Smart Energy Voices

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, produced in partnership with Trane, host Debra Chanil welcomes Becky Wacker. Becky is the Director of Energy Services Sales for Trane Commercial Americas. They discuss the challenges and opportunities that commercial building operators face today in light of decarbonization.  Disclaimer: Trane does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material is for informational purposes only and it should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting advice. Tax law is subject to continual change. All decisions are your responsibility, and you should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors. Trane disclaims any responsibility for actions taken on the material presented.You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Shifting focus to decarbonization [03:01] How to approach energy targets [05:08] Organizational alignment [10:56] Regulations and local laws [14:05] Funding and financing [16:16]  For detailed show notes, click here.  Resources & People Mentioned Heating and Air Conditioning | Trane Commercial HVAC Energy Tracking and Reporting Connect with Becky WackerOn LinkedIn Becky Wacker is the Director of Sales for Energy Services at Trane by Trane Technologies, leading acquisition and implementation of complex facility programs and projects. She has 15 years of experience helping customers leverage their buildings to better meet their organizational goals, with a particular passion for decarbonization and efficiency. Becky received her Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Minnesota while winning two Division I National Championships with the Women’s Ice Hockey team. She sits on the board for Clean Energy Economy Minnesota (CEEM) and National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO), and can often be found in a sports venue playing, watching, or coaching in her spare time.  Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn  Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

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 sustainabilitySwitch 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 ProjectSwitch 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 sustainabilitySwitch 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 PortoOn LinkedInAlise 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.Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy VoicesIf you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

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 JohnsonOn LinkedInAbby 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.Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy VoicesIf you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.comAudio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

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 campusLobo 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 successAfter 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-inA 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 CherrinOn LinkedInMatthew 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.Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy VoicesIf you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

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 KhanOn LinkedInKulsoom 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. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy VoicesIf you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

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-DetwilerOn LinkedInPeter 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.Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy VoicesIf you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil shares a keynote from Smart Energy Decisions’ recent Net Zero Forum presented by Chandra Farley, Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Atlanta. Chandra talks about the importance of public-private partnerships, the value of positive pressure, and viewing sustainability through the lens of environmental justice.You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Science-based and community-informed [03:20] The Grants to Green program [12:13] Climate and environmental justice [17:30] Atlanta’s Year of the Youth [22:00] Improving quality of life in the city [25:21] Positive pressureThe City of Atlanta Office of Sustainability and Resilience focuses on clean energy, waste diversion, and food waste recovery. Atlanta has around 200 municipal buildings, which must partner with the Office of Sustainability and Resilience. While the Office of Sustainability and Resilience sets policies, priorities, targets, and goals, those goals are operationalized through the city’s departments. The Director of Urban Agriculture and Food Systems has three or four people who sit on the Department of City Planning. That interdepartmental relationship gives the Office of Sustainability and Resilience direct access to the resources necessary to make programs work.Atlanta’s Grants to Green programGrants to Green provided technical assistance and funding to nonprofits for energy and water efficiency upgrades. The program funded engineers to go out and do building assessments. The community foundation partner gave nonprofits grants to implement the list of recommendations. This program proved that the more money a nonprofit saves on operations, the more money it has for programs and services.The Grants to Green program has worked with the Boys and Girls Club to save them $12,000 annually by changing their LED lighting. That equates to an additional 300 kids whom clubs can serve every year. Some clubs could also afford to hire more teachers for their summer programs. Without these efficiency upgrades and the resulting savings, people would’ve been left behind.Impact beyond the cityAtlanta’s community clean energy programs have helped in more rural areas where many contractors hadn’t yet experienced some of the newer, more efficient technologies. Thanks to the City of Atlanta’s strong partnerships with its lighting contractors, mentorships grew between them and the rural companies. Working together and supporting the community with green energy projects is a way to promote environmental justice. Not only do people see a reduction in their utility bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, but financial benefit is delivered directly back into the communities. These communities can then offer more programs and services. Resources & People Mentioned American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Grants to Green - CFGA Southface Institute Better Buildings Challenge Atlanta Year of the Youth Connect with Chandra Farley On LinkedIn On Twitter Chandra Farley serves as Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Atlanta. In this role, Chandra leads expansion of the City’s resilience and sustainability efforts through a lens of equity, including implementation of the city’s 100% clean energy plan, creating the City’s first comprehensive food systems plan, delivering on waste diversion goals, and leveraging federal resources from the Inflation Reduction Act. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy VoicesIf you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.comAudio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Debra Chanil hosts a panel discussion featuring some of Smart Energy Decisions’ Women in Smart Energy (WISE) Award winners. These women share their paths in energy and sustainability, achievements, and continuing growth as women in the energy industry. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... The importance of collaboration [01:52] Going outside of your comfort zone [06:12] Creating allowable paths [10:38] Mentorship programs [14:33] Women in leadership [21:49] An environment of collaborationThe most fruitful collaboration requires vulnerability. While knowledge, tactics, and experience are essential, stepping back and asking for clarification helps realign a collaborative effort. Asking clarifying questions is a great skill and allows others to ask what they may have been too hesitant to ask otherwise. People collaborate in different ways. Some are more comfortable writing, while others feel comfortable in a large group setting. To facilitate the environments needed for ideal communication, companies can encourage various atmospheres, such as smaller or one-on-one meetings. Creating these opportunities ensures that everybody’s voice can be heard.Two types of mentorshipFormal mentorship is a great way to pass down information to younger generations and improve retention. Non-structured mentorship can also be valuable. That happens when people meet for a common goal, with one person having more experience than the other. These mentorships can be beneficial for years. Women need good role models hey can look up to for guidance. The benefit is mutual, as mentors can also learn from their mentees.Women rising to leadershipWomen are often expected to take on an invisible load of household chores and responsibilities at home without receiving due credit. Unfortunately, this translates to the workplace as well. Women tend to say yes to menial tasks that aren’t necessarily career drivers, like being asked to take meeting notes, schedule meetings, or send follow-up emails. These are all things that need to be done but aren’t going to lead to significant career growth. Saying no can be difficult for women who don’t want to be perceived as aggressive. However, always saying yes means that menial tasks can replace what would have been career-building opportunities. Learning to laugh it off or disseminating the load can make the situation less awkward and more positive. Resources & People Mentioned WISE Awards - Diversified Communications Jackie Buck - Project Manager - Diversified Communications HQ Connect with Kulsoom KhanOn LinkedInConnect with Kate PetersonOn LinkedInConnect with Ibolya YolasOn LinkedInConnect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy VoicesIf you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil shares a keynote from Smart Energy Decisions’ recent Net-Zero forum, featuring Chris Thurston, Director of Energy and Sustainability at Lineage Logistics. As a company with a real vision for what the sustainable warehouse of the future should be, Lineage Logistics focuses on best-in-class energy efficiency, a zero emission or reduced GHG fleet, and investments in infrastructure to distribute excess clean power. Chris explains the company’s challenges on the path to a financially viable, net-zero future.You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... What is cold storage? [01:59] Lineage’s sustainability journey [03:49] Physically focused sustainability [06:43] Energy efficiency in cold storage [08:07] Next steps for Lineage [10:43] Challenges with truck charging [14:55] Relying less on utilities [19:00] Sustainability at LineageLineage Logistics’ journey with sustainability and energy began about 10 years ago in the Avon, Massachusetts site with a one-megawatt solar project. Chris, the accountant supporting that region, was brought on to the project because it initially didn’t work correctly. The company wasn’t seeing the savings it was hoping to achieve. Chris and his team turned that project into a large, fiscally focused approach.Making projects pencilLineage Logistics’ approach to sustainability projects is financially motivated. Statistics are crucial to attaining buy-in with investors and the executive team, who will pursue initiatives that make sense on paper. Because Lineage’s first solar project was successful, the company implemented 20 more similar projects. Over time, the company began experiencing more pressure to create a sustainability strategy. Being a physical asset-focused company, Lineage decided to make its sustainability approach physically focused as well. When people visit one of Lineage’s buildings, the company wants them to see sustainability live in action. Sustainability needs to be exemplified by every carbon-emitting source on site.Creating sustainable opportunitiesLineage is piloting the installation of biodigesters onsite to use food waste as energy. The company is also looking into ammonia generation onsite, though most of these projects are cost-prohibitive. Lineage is constantly searching for incentives, consistent with the company’s creative approach to making projects pencil. If the incentives don’t exist, the company makes every attempt to create them with local governments and customer collaboration.  Resources & People MentionedLineage LogisticsConnect with Chris ThurstonOn LinkedInChris Thurston is the Energy & Sustainability leader for Lineage Logistics, the largest cold storage warehousing company in the world. Chris has over a decade of experience in Energy Management with an educational background in Finance & Accounting from Montclair State University, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degreea in accounting. Chris has held various corporate finance roles for small to mid-sized companies in the manufacturing and logistics space. In his time at Lineage, Chris has helped develop their solar program to become the fifth largest in the US.Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy VoicesIf you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.comAudio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil shares a talk from Smart Energy Decisions’ recent Net-Zero forum featuring Joe Carrillo, Regional Vice President of SSA Marine. Joe brings his “boots on the ground” perspective as the person responsible for implementing the programs that help the company meet its goals. Joe shares SSA Marine’s plans, sustainability goals, projects, and partnerships in California.You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... The structure of SSA Marine [03:08] Challenges in California [07:11] Obstacles when starting projects [09:12] Lessons learned along the way [17:59] Learning to work with grants [22:30] View Detailed show notes hereResources & People Mentioned SSA Marine Our Zero Emissions Future - Port of Long Beach About the Plan | Clean Air Action Plan Connect with Joe CarrilloOn LinkedInJoe Carrillo began his SSA career in 2007 in container operations in Long Beach. He continued his journey through SSA Marine, working in Mexico and Panama before returning to his native home in Northern California to assist operations with direct responsibility for five different business units throughout Northern California, which span maritime, transportation, and warehousing operations. Since 2017, Joe has worked on numerous zero-emission sustainability projects with a focus on larger cargo-handling equipment at two of the five business units in Northern California and operational performances. Currently, Carrix Enterprise has deployed 179+ pieces of near or zero-emission equipment globally and is leading the way in California at numerous sites.Joe played two years of professional baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Club after college. His current passions are playing golf in his free time and spending quality time with his wife and two children.Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on Facebook Follow them on Twitter Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy VoicesIf you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Event Operations Director, Lisa Carroll at lisa@smartenergydecisions.comAudio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com