbon offsets can be considered. However, Cal Poly would prefer to first spend money on building and infrastructure improvements that have real reductions. Cal Poly has a unique position in that they're a large, land-holding institution. With around ten thousand acres of land, they currently have an operational dairy, feed mill, and several animal units. They use some of their compost for soil amendment. Science shows that if the soil's carbon level increases, the soil's ability to hold water is also increased. Treating the ground in this manner is one way Cal Poly is more effectively using its current resources than simply purchasing carbon offsets that could have less impact.

One of the primary strategies for net neutrality is electrification. California is planning on the electric grid being carbon neutral by 2045. If organizations can use electricity as their primary energy source, they should. As it stands, many university campuses have district energy plants with natural gas-fired boilers. The reality of combustion and natural gas is that they cannot exceed more than 100% efficiency. However, because of how the vapor compression refrigeration cycle works when used as either cooling or heating, this method is capable of being 300% efficient. Heat recovery chillers are designed to create a condenser water temperature that is higher than other chillers. Then that heated water is sent to a boiler plant as a supply of heating energy.

Carbon neutrality by 2025 The entire UC system has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by the year 2025. Since UC can afford to do things that the state colleges can't, they share resources and ideas. For example, Cal Poly's colleagues at Santa Cruz worked with a consultant called EcoShift to identify four major variables. 1. How much should be invested in energy efficiency retrofits of existing buildings? 2. What is the performance standard that should be set for new constructions? 3. How much development of renewable onsite generation or contract renewables for procurement should there be? 4. What will they have to spend on carbon offsets?

Another issue Cal Poly must consider is the future cost of carbon. The cost of gas, water, sewer, and electricity are relatively stable, so projecting these costs are more simple than carbon. The price of carbon is volatile, and there's less data available. The tool EcoShift developed for Santa Cruz is open-sourced, so it's available to any institution that wants to use it. Cal Poly worked with EcoShift and then used that information to go beyond the variables mentioned. They considered both energy-retrofitted buildings and standards for new construction. By looking beyond the next few years, Cal Poly is working more quickly towards a sustainable future. Investment in energy efficiency, the elevation of building performance standards, and the adoption of more renewables all return a positive net present value.

Resources & People Mentioned * Beyond the Meter * Cal Poly’s master plan * Second nature climate leadership commitment * CHESC

Connect with Dennis Elliot * On LinkedIn

Dennis Elliot serves as the Director of Energy, Utilities, and Sustainability in the Facilities Management and Development Department at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Dennis holds a bachelor's degree from Cal Poly in Mechanical Engineering, is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of California, and a Certified Energy Manager. In his 37 years at Cal Poly in a variety of energy-related roles, Dennis has helped lead operation and maintenance of building HVAC and central plants; design, construction, and commissioning of new buildings and utility systems; utility metering, building automation, SCADA, and building data analytic systems; energy and water conservation programs; renewable energy projects; sustainability educational outreach and curriculum infusion initiatives; LEED Certification and AASHE STARS programs; Master Planning and Strategic Planning; Zero Waste Programs and the campus' Climate Action Plan. Dennis helped found and still mentors Cal Poly's Green Campus Program of student peer educators, serves on Cal Poly's Academic Senate Sustainability Committee, and chairs the campus Sustainability Advisory Committee.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla talks with Janice Lin, the Founder and President of the Green Hydrogen Coalition. She has over 20 years of experience in clean energy strategy and market development. Her visionary leadership and passion for green hydrogen is inspiring change in the energy industry. Listen as Janice shares her mission for the green energy transition.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Janice Lin's role at Strategen and Green Hydrogen [01:52] * Why is hydrogen so important right now? [4:56] * How should hydrogen be used? [09:19] * How can green hydrogen be optimized? [12:53] * Establishing the infrastructure for hydrogen [16:43] * What is the Green Hydrogen Coalition [23:47] * Next steps for the GHC [29:31] * Janice's passion for green energy [31:36] * The role of collaboration in progress [38:21]

Now is the time for green hydrogen Hydrogen has been a topic for over two decades. The difference now is that climate change is no longer theoretical. There’s a sense of urgency to do something. The pathways to produce hydrogen from renewable sources are much more affordable today and are on their way to becoming even lower cost than producing energy from fossil fuels. Another reason there’s much excitement about hydrogen is that it can be used to repurpose infrastructure. From an energy transition standpoint, the more existing infrastructure can be adapted, the faster a transition can be made. Finally, green hydrogen represents a substantial economic development opportunity on a global scale.

What is necessary for the transition? Now that the focus has shifted from renewable energy targets to emissions targets, industrial operators are frantically trying to find ways to decarbonize their thermal load. Hydrogen is the great hope for an affordable transition. There are two fundamental requirements for hydrogen to become commercially viable.

First, the cost must be reduced. In this country, inexpensive natural gas is currently the predominant fuel source for thermal loads. Green hydrogen has the potential to come down in cost, but it's not just the production cost that needs to be low - the delivered cost needs to be low as well. Reducing delivered costs means infrastructure, the same sort of infrastructure as for natural gas. The good news is that it's theoretically possible to blend hydrogen into the existing gas line, up to 15-20%, without significant modifications. While more studies and research are needed, that initial integration would be a game-changer in the beginning steps of transition.

Until a 100% hydrogen pipeline is achieved, the second major piece of infrastructure needed is an accounting mechanism. Tracking carbon reduction will be necessary during both production and usage to ensure goals are met. While there's plenty of work to do, there's quite a bit of infrastructure that already exists for hydrogen. About 100 million metric tons are sold annually around the world. The U.S. has 1,600 miles of pipeline already in commercial operation, mostly connecting oil refineries currently transporting grey hydrogen. While some of the necessary pipelines and storage exist, more systems need to be in place to maximize the impact.

Collaboration for decarbonization Strategen is a professional services firm established in 2005 with the goal of accelerating energy system decarbonization. The firm has a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape and how to innovate from a market design perspective. They use their insight to help clients achieve their energy goals. They've started many non-profits to pursue their mission, such as the California Energy Storage Alliance, the Vehicle Grid Integration counsel, and the Green Hydrogen Coalition. Through these collaborations, Strategen is creating alignments that make change possible.

One of Strategen's organizations, the Green Hydrogen Coalition, is a mission-driven, educational non-profit. Founded in 2019, the GHC is unique to other hydrogen-focused initiatives in that it's focused solely on advancing the green hydrogen economy. Their work is in making green hydrogen scalable to reduce the cost. The GHC's primary initiatives are creating appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks on the state level, regional development, and accelerating strategically targeted regional ecosystem development. They believe that green hydrogen is going to be the lowest-cost hydrogen solution in the long term. So, when green hydrogen is scalable, the cost will reduce, and multi-sectoral decarbonization will be achievable.

Resources & People Mentioned * The Green Hydrogen Coalition * Hydeal Ambition

Connect with Janice Lin * Janice Lin on LinkedIn * Strategen

Janice Lin is the Founder and CEO of Strategen and has distinguished herself as a leading clean energy changemaker and visionary. She brings over two decades of experience in clean energy strategy, market development, and corporate strategy to the organization. Janice is the Founder and President of the educational non-profit the Green Hydrogen Coalition. Janice is also the co-founder of the California Energy Storage Alliance and the Energy Storage North America Conference and Expo. Janice has won numerous industry awards, including the 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year Cleanie® Award. Janice holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a BA/BS from the University of Pennsylvania.

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In this important episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla speaks with Scott Hart, Vice President and General Manager of NRG Business - Texas to discuss how integrated energy supply and demand management strategies, including the deployment of DERs, can effectively help large power users achieve their decarbonization goals. NRG has been actively involved in working with customers on integrated energy management programs. You’ll learn a lot from this timely conversation.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Scott Hart’s role at NRG [02:00] * Why is there a movement towards bold, decarbonization goals? [04:00] * Is decarbonization that different from previous goals? [06:00] * Implications to consider [07:14] * Energy and sustainability working together [10:53] * How is NRG meeting marketplace needs? [12:24] * DERs role for large power users [14:41]

The decarbonization shift In the last 20 years, the environmental movement has been pushing towards electricity. More recently, the ESG movement has brought a greater level of commitment. About four or five years ago, Fortune 100 companies began becoming more involved with renewable projects. Tax subsidies have been very effective in encouraging involvement. Meanwhile, as conventional sources of energy generation have come under economic pressure, genuine commitment has picked up in intensity. Most recently, there has been a monumental shift towards decarbonization. Renewables have been proven to be economical and meet environmental objectives - even vast industrial plants from the past are being replaced with large-scale renewables. The grid is being modernized, and there’s no turning back.

NRG then and now Scott Hart has worked for over 30 years in utilities or the deregulated power or gas market. He has experience in the commodity sides and working with energy efficiency, performance contracting, distributed energy, resources, and demand response programs. Since 2004 he's worked with renewables embedded inside of retail products. Currently, he's the Vice President and General Manager of NRG Business - Texas. NRG prides itself on embracing the opportunities that competitive markets and customer choice provide them with to innovate. They do that with renewables and on the demand side. Their overall strategy is to help customers understand how to buy and use energy most effectively, considering their goals and budgets.

NRG is closely familiar with environmental goals. The company has a goal of a 50% reduction in its carbon footprint by 2025 and 100% by 2050. This change is massive from where the company was when Scott started with NRG. At that time, they were a top-5 polluter. They've since pivoted by committing to working with customers on sustainable solutions.

Creating sustainable energy goals What are the implications that energy and sustainability managers should take into consideration? Primarily, they shouldn’t have to sacrifice their budget to achieve goals. Companies are using more of a demand-side approach by looking for opportunities to help supply the reserve margin and guard against scarcity issues. The tools, techniques, and technology are already available for decarbonizing. The goal now is to create the correct economic environment.

The electricity business is still very local. Having this local expertise and knowledge comes into play because not everything works as well in specific markets. There is an economic trade in one market that wouldn’t work in another. At NRG, they’re fortunate to have coverage that allows them to have both local expertise and the ability to scale. Using this ability is how NRG provides technologies that give their customers the power to think critically about their electricity.

Resources & People Mentioned * NRG's decarbonization goal announcement

Connect with Scott Hart * On LinkedIn * NRG Energy: Welcome to NRG

Scott Hart Vice President / General Manager, NRG Business - Texas Scott Hart is the Vice President / General Manager of NRG Business – Texas and leads an integrated sales organization comprised of commercial, industrial, and wholesale origination sales teams. Scott is leading the team to become a competitive participant in many retail markets to offer customized solutions and services to customers in the complex energy industry. Scott has more than 30 years of utility and competitive retail executive experience. Prior to leading the NRG Supply team, Scott was the President of Commercial Services for Green Mountain Energy before NRG acquired it in 2010. Scott has a Bachelor of Science degree from Tarleton State University and an MBA from Baylor University.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Decisions, host John Failla speaks with Adam Kramer, former Vice President of Strategy at Switch and current CEO of sustainability and energy start-up Ledger8760. They discuss Adam’s role in helping Switch achieve 100% renewable energy and his new position at Ledger8760. Listen as they address the need for accurate data in order to successfully set and achieve sustainability goals.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Adam Kramer’s move to a start-up [01:36] * Adam’s accomplishments at Switch [03:35] * The fascinating Nevada market [07:52] * The shift to broader emission reduction goals [14:27] * Adam’s new role at Ledger8760 [17:37] * Defining company goals [22:49] * Ledger8760’s biggest challenges [27:42] * From news reporter to CEO [30:36]

Switch for 100% renewable energy In 2016, Switch committed to 100% renewable energy. It started in 2011 with the vision of Switch Founder and CEO Rob Roy when they began the process to pursue direct access. The back and forth they experienced with the utility companies led to Switch’s ability to procure renewable energy directly and influencing NV Energy to create a green energy tariff. Through that, they were able to move their mission forward in Gigawatt 1, which brought solar and storage to Switch and the surrounding communities. Switch created the first green energy tariff in Michigan and continues to seek its goal of 100% renewables.

The process towards sustainability in Nevada took four years. It was a push for a constitutional amendment to create energy choice, which would lead to the opportunity for consumers to have direct access to clean energy. Despite the challenges, including utilities marketing against the change, an understanding was developed that utilities have to do better for their customers. In the end, the goal of providing more options for consumers was accomplished.

Sharing sustainability experience Adam left one of the best jobs in the industry in his role at Switch, where he had a massive impact on the company, community, state, and renewable energy overall. He was able to be at the forefront of the transition in the C&I space to a focus that was more on sustainability. What Adam loved doing at Switch was helping to build the momentum for that movement. Now he has accepted a position with a start-up, Ledger8760. Because he was so fortunate to be involved with incredible sustainability projects, he felt the need to move to share his experience with other companies. Going into a start-up space provides Adam with the opportunity to help many companies do what they could do at Switch. It’s a continuation of Adam’s mission for sustainability.

As the cost of renewables and storage comes down, more and more C&I customers are finding opportunities to transition to using more renewable energy. Both the economics and sustainability goals are aligned. However, simply using renewable energy is no longer enough. Now the focus is on what that renewable energy means regarding the impact of a C&I, or any end-user, on the world.

Accurate data for achieving goals Ledger8760 aims to measure energy and emission Scope 1, 2, and 3 in real-time on an hour-by-hour basis so that companies can precisely understand and target their emissions. Many companies have no idea how they will accomplish their sustainability goals or what those goals specifically mean. Ledger8760 is there to create the starting line for companies who understand that improvement needs to happen.

The most prominent issue organizations have getting started with emissions reduction is not having accurate information. A lot of the data they’re receiving are estimates from public sources. Until an organization knows exactly where its emissions are happening, it can’t accurately work towards the goal. Ledger8760 creates a supply chain of emissions that is equivalent to the supply chain of the actual product. The more organizations that get on board with this process, the more accurate the data on emissions can be for the end-user. With such detailed information, organizations can confidently move forward in their sustainability efforts.

Resources & People Mentioned * Rob Roy * GreenPeace * NV Energy * Gigawatt 1, World's 'Largest Behind-the-meter Solar Project'

Connect with Adam Kramer * Adam Kramer on LinkedIn * On Twitter @AdamInNevada

Adam Kramer is the CEO of sustainability and energy start-up Ledger8760. A globally recognized sustainability leader, Adam is the former EVP of Strategy at Switch (NYSE: SWCH), where he led the sustainability group overseeing the company’s transition in 2016 to 100% renewable energy use by developing the largest behind-the-meter solar + storage project in the world.

Prior to joining Switch, Adam was the Director of Entrepreneurship for the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce and. Before that, he was an award-winning journalist in California and Florida. In 2017, Adam received the Grand Rapids Press Newsmaker of The Year award and, in 2013, was recognized by Vegas, Inc., as one of the top 40 professionals in Vegas under 40. Adam has a B.A. from Menlo College and an M.S. from the University of Cincinnati.

Adam has served on the boards of the Renown Health Foundation, Governor’s Office of Economic Development, University of Nevada Reno Foundation Board of Trustees, and EDAWN (Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada) in Nevada.

Adam enjoys golfing, hiking, and traveling with his wife and three young children. A self-proclaimed “amateur chef,” Adam constantly refines his cooking skills for family and friends.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla speaks with Marty Sedler, Director of Global Utilities & Infrastructure or Intel Corporation. Marty has been in the utility industry for approximately 40 years and has worked with Intel for more than 20 years. He was the opening keynote speaker from Smart Energy Decisions’ recent Innovation Summit where he shared Intel’s 2030 goals for energy savings, alternative energy, and emissions reductions. Intel has a global scope and is constantly working on new technologies and solutions for renewable energy. Listen to learn about Intel’s goals for 2030.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Marty’s role and Intel’s global operations [2:03] * Intel’s successes to date [4:37] * The direction of Intel’s 2030 goals [6:48] * What is needed to reach those goals? [9:54] * Intel’s renewable energy deal in Oregon [12:14] * Marty’s philosophy for new technologies [17:13] * How does the grid have to evolve? [20:55]

Intel’s goals Intel purchases over 7 billion kilowatt-hours of green energy per year. Almost 82% of their global supply comes from renewable sources. In Malaysia, they were the first multinational company to become 100% green. Intel’s 2030 goals are to be more efficient, save money, and reduce carbon. They’ve committed to being 100% green by 2030. However, the last 18% will be considerably more complicated than the first 82%. Changes and new technology need to be created in the industry. Developments in storage will be a massive help with that final push. Intel’s most challenging problem is that the bigger they get, the less they can over-generate. That’s where they reach the point of needing better storage options, a new technology that runs 24hrs a day, or something else that will change the game entirely.

Widespread impact Almost all of Intel’s electricity supply is from monopoly sources. Sometimes those companies aren’t willing to give up revenue in favor of renewables. In one case, Intel has worked to overcome this barrier by making an agreement in Oregon with the utility companies. Intel can now identify a project, negotiate, coordinate, and bring it to the utility company, which will then take over the project. This arrangement allows the utility to maintain its revenue streams while Intel gets the attributes and equal amounts of energy delivered. Now, with that process approved, the utility company can provide that energy beyond Intel. Working in this way enables other companies to benefit from more accessible green energy, broadening the impact of Intel’s work.

Intel needs reliable energy. They can’t afford to have outages. If it’s not reliable and high quality, then it’s not going to work. Developments in storage will be vital to reliability. Unless a company is able to inject into storage and withdraw from that source at night, they’ll be on fossil fuels at night and overgenerating during the day. An example of a possible solution is fuel cells. If biogas can be used for a fuel cell, it can be made green. But right now, biogas is multiple times more costly than gas. New technology is going to make or break everyone’s progress. Goals can’t be reached unless things change.

Working together Intel is currently using 26 different technologies because they like to test new ideas. . In India, Intel’s lobby floor is made of kinetic tiles. The tiles don’t generate a lot of energy, but Intel still saw value in testing the technology. Intel is always looking for those kinds of technologies along with new ideas. But the level of change required goes beyond Intel. There are plenty of intelligent people in the world who are working on a solution, but they all have different motivations and goals. With everyone being on opposing sides, a solution is not going to come about. Individual agendas are playing against each other. One of the biggest challenges to progress will be getting everyone on the same page. The more people align their goals, the faster they’ll come to a resolution. Then everyone wins.

Resources & People Mentioned * SED innovation summit

Connect with Marty Sedler * Marty Sedler - Director, Global Utilities and Infrastructure - Intel

Marty Sedler is the Director of Global Utilities & Infrastructure for Intel Corporation. Marty has been with Intel for more than 20 years, integrating Energy Management and Energy Supply Policy responsibilities within a formal process. He and his staff are responsible for all utility supply issues, ensuring the capacity, price, and reliability of utility supplies/infrastructure to Intel facilities worldwide, as well as, supporting conservation programs. Marty is responsible for evaluating/incorporating alternative energy options within Intel and establishing sustainable energy positions/strategies for renewable energy policy within Intel’s energy portfolio. He leads the utility site selection component of a corporate team that identifies and recommends potential new locations for Intel’s facility/manufacturing growth worldwide. Marty is Intel’s external energy representative in various private, public, State, and Federal energy action groups and task forces. He is a member of various DOE Steering Committees and has sat on several state Governors’ energy committees. Previous to joining Intel, he spent 14 years in the electric utility industry in a variety of functions, including; operations, rates, environmental, energy supply/engineering, power plant operation, and key account management. In 2015, Marty was honored to be the recipient of the “Green Power Leader of the Year” by the Center for Resource Solutions at the annual EPA/CSR REM event.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices host John Failla speaks with Raj Bazaj, Executive Director of Solution Sales at Constellation. John and Raj discuss the future of retail energy partnerships and the impact that has on the energy industry. Listen to hear Raj share his personal insights on sustainability and energy solutions in retail environments. This episode is made in partnership with Constellation.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Raj Bazaj’s work at Constellation [2:29] * What do today’s customers want in a business relationship? [4:22] * Using analytics to track fluctuations [9:58] * Ways retail companies are evolving [14:15] * How is Constellation thriving? [16:50] * Constellation’s integrated product portfolio [22:00] * What should customers be thinking about? [27:18] * Raj’s passion for retail energy [30:58]

New energy partnership expectations Change in the energy industry is steadily increasing. Companies are no longer looking simply to purchase energy. Rather, they’re more focused on long-term, integrated energy solutions. Furthermore, they are more environmentally conscious than ever before. ESG is playing a bigger role as more and more declare new sustainability goals. The pressure companies are facing from shareholders, customers, and competitors is moving them to make positive changes in their climate impact.

Areas like sustainability are no longer simply trendy; they’re mainstream. Companies have higher expectations of energy partnerships. Constellation meets those expectations by providing companies with customized solutions based on their specific needs. With a focus on renewables, financing for energy efficiency products, analytics, behind-the-meter products, and fleet electrification, Constellation creates solutions that help companies best reach their goals.

Purchasing energy in today’s culture Companies face a lot of challenges when purchasing energy. Now, instead of having a single buyer, many stakeholders have to agree on an objective. Solutions are less straightforward because companies are looking for a holistic, individualized solution rather than a simple commodity. They want something well laid out for their long-term goals. In addition to higher expectations, analytics is becoming more challenging due to a multitude of factors. The math for fluctuating variables is becoming increasingly too complicated for spreadsheets. Raj suggests the solution of using artificial intelligence and machine learning to help companies orchestrate data in a way that is easier to read. Analytics is the key to obtaining energy goals.

Integrated product portfolio Constellation used to have a wholesale team and a retail team that were fairly separate, with each tasked to do different things. Now they’ve integrated those teams along with aspects of legal and regulatory teams. By doing this, they have naturally made the process faster and the company more nimble. With integrated teams, Constellation will be better prepared to serve its customers in ways that aren’t available yet. For example, hydrogen is a key area in which customers are very interested. Establishing a flexible, multi-faceted team will ensure that companies’ sustainability goals will be accomplished as quickly as possible.

Resources & People Mentioned * Blackrock’s annual letter to CEOs * Constellation Technology ventures

Connect with Raj Bazaj * Raj Bazaj LinkedIn * Constellation on Twitter

Learn more about Raj Bazaj

Profile

Raj manages a team at Constellation that works with a diverse group of customers assisting them in implementing solutions to help address the major shifts going on in the energy industry including sustainability, demand reduction, data analytics, and overall cost optimization.

Professional History

Raj has worked in the chemical and energy industries across a wide range of roles. He began his career in the chemical industry working with multi-national companies Bayer, Cytec Industries, and American Cyanamid. Roles included R&D, marketing, and sales before being promoted to the Director of Marketing for NAFTA where he also managed the Export and Resale sales channels. Responsibilities included managing the P&L and developing short- and long-term strategy including the production of chemicals manufactured in the U.S for export overseas.

Raj started his energy career with WPS Energy Services (later Integrys) in 2005 as the Managing Director for retail power and gas sales. The business was acquired by Constellation in 2014. Most recently Raj led the effort to develop a multi-year partnership agreement with the Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village. The agreement recognizes Constellation as the official energy provider and provides exclusive naming rights for the Constellation Center for Excellence, a key component of the development project underway in Canton, OH.

As a member of the White House Initiative on Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), Raj has attended Leadership summits at the White House under both the Obama and Trump administrations. The initiative focuses on several key areas including education, career development, business, jobs, immigration, health care, housing, and workforce leadership.

Education

Raj holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Arizona and an Executive MBA from the University of Connecticut.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla speaks with Keith Martin, a transactional lawyer with Norton Rose Fulbright. Keith worked for 146 companies last year and his firm did $145 billion in project financing. He also lobbies the US treasury and congress on policy issues and has worked for two democratic senators. Listen to learn more about clean energy from the perspective of legislative infrastructure.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * A little about Keith Martin [2:08] * The impact of Biden/Harris on wind [3:40] * The potential of freestanding ITC legislation [6:11] * The impact of Biden/Harris on renewable energy [9:47] * Carbon capture [12:22] * The most active sector in clean energy deal-making [15:18] * Keith’s passion for renewable energy [21:33]

Renewable energy deals since the 1970s Keith has been working in clean energy since after the Arab oil embargo in the late 1970s. He headed the group at Norton Rose that helped give birth to the independent power industry by litigating against utilities in twenty states to open markets. Norton Rose has worked through two main periods of growth in renewables. From 1978-85 the US congress encouraged renewables by offering tax credits but they didn’t get much traction and people lost interest. After interest started reviving in the early 1990s, the tax credits were restored and have been working more effectively.

The Biden administration and clean energy Keith states that the high expectations for renewable energy are justified in the new presidential administration. President Biden has already taken steps to help in administrative ways. For example, he just announced the first construction permit for offshore wind. He’s also encouraging companies to report on the effect of climate change on their business models. All eyes will be on him to see what he has planned for financial incentives in renewable energy projects.

The new administration is also accelerating the response to climate change. Solar, wind, and storage are the greatest focus of new capacity additions. Interest in energy storage has increased to the point of being included in virtually every utility-scale solar project being bid on, giving it the potential to be the most significant change within clean energy’s immediate future. Expanding the tax credit will help further this progres, as Commercial and Industrial companies are eyeing hundreds of distributed energy projects but needs that extra help to make them financially viable.

The movement towards carbon capture Up until this point, the primary options to decarbonize were to reduce consumption or switch to clean energy. Now, however, companies with large carbon footprints are stampeding toward investing in carbon capture. This interest is being driven by the section 45Q tax credit. Currently, the progress of the tax credit is stalled because the IRS needs to clarify some details and there are many questions to be resolved. Meanwhile, companies are still working in expectation of the tax credit. Elon Musk is even offering a prize to whoever can create a new technology for carbon capture.

Resources & People Mentioned * Currents podcast | Norton Rose Fulbright * Elon Musk carbon capture prize * Jigar Shaw * CERAWeek by IHS Markit | The World's Premier Energy Event * Project Finance NewsWire: published every other month and dates back to 23 years. The Project Finance NewsWire reports on new developments affecting the power sector, gas pipelines, LNG terminals, energy storage facilities, energy efficiency, biofuels, gasification, water, toll roads, bridges, ports, stadiums and other infrastructure.

Connect with Keith Martin * Keith Martin - LinkedIn

Keith Martin is a transactional lawyer in the Washington office of Norton Rose Fulbright. The firm did $145 billion in project financings and closed 331 transactions in the last three years. The prestigious Chambers directory gives Keith its sole "star" ranking among US renewable energy lawyers. Keith worked for 146 companies last year on numerous transactions. He also lobbies the US Treasury and Congress on policy issues. He has also edited the widely distributed Project Finance NewsWire for the last 24 years.

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In this episode, John speaks with Ron Pernick, the founder and managing director of Clean Edge. Ron has over 30 years of experience in high-tech sectors, the last 20 of which have been in clean tech. He founded Clean Edge to be an analyst organization focused on this emergent sector. Since 2001, they’ve collected and processed data from dozens of successful clean tech organizations. Find out how this information can be used to invest in the future of clean tech.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Ron Pernick’s career trajectory [1:55] * The beginning of Clean Edge [8:58] * How did Ron get involved with stock indexing? [12:13] * The future of clean tech adoption [19:37] * What surprised Ron about his past predictions? [24:11] * Growth predictions for 2030 [27:00] * What’s required for a grid transformation? [31:26] * Volatility in clean-tech stocks [40:25] * Ron’s points of pride in his career [44:45]

Clean technology as a passion Ron had been drawn to clean energy since he was in college. At that time, clean energy was known as appropriate technologies or alternative energy and the world wasn’t quite ready to jump on board. Ron began his career in technology and communication, building his knowledge-base for what he wanted to do one day. In Japan, he helped with electronic data for video conferencing. That’s when he started becoming familiar with emerging technologies and innovation. It was through those experiences that he was able to start gathering contacts and support. After years of persistence, Ron was following his passion for clean tech.

Inspiration for Clean Edge On his way home from a conference in Geneva in 1999, Ron created the idea for Clean Edge. He wanted it to be modeled after other internet analyst companies but on a smaller scale. In 2001, Clean Edge was established. They wrote the first report for San Francisco’s Clean Tech Initiative in 2004 and aided in the Clean Tech Investors Summit. Now they are fully focused on stock indexing. This is where Clean Edge truly shines, which is reflected by their unique relationship with NASDAQ. Clean Edge is now working on indexes that focus on other facets of the industry including clean energy, transportation, storage, electric grid, and water.

Where is clean-tech going next? Clean tech is growing rapidly alongside clean energy. Due to the competitive nature of the energy industry, the cost of clean tech is reducing. Clean tech is also the most economic option. In 2020, $500 billion in investments was surpassed for the first time ever. Public support through corporations, governments, and public opinion is helping continue the momentum. New policies are being established that support low carbon emissions, net-zero, and a wider understanding of clean energy. Clean tech is highlighted in the movement for an electricity smart grid. All of this leads to immense possibilities.

Clean Edge seeks out companies that are driving the change and categorizes them in ways that make sense. The information Clean Edge provides is invaluable to those who are looking for past performance statistics of clean tech companies. The data they collect and organize is used by other entities to attempt to determine possibilities. For those in the job market, clean tech offers a lifetime of opportunities. For the world, clean tech is the future.

Resources & People Mentioned * Nick Brod - Senior Vice President - DNV * Dan Reicher * Saudi Arabia Green Hydrogen * Larry Fink’s CEO Letter

Connect with Ron Pernick * Ron Pernick on LinkedIn

Ron Pernick is the founder and managing director of Clean Edge, Inc., where he oversees the development and production of the company’s thematic stock indexes tracking clean energy, transportation, water, and the grid. Financial products tracking the firm’s energy transition and sustainable infrastructure indexes exceed $3 billion in assets under management (as of January 2021). Ron is also the co-author of two books on clean-tech business and innovation, Clean Tech Nation (HarperCollins, 2012) and The Clean Tech Revolution (HarperCollins, 2007).

Ron co-authored the first report to identify the business and financial opportunities of clean technology (Clean Tech: Profits & Potential, 2001) and has since helped to popularize the term and advance the sector. He has taught MBA-level clean-tech innovation courses at Portland State University and New College and is a regular speaker at industry events. Prior to Clean Edge, Ron worked in the high-tech and telecommunications sectors. He holds a BA from Michigan State University, including a year of international studies at Konan University in Kobe, Japan.

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Not all ideas for reducing carbon emissions are created equal - what works well for one company won’t work for another. So how does a company start on the path to clean energy? SED’s Debra Chanil talks with Stephanie Harris about that very issue. Stephanie Harris is a Director on 3Degrees’ Carbon Markets team where she helps organizations create customized plans for climate action. For over 15 years, 3Degrees has been helping companies strategically establish and achieve their carbon emission goals. Listen in as they discuss this practical approach to reducing residual emissions.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Defining residual emissions [2:45] * How are companies addressing residual emissions? [5:50] * Goals that make sense for your organization [7:50] * The portfolio approach to reducing residual emissions [10:40] * The challenges of net-zero [12:45] * 2020’s impact on the voluntary carbon market [15:35]

Why are residual emissions important on the path to zero?

Residual emissions refer to any emissions that remain unabated when an organization has reached net zero in line with limiting warming to 1.5°C. Often these emissions are from sources out of a company’s direct control. For example, transportation of goods is frequently managed by an outside company. How can a company affect change in an area where they have little influence? This is where carbon credits, also called carbon offsets, come into play.

Purchasing carbon credits provides an opportunity for companies to support emission reduction or removal projects to immediately address their Scope 1 and 3 emissions. 3Degrees helps organizations build a portfolio of high-quality, third-party verified carbon offset projects that are meaningful to their businesses and have proven additionality and quantifiable greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions. By leveraging these tools, organizations can make an immediate impact on areas of their businesses that would otherwise be difficult to address. Carbon credits are an effective tool for companies to incorporate into a broader GHG reduction strategy in an effort to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. Organizations can and should do everything in their power to reduce as much as possible, as quickly as possible. Carbon credits are an important tool to compensate for what remains.

Important considerations for investing in carbon reduction/removal projects

While there are many considerations when deciding which carbon projects to support, 3Degrees outlines some of the most important criteria that organizations should evaluate when developing a GHG reduction strategy. Cost is a common consideration when investing in carbon offset projects - the plan must be affordable to be useful. The project location is also an important consideration. Is the offset project in a location relevant to the buyer’s headquarters or operations? The company must also consider how this investment could impact members of its community. Project co-benefits are additional benefits beyond a reduction in GHG emissions an

d are often a motivational factor for investment and an effective tool for engaging stakeholders. Co-benefits such as air quality, social impact, habitat protection, and biodiversity can result from carbon offset projects. Organizations interested in supporting carbon offset projects must determine the co-benefits that are most meaningful to them.

Making a difference now

A growing number of organizations are making ambitious climate commitments, including setting net zero goals. While significant progress is being made towards achieving these commitments, the road to net zero is often a lengthy one, so it’s important for companies to also take action to mitigate the impact of their emissions in the near term. By investing in carbon reduction and removal projects as part of a broader GHG reduction strategy, organizations can reduce their carbon footprint today while supporting a longer-term transition to net zero emissions.

Resources & People Mentioned * 3Degrees: Renewable Energy Partner - Sustainability Consulting

Connect with Stephanie Harris * LinkedIn profile

Stephanie Harris is a Director on 3Degrees’ Carbon Markets team, where she is responsible for managing the company’s voluntary carbon offset portfolio. Stephanie first joined 3Degrees in 2015 as a REC Trader on the Environmental Markets team. She shifted over to the Carbon Markets team in 2018 and has been instrumental in crafting customized portfolios to help corporate sustainability leaders address their Scope 1 and Scope 3 emissions and achieve their climate goals.

Prior to joining 3Degrees, Stephanie completed a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science and Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she also obtained a dual Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science and Communication. Her studies provided a strong foundation in renewable energy policy and energy conservation.

Connect With Smart Energy Decisions * https://smartenergydecisions.com * Follow them on Facebook * Follow them on Twitter

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Renewable energy is becoming increasingly affordable every day but it hasn’t yet become accessible to everyone. ENGIE is working to change that. John Failla speaks with Chief Commercial & Industries and M&A Officer for ENGIE North America, André Canguçú about what they’re doing to expand access to renewable energy for smaller entities and those new to the field. André explains how ENGIE is working to simplify the process of obtaining renewable energy. Listen to hear how they’re making a difference in the ever-evolving industry of renewable energy.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * André Canguçú’s career progression [2:50] * How prepared for change is the renewable industry? [5:35] * New structures André Canguçú has in mind for the future [9:10] * Matching energy demand with consumption [12:03] * ENGIE’s customer focus beyond energy [13:11]

Renewable energy on a global scale ENGIE is involved with renewable energy not only in America but also in Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Customers go to ENGIE because of this global presence, which gives them more options to serve their international needs. ENGIE has been on its renewables journey since 2016. André’s current goal is to create more wind energy in the United States. In 2016 ENGIE had 700MW of wind generation in Canada and none in the U.S. By the end of 2020, they will have produced more than 3,000MW combined in Canada and the U.S. and expect to increase that amount annually by 500-750MW.

Simplifying renewable energy contracts To make renewable energy more accessible, the contract process must be simpler. That process will be aided by the new Presidential administration encouraging interest in green energy. More push at the federal level is good because it will help the customer move forward. Regardless of federal changes, renewable energy is here to stay. The push is also happening at the state level because of Renewable Portfolio Standards and at the corporate level because of sustainability goals.

ENGIE has been working on making the contracting process more universal. They believe that every company should have the right to be able to procure renewables regardless of their size. Organizations of any variety need to have options available. The energy industry needs to be in a constant state of revolution to keep up with these growing demands. Storage solutions and the development of hydrogen energy projects are examples of complementary technologies in which forthcoming changes are necessary.

The gap between renewable demand and generation People want energy based on their consumption levels, not on generation levels. Wind and solar generation is limited to certain times of the day but the energy demand is 24/7. Storage is one element that could resolve that issue. Meanwhile, ENGIE has transformed its wholesale and retail presence in the market to create better customer solutions. For example, they connect contracts from larger companies to smaller companies. Matching those solutions to consumers creates a better experience by meeting the customers’ usage at the hours they require. By meeting these needs, ENGIE can continually progress towards making cheaper, more efficient power accessible to everyone.

Resources & People Mentioned * VPPA * PortfolioRE

Connect with André Canguçú * On LinkedIn

André joined ENGIE in May 2002 and has served ENGIE in several finance roles, including Chief Financial Officer for Latin America (2010-2015) and Chief Financial Officer for Peru (2004-2010). In 2016, he became Chief Business Developer for ENGIE North America. In that position, André was responsible to oversee all of ENGIE’s Business Development activities in the United States and Canada. He has been the Chief Commercial & Industries and Merger & Acquisitions Officer since the beginning of 2020. André has more than 15 years of experience in the power industry, in supporting activities or direct management roles.

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With 37,000 restaurants in over 100 countries serving 69 million people every day, McDonald’s understands how great an impact they have. The last time John spoke with Emma Cox, North American Sustainability Manager at McDonald’s Corporation during the 2019 Innovation Summit, the company was primarily focused on energy efficiency within the U.S. Since that beginning, their focus has had a global shift that will positively affect the environment. Listen to hear how McDonald’s is changing the world one community at a time.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * McDonald’s focus on using its scale for good [2:21] * From national to global sustainability [6:15] * McDonald’s new Global Impact Team [10:32] * What’s next for McDonald’s sustainability? [13:25] * The importance of community [20:33] * Building a sustainability team [23:18]

The beginning of McDonald’s and sustainability How did McDonald’s start this journey of global sustainability? Emma discusses the first goal McDonald’s established as their science-based target. Their goal is to reduce their greenhouse emissions by 36% by the year 2030. Working toward this original project has taught them a lot about what does and doesn’t work. This learning process has propelled McDonald’s to achieve a wider range of impact.

In 2019, McDonald’s announced their first-ever power purchase agreements. In 2020 they made more agreements that equate to 8,000 restaurants worth of electricity. These 1,130 megawatts of wind and solar energy are enough to power 275 million homes! Not only does this progress provide renewable energy, but it also provides thousands of jobs in the communities.

Good world for good food McDonald’s focus goes beyond just making a good burger. They want to focus on doing more in the world and for their customers. McDonald’s wants to find more of what they can do and how they can positively impact the environment. To do this, they’ve created a Global Impact Team. Part of this team is focused on social impact. Their goal is to find how they can best serve their community and add value to the environment locally. Another aspect of the team is focused on government and policy. They put their efforts into what changes can be made in regulation that will help promote green energy. Finally, the communications and relations part of the team focuses on sharing the mission of working together to make the world better.

McDonald’s Global Impact Team isn’t large. It’s a small group of individuals who are passionate about renewable energy goals. Alongside their team, McDonald’s consults with experts to make sure that the best, most effective decisions are made. McDonald’s example shows that even a small group of people can help guide a company towards a sustainable future. By learning through the process and asking the right people for guidance, any company can make a difference.

Sustainability for each community McDonald’s has a unique opportunity to bring renewable options to local small businesses and cities. These sustainable options can be accessible in otherwise unavailable places due to the importance McDonald’s places on community impact. This connects directly with McDonald’s brand purpose to make delicious, feel-good moments for everyone. Customers can feel good about the company they’re investing in because they’re also helping to create a healthier environment.

For years McDonald’s has supported communities through actions like sponsoring Little League teams and hosting community events. Community impact is a huge part of the consideration before placing a McDonald’s. Each restaurant location begins by identifying the needs of the community and defining ways to be helpful. By combining this focus with their large scale, McDonald’s is helping people, animals, and the environment thrive.

Resources & People Mentioned * McDonald’s Global Impact Team

Connect with Emma Cox * Emma Gillespie Cox on LinkedIn

Emma Cox is the North American Sustainability Manager at McDonald’s Corporation. She leads Renewable Energy globally for the company. Last year, under Emma’s leadership, McDonald’s announced its first two PPAs, together totaling 380 MW, in the US. She believes McDonald’s can use its Scale for Good to transform the renewable energy market. After graduating from Columbia University in New York, she worked for the U.S. Green Building Council specifically on programs, events, and continuing education. From there, she moved to Chicago, where she worked for an energy and sustainability tech start-up called Green Per Square Foot—leading their Business Development & Marketing team. She went on to lead the Energy & Sustainability consulting group for Cushman & Wakefield before eventually ending up at McDonald’s, where she has the unique opportunity to use its scale for good. Having worked in many areas within Sustainability, Emma has a diverse skill set but has always had a passion for making the world a better place. At home, she is Mom to two young kids and enjoys traveling whenever they let her get away. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions * https://smartenergydecisions.com * Follow them on Facebook * Follow them on Twitter * Follow them on LinkedIn

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The future of decarbonization is in re-inventing the transportation industry. As it stands, vehicles account for 28.2 percent of greenhouse emissions. That’s an amazing opportunity for change. Imagine the reduction in carbon emissions if those vehicles were to be powered by electricity. John speaks about the potential of electric vehicles with General Motors’ Global Manager of Sustainable Energy, Supply, and Reliability, Rob Threkeld. John and Rob discuss GM’s incredible carbon neutrality goal. GM wants to do its part to get the whole world involved in its future. Every company will want to join in this movement to create a cleaner future.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Who is Rob Threkeld? [1:10] * GM’s achievements of last year [6:00] * The competitive market of EVs [9:35] * GM’s commitment to carbon neutrality [12:00] * Rob’s thoughts on the future of renewables [16:00] * The role utilities need to play to reach the goal of decarbonization [23:38] * Rob’s career journey [32:44] * How Rob was able to get GM to commit to such a huge goal [43:26] * The impact Rob wants to leave on the industry [49:28]

Can the transportation industry become carbon neutral? That’s something General Motors is going to find out! GM has committed to carbon neutrality by 2040. While this recent announcement is new, it’s a representation of the work GM has been doing for years. They’ve spent the last couple of decades finding ways to reduce carbon emissions. GM had success with EV1 in the 1990s and the Chevy Volt a few years ago. Now the company has decided to go “all-in” on sustainable energy.

To accomplish their goal, GM has to move away from the combustion engine. The transportation industry is the largest carbon emitter in the world. Both manufacturing and running a vehicle require a lot of energy. To counter this, GM has a goal of eliminating the combustion engine from their product line by 2035. The potential developments of the next decade are overwhelmingly exciting. Future generations are heading toward an all-electric future, transportation will be cleaner, and new energy solutions will be discovered along the way.

Affordable electric vehicles Cost reduction is necessary for an all-electric automobile future. GM is developing a battery that will help by reducing production costs by about 60%. Having lower costs of energy will allow electric vehicles to be priced competitively. That being said, design is the first step in creating a low-cost, versatile product. By developing vehicles with a modular design, GM can allow for adaptability among models. The more interchangeable the technology is, the cheaper products will be to manufacture.

The increased interest in the renewable energy movement is spurring more involvement from legislators and utility companies. Laws are being passed that promote green changes. Energy companies are being encouraged by communities to produce clean energy. Across the energy industry, the consensus is to provide a better product for a better environment. Involving those who are outside of the energy industry will accelerate the process toward a greener future.

The four pillars of GM’s approach GM is focusing on four pillars for renewable energy: energy efficiency, procurement, energy storage, and policies to support the development of renewables. By taking these into account, they’ve been able to narrow their focus to higher impact areas such as the U.S. and Mexico. Rob used these pillars to better package the idea of committing to 100% renewable energy. GM uses the four pillars as a definition for what renewable energy is. Rather than ending their focus on manufacturing, they want to positively impact all aspects of their production. GM is a great example of a company working to reach above and beyond their typical sphere of influence.

Resources & People Mentioned * GM at the Consumer Electronic Show * Purdue College of Engineering

Connect with Rob Threlkeld * LinkedIn Profile * On Twitter

Rob Threlkeld - Global Manager, Sustainable Energy, Supply & Reliability

Rob Threlkeld is the Global Manager of Sustainable Energy, Supply, and Reliability at General Motors. Threlkeld leads GM’s energy procurement efforts including its commitment to meet the electricity needs of its global operations with 100 percent renewable energy by 2040.

He is also responsible for leading the team that supports GM energy procurement and regulatory efforts, including negotiating power purchase agreements, natural gas, green tariffs and engineering onsite renewable solutions for the company’s facilities across the globe. Threlkeld’s path to managing GM's global renewable energy strategy began with a love for pancakes, when he learned in second grade that acid rain affected the production of maple syrup.

Threlkeld received both his bachelor’s and a master’s degree in civil engineering from Purdue University.

Connect With Smart Energy Decisions * https://smartenergydecisions.com * Follow them on Facebook * Follow them on Twitter * Follow them on LinkedIn

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The wake-up call came a few years ago when the Wall Street Journal ranked energy at 10 out of 11 fields in a survey on diversity in businesses. Since then, Smart Energy Decisions has worked to raise the profile of this issue with its series “Inspiring Diversity in Energy.” This edition features a discussion with Telisa Toliver, General Manager of Renewable Power for Chevron and Debra Chanil, SED’s Director of Research and Content. Telisa has almost 30 years of experience in the energy industry and has first-hand knowledge about the improvements necessary to move the industry to the next level. Listen as Telisa shares her insight into inspiring diversity in energy.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Telisa’s experience in the energy industry [3:18] * The internship that started Telisa’s career [5:13] * The value of mentorship [8:26] * Diversity in the energy field outside the US [10:00] * The creative aspect of oil and gas [14:38] * Telisa’s involvement with AABE (American Association of Blacks in Energy) [16:13]

What is diversity? While the concept of diversity is evolving, it is often viewed in the U.S from a legal perspective. However, since oil and gas are global industries, the definition has to go beyond country borders. Diversity and inclusion must be considered aside from regulations and become an integral part of a company’s culture. For example, while a company could be considered diverse simply because half of its employees are outside of the U.S., it may still have a limited representation of women in leadership. In the U.S., women and minorities often aren’t well represented in the pipeline or on boards. For companies to improve diversity on a cultural level, a strategic approach is imperative. Breaking through cultural barriers doesn’t happen accidentally. Rather, a focus on action is the key to a better, more inclusive work environment.

Relationships are key to diversity Telisa expresses the importance of trust and relationships to those she mentors. She explains that some of those relationships happen organically while others have to be intentionally cultivated. Leaders can set an example for employees to seek relationships by working in a way that values mentorship. People will feel like they’re worth being invested in and will prosper. This uplifting level of connection is vital to maintain continued growth throughout one’s career. The process for building these relationships is ongoing. From the start of an employee’s career to the end, leaders should encourage their employees to reach out to others in the company so they both can benefit from each other’s experiences. Without that personal connection to a company’s culture, employees will feel isolated. However, employees with internal role models will feel empowered and supported.

What support is there to improve diversity in the workplace? Telisa has been part of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) for ten years and is currently the chairman of the board. AABE’s mission is to provide direct input into the deliberations and developments of energy policies, regulations, emerging technologies, and environmental issues. Telisa explains how the focus of the organization has been shifting more toward leadership because minorities often don’t have the same access to those positions. AABE encourages leadership growth among minorities through scholarships to students and ongoing support for equity. Racial equity is a business imperative that is often mistakenly thought of as a short-term solution, but it’s a long-term play. Diversification will result in life-long benefits to the industry because it results in employees who feel valued. Instilling the heart of valuing people doesn’t happen without effort. Leadership and courage are required in diversity discussions and will ultimately make the difference in the energy industry from what it is to what it can be: an inclusive environment that supports the livelihoods of its people worldwide.

Resources & People Mentioned * The Business Case for More Diversity - WSJ * The Energy within Us * The American Association of Blacks in Energy

Connect with Telisa Toliver * Telisa’s AABE profile * On LinkedIn

Telisa Toliver serves as General Manager for Chevron Pipeline and Power. This business unit provides technical, commercial, operational, and energy management support services globally to Chevron’s Upstream and Downstream & Chemicals businesses. Its owned and operated pipeline assets span 3,000 miles, supporting Chevron’s operations across seven U.S. states and transporting over 1.2 million barrels a day. Its power function manages or operates 900 megawatts of natural-gas-fired steam and renewable power assets. Its energy management services evaluate energy use and find solutions to improve operational efficiency, reduce cost and address Chevron’s critical energy challenges across the globe. Telisa was named to her current position in 2019 and leads the development and implementation of the Renewable Power Strategy across Chevron’s global enterprise. Telisa is also responsible for developing and implementing power market strategies that will enhance Chevron’s operations and new investments. Telisa currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Blacks in Energy. She’s also a member of the Executive Leadership Council. Recently Telisa co‐authored “The Energy Within Us” describing her career journey in the energy sector. https://www.theenergywithinus.com/

Connect With Smart Energy Decisions * https://smartenergydecisions.com * Follow them on Facebook * Follow them on Twitter * Follow them on LinkedIn

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If you're interested in participating in the next edition of the SED Renewable Energy Forum taking place on December 7-11, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Event Operations Director, Lisa Carroll at lisa@smartenergydecisions.com"

The Energy Within Us: An Illuminating Perspective from Five Trailblazers

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Celebrate the fifth anniversary of Smart Energy Decisions with this conversation between Founder and Editorial Direction John Failla and clean energy industry pioneer Jigar Shah, who has changed the way businesses approach technology to both save money and improve their impact on the environment.

Jigar, who is currently President and Co-founder of Generate Capital, is the creator of “no money down solar.” While sustainable energy was once viewed as a money pit with benefits to the environment coming at the expense of the company, this innovation paved the way for businesses to access renewable energy – and enabled SunEdison to become the largest solar services company in the world.

Join John and Jigar for surprising insights on Jigar’s career in the energy space, and his thoughts on where it is headed

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * What do you need to support a trillion-dollar industry? [3:18] * How we’re doing today with our business models [14:30] * Two promising technologies that are almost ready [16:30] * Where is renewable thermal energy going? [21:55] * What does it mean to make a change? [23:48] * Emerging areas of support [30:20] * What’s next for Generate Capital? [39:30] * Why are people focused on local services? [45:16] * Jigar’s proudest accomplishments [53:35] * How Jigar’s spirituality gives him perspective at work [1:09:25]

How did Jigar become a leader in sustainable energy? In this episode, John speaks with Jigar about his life-long journey to environmental change. Jigar had been on that path for years. Though his thoughts weren’t yet organized, writing his book brought everything together in a comprehensive way. At that time, impact investing was considered to be a sacrificial move without consideration of a return. But Jigar knew it could be worth so much more. Investing in the environment should be profitable. And, if businesses could experience the effectiveness of green energy, they’d be excited to jump on board.

What does the cost of renewable energy look like? As with any technology, the more renewable energy is used, the more is learned. The process will become more streamlined as newer and better equipment is created. Jigar says that’s what is going to reduce the cost of green technologies. Once the cost structure comes down, more applications will be found. Such is the case with green hydrogen. For example, Plug Power’s fuel cell block is now able to be mass manufactured. Their production cost is coming down faster than 5-megawatt fuel cells made by other companies. Jiger wants companies to copy what he’s doing and make renewable energy more common. More companies being involved means exponential, positive impact on the environment.

What’s next for Generate Capital? Originally considered a specialty finance company, Generate Capital is now known as a sustainable infrastructure platform. If something in an investment goes wrong, they have a responsibility to resolve that issue. As a result, they also help with leadership development within the companies that use their platform. How do they maintain their position as a strong company? Before investing, they check that a company has proven technology, customers in place, a known supply of feedstock, and a solid operating history with the ability to scale. Success in sustainable energy depends on local government, community support, and the stability of businesses.

The future of Generate Capital will be a continuation of their proven methods: finding reliable ways to increase profits while reducing environmental impact. Other companies will need help getting from one level to the next. Generate Capital will provide the boost for the company to move in the right direction. When a company realizes how self-reliant it can be, it has the freedom to operate in confidence.

Resources & People Mentioned For sponsorship packages and details, please email tim@smartenergydecisions for more information * Jigar Shah President and Co-Founder of Generate Capital * Creating Climate Wealth: Unlocking the Impact Economy * Larry Fink on CNBC * Plug Power

Connect with Jigar Shah * Follow Jigar Shah on LinkedIn * Connect with Jigar on Twitter @JigarShahDC

Jigar Shah is the President and Co-Founder of Generate Capital, the leading investment and operating platform for sustainable infrastructure. Founded in 2014, Generate Capital is the only “one-stop-shop” for pioneers leading the Resource Revolution. Prior to Generate, as the Founder and CEO of SunEdison (NASDAQ: SUNE), Shah pioneered “no money down solar”, which unlocked a multi-billion-dollar solar market and became the largest solar services company worldwide before its acquisition by MEMC. Shah’s decades of experience in renewable energy consistently show that business model innovation and entrepreneurship are two of the keys to proving that sustainability pays.

Connect With Smart Energy Decisions * https://smartenergydecisions.com * Follow them on Facebook * Follow them on Twitter * Follow them on LinkedIn

Creating Climate Wealth: Unlocking the Impact Economy

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2020 has definitely produced a number of challenges, but the need for societies and organizations to move toward sustainable energy solutions has not gone away. In this conversation between Smart Energy Decisions founder, John Failla, and Greg Kandankulam, Senior Manager of Sustainability at NRG Energy, John was interested to know what the NRG team is experiencing as it works with large organizations and municipalities that are moving toward renewable energy solutions.

Greg speaks about the current situation in the push for renewable energy, how and why the focus has shifted away from renewable energy procurement and toward the reduction of carbon emissions, and how sustainability consultants are playing a large role in the transition. It’s an interesting and informative conversation you’ll find very helpful.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * The ever-changing nature of sustainability roles inside organizations [1:44] * How NRG began offering sustainability advisory services for large power users [2:58] * A shift away from renewable energy procurement targets toward carbon emission reduction targets [6:05] * 2021 brings challenges when shifting to a focus on carbon emissions reduction [8:57] * How cities are addressing sustainability issues [14:25]

What’s driving the new emphasis on carbon emissions reduction? In the past, much of the focus large organizations placed on renewable energy was directed toward procurement issues. But the year-over-year increase in renewable procurement from 2018 to 2019 was over 40%, which was at a cost of somewhere between $20 million and $30 million. That’s significant progress. But naturally, once a company has addressed its procurement issues, what’s next? It’s that question that seems to have shifted the focus away from procurement solutions and toward carbon emissions reduction.

There are many options when it comes to the next step but a focus on carbon reduction is one of the primary areas where huge gains can be made. As a result, there is much discussion around issues of facilities automation, electric vehicle strategies, cities moving toward system-wide electrification efforts, and more. These are just some of the areas where a reduction of carbon emissions can be achieved in dramatic ways.

Cities are leading the way with renewable energy in spite of the hurdles of 2021 In spite of the financial hurdles municipalities deal with on a regular basis, many cities are doing great work when it comes to sustainability initiatives. Houston is a great example of a city that is making huge commitments to sustainability. Chicago is looking to go 100% renewable as well. Regardless of COVID and the various other challenges 2020 brought, such as issues of continuity and the future of work, cities are still moving forward on the need for renewables.

Municipalities are demonstrating that in spite of the difficulties happening in the world, significant progress can still be made in the drive toward renewable energy. But it will include a process that is more complex and much more integrated with an organization’s entire operation. Those in sustainability management are taking on a more prominent role and from an advisory standpoint, as companies are recognizing their need for expert advice about the options and approaches available to them.

Sustainability advisory services are new but proving to be vital for large organizations Many consultants in the marketplace were previously part of power players, so they know many of the ins and outs of making the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. NRG wanted to offer similar services and realized they had a great reason to offer them. The company was among the first of nine companies that entered into the SBTI (Science Based Target Initiative) and has gained an understanding of climate change and how to combat it.

NRG is one of many consultant organizations and such groups are becoming more important when it comes to helping larger organizations determine the best course of action for addressing the best strategies for their energy needs. They save large organizations the time, energy, and resources of researching the options themselves.

Resources mentioned in today's episode

NRG Energy
The Paris Climate Agreement

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Connect with Greg

Follow Greg Kandankulam on LinkedIn

Greg Kandankulam is a Senior Manager, Sustainability at NRG where he leads the Sustainable Energy Advisory team. This team of sustainability advisors assists clients in driving their organizations toward a cleaner energy future. He has 15 years’ experience in strategic analysis, financial modeling and project management with a sustainability focus. Mr. Kandankulam has a strong background in public-private partnerships, smart grid assets, climate risk and utility regulatory policy. He has presented on the future of the grid to public and private sector audiences throughout the country.

Greg holds an MBA from Presidio Graduate School in sustainable management and a BSAST in nuclear engineering from Thomas Edison State University. Mr. Kandankulam has previously held positions as a program manager of a public-private partnership for the Dutch government, based on sustainable energy projects, and as a chief nuclear mechanical operator in the U.S. Navy for six years. He also served for 4 years as Sustainability Commissioner for the City of Sausalito in California.

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It’s not common to see a company that’s heavily vested in a particular segment of any industry make a 180-degree turn that is designed to eliminate the need for its original area of focus. It’s even more uncommon for that company to become the leader in its new niche, one that sets the standard far above what other companies have done. That’s the story of Ørsted, a Denmark-based Oil Giant that has made the transition to renewable energy like few other companies.

Joining SEV host John on this episode is Melissa Peterson, VP of Origination and Power Marketing at Ørsetead North America. She recounts the reasons and the ways that her company has made the transition to the Renewable Energy space, how it has moved into the U.S. market in massive ways, and what the company is moving toward in years to come. She also comments on the future of renewable energy in the United States and notes some key markers that need to be achieved in the next 10 to 20 years. Don’t miss it.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Melissa’s role with Ørsted [1:11] * How Ørsted became the most sustainable company in the world [4:58] * What led Ørsted into the United States market in 2016 through 2018? [9:56] * Melissa’s take on where the renewable energy space is headed in the U.S. [13:56] * Can the supply side keep up with the demand for renewables in the U.S.? [16:25] * Is offshore wind power in the future for the U.S.? [19:09] * What led Melissa into the Renewable Energy industry? [25:03] * Challenges Melissa has faced in her career so far [29:50] * The impact Melissa wants to have on the industry and her company [35:45]

Ørsted is an example of how the energy transition can be accomplished The Ørstead story is inspiring because it is one of overcoming the way things have always been done, both organizationally and within its industry. It also shows how one company has triumphed over obstacles that at times seemed insurmountable. The company’s achievements are well-recognized, being named the “Most Sustainable Company in the World.” Melissa points out three reasons that title was earned...

The scale of the transformation Ørsted made was huge, and it was done fairly rapidly. The company made its 85/15 pledge in which it gave itself 30 years to reverse its carbon emissions from 85% to 15%. They did it in 10 years.

Since 2006 the company has reduced its CO2 emissions by 86%. That’s massive for any company but even more impressive when said about a company that has traditionally been a producer of oil and gas.

Ørsted is also committed to being carbon neutral by 2040 and that goal stretches beyond its own operations. The company desires to meet that goal both up and down its entire supply chain. Listen to hear how Melissa describes these accomplishments and goals, and be inspired by what your organization may be able to achieve.

Where the U.S. renewable energy industry is headed Melissa has a very interesting perspective from which to view the course of the renewable energy industry in the United States. Her company has vast experience in Europe and in particular segments of the RE industry that are not as prevalent in the U.S. Now that she’s filling a significant role in Ørsted’s U.S. operations, she’s able to draw on that experience and knowledge and apply it to her work in the U.S. She says there are four areas where she sees the U.S. market growing in the next decade:

Hydrogen: She admits that this source of energy is a long-term play, but insists hydrogen fuel will be vital in reducing dependence on carbon-based technologies.

Storage: Battery storage will need to become a reality, on a massive scale. It will be critical for capturing the energy produced by renewables during peak production hours and for relieving constraints caused by limited transmission capabilities.

AI and Big Data: These technologies will help to improve efficiency, enable operators to learn how to better run their facilities, will reduce downtime, and will serve to improve worker safety. This will lead to greater optimization of renewable energy resources.

Infrastructure improvements or Grid Modernization has got to occur. Without it, the supply side of the renewable energy equation will not be able to keep up with demand. As corporates get more involved, collaboration will be key for achieving the needed improvements.

The renewable energy industry is one that’s making a difference As they wrapped up this engaging conversation, John and Melissa spoke about the high points and challenges of Melissa’s career. She’s seen a great deal of change, growth, and promise within the industry over the last 15 years. She’s committed so much of her career to the industry because she loves to demonstrate how companies can be profitable, reduce climate change, and leave the world a better place.

She often thinks of the impact her work is having on her own children’s future. She wants them to be able to enjoy the outdoors and the riches of our planet the way she has. “It’s an honor to work in this industry and an honor to work at a company like Ørsted.” Listen to learn how this Oil Giant made the renewable energy transition and use its story as fuel for creating your own.

Resources & People Mentioned For sponsorship packages and details, please email tim@smartenergydecisions" for more information * Windustry - a non-profit where Melissa worked in the renewable energy space early on * Ørsted - the company where Melissa serves as VP Origination and Power Marketing * Nyserda Energy * Dominion Energy * Rise Renewable Energy Women’s Organization * David Kirkpatrick of Marathon Capital

Connect with Melissa Peterson, VP Origination & Power Marketing at Ørsted Onshore North America * Follow Melissa on LinkedIn

Melissa leads the Origination and Power Marketing team at Ørsted Onoshare North America. She directly manages a team of originators while also creating and sustaining lasting strategic relationships across multiple customer verticals within the power industry. Prior to joining Ørsted, she spent five years on Apex Clean Energy’s business development team and five years as a project developer for EDF. Melissa has developed over 1000 MW operating renewable energy projects. Melissa holds a Master’s degree from SUNY-Albany and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Connect With Smart Energy Decisions * https://smartenergydecisions.com * Follow them on Facebook * Follow them on Twitter * Follow them on LinkedIn

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We all know that strong partnerships are essential if we are going to succeed in collaborating to accomplish a zero-carbon future. That’s because companies and organizations that work together in business relationships have more opportunities to increase efficiency in joint projects and partner to source from renewable energy sources.

This conversation features two of the players in just such a partnership. John speaks with Nathan Nissen, Principal Engineer, Sustainability at Kohler Company, and Greg Rizzo, Director of Origination at Enel Green Power.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * How Kohler Co. and Enel Green Power are moving toward a zero-carbon future [1:19] * The impact COVID-19 has had on the sustainability goals of each company [7:10] * Why Kohler reached out to Enel Green Power in the first place [10:47] * Key components of a renewable energy supply partnership [14:55]

A heartfelt commitment to sustainability has to fuel organizational efforts No company is able to push through the many barriers and obstacles that hinder progress on the way to a zero-carbon future without a heartfelt and organization-wide commitment to the goal at hand. In this conversation, you hear a detailed explanation of why the leadership team at Kohler was so committed to a renewable energy transition and the benefits they expected it to bring. But you’ll also hear how they recognized their own limitations in getting to that future.

As a result, the company sent representatives to a Smart Energy Decisions event in hopes of learning more about the options available to them to meet their renewable energy goals and, at the same time, do it within budget constraints. This conversation highlights the partnership they established with Enel Green Power and how it has enabled the company to be well on its way to meeting its renewable energy goals.

The need for scale motivated a partnership that proved invaluable The electricity needs of a factory combined with the capital expenditures required to get to a 100% renewable energy infrastructure forced the team at Kohler to find other options. The Kohler team discovered a variety of options were available at a Smart Energy Decisions event and as a result, reached out to Enel Green Power to establish a VPPA (Virtual Power Purchase Agreement) that solved the problems Kohler was facing.

Enel Green Power proved to be the ideal partner because the organization provided a diverse pipeline of solutions for Kohler to choose from which enabled them to be flexible and responsive to meet their needs.

Key components of a good renewable energy partnership From the Kohler side of this partnership, it was important to find a partner that had a high level of expertise - someone who understands the nuances of such a complex transaction but also has the capability to find the right energy sources, negotiate land and use contracts, and can be innovative and aggressive to find a win-win solution.

From the energy provider side of the equation, Enel Green Power brought the expertise to educate the buyer as needed (Kohler in this case) and provide guidance in navigating the complex structure of a VPPA. Enel was looking for partners who were willing to get involved in the project, on-site, from the early days. This is because they view it as a long-term relationship that needs cooperative effort on both parts.

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Connect with Nathan Nissen and Greg Rizzo

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Nathan Nissen was on the team that developed the first Kohler Co. sustainability strategy in 2007 and has led footprint reporting activities and coordinated footprint reduction activities since then. Nathan previously worked in an environmental leadership role with Kohler’s Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) department since 1989.

While working in EHS, Nathan’s career evolved through hazardous waste management and elimination, emergency response planning, environmental management systems, and industrial waste recycling. Nathan has a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. He is an amateur beekeeper and a licensed Professional Engineer.

Follow Greg Rizzo on LinkedIn

Greg Rizzo is a Director of Origination within Enel Green Power North America’s Commercial Office. Since joining Enel Green Power in 2012, Greg has held many different roles focused on supporting Enel Green Power’s commercial strategies. Previous responsibilities included managing existing customer relationships post-PPA execution and developing risk management strategies for the company’s REC and power positions.

As Enel Green Power began to establish itself as a leader in the North American renewable industry, Greg transitioned to an Origination role supporting the company’s vision for growth. In this role, Greg, together with his team, focuses on establishing partnerships with utility and corporate customers to deliver customized sustainable energy solutions. These partnerships are critical in supporting Enel Green Power’s aggressive global growth target of adding more than 14 GW of newly built renewable projects over the next three years.

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Decarbonization is one of the primary goals many companies are trying to achieve in their operations. The reason is simple… science has shown that the world is facing an urgent carbon problem. If we don’t curb emissions and temperatures continue to climb, science tells us that the results will be incomprehensible.

Microsoft is leading the way in the realm of corporate leadership, setting its Carbon Negative Pledge as a standard to follow. One of the leading voices on the Microsoft team is Vanessa Miler-Fels, Director of Energy Innovation and Impact. Her astute insights and clear way of describing the “carbon math” the Microsoft team has done to empower their own efforts and extend their approach to their own supply chain partners come through loud and clear in this conversation. Listen to hear the generous and ambitious contributions Microsoft is poised to make to the world’s energy future.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Vanessa’s role at Microsoft as Director of Energy Innovation and Impact [2:51] * Microsoft’s goals: “The World’s Next Moonshot” [3:49] * Interim goals on the way to Carbon Negative [6:36] * The important role Microsoft’s Scope 3 goals play in global decarbonization [14:24] * How Microsoft plans to employ digital innovation on behalf of customers [17:20] * Vanessa’s advice to those who need to take the first step in their organization [21:08]

Why Microsoft feels Carbon Neutral is not enough for them We all need to accelerate our ambitions regarding a carbon-free future. It’s not only the only workable solution for our planet’s future but is also essential if we are going to meet the goals expressed in resolutions like the Paris Agreement, which reflects the energy commitments of many organizations worldwide.

The Microsoft team believes it is uniquely positioned to use its technology resources to get on that path, but beyond that, the company’s leadership felt they could do even more than their fair share because of the resources they have at their disposal. As a result, the organization has made a “Carbon Negative” pledge, going a step further than Carbon Neutral. Microsoft intends to not only remove it’s own carbon contributions entirely but to remove carbon from the atmosphere that it has been responsible for over its 45+ year history. It’s an ambitious and doable goal you’ll learn more about in this episode.

The interim goals Microsoft must hit on the way to Carbon Negative The sustainability team at Microsoft feels the journey to its carbon-negative future is like a marathon. It’s a long haul effort. But they expect to achieve their goals through interim goals that they imagine as quarterly sprints. These sprints are highlighted through the three Scopes of emissions.

Scope 1 - a focus on Microsoft’s own house

1 - All data centers should be diesel-free by 2030

2 - Microsoft’s global vehicle fleet is to be entirely electrified by 2030

Scope 2 - closing the loop for Microsoft through 100% renewable energy sourcing by 2025, that means for all data centers and campus facilities.

Scope 3 - working to address upstream and downstream issues on the Microsoft value chain AND ensure that all creation of hardware and software uses carbon-free sources

This stellar example of clean energy commitment is just the kind of thing that’s needed by organizations worldwide to not only halt the damage that’s being done to the environment but to turn things around.

How Microsoft is funding these amazing changes Internally, Microsoft has put in place governance measures that enable the organization to keep energy concerns front and center while also motivating its myriad teams to take action on them. Each business group within the company pays a fee for the carbon emissions they are responsible for producing and this rate has been progressively increased since its implementation This has become a catalyst for change within the organization. It spurs and finances innovation that makes Microsoft’s energy initiatives possible and changes how the organization as a whole thinks about sustainability. And, perhaps best of all, it has made the long-term cost of carbon visible to Microsoft’s leadership.

But Microsoft has not stopped with internal funding, it has created a $1 billion Climate Innovation Fund. This fund will be deployed from 2021-2025 to help address the technological barriers to putting the world on the path to sustainable energy.

The challenges to attaining Microsoft’s ambitious goals The team at Microsoft believes it is not enough for Microsoft alone to make these kinds of changes to its sustainability practices. The organization wants to innovate alongside other organizations to move the needle forward, faster. They believe that the solutions they are creating can be deployed at scale in cooperation with partner organizations. Cleaning their own house is where it starts but it extends to empowering and encouraging partners to move forward as well.

Governing Microsoft’s efforts in these partnerships are these three key principles:

Put data first (you can’t solve a problem that isn’t fully understood)
Take responsibility for your own carbon footprint
Empower others to also assess and address their own carbon footprint

Listen to hear the details of how Microsoft is making the goal of Carbon Negative a reality.

Resources & People Mentioned * Microsoft’s carbon negative pledge statement

Connect with Vanessa Miler-Fels, Director of Energy Innovation and Impact at Microsoft * Follow Vanessa Miler-Fels on LinkedIn

Vanessa Miler-Fels is Director of Energy Innovation and Impact at Microsoft. She works with Microsoft’s Chief Environmental Officer on cross-company energy topics engaging with our operations, customers, and supply chain. Before that, for the last five years, Vanessa worked on the CO+I Energy and Sustainability team on renewable energy procurement for Microsoft Datacenters. Before joining Microsoft, she worked at a green-infrastructure private equity fund based in London and at the French Ministry of Finance. Vanessa is French and Indian, from Paris-Pondicherry, holds a Master in international affairs from Sciences-Po Paris, an MBA from ESCP, and is a graduate of the Ecole Nationale d'Administration.

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If you're interested in participating in the next edition of the SED Virtual Innovation Summit taking place on March 22-25th, 2021, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Event Operations Director, Lisa Carroll at lisa@smartenergydecisions.com"

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In light of recent national events, it is a great time to be focused on renewables. In this episode, Rob Collier, Vice President of Developer Relations at LevelTen Energy, provides his five predictions for the Corporate Renewable Energy Market for 2021. LevelTen Energy provides transaction infrastructure for renewable energy buyers, advisors, and sellers. Rob ensures buyers and advisors have access to the latest data on utility-scale renewable energy projects under development. His team also enables developers to have the latest market intel to help them make strategic pricing and development decisions. Prior to joining LevelTen, Rob worked for utility-scale solar developer OneEnergy Renewables as Director of Development. He recently wrote an article outlining his five predictions for the corporate renewable energy market in 2021 and is talking with us about that topic in more detail on this episode of Smart Energy Voices.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * The goal of LevelTen Energy. [4:13] * One of LevelTen’s biggest focus areas right now. [7:18] * Social justice and renewables procurement. [10:31] * What buyers are focusing on when it comes to social justice concerns in the industry. [14:28] * The impact a move toward social justice in renewables will have on diversity and inclusion in the industry. [17:17] * More companies will become 100% renewable. [20:19] * More companies committing to reducing their scope 3 emissions. [30:00] * Storage being added to PPA portfolios. [37:52] * How the need for speed will be driving innovation. [45:04]

Social justice will be a key consideration in renewables procurement This year’s events and the resulting protests embodied in the Black Lives Matter movement have sharpened and accelerated the industry’s focus on social justice. Companies within the renewables industry are taking a look at how procurement can move forward in a meaningful, authentic, and impactful way in light of these events. Even before this year, corporate buyers were already recognizing they had the power to influence how projects get developed and ultimately get built. They are looking closer at developers’ practices regarding social justice. Rob breaks this down into three categories in this episode. Listen to hear some of the ways corporations will take social justice into account in 2021.

More companies will aim to be 100% renewable at all times Another big topic for 2021 that is generating more questions than answers right now is the move to 100% renewable energy. There is a distinction between 24/7 carbon-free and renewable energy — to shift from renewable to carbon-free will bring in the need to look at nuclear biomass storage rather than just the usual talk about wind and solar. Google is a thought-leader in this movement and will be instrumental in the forward momentum of this innovation.

One question raised during this episode centered around how practical it is for small companies to go 24/7 carbon-free. Rob said some of it would be possible but not on the same timeline as the larger companies like Google. However, companies that want to go in that direction will pave a path for others that think 24/7 is the right approach. Either way, Rob believes the goal for all companies should be more renewables, faster — and that companies need to take meaningful action now. Rob’s advice is to just get started and don’t necessarily worry about perfection.

Storage Will Be Added to PPA Portfolios In 2021, storage will be an important part of the clean energy equation. Corporations will be signing PPAs connected with utility-scale storage projects in addition to their standard wind and solar deals. There have only been a handful of storage deals announced but Rob believes we will see a tight shift in 2021 due to significant cost declines and recognition of the value of storage.

Storage can extend the time of day when corporations can deliver clean energy. By developing storage solutions, companies will be able to deliver energy at those times when their projects are overproducing and discharge that energy at a later time, allowing them to get closer to that 24/7 carbon-free mix. It will not be possible to get to that 24/7 goal without storage — it has to be a big part of that plan.

Resources & People Mentioned * LevelTen Energy * Rob’s Article: 5 Predictions for the Corporate Renewable Energy Market in 2021 * 3Degrees, Inc. * Salesforce’s More than a Megawatt * Google’s 24/7 by 2030: Realizing a Carbon-free Future * Renewables Forward Initiative * LevelTen Q3 PPA Price Index

Connect with Rob Collier * Follow Rob on LinkedIn

LevelTen Energy provides transaction infrastructure for renewable energy buyers, advisors, and sellers. At LevelTen, Rob leads the developer relations team, ensuring buyers and advisors have access to the latest data on utility-scale renewable energy projects under development, and that developers have the latest market intel to help them make strategic pricing and development decisions. Prior to joining LevelTen, Rob worked for utility-scale solar developer OneEnergy Renewables as director of development.

Connect With Smart Energy Decisions * https://smartenergydecisions.com * Follow them on Facebook * Follow them on Twitter * Follow them on LinkedIn

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Because the energy industry is widely diverse and constantly changing, energy companies and their partners often have difficulty keeping up with the changes. Lynda Clemmons, Vice President of Sustainable Solutions at NRG Energy, joins us for this episode to speak on how best to navigate these fast transitions within the industry. As the leader of the Sales, Sustainability, and Project Management teams, she manages three jobs ranging from Fortune 500 customer interface to actual steel-in-the-ground implementation. She is working to create a cleaner energy future through technology, renewables, and efficiency, both within the organization and with clients. She has been at NRG since 2012.

Lynda’s career journey has been characterized by a series of challenging opportunities, giving her a wealth of knowledge and experience to share on the topic of rapid change within the energy industry. Lynda started her career as an analyst in an investment bank. She then spent eight years at Enron where she started the weather derivatives business as well as the SO2 and NOx emissions trading desk. In 2000, Lynda co-founded and was COO of XL Weather and Energy (a division of XL Capital Ltd), a trading and insurance company based in Connecticut. She also co-founded and was the former President of the Weather Risk Management Association.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Lynda’s many career roles and experiences. [2:04] * The ways Lynda has seen companies face challenges and transitions. [16:20] * Role models who have inspired Lynda over the years. [23:20] * Hot energy topics of 2021. [29:37] * Concept of electrification and what it can do in our personal lives. [32:11] * What the industry will look like in the next 3-5 years. [36:15] * Her advice on people just getting started in the industry. [40:32]

Corporate behaviors toward rapid changes Lynda said she has noticed many similarities in the way companies behave when tackling challenges and transitions. One of the biggest similarities is the way they work to overcome the initial inertia of seeing things in an old way — how the companies adjust their business model and workforces to manage the changes. She said this process of refinement is continuous and is seen in every generation. The biggest change or difference now is that the rapidity with which people are adjusting to change seems to be increasing — not just the amount of change, but the rate of change. She has noticed how quickly people are willing to change their mindset about technology and be able to adapt. That personalization and that rate of change is one of the things that has been a big difference.

Electrification and Evolve Houston Lynda believes one of the hot topics of 2021 and a central theme for the industry will be electrification. She said the push for electrification is happening for many reasons and that climate change, health, and economics are becoming intertwined. The opportunities are blatantly obvious in how the energy transition is happening, as well as the availability for the clean energy transition to reach down to the individual and continue the momentum. It is providing the ability for the individual to be their own electricity producer instead of just a consumer.

The City of Houston — where NRG Energy has its headquarters — has long called itself “the energy capital of the world” but it has always been primarily in the area of fossil fuels. Now, the city has not only put out a Climate Action Plan but is committed to becoming carbon neutral. The city's leadership is also looking at fleet electrification with a public/private partnership called Evolve Houston. Evolve Houston’s stated goal is that 30% of new cars being sold by 2030 will be electric vehicles. In just the last twelve to fifteen months the initiative has planned for a total of forty new electric cars coming out in the next two years. The structure that Evolve Houston has adopted would be a good model for other cities to emulate.

Looking toward the future Lynda predicts an integration of the environment, finance, and energy over the next three to five years. Richard Sandor — one of Lynda’s mentors — was the first to vocalize this concept of aligning the incentives that allow competitive markets to work. That is where the market is heading and certainly what companies like NRG are fighting for.

As the industry continues to give individuals opportunities to participate in the marketplace, personalization will become a natural outcome. Americans just expect the light to come on when they flip the switch. They don't think about all that has gone into powering that light. Now with personal solar, personal batteries, and the ability to participate in community programs, people will have a much better idea of how their consumption is impacting their overall environment and what it means for them from a financial perspective. Individuals will better understand how they can contribute to their overall environment and what that means to them, both environmentally and economically. The alignment that comes with such personalization is going to become something that becomes very natural for us.

Resources & People Mentioned * Richard Sandor * Evolve Houston * NRG Energy

Connect with Lynda Clemmons * Follow Lynda on Twitter

Follow Lynda on LinkedIn

Lynda Clemmons Vice President, Sustainable Solutions at NRG Energy

Lynda Clemmons is a Vice President in NRG Energy’s Business Solutions group. As the leader of the Sales, Sustainability, and Project Management teams, she manages three jobs ranging from Fortune 500 customer interface to actual steel-in-the-ground implementation. She is working to create a cleaner energy future through technology, renewables, and efficiency, both within the organization and with clients. She has been at NRG since 2012.

Lynda started her career as an analyst in an investment bank. She then spent eight years at Enron where she started the weather derivatives business as well as the SO2 and NOx emissions trading desk. In 2000, Lynda co-founded and was COO of XL Weather and Energy (a division of XL Capital Ltd), a trading and insurance company based in Connecticut. She also co-founded and was the former President of the Weather Risk Management Association.

Lynda holds BA degrees in History and French from Southern Methodist University and a Master of Finance from Tulane University.

To become a Sponsor Partner of Smart Energy Voices Season 2, please reach out to tim@smartenergydecisions.com for packages, pricing and further details. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions * https://smartenergydecisions.com * Follow them on Facebook * Follow them on Twitter

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On this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Jeff Colvin, Executive VP of Sales at MP2 Energy, joins John Failla of Smart Energy Decisions to discuss his career as a leader in the energy industry and his role at MP2 and its relationship with Shell Energy North America. With the growing interest that international oil companies have in the energy transition and the role that MP2 Energy is specifically playing for Shell Energy North America, this conversation provides tremendous insights.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Jeff and his role with MP2 Energy [1:38] * Shell’s interest in renewables [3:12] * Advantages of being an early mover in developing an integrated power business [5:24] * The role MP2 Energy is playing in Shell’s North American strategy [8:07] * Important considerations for shifting to renewables and sustainability goals [11:19] * How MP2 is positioned to meet expanding customer needs [13:09] * Some specific customer deployments MP2 has had success with [15:17] * How large company announcements are bringing small renewable initiatives [18:31] * How Shell’s reach has allowed MP2 to adapt and move with the company [20:23] * Where the industry is heading in terms of evolving customer requirements [22:30] * What led Jeff to start a career in the energy industry [25:10] * The pivotal point that propelled Jeff into seeking leadership positions [27:27] * How Jeff’s career has evolved and his proudest accomplishments [29:28] * Jeff’s biggest challenges [33:48] * Integration and acquisition challenges and solutions [36:29] * Jeff’s legacy in the energy industry [39:25]

The focus is electricity Shell sees electricity as the fastest-growing part of the energy industry and a huge opportunity as companies focus more on renewables to mitigate their greenhouse gas emissions. Shell Energy North America (SENA) is a leader of power traders and wholesale suppliers in North America and abroad. MP2 Energy, which was acquired by Shell in September of 2017, works with companies like Wells Fargo to meet renewable energy goals.

How larger company initiatives are impacting Scope 3 emissions As large corporations like Facebook, Google, and Amazon set science-based targets, companies like Shell are beginning to communicate with companies that provide their supply chain and scope 3 emissions. Companies that supply these large corporations are influenced by these conglomerates to live up to their sustainability initiatives and goals alike. It is encouraging to see smaller companies in the supply chain see value in the message that larger corporations are sending worldwide when it comes to sustainability.

Leaving a legacy...how Jeff would like to be remembered In Jeff’s words, “I'd like to know that our customers are in a better place with their budget and with their sustainability targets and that they're smarter about how they use their power than they were before they came to us or before we met them. I'd like to know that our brokers and consultants trust us to do what's right for them and for our mutual customers, day in and day out. I’d like to know that MP2 and Shell are better, maybe just a bit, but better because I and my team were here, and that the team we built made a difference. I know, those are lofty goals considering the size of Royal Dutch Shell, but it remains. If I walk away in 20 years and the customers and the brokers and the organization as a whole are better because of what our teams delivered, then I'm a happy and a proud man and I walk away knowing that I did good.”

Resources & People Mentioned * MP2 Energy a Shell Energy North America Subsidiary

Connect with Jeff Colvin * On Linkedin

Jeff Colvin, Executive Vice President Sales, MP2 Energy At MP2 Energy, Jeff Colvin, EVP, Sales, has built up both the Pricing and Sales teams, improved training and coaching efforts, deployed a CRM solution, built and released a scalable Renewable Energy platform, and has been critical in leading a Sales Team that increased sales year over year every year that he has been in the organization. Most recently Jeff onboarded a new channel, a Large C&I National Direct Sales Team, something very different for MP2 historically, a business built on the backs of its Retail Brokers and Consultants. Jeff joined MP2 Energy in 2016; in April 2020, he was promoted to EVP, Sales to help guide, direct, and lead the commercial C&I business and the overarching strategy of MP2 within Shell.

Connect With Smart Energy Decisions * https://smartenergydecisions.com * Follow them on Facebook * Follow them on Twitter * Follow them on LinkedIn

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In this episode, we'll be in conversation with Alissa Yakali, Supply Chain Sustainability Manager at Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc., and Joey Lange, Senior Director of Client Services at Edison Energy, for an inside look at Honda's 10 years of experience in working with their supply chain to reduce emissions and how they're currently working with Edison Energy to take their supply chain program to the next level. You won’t want to miss out on the great information within today’s show.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Meeting Alissa [1:45] * Meeting Joey [2:39] * How Honda has evolved its commitment to sustainability over the years [4:36] * What drives Honda’s commitment to sustainability? [6:18] * How Honda’s approach compares to what Joey sees in the market [7:14] * Emission reduction commitments vs renewable energy goals vs other factors [9:27] * How Honda is engaging their supply chain to reduce its scope three emissions [14:39] * Mistakes & secrets to getting suppliers to engage in a sustainability program [16:13] * Biggest challenges Alissa faced in the beginning that you may be facing now [19:39] * Building trust with suppliers [21:54] * How scorecards help with transparency and accountability [23:15] * Tools Honda has in place to set suppliers up for success then vs now [26:37] * The cloud-based energy management system Honda is developing [29:55] * Why Honda needs a partner like Edison Energy [36:05] * How Edison is meeting suppliers where they are and educating them on options [37:47] * What Joey sees going forward in terms of supply chain sustainability? [40:54] * Using green bonds to help suppliers with efficiency programs [42:46] * What does the future of the program look like for Honda? [45:10]

Getting supply chains engaged through education in lieu of force These days, there are many people that are interested in and working their supply chains and reducing emissions because it's a large portion of the overall emissions. Sometimes it's as much as 10 times their own Scope 2 emissions. It's something that people need to tackle if they're working toward their sustainability and carbon goals. The way Honda has gone about it has shown great leadership.

Why will suppliers want to get involved? In this case, it's because they're getting something out of it. Honda is not just setting a mandate and saying, “Hey, you've got to cut your emissions or we're going to take credit for your emissions reductions.” Their message is, “We're going to help you. We're going to educate you on your opportunities and this is going to be good for YOUR company and here’s why.”

Building trust with the supplier by giving instead of taking away Thinking about Honda and the building of trust in the early years of their program, Alissa says she doesn’t want to know how much money suppliers are saving - she only wants to know how much CO2 they're reducing. They’ll ask, “You're not going to ask for that money back?” and Alissa responds, “No, please keep your money. Don't share that with me. That is your confidential information, just show me the CO2.” That has been a huge point of success.

Keeping score for transparency Honda is the first automotive manufacturer in North America to have a sustainability scorecard. As suppliers start giving data and reporting, Alissa can share back with them where they stand in relation to the targets and where they stand versus their peers so it’s not just submitting data and not getting anything in return. This sustainability scorecard can then be shared with their top executives and with their stakeholders to show how they're doing in Honda's eyes.

Honda wanted to show the suppliers that they are not just taking your data and putting it into a dark hole that's never being used. They do this for many different aspects of sustainability, not just for environmental sustainability, so it's a full gamut on this scorecard. First, it is for transparency, then maybe two or three years from now, Alissa hopes they will be able to use this scorecard with purchasing associates and let them know when a supplier is not meeting the target. It's not about taking away the business, but it's going to start a conversation.

Resources & People Mentioned

Honda of America Manufacturing Inc
Edison Energy

Connect with Alissa

Alissa Yakali on Linkedin

Alissa Yakali, Honda of America Manufacturing Inc, Supply Chain Sustainability Manager

Alissa Yakali the Supply Chain Sustainability Manager for Honda of America Manufacturing INC. She has been with Honda for 18 years. The last eight years with the Sustainability Team and previously with Honda North American Purchasing as a Senior Buyer. Alissa’s Honda experience, commodity and supplier knowledge is a strong asset while working with the 750+ suppliers in the areas of CO2 data collection and reduction. Alissa holds a BA from Western Michigan University in Supply Chain Management.

Connect with Joey

Joey Lange on Linkedin

Joey Lange, Edison Energy, Senior Director of Client Services

Joey advises renewable energy strategy development and execution for Edison Energy’s clients. As the Senior Director of the Client Services team he oversees all client strategy and works directly with clients from early-stage market assessment through competitive solicitations, finance and risk evaluations, internal approvals, and commercial negotiations.
Prior to Edison Energy, Joey was on the Walmart Renewable Energy team, where he led the development of battery storage projects, electric vehicle infrastructure, and energy efficiency finance models. Before project development, he was responsible for the feasibility analysis, design guidance, and project implementation of over 80 rooftop and 20 carport solar installations as well as 20 hydrogen fuel cells for Walmart’s portfolio.
Joey graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Aerospace Engineering and earned a MBA from the University of Texas.

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How do you quantify the value of a microgrid, which in some cases can be thought of as an insurance policy? You're ensuring that your facility doesn't go down or have an outage. How much is an outage really worth and how do you value that?

In this age of Covid19, the pressure to fulfill commitments still remains high. Investor pressure remains high. Project goals remain in place. But the financing is no longer available. What should customers be looking at and exploring in the interest of managing this dilemma? Listen to the episode to hear how Matthew Walters, Head of Distributed Energy Systems, Americas at SIEMENS tackles it from a holistic approach.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Matt and his role at Siemens [1:35] * How are customers reacting to the current COVID19 environment? [3:07] * Managing the high pressure and big goals— no budget— dilemma [4:52] * What are the key elements in a holistic approach and what do they involve? [6:29] * Having a full programmatic approach for an organization's energy strategy [7:15] * The largest renewable energy project in Manhattan [9:40] * Nirvana for most energy managers today [12:09] * Using a phased approach [13:50] * Traditional grid supplies [15:22] * Exploring creative off-balance-sheet financing programs [18:43]

When energy isn’t the core business In the midst of the COVID crisis, we're seeing customers that are focused on their core business and just dealing with making the changes that they need to operate their businesses effectively. When we're looking at the distributed energy sector, we're looking at a lot of behind-the-meter projects where energy is not the core business of the customer groups. As they're looking for ways to navigate a changing environment, energy can fall and be deprioritized in the budgeting process. That's going to require this industry to push forward with more innovative solutions, specifically when it comes to financing and energy-as-a-service. Look at functions like resiliency and sustainability: even if budgets have gone down, the pressure to become more sustainable and to become more resilient has increased. The demand is still very strong, the budget situation and the economic environment that we're in is very challenging. And so that's where innovation has to happen. Check out the full episode today for more details!

Using a phased approach In this episode, Matthew talks about using an approach that takes a project step-by-step in terms of what needs to go first, second, and third sequentially to get the best outcomes for their customers. What is the low-hanging fruit that you can work on today? Then start including energy supply strategies and onsite investments to complement that as a part of a phased approach. Once those opportunities are identified, a consultative mindset helps to work with customers to meet the budgets and to plan timelines. Listen in to learn more!

It’s not about who offers what, it’s about what serves who It's not about what Siemens can offer or what others can offer in the market, it’s what is the right financial offering that serves what the customer needs. Whether it's off-balance-sheet solutions or creative on-balance-sheet financing solutions, it's important not to be pigeonholed into an approach that may not be supported once it gets to the finance department. These financial structures take support across the C-suite and it's going to require that level of buy-in and a partnership with your energy solution provider to help navigate and succeed.

Resources & People Mentioned * Siemens

Connect with Matthew * On Linkedin

Matthew Walters, Head of Distributed Energy Systems, Americas at SIEMENS Matthew leads the Distributed Energy Systems (DES), Center of Competence, which is dedicated to helping public and private sector companies make smart, sustainable investments in distributed energy systems. Matthew has over 15 years of industry experience and has spent the last ten years with Siemens. Matthew’s career has been focused on energy project development, commercial advisory, structured finance, and strategic planning. Matthew was appointed to Head the Center of Competence in 2015, driving the growth of Siemens’ broad DES portfolio including power generation, controls, technology/engineering expertise, financial offerings, new business models, and establishing Siemens as a leader in DES. Since this time, DES has become a considerable growth sector for Siemens.

Matthew has extensive domestic and international experience, specializing in power plant development, cogeneration, renewable energy, project finance, and commercial structuring. His experience ranges across both public and private sectors, including commercial, industrial, institutional, and utility sectors.

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Many market trends today revolve around resiliency, sustainability, and reduction in carbon emissions. These are all at the forefront of customer's minds and are driven by their own corporate ESG goals. Robert Vary, Senior Vice President Sales & Relationship Management, Duke Energy, discusses energy solutions that allow customers to conserve their own capital while providing subscription payments that allow customers to have a predictable budget on what they spend on energy efficiency.

John Failla points out that “COVID has had an impact on everyone's budgets, but the pressure to meet goals, the pressure to meet emission targets...the investor pressure related to ESG goals is unrelenting. So...we think they're going to be much more interested in these energy-as-a-service, third-party, financing-type programs.”

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Duke Energy and their Account Management and Economic Development teams [02:12] * Customer trends that are driving the energy market [07:14] * Reducing energy costs in order to focus funds on other projects [08:50] * ESG Investments [09:28] * Sustainability and decarbonization technology [09:55] * The need for resiliency options to sustain business and competitive advantage [10:57] * Energy efficiency as-a-service [13:27] * Emerging energy technology [16:00]

Put your money where your interest is Robert explains how implementing energy solutions enable customers to focus their energies on their own core competencies and their money on other important company goals. He explains how Kroger was able to save enough energy through solar installations at their bakery in California that they were then able to invest their money into their Zero Hunger Zero Waste hunger-elimination program.

Weathering and thriving in the storms When considering storms and wildfires, there is an increased need for resiliency to sustain businesses. Robert tells about solutions, such as microgrids, that enable businesses to maintain power and production during power-loss events. If one can provide service during a power outage event while other businesses cannot, they are actually able to increase the amount of business they get from their customers. Robert notes that the saves provided from resiliency solutions saved customers, on average, over 2.5 hours of downtime each, thus allowing them to continue to run their business and bring in profit.

Up-and-coming energy technologies Robert tells us about emerging energy technologies such as fleet electrification, EV charging infrastructure, solar storage, resiliency, and energy efficiencies. As an example, Robert discusses Amazon’s $800 million investment in Rivian’s EV platform as well as their 100,000-fleet EV. Additionally, Duke Energy announced that they will be making a commitment to invest in EV and converting the majority of their fleet by 2030.

Connect with Robert Vary * On Linkedin

Robert Vary, Senior Vice President Sales & Relationship Management, Duke Energy Robert Vary serves as Duke Energy’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Relationship Management.He is responsible for managing accounts and business development, and driving wholesale power, commercial renewables and distributed energy solution sales for all municipal, cooperative and investor-owned utilities, as well as large commercial and industrial customers. Robert’s team is the company’s primary customer interface, managing account relationships for Duke Energy’s top accounts, engaging customers that fit within its top commercial segments, and promoting Duke Energy’s portfolio of products and solutions to our target customers. Robert joined the company in 2019 and assumed his current role in July 2020. With more than 29 years of experience in the energy industry, Robert has held various leadership roles in sales and marketing, account management, and service in the U.S. and Europe, including head of sales for the Americas region for ABB Group. Robert serves on the boards of REC Solar and Joules Accelerator. Robert received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He grew up in West Wareham, Mass. He and his wife, Michelle, have four sons.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, guest Dave Grupp, VP and Head of Renewable Services at Direct Energy Business, talks about his career and gives us his take on the evolution of the retail energy business, including the expanding role that renewable energy is playing within it. After 15 years in the industry, Dave has had a front-row seat to the changes that have taken place and has seen the market mature and evolve in that time.

There will be plenty to take away as he touches on many different areas of interest in his discussion with John. From challenges to successes and goals to inspirations, this is an episode with something for everyone. Energy is growing, so learning from others is one way we can grow with it!

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Who Dave Grupp is and his role at Direct Energy Business [1:43] * Some of the biggest changes that have taken place in Dave’s time [3:32] * The biggest challenges for retail energy companies evolving in a changing market [4:47] * How has customer demand for renewable energy impacted the retail business? [6:57] * Why Dave was chosen for this role and some of his goals [10:57] * Major challenges over the last 12 months [15:08] * Will reluctance to adapt to renewables cause a downgrade? [18:26] * Dave’s 1, 5, & 10 year predictions for where energy is heading [21:07] * What drives Dave Grupp? [25:50] * Who was Dave’s biggest influence and who inspires him [30:19] * Pointers on successful collaboration [34:14]

Serious consolidation has taken place One of the biggest changes that Dave has observed over time is the growth of risk management within the industry. He says the market's become more efficient and that there’s been more consolidation. Nearly half of all customer loads are controlled by the top three suppliers and around 97% by the top 20, so it's fascinating to watch where the money flows and who's paying attention to energy these days. Get the full scoop when you listen to this informative episode of Smart Energy Voices.

Future challenges could include a disruptor in the energy space Dave talks about how there haven't been any real disruptors in the space in the last five or 10 years. The role of renewable energy and distributed energy resources have all started to become much more common and certainly create new challenges for retail suppliers. Future challenges will likely include a new disruptor, whether it be technology or someone well-capitalized that upends the current business models that we all operate under. Tech companies are very active in the renewable space. Will they become more active in the retail energy space and compete with or against suppliers or even become suppliers? Check out the full episode to learn more.

A collaboration where everyone wins is good for even your harshest critic Collaboration is a huge factor and it potentially gets overused at times. Understanding who your stakeholders are is essential to successful collaboration. Making sure that you understand their motivations and finding a way to allow them to be successful while getting what you want and need is critical. It's been interesting for Dave to collaborate with so many different people over the years. He recommends seeking input from those that would be your strongest attractors - not just collaborating with people that agree with you or that are on your team. Who is your harshest critic, could you bring them along for the ride? If you can do that then you’ve achieved something incredible. Learn more about how when you listen to this episode of SEV.

Resources & People Mentioned * Dave’s company Direct Energy Business

Connect with Dave Grupp * On Linkedin

Dave Grupp, VP, and Head of Renewable Services, Direct Energy Business Dave Grupp serves as VP and Head of Renewable Services for Direct Energy Business. He is responsible for the overall business strategy and execution delivering renewable power and zero-carbon natural gas supply to commercial and industrial customers. Dave is currently heading the transformation of Direct Energy into the leading provider of renewable energy services in North America.

Prior to his current role, Dave spent the past 10 years as Head of National Key Accounts for Direct Energy and has over 25 years of industry experience. Dave also worked in various other capacities in sales, marketing and product management and is responsible for developing the company’s “Make Me GreenTM” renewable energy product certified by Green-e Energy.

Prior to retail energy, Dave worked for an industrial fan manufacturer providing pollution control solutions to heavy industry including chemical, steel, and power generation. In his role as Director of R&D, Dave was responsible for aerodynamic and acoustic testing and design and as Project Manager was responsible for rotordynamic and mechanical analyses while providing oversight for multimillion dollar projects.

Dave routinely presents at conferences on the topics of energy markets and renewable energy. In addition he has published and presented several technical papers on fan performance and design at AMCA/ASHRAE, EPRI, and the North American Mine Ventilation Symposium.

Dave holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State with a minor in Engineering Mechanics and graduated with honors with a MBA with concentrations in Finance and Sustainability from Duquesne University.

Dave currently resides in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife Milan, boys Maddox and Camden, and two yellow labs, Wallace & Grommit.

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Why is the future of the grid distributed? Customers want control over the cost of energy. They also want reliability and choice. Additionally, access to cost-efficient energy is a business necessity. These reasons combined with new lower-cost technology are the driving force behind capital spending for Distributed Energy Resources ( DERs). According to a Wood Mackenzie report, DER capacity will reach 387 gigawatts by 2025, propelled by $110 billion in investments such as battery storage, electric vehicle infrastructure, and grid-interactive appliance sales. It's shaping up to be a pretty big trend in the future, says Doug Sansom, Director of DER Sales for NRG.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Why the future of the grid is distributed [2:52] * What is driving the need for DERs? [4:00] * A day in the life of a customer dispatching DERs [6:38] * 5 questions customers seeking answers should ask [8:55] * A la carte purchasing of energy and services vs hiring a management company [12:02] * What NRG is doing to bring bundled integration solutions to the market [14:09] * What type of customer would a bundled approach work for? [15:53] * What we’ll be talking about 5 years from now [19:42]

5 questions to ask when you’re looking for a supply partner Doug explains that there are five questions a customer who is seeking answers about partnering with a sophisticated load manager should ask themselves:

How large is the cost of energy relative to the rest of the business’s cost structure?
Is the business flexible enough to reduce energy during peak demand periods?
What's the cost of the business if a power outage happens during operations?
Does the business have resources dedicated to responding to the energy market in managing sustainable resources of supply?
What's the real cost of managing multiple energy providers versus working with a single sophisticated provider?

Listen to this episode for more in-depth coverage of these questions and how they may pertain to you and your business.

What is driving the need for Distributed Energy Resources? It’s a combination of different needs. To arrange for the growth and expansion of new technologies, the grid is going to have to become more distributed. What customer needs and pain points are creating the demand for this distributed grid and increase in DER deployment?

We know from experience that customers are focused on their operational needs more so than just energy itself. They see energy as a means to an end and they want DERs to help them overcome several challenges such as managing the cost of energy in the face of dynamic rate determinants, time of use, demand charges, coincident peak demand charges, et cetera. Customers also want DERs to help them achieve sustainability goals while assuring that their power will always be there when they need it. All of this translates to the freedom to access energy on their terms at a cost-efficient rate when they need it.

Looking into the future… what will we be talking about in 5 years? Looking at how far the market has come in the last 36 months shows a dramatic transformation. This is what Doug’s had to say about what’s to come from his perspective and experience related to this concept.

“Energy is on a product life cycle and I personally believe that technology will continue to drive the product life cycle of energy. The race to develop more responsive energy solutions will be fueled by data, decentralization of the grid and de-carbonization. Those three have really been driving this macro trend in our energy industry now for some time. But I think we'll see a lot more evidence of that as it continues to expand through the market. Success in the future looks like delivering energy from a resource the customer wants when they want It with the assurance that the energy will be there anytime they want it.”

Resources & People Mentioned * Wood Mackenzie report on DER growth * Doug’s company, NRG

Connect with Doug Sansom * On Linkedin

Hugh Douglas Sansom, Director, DER Sales for NRG ‘Doug’ currently serves as Director, DER Sales for NRG. Doug customizes Demand Response solutions for North American Utilities, Commercial & Industrial customers. For the past 17 years Doug has served in executive positions with smart grid and demand response companies like Comcast, BPL Global, Compath Technologies and Comverge. He has managed residential demand response projects in the US and abroad for utilities like Visayan Electric Company, Pepco Holdings, and Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative. He has also deployed smart grid projects in Cebu City, Bangkok, Curitiba, Kuwait City and Le Mans.
Doug has designed and operated all phases of a Demand Response project. His specialty is successfully deploying programs while managing a positive customer service experience.
Doug graduated from the United States Military Academy with a concentration in math and civil engineering and from the Wharton School with a M.B.A.

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Peter Kelly-Detwiler sits down with Teresa Kanter, from Duke Energy Renewables (DER), and Erika Bierschbach, from Austin Energy (AE), to discuss the City of Austin's leadership in renewable energy procurement and their partnership with Duke Energy.

You’ll hear how Duke Energy Renewables and Austin Energy are moving forward and pushing limits in Austin. Listen to this episode of Smart Energy Voices to hear specific insights from both buyer and supplier perspectives.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Teresa, and what she does at Duke Energy Renewables [2:31] * Erika, and what she does at Austin Energy [4:17] * How Austin Energy works with Duke Energy Renewables to be 100% carbon-free [5:52] * What part of their portfolio Austin Energy is focused on and why [7:24] * How Duke works with prospects to stay on top of what they are looking for [9:02] * Advice from an industry leader on moving towards 100% carbon-free goals [11:26] * Top risks to be aware of when engaging in a sizable commitment [12:32] * How to manage geographic risk [14:08] * What should we be thinking about for tomorrow? [16:20]

Staying ahead in a competitive market There are a lot of suppliers and developers out there so the energy marketplace is a pretty competitive space. Working with prospects and customers to stay on top of what they're looking for will ensure that you're bringing them something not just today but tomorrow as well. You want them to come back to you and at least engage with you in the future. How do you stay ahead of that moving dynamic?

The answer is different for everyone. Duke prides itself on not just putting metal and equipment in the ground and then running off. They hire local people in the area. They stay in the community and stay involved. Customers like Austin Energy always seem to be ahead of the game. They hold themselves to a higher level because they push themselves and their City Council. They commission a lot of studies and want to be on the cutting edge of the next technology, making certain that they’re looking under every rock for the best opportunity in affordability, reliability, and reaching the goals of a greener future.

Important aspects of the PPA Depending on how a contract is structured, the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) needs to be focused on closely. Congestion and basis risk are huge depending on where you are going to pick up the power, where it's being delivered by the developer, and where that transfer of ownership occurs.

Additionally, pay attention to the market rules that will affect the value of the portfolio and how ERCOT market rules develop over time. It's a very engaged and involved stakeholder process. Some of the smaller cities and municipalities are part of a larger aggregated group, they all vote together. So knowing who your partners are on all sides of the agreement is crucial. It helps to understand what they're doing to transfer some risk, to quantify that risk, and then to manage the risk so that you do not have to pay a heavy price. Just understanding those different aspects of the PPA is very important.

Making waves and moving forward The takeaway seems clear. In a complex and evolving market, companies like Austin Energy that do their homework, ask the right questions, and pull the right levers are helping to create a wave that moves the whole market forward. Solar is today what wind was about five or ten years ago and will grow faster than wind did. It’s a part of your portfolio that shouldn't be ignored.

Resources & People Mentioned * Austin Energy * Duke Energy Renewables

Connect with our guests * Teresa Kanter on Linkedin * Erika Bierschbach on Linkedin

Teresa Kanter, Business Development Manager, Duke Energy Renewables A long-term energy professional, Teresa Kanter today heads up municipal, co-operative, and investor-owned utility relationship management for Duke Energy Renewables (DER) commercial business development organization, a non-regulated subsidiary of one of the US’ largest energy holding companies, Duke Energy. Since 2019, Teresa has focused on increasing DER’s emphasis on customer relationships and expanding renewable energy adoption. She first joined Duke Energy in 2012 working in Regulated Generation Fuels & Systems Optimization. Responsible for the Carolinas regulated generation natural gas physical and financial portfolio positions, she helped the business grow from 150 Bcf/yr of gas burn in 2012 to more than 450 Bcf/yr in 2019. Prior to joining Duke, Teresa managed the Mid-Continent and West gas portfolios for Wells Fargo Commodities, formerly Wachovia, and Odyssey Energy Services. Teresa was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and received her B.S. in Business Management from Oklahoma State University. She serves on the Board of Governors at Pine Island Country Club. Teresa enjoys traveling, hiking, and baking but you can usually find her on a golf course in search of her next hole-in-one.

Erika Bierschbach | Vice President, Energy Market Operations & Resource Planning | Austin Energy Erika Bierschbach is Vice President of Energy Market Operations and Resource Planning at Austin Energy. She is responsible for the utility’s physical and financial power portfolio in the ERCOT wholesale electric market, including Austin Energy’s Real Time, Day Ahead, and Forward Market desks. Erika oversees the origination of the utility’s renewable power purchase agreements and manages market operations for Austin Energy’s owned and contracted resources. She is also responsible for resource planning at Austin Energy which includes achieving the climate protection and affordability goals established by the Austin City Council and Austin Energy.

Erika has more than 25 years of experience in energy markets, including positions in energy risk management at Enron Capital and Trade and Duke Energy Trading and Marketing. She joined Austin Energy in 2001 to develop, implement and later manage the utility’s energy hedging program. Erika’s prior positions at Austin Energy include Manager of Energy Supply and Risk Management as well as both Manager and Director of Energy Market Operations. Erika has established more than 2,250 Megawatts of renewable energy contracts during her tenure at Austin Energy.

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Sure, there are solar farms but have you encountered a solar city? That’s just what you will find in Phoenix. They are building parking lot carports that not only provide coveted shade for citizens but lay a foundation for a sort of inner-city solar farm. Additionally, they are utilizing many city-owned properties to harness clean energy to light up Sun Valley.

It’s a great pleasure to have guest Nick Brown, energy manager for the City of Phoenix, on Smart Energy Voices. In this episode, you'll gain insights on the great strides made in buying clean energy and the strategies behind those purchases. Nick sat down with Smart Energy Decisions director of education programs Peter Kelly-Detweiler at the most recent Renewable Energy Sourcing Forum. You'll appreciate and relate to Nick's perspective on why his work in the energy sector is so important and meaningful.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Why Nick finds this to be one of the most fulfilling roles of his career [2:24] * Why the carbon budget is imperative [5:11] * Performance contracting using a qualified vendors list [7:59] * Values beyond energy conservation [10:04] * How big are the projects and how many are installed [12:43] * Bigger utility-scale approaches when offsetting large amounts of energy [14:57] * Advice for cities looking at decarbonization efforts like solar projects [17:14]

The dire circumstance we find ourselves in The carbon budget is a much more dramatic issue than most people recognize, especially the general public. Whether you look at earth system models or integrated assessment models, the picture shows we only have 5 to 10 years of carbon budget remaining to stay within 1½° centigrade of global warming over preindustrial times. That's dramatic. We've already burned half of what we might have because we didn’t have a cost on carbon 10 years back.

Over the last few months, we have reduced carbon emissions globally by about 6-8%. That sounds good, but we should recognize that we have not learned to be successful economically with that kind of reduction. Putting that in perspective, we will have to achieve that kind of reduction every year for the next decade to meet the target of 1½° or less of global warming. The reason for that target is that all of the natural catastrophes that have occurred over the past decade from 2010 to 2020 have cost three times more globally than the same kinds of catastrophes from 2000 to 2010. This is what’s already happened just with the carbon that's in the air. It’s a fairly dire circumstance we find ourselves in.

Street solar and more efficient operations The City of Phoenix owns many properties across the Valley of the Sun such as water services, public works, parks, housing, neighborhood services, meeting facilities, the convention center, and, of course, the city's airport, Sky Harbor. All of those facilities stand to benefit from reduced energy consumption. The city council has approved a $30 million investment in energy efficiency, which needs to precede renewable energy so the city can reduce its load first before moving to solar. That $30 million investment goes into performance contracting, which is moving aggressively with about $10 million currently under contract with ESCOs (energy services companies) as a precursor to the renewable energy program.

They also created a qualified vendors list (QVL) in 2018, which allows the city to potentially work with five approved companies during 2018- 2022. This eliminates requests for proposals each time a new project is developed. That's been a real benefit to streamline the work and it keeps a lot of admin processes out of the way. Contract development is always extremely lengthy and complex so it's a good thing to have contractors that are pre-qualified. It puts them on a fast track to accomplish projects faster and more efficiently.

Key points from a unique vantage point Being on the board of the Salt River Project offers a unique vantage point in terms of understanding the logic of how things get done. Cities looking at decarbonization efforts such as solar projects— that don’t have the advantage of being on a board— should consider a couple of key points. One is understanding, participating, and being conversant with integrated resource planning (IRP). IRP processes are common to almost every utility to decide what a likely mix of different power supplies will be for the next 5-10 years. It determines which power stations are likely to carry the baseload and the peak load.

After an IRP process, it’s determined how each utility moves forward to provide power in their service area over the next few years. For those that want more renewable energy development for corporations or municipalities, there must be an understanding of how to integrate to have mutual success between developers and buyers. So it's not something that can be figured out with a few meetings. Boards, executives, managers, and technologists will have to develop a keen capacity for integrating a resource planning process into their plans in ways that 10 or 15 years ago seemed not to be necessary at all.

Resources & People Mentioned * City of Phoenix’s Sustainability Goals

Connect with Nick Brown * On Linkedin

Nick Brown, City Energy Manager, City of Phoenix

Nick Brown installed his first solar PV systems in 1980 and has worked on renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, climate action plans, and GHG inventories, as a field ecologist, university instructor, program manager, and lobbyist. He is dedicated to developing solutions to the climate crisis, to maintain the quality of life for our kids and theirs. His work at the City of Phoenix focuses on project development for utility-scale solar, EV charging, microgrids, energy efficiency, and urban community resilience. Nick sits on governance, facilities, community services, and power committees. He also works to expand the adoption of rooftop solar, reduce the company’s GHG emissions, and improve its transparency and public reporting.

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Portland General Electric (PGE) created their green energy future impact tariff for large scale commercial and industrial customers to help them source 100% renewable energy. The energy will be sourced from new wind and solar facilities dedicated from a PPA through PGE. This huge initiative — with about 160 megawatts — was fully subscribed within 3 minutes of its release. It's eye-opening to hear about the opportunity and unmet demand in this space. Join today’s guests Brian Faist & Tiffany Menhorn as they talk about this project, why it was so successful, and bumps along the way.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Getting to know today’s guests Brian & Tiffany [1:49] * What is PGE’s green energy future impact tariff? [3:04] * What kind of hurdles were faced along the way? [6:31] * Have you had renewable power conversations in the last 5 years? [9:25] * Best practices when going through the solicitation process? [13:19] * How might COVID affect the renewables business? [16:46]

Pushing through hurdles to meet customer’s needs PGE’s first green tariff was ambitious and is paving the way for others. Tiffany says “I think when I get to work with utilities and corporates, what is most unique to me is that the utility company is constantly stuck in this dynamic — they want to be technologically advanced and they want to move things forward — yet they're so burdened by the state and federal regulatory process.”

One of the big challenges is that not all customers look the same. Some have the ability to staff energy industry experts and work through some of these more nuanced items in renewable procurement. Other customers just want green energy. They don't have time to think about how to accomplish that, but they know they want it. The challenging part is ensuring that you have designed something that incorporates the needs of all of those people.

Haven’t had renewable power conversations within the last five years? Ask AGAIN! One area where utilities have fallen short is in engaging customers with renewable power conversations. If you haven't done that in the past five years, do it again. PGE is not unique in the fact that they are trying to move from a more utility essential service type of organization to a customer-focused organization. They want to do what the customers want. Don’t we all? Renewable power is probably at the top of the list right now, just below reliability. So, if you haven't had a conversation about renewable power in the past couple of years with your utility provider, go do it. See what they have available.

There are many programs across the country and more that will come out in the future. Two years ago, the buzzword was “additionality.” Now it is “100% carbon-free”. It just evolves so fast in terms of what customers want that there will be endless offerings from your utility to help keep up.

How might COVID affect the renewables business? When COVID first hit it was expected that demand would change but no one was sure of how and what that change would be. Utilities aren't expecting an increase in load demand. In fact, they are probably looking at significant load reductions as businesses have closed offices and more people are working from home.

The reality is that it hasn't slowed down renewable energy; it's still something that — despite all the issues that COVID presents — will continue. There was a pause as everyone tried to understand the impacts of COVID, but everyone now understands that it will be here for a while. Our lives will be impacted for quite some time but customers still want to advance their sustainability goals.

Connect with our Guests * Tiffany Menhorn with Enel X North America * Brain Faist with Portland General Electric

Tiffany Menhorn, Senior Business Development Manager, Wholesale Energy & Renewable Procurement, Enel X North America, LLC Tiffany Menhorn of Enel X works with commercial organizations and utilities to run competitive auctions for a wide range of commodity products. A fresh voice in the market, Tiffany is helping her forward-thinking partners secure highly competitive prices in creative ways and simplifying the process by which complex, emerging commodity products are sourced. Tiffany’s tenure in the energy field includes working in the jungles of startup culture to the peaks of an industry-leading innovator. Tiffany earned a BS from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from Seton Hill University.

Brain Faist, Structuring and Origination, Portland General Electric SInce getting his start in the accounting world, Brian has focused on providing customers of Portland General Electric access to a clean and reliable source of power. With experience in wind, solar, and energy storage, Brian has been able to deliver multiple projects to help source the utility’s power supply needs as well as those customers looking to go further, faster with participation in voluntary renewable programs.

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On today's episode, you’ll get to listen in on a panel discussion from a recent forum. This exciting panel features Valerie Cardwell, with Comcast NBCUniversal’s Office of Sustainability, Beth Wytiaz, Global Environmental Operations Manager at Bank of America, and the panel is moderated by Becky Sternberg, Vice President of Energy and Climate Practice at 3Degrees.

Beth and Valerie are going to share their renewable energy and climate goals, plus their strategies for achieving them. It's a great opportunity to look behind the curtain at these two large corporate buyers of renewable energy and not only understand their sustainability commitments but the obstacles they're overcoming to make things happen.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Meeting Beth [2:34] * How Beth’s day to day role plays into Bank of America’s renewable commitment. [3:13] * Reaching a 100% renewable goal with innovation & maximum impact. [4:13] * Meeting Valerie. [5:37] * The diversity of Comcast’s footprint. [6:27] * Work being done to address Comcast’s complexity [7:55] * Enabling co-benefits from an environmental perspective. [11:15] * Aligning co-benefits with internal approval. [14:01] * Takeaways for a new approach in your organization. [21:00] * What is the biggest lesson learned? [23:00]

Public goals... and what it takes to reach them. Beth talks about the 100% renewable goal, as well as their carbon neutrality goal—two of 13 public goals—she is working towards for Bank of America. When they looked to achieve these goals they set an overarching mission. Not only for their ESG strategy, but also their responsible growth framework, and within that, they are striving to reach the 100% renewable goal in a way that is innovative but also maximizes impact. When thinking about innovation and impact while looking across all operations the first thing they did to get to carbon neutrality was to look at where they could reduce emissions. Since 2010, they've reduced emissions by 56% and are hoping to continue that trajectory beyond 2020.

The next thing they did was purchase 100% renewable electricity, they have done that through leveraging a variety of tactics and ultimately building a portfolio and creating a hierarchy around where they wanted to start and focus efforts. Finally, for what's leftover within scope one and scope two emissions, there were a few things that they had to purchase carbon offsets for. Listen now to hear the full story.

Doing things differently How does one address a company like Comcast that has such a complicated footprint with many different sources and scopes of emissions and opportunities for improvements and reductions? Valerie talks about strategy and options. She mentioned that having a great partner like 3Degrees helped them to break down those options and figure out the levels and pillars that they could employ at each of their locations and for each of their business units.

From there, they start with the building blocks of what makes sense for each unit and location. They are currently doing onsite solar where it fits but because of the unique footprint, they rely more on contractual arrangements and take advantage of opportunities when they arise. There is no one size fits all so everything is done differently.

Key takeaways and lessons learned In this episode, they have talked about how it's important to identify who the stakeholders are, that you must understand this is a long game with a lot of complexity and options, that telling stories and meeting people where they are personally—in accordance with their values—and THEN aligning the renewables work to the broader mission of the company, is all a process that takes finesse and time.

Things rarely happen as planned. They will often take longer than you expect and some things will just fall together. Be ready to pivot and allocate or reallocate money to get things across the finish line. There are a lot of surprises; flexibility, adaptability, and a plan B will go a long way and be tremendously helpful.

Valerie Cardwell, Executive Director, Office of Sustainability, Comcast NBCUniversal Valerie Cardwell is with Comcast NBCUniversal’s Office of Sustainability and is responsible for the implementation of strategic initiatives in support of Comcast NBCUniversal’s Sustainability goals of Zero Waste, Zero Emissions, and 100% Renewable Energy. Valerie has been with Comcast NBCUniversal for 12 years and previously worked in organizations involving customer service, regulatory policy, and operations compliance. She previously worked at the broadband startup, Covad Communications, and Verizon where she led teams that developed and implemented operational processes that improved customer service, reduced service delivery cycle times and lowered overall costs. Valerie also executed several deals with suppliers that avoided costly litigation, increased productivity, and improved the business relationship among the companies.

In addition to her corporate experience, Valerie has worked in the consulting field. Valerie worked with Fortune 500 companies and smaller firms in the areas of leadership development and strategic planning. Valerie has a BS degree in Computer Science from Seton Hall University and an MBA in International Business from Rutgers University. Valerie considers serving her community as part of her DNA and has a personal mission statement to increase children’s exposure to life’s opportunities.

Rebecca (Becky) Sternberg, 3Degrees Rebecca Sternberg is Vice President, Energy and Climate Practice at 3Degrees. In her role, Rebecca leads a team of experts helping corporate, university and other leaders meet their renewable energy commitments. In prior roles, Rebecca originated, led, and closed a 100MW aggregation in PJM amongst corporate buyers taking relatively equal shares; including Bloomberg, Cox Communications, Gap, Salesforce, Workday and Starbucks. She enabled a large retail energy provider in ERCOT, on behalf of their corporate customers to bring a 200MW project to contract. She also led the origination and negotiation of a 110 MW VPPA in PJM on behalf of a leading corporation, and actively initiated and negotiated other corporate, university and retail opportunities in PJM, ERCOT, MISO, and CAISO.

Rebecca founded and grew the Sustainability Practice at Accenture in the early 2000s. She brings over 17 years of experience in consulting, customer experience and corporate development strategy, technology implementation, and corporate sustainability program design with organizations such as Ernst & Young, Accenture and Kaiser Permanente. In those capacities, she served clients including Chevron, Waste Management, Microsoft, multiple Blue Cross Blue Shield plans and many others.

Rebecca holds an MBA in Sustainable Management from Presidio, an MS in Health Science from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, a Graduate Certificate in Economics from the University of York (England) and a BA cum laude from Mount Holyoke College.

Beth Wytiaz, SVP, Global Environmental Operations Manager, Bank of America Beth Wytiaz is part of the Global Environmental Group within the Environmental, Social, Governance division of Bank of America. Beth has worked in the environmental space for the past 13 years with 10 years being at Bank of America. In her current role as the Global Environmental Operations Manager, she is responsible for reducing the bank's impact on natural resources. This encompasses setting and achieving all public environmental operations goals. This includes becoming carbon neutral; purchasing 100% of electricity from renewable sources; reducing waste, water, paper, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and energy use; managing e-waste; sourcing paper sustainably and executing the responsible sourcing program. In addition to this work, she leads the GHG emissions calculations and disclosure efforts.

Beth has a Master’s degree in Humanities with a focus in Environmental Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Merchandising; both from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is a big sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters, serves on the board of SpringClean and the Market Leadership Board for USGBC Carolinas as well as volunteering with a variety of other organizations. She is passionate about social and environmental issues and seeks to engage others to drive change.

Connect With Smart Energy Decisions * https://smartenergydecisions.com * Follow them on Facebook * Follow them on Twitter * Follow them on LinkedIn

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Today two dinosaurs in the industry Peter Kelly Detweiler and Greg Kosier — former colleagues at Constellation with nearly 50 years in the industry between them — talk about how buyers manage their energy risk in terms of legacy buying, the way it used to be done, and today’s renewable power purchase agreements.

There’s a wealth of knowledge to be gained when you have the chance to listen in on a conversation between people who have been in the industry as long as these gentlemen have. Make sure you tune in and consume all the wisdom they have offered up.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * How to manage risk in the legacy [2:43] * Determining a customer’s risk profile [4:02] * Paying for certainty [5:22] * The challenge of diversification [6:25] * Buying large amounts of a vulnerable commodity [9:14] * Adapting to accommodate a PPA being dropped in your lap [13:17]

The bread & butter aspects of energy risk management If you’re looking for a primer on how to look at energy risk management, our guests today provide a number of helpful tips. Number one in terms of focus for buyers is buying at market where you have whittled down your margin with a supplier or where you’re not including a lot of forward premium in the price. Another top focus is going to be to reduce volatility and spend, that would be evening out what your costs are either by month or by quarter.

Then take into consideration goals like meeting or beating budget. Basis risk, which is the differential between where you're buying energy and where you consume it. That's something that's going to be a really important part of the conversation when you bring a renewable purchase into the mix. Then as a buyer, you're going to have some corporate directives like volume restrictions, term restrictions, concentration of risk, so that you don't have all of your energy supply eggs in one basket.

Managing a Broad Range of Risk Profiles How much care are you taking to assess each customer’s risk profile? What risks are your clients comfortable with? Figuring this out requires that you ask a series of questions and sometimes ongoing dialog over the years. Looking over a range of clients— the risks can be very broad— you have to know who is willing to take them and who is not.

We might see that buyers who have a lot of commodity in their portfolio like a manufacturer, may buy shorter-term and they might buy something that feels more index-based. They may not necessarily want to buy a great deal of energy in advance because they want their prices to be as close to market because energy factors into such a large portion of their cost stream. They may want to buy their energy very close to market price. Then you may have retail or the hotel industry for example where they need to know what the costs are going forward for two, three, four, even five years, and they may want to have a large portion of that budget known in advance. They'd lean towards the conservative side. In any event, to help an energy buyer build out their budget, you're going to have to have some sense of what these goals are beforehand. In a sense, they are paying for certainty.

From Negative to $9k a Megawatt-hour… What Could Go Wrong? When you have a large customer and you are buying tens of millions of dollars or more of the most vulnerable commodity in the world… what could go wrong, right? Add to that the real complex of renewables, buying from a specific wind or solar project, and you add a whole host of challenges that buyers have to think about. What are the characteristics that a renewable purchase brings to the portfolio?

You may have an overlap of existing purchases. The renewable PPA could coincide with energy you have already committed to, overlapping and putting you into an overbought position for a period of time. The other aspect is going to be an uncertain start date, especially in the case of new build projects when you may not necessarily know exactly when that energy is going to arrive. You may have a target start date of January 1, 2021, but whether or not the developer hits all the construction deadlines to get that project online is still a variable. So you may have an uncertain start date and that's very unfamiliar territory for a legacy energy buyer.

Connect with Gregory J. Kosier * Constellation website

Gregory J. Kosier, Director, Commodities Management Group, Constellation

Gregory Kosier is Director of the Commodities Management Group for Constellation, a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC). In this role, he is primarily responsible for leading a team involved in structured power and natural gas transactions for Constellation’s industrial and large commercial customers, including structured power agreements, fundamental analysis of power and fuel market trends, and risk mitigation strategies. Over his more than 25-year career in energy, Mr. Kosier has been an electricity trader, portfolio manager, and lead for Constellation’s west retail business.

Prior to joining Constellation, Mr. Kosier was the head of west electricity trading for AES and a management consultant responsible for the appraisal and valuation of utility generating stations throughout New York State. In the early days of energy deregulation, Mr. Kosier developed the models used to value a generation site’s real property assets such as generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure as well as the value of a site’s natural resources.

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Renewable energy is not a new conversation at Goldman Sachs as they have found a way for the last 10 years to ensure corporate profitability alongside operational sustainability. From their new LEED Gold Certified World headquarters to Sustainable Finance, Cindy shares a comprehensive synopsis of how Goldman Sachs and it’s leadership is being “front footed” in setting an example for social equity, diversity, and inclusivity.

Don’t miss hearing John Failla have a high-level conversation with Cindy Quam about ESG and how renewable energy plays into their vision of sustainability at Goldman Sachs & Co. Cindy is the Chief of Staff and Head of the ESG, Corporate and Workplace Solutions Division at Goldman Sachs, and is passionate about integrating environmental, social, and corporate governance across all their resources, including buildings, people, and communities.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Meeting Cindy Quan, Global Head of ESG, Corporate and Workplace Solutions [2:56] * Tthe “WHY” behind the ESG initiatives at Goldman Sachs? [5:38] * Two Highlights from Goldman Sachs CEO’s sustainable vision [7:53] * The Current Renewable Energy portion of ESG at Goldman Sachs [11:12] * How the US and UK energy use dominates global consumption [13:28] * Goldman Sachs’ diversity preferences for onsite or offsite wind/solar/PPA [15:11] * How RE sustainability plays into the future for Goldman Sachs? [18:03]

Changing markets and a changing climate Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 was an anchor year for achievements in organizing sustainable changes to the market landscape. In December 2019, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon wrote an Op-Ed for the Financial Times sharing how Goldman Sachs would begin immediately integrating sustainable financial expertise across all departments. Rather than waiting for 2025 commitments, he chose to start now.

What motivates a decision like that? It’s a commitment to creating the new future that our planet and future generations need. Listen to hear how Goldman Sachs is leading the way among organizations.

Can climate transition be an opportunity for growth? During this conversation, Cindy shares how the core of ESG goes beyond corporate responsibility, but rather drives the scaling of ESG to full integration and best practices. The effective model comes down to stewardship and community — if people and resources are not managed well and appreciated, they can be lost quickly. To provide an example so other organizations can see how it works practically, she shares their targeted metrics on what this looks like within the new Corporate and Workplace Solutions Division.

Portfolio Diversity of Renewable Energy Goldman Sachs knows a thing or two about portfolio diversity and Renewable Energy is no different. However, you have to look at an aggregate cross-section of their 224 global locations totaling over 11 million square feet of real estate to see this exemplified. Onsite installation of a solar array is not always an option, so they are willing to consider other options, like a virtual PPA. In Tokyo, Goldman Sachs successfully pioneered requesting the landlord for a non-fossil fuel RE onsite installation and since then many others in the area have followed suit.

Join John and Cindy for this insightful episode to hear what Goldman Sachs is doing and continues to do, and to glean ideas that could be applied to your organization.

Resources & People Mentioned * David Soloman, CEO Goldman Sachs & CO * Why Goldman Sachs is investing $750 Billion in ESGs * Financial Times article on GS Sustainability (subscription required)

Connect with Cindy Quan * LinkedIn profile

Cindy Quan, Global Chief of Staff and Head of ESG, Goldman, Sachs & Co

As Global Chief of Staff and Head of ESG at Goldman, Sachs & Co, Cindy Quanoversees global sustainability and social initiatives including the green building portfolio, the firm's energy and carbon reduction strategy and the local community engagement and vendor diversity program. She was responsible for the LEED Gold Certification of the World Headquarters building at 200 West Street in Battery Park City in New York City. Cindy is currently a board member of CoreNet NY and the chair of the external relations committee. Cindy is also an active member of the U.S. Green Building Council's National Market Advisory Committee. Cindy received her executive MBA at Columbia University and London Business Schools in 2014. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Cindy graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Facilities Management and Policy Analysis from Cornell University.

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It’s not uncommon these days to hear talk of businesses, large and small, developing a purpose statement that has to do with its societal responsibility. Consumers are coming to expect brands to take such a stance as well. Why is that and how should business leaders think about it? But a more important question is this: How does the issue of organizational purpose magnify and support what is happening in the renewable energy movement?

To answer that question, Smart Energy Decisions founder, John Failla invited author and consumer expert Jeff Fromm to discuss the issue, along with David Smart, Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Biostar, a company that’s taking this issue of “purpose” very seriously with Jeff’s help. This is an enlightening and helpful conversation that you’re sure to enjoy.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * The concept of doing well by doing good [0:56] * How Jeff became the leading researcher on younger consumer behavior [5:24] * The level of detail necessary to define a company’s purpose [12:10] * Why it was important for Biostar to establish a relationship with Jeff’s work [15:46] * Business “wins” that happened because of Biostar's commitment to renewables [24:28] * Why Jeff created a “workbook” style resource instead of a typical research-based book [28:40] * The first steps at identifying and defining your company’s purpose [31:45]

Purpose is a rapidly growing part of what consumers want in a brand Jeff Fromm’s research into the consumer behavior of generational groups has revealed that a brand’s broader purpose and the messaging around it make a HUGE difference to consumers. He says there’s a very clear and careful balancing act that organizations must be aware of. If your brand is only focused on purpose and sustainability without also being careful to produce an excellent product or service that consumers appreciate, you are going to fail. But if you are only good at that product or service and do not have a clear and well-communicated purpose and sustainability strategy infused into your brand and business, you’re not going to have the most profitable financial outcomes.

It’s becoming more and more apparent that this two-factor brand identification drives consumer support, but take note: One important aspect of that is the issue of sustainability. Jeff says that consumers today are willing to pay a small premium for brands that win their hearts. But there they must also be careful that they are using purpose metaphorically as a verb. Consumers don’t care so much about what you say, they care about what you do. Companies that are taking action appeal to both internal audiences and external stakeholders. High-growth brands have to do both.

What is the purpose? The Biostar journey toward projects that match their purpose In developing its purpose strategy the team at Biostar was so impressed with Jeff’s approach they adopted it for developing their own purpose strategy. Using the workbook, the “Purpose Advantage,” the team worked through the process of defining their purpose and feels it has helped them in a variety of ways. Here’s an example…

Biostar works with many organizations around the issue of financing for their project. As a result, relationships the company has with various banks, lenders, and insurance companies open doors to many deals for Biostar. With so many projects coming their way, they have to be selective. The question, “What is the purpose of this project?” helps the company sift through the opportunities and focus on the ones that will best align with its purpose as a company. It’s a great asset to know that they are putting their best effort toward their predefined “best” types of projects and saying ”No, thank you” to the rest.

How brands can leverage a genuine purpose with consumers There are unique opportunities for brands to use their commitment to renewable energy to expand their offerings and profitability and to be more competitive in their niche. Jeff says that the energy category and related adjacencies have a particularly bright future because consumer expectations around the issue of renewable energy are growing. People are fed up with delays and lack of movement when it comes to the energy transition and are looking to companies to move the needle forward.

When consumers have the opportunity to buy from companies that support the causes they care about, they often will. Consider this: When the price difference between products or services is small and the availability is the same, many consumers will choose the brand that aligns with their convictions. It’s a trend and is only expected to grow. The renewable energy commitments of brands are one of the areas consumers consider these days when making purchasing decisions.

There are many facets of this intriguing conversation that we can’t cover in a page this small. Please, take the time to listen. You may discover how your brand can pivot to become more relevant, more top-of-mind, and more desirable to the very audience you’re trying to reach.

Resources & People Mentioned * MOD Pizza - an example of a brand with a “purpose advantage” * Patagonia Group - was a purpose-driven brand that reimagined their purpose * Nike - has also focused on purpose * Seventh Generation * Bombas Socks * AtmosAir (one of Biostar’s partners)

Connect with Jeff Fromm and David Smart About Jeff Fromm: Partner at Barkley and 4x Author

www.JeffFromm.com
Follow Jeff on Linkedin
Jeff’s author profile on Amazon
Get a free copy of David’s book: The Purpose Advance
www.BarkleyUS.com

Jeff Fromm is a Partner at Barkley where he serves as President of FutureCast, weekly contributor at FORBES and author of four books including The Purpose Advantage (Idea Press, 2019), Marketing to Millennials (Harper Collins, 2013), Millennials with Kids (Harper Collins, 2015) and Marketing to Gen Z (Harper Collins, 2018). He published the first public research study of Millennials as Consumers with the Boston Consulting Group in 2010 & 2011. He has traveled the world sharing insights on consumer trends, youth culture as well as purpose & sustainability.

In addition to Jeff’s work consulting with major brands at Barkley he serves on the Board of Directors at Three Dog Bakery.

About David Smart: Biostar Renewables

Follow David on Linkedin
Biostar Renewables

David is Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing and oversees the strategic development of energy efficiency projects, renewable energy assets and energy financing transactions across all BioStar sectors. With an extensive understanding of state/federal policy and incentives, David spearheads complex opportunities, helping his team navigate high-level negotiations, while delivering maximum value to customers in the public and private sector.

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Multinational corporations have the opportunity to play a unique role in the energy transition. Health care company, Novartis is taking that opportunity seriously, moving the needle significantly when it comes to the company’s own carbon footprint and power usage as well as creating opportunities that smaller organizations may be able to utilize to move their power purchases toward renewable energy faster.

James Goudreau is “Head of Climate” for Novartis and our guest on this episode. His experience in the U.S. Navy, serving as a logistics and procurement specialist enabled him to not only understand the inner workings of a large organization’s procurement operations, it also introduced him to the necessary considerations large organizations need to make regarding climate issues. Listen to hear how Novartis is making a difference in the global renewable energy transition.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * How Jim’s Navy career led him into climate-related issues and planning [05:01] * The internal corporate process of procuring power from a wind farm in Texas [11:15] * Novartis’ physical properties being considered for future energy conversion projects [15:42] * How and why Jim desires to work himself out of a job [17:33]

The wide-ranging approach Novartis has taken to climate change issues When Novartis created the position “Head of Climate” and tapped James to take on the role, the company took their work in carbon emissions reductions and climate mitigation and paired it with climate adaptation. The focus is multi-faceted, creating a portfolio through efficiency, adopting renewables as rapidly as possible, creating a credible and transparent program of offsets, and combining that with adaptation to understand the risks, opportunities, and responsibilities associated with climate.

Some of the questions Jim began asking were…

What are we doing with emissions that impacts our clients?
What is happening to impact patient populations (since Novartis is a healthcare company)?
What’s our responsibility to understand how a changing climate impacts communities, the people we serve, our associates, and our supply chain?

As you can see, there are many interdependent things to consider if the right issues are to be addressed in the right ways. Jim's experience in the Navy set him up for addressing those issues perfectly.

Navy logistics experience that translates into a business energy transition In his role with the U.S. Navy, Jim was intimately involved with logistics questions that informed how the Navy operated in various theaters around the globe. Climate issues were among those he regularly had to consider. He explains that climate issues greatly impact issues of national and global security so the U.S. military is keenly interested for those reasons.

Examples: The increasing recurrence and severity of storms impact many things we tend to take for granted such as sewage, water, food distribution, transportation, logistics, economics, and the social fabric of a community. These issues create or promote either stability or instability. When climate issues cause those areas to fall apart you start to see risks to the individuals increase through viruses, climate-related migrations of populations, destabilization of economies, and more.

This experience enables Jim to translate those same concerns into a business context. He says it’s more important than ever to acknowledge the rapidly accelerating rate of change due to climate issues and seriously consider the impact it has on such interdependent systems. It impacts how companies support operations and supply chains, as well as those connected with organizations. There is far too much involved to do this subject justice in a small write-up like this, so be sure you listen to hear Jim describe the issues.

James Goudreau wants to work himself out of a job as “Head of Climate” While the title of “Head of Climate” at Novartis can sound like a career track with plenty of future job security, Jim doesn’t see it that way. He’s eager to work himself out of a job. How is that? He believes that when his role is fulfilled correctly, he’ll be able to help the company reach a place where it is investing in energy efficiency, shifting rapidly to renewables, developing credible offsets, and understanding and managing risks in aways that incorporate all the elements of climate risk and environmental sustainability into how the company designs and delivers products routinely. When that happens, the company won’t need a “Head of Climate” role because everyone will be doing their job, executing on a daily basis, and together will be running a profitable, sustainable business that consumers have confidence in — because it is a values-driven organization.

That’s an admirable goal and embodies the spirit of the many professionals like Jim who are committed to making the renewable energy transition a reality. Listen to hear more of Jim’s amazing perspective and how he’s helping Novartis accelerate the change.

Resources & People Mentioned * Guest host: Peter Kelly-Detwiler * Novartis Business Services * Beyond The Meter podcast

Connect with James Goudreau * James Goudreau on LinkedIn

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Few people could be considered to be at the epicenter of the renewable energy transition in big business, but this episode’s guest, Rob Threlkeld is one of whom it could be said. With over 19 years of experience in the energy side of General Motors, Rob has led the charge in transitioning the company toward its goal of 100% sourcing of operations from Renewable energy. He’s also set the pace for GM’s Global Energy Efforts in Sustainable Energy, Supply, and Reliability.

Rob believes it’s not only possible but very likely that companies like GM will lead the way toward a 100% carbon-free future. Join guest host Peter Kelly-Detwiler as he leads Rob through a rapid-fire “10 questions” format on the topic of big business and renewable energy. You won’t want to miss this episode.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Rob’s beginning of working on energy issues for GM [2:30] * The biggest challenge of greening-up GM's portfolio strategy [3:51] * Rob’s biggest surprises to date working in the sustainability sector [5:05] * The impact of COVID-19 on the renewable energy industry [6:01] * How to manage the inherent risk involved in financial contracts [7:59] * Why Rob likes to zig when others zag [9:40] * GMs strategies regarding charging of electric vehicle fleets [11:21] * The changing culture within GM regarding sustainability [13:13] * Accelerating education for smaller companies [14:28] * Cutting edge things Rob sees happening in the RE Industry[17:16]

Resources & People Mentioned * Peter Kelly-Detwiler * GMs RE100 Goals * The Renewable Energy Buyer’s Alliance

Connect with Rob Threlkeld * Follow Rob Threlkeld on Linkedin

Rob Threlkeld is Global Manager of Sustainable Energy, Supply and Reliability for General Motors, leading the company’s energy procurement efforts including the commitment to meet the electricity needs of its global operations with 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. Rob is responsible for leading that team that supports GM energy procurement and regulatory efforts including negotiating power purchase agreements, natural gas, green tariffs, and engineering onsite renewable solutions for GM facilities across the globe, including opportunities associated with battery storage, behind-the-meter applications and EV integration. As part of GM’s Sustainable Workplaces team, Rob shares best practices for renewable energy procurement with internal and external audiences, offering solutions for large and small businesses alike to benefit from the use of renewables. Rob began his career at GM in 2000 as manager of the powerhouse and wastewater treatment plant operations at GM’s Lordstown, Ohio Assembly Complex. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Purdue University. He is a registered Certified Hazardous Material Manager, Certified Energy Manager, and Business Energy Professional.

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On this episode, you are in for a treat! Rose McKinney-James is the former President and CEO for the Corporation for Solar Technology and Renewable Resources, and former Commissioner with the Nevada Public Service Commission. She has a unique and timely perspective from which to speak on the issue of diversity in the energy industry.

Rose has an extensive history in public service, private sector corporate sustainability, social impact, and non-profit volunteerism. She is the Managing Principal of Energy Works LLC and McKinney-James & Associates. Her firms provide business-consulting services and advocacy in public affairs, energy policy, strategy, and economic and sustainable development.

Rose began her career in Washington D.C., serving first in various internships and soon moved into positions within the private and public sectors in local, state, and federal govt levels. Join us for this inspiring and motivating conversation about how the energy industry can take positive steps forward in promoting diversity.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * How Rose got her start in the renewable energy movement [1:59] * Pivotal events in Nevada’s implementation of renewable energy [4:02] * Why diversity is a very REAL issue in the energy industry [10:17] * What it will take to overcome the prejudice and lack of equality that exist [15:01] * Rose’s participation in The American Association of Blacks In Energy [17:55]

Resources & People Mentioned * Get your name in the “hat” to receive a free copy of the book Rose is featured in, The Energy Within Us. Email John(at)SmartEnergyDecisions(dot)com * Nevada’s Renewable Portfolio Standard * The American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE)

Connect with Rose McKinney-James * EnergyWorks LLC * McKinney-James and Associates * Follow Rose on LinkedIn

Rose McKinney-James is a clean energy advocate, small business leader, and independent corporate director with a long history in public service, non-profit volunteerism and private sector corporate social responsibility. She is the former President and CEO for the Corporation for Solar Technology and Renewable Resources, (CSTRR), a former Commissioner with the Nevada Public Service Commission, and served as Nevada’s first Director of the Department of Business and Industry. Rose is currently the Managing Principal of Energy Works LLC and McKinney-James & Associates. Her firms provide business-consulting services and advocacy in the areas of public affairs, energy policy, strategy and economic and sustainable development. Ms. McKinney-James has over two decades of experience in advocacy in legislative and utility regulatory proceedings relative to renewable and clean energy policy and community and stakeholder outreach in Nevada and the U.S. She has helped to shape much of the energy policy framework in place in the state of Nevada Working with a diverse group of advocates, McKinney-James led the effort to facilitate the passage of the first Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) in Nevada. This was the first of many successful collaborations resulting in significant clean energy policy advancement in the state.

McKinney-James is a member of the Executive Leadership Council and serves as Board Chair for the Energy Foundation. She is the Immediate Past Board Chair for the American Association for Blacks in Energy (AABE). In 2013 Rose was selected to serve as an Inaugural Ambassador for the C3E initiative supporting increased participation by women in the clean energy sector. As of May, 2019 she adds the title of Co-Author to her bio with the publishing of her first literary adventure, “The Energy Within Us”. Ms. McKinney-James joins four of her closest colleagues as they provide insights based on their collective personal journeys in the energy profession.

Connect With Smart Energy Decisions * https://smartenergydecisions.com * Follow them on Facebook * Follow them on Twitter * Follow them on LinkedIn

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Through his work as founder of Smart Energy Decisions, John Failla has worked alongside many of the movers and shakers who have committed their lives to the energy transition taking place in our world today. Over that time, he’s marveled at the commitment and passion these amazing professionals have demonstrated to make the transition to clean energy a reality.

It’s these “too good not to be heard” stories, that motivated John to begin a podcast profiling the role these individuals have played so far and to help you set your sights higher when it comes to the part you and your organization might play in the transition to clean energy. Listen to get a taste of what is happening behind the scenes of the energy transition.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... * Why we are producing episodes to educate, inspire, and connecting [0:35] * John’s goals for your experience with this podcast [1:51] * A sneak peek into the first season’s content and guests [2:11] * How you can ensure you receive these important conversations [6:01]

Connecting those committed to making the Energy Transition Since 1990, Smart Energy Decisions has connected with hundreds of people and has published thousands of stories about the steps being taken to produce and consume energy sustainably. These connections provide a unique perspective that the average person doesn’t have — until now.

Smart Energy Voices provides a voice for the people behind the scenes, profiling the initiatives they have spearheaded and the roles they have played in producing the changes that have happened so far. In these episodes, you’ll hear how solar power initiatives have been driven forward, how utility companies are changing the way they procure and produce energy, and many other needle-moving projects.

Helping you make better energy decisions as a business leader As a business leader, you can make a vast difference in the transition from planet-destroying sources of power to clean, sustainable sources of energy. How? By considering the way your organization procures and consumes energy and making changes that promote and stabilize the renewable energy sector. In these episodes, you will hear story after story of companies that have made that decision, but more importantly, you’ll hear the reasons behind those decisions and the path that was pursued to carry them out. It’s an inspirational opportunity to hear what’s already been done, what’s possible, and to learn ways you can integrate clean energy into the operations of your organization.

Consumers benefit when clean energy is the go-to resources As a consumer, it can be hard to believe that your relatively minor amount of energy consumption is making a dent in the overall energy picture. But take a moment to consider this… your small piece of the energy pie, when added to hundreds of thousands, if not millions of other users makes a huge difference on the large scale.

Smart Energy Voices will empower you to understand what’s going on behind the scenes at the power companies and help you understand the increasing number of options you have as a consumer when it comes to your energy needs. You’ll be encouraged to know the ways you can make a difference that contributes to the overall changes that need to be made in the world.

Join us each Friday for a new episode of Smart Energy Voices. Subscribe today!

Connect With Smart Energy Decisions * https://smartenergydecisions.com * Follow them on Facebook * Follow them on Twitter * Follow them on LinkedIn

Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices

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John Failla