Coming are the days where the descriptive terms of “alternative” and “sustainable” before energy will fade into the background. This is because smart energy management, demand response and storage will be common place.
I continue to witness a dynamic period in the energy industry. Utilities, governments, and their third-party administrators are increasingly looking for performance-based programs that minimize administrative overheads, reduce reliance on large per-project grants and incentives, leverage private capital, and transition jurisdictions to market-based clean energy solutions. Coming are the days where the descriptive terms of “alternative” and “sustainable” before energy will fade into the background. This is because smart energy management, demand response and storage will be common place.
The District continues to lead the pursuit of revolutionary new paradigms for scaling participation in energy efficiency and renewable energy activities. For example, Mayor Bowser recently signed the Renewable Portfolio Standard Bill on this past Monday July 25, 2016. The District is also committed to the revitalization of its distressed communities and low-income residents, and it sees the alternative energy industry as a chief vehicle for inclusive economic development. Thus the District needs both an operational machine and a creative force to realize it’s clean energy and economic growth trajectories.
What does that operational machine and creative force look like? I believe it has the following characteristics:
Community-facing and sustainable energy educator
Sustainable energy customer segment focused
Metrics and data driven focused on the sustainable energy demand and load
Strong relationships and access to sustainable energy market experts
Strong marketing and awareness building techniques
Strong engine for economic development and local green job creation
I will address these characteristics in detail in subsequent blog posts with an aim to produce a series of products that share what I have experienced and learned as I talk and interact with my colleagues in the energy industry. Since 2011, I have been building a professional services company and brand focused on bringing performance improvement solutions to public sector organizations in the District and beyond. Recently, I have been very focused on the sustainable energy industry as I believe that there is tremendous value we can provide, as it is one of the District’s largest performance based programs.