How microgrids will shape the future of infrastructure resiliency

Celebrated every year on April 22nd, Earth Day is a reminder of the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability, encouraging us to come together and take action for a healthier planet and brighter future to raise awareness, inspire change, and foster a deeper connection with nature. Today, as we celebrate Earth Day in 2024, it's important to reflect on the steps made in sustainable technology and their role in shaping a more environmentally conscious future. From renewable energy breakthroughs to innovative solutions, these four groundbreaking technologies are at the forefront of shaping the future of sustainability. Next-generation solar panels: Traditional solar panels have long been recognised as a clean energy solution, but advancements in photovoltaic technology are making solar power even more accessible and efficient for powering homes, cars, boats, you name it! We need to ensure that we can continue to revolutinise the way we harness the sun's energy, as currently nearly all solar panels are made from silicon, which boast an efficiency of 22%. This means silicon panels can only convert about one-fifth of the sun's energy into electricity, because the material absorbs only a limited proportion of sunlight's wavelengths. Producing silicon is also expensive and energy-intensive. Scientists have been testing perovskite solar cells by stacking them on top of traditional silicon cells to make tandem cells. Layering the two materials, each absorbing a different part of the sun's spectrum, can potentially increase the panels' efficiency by over 50%. (1) Carbon capture and utilisation (CCU): Addressing the challenge of carbon emissions is crucial in the fight against climate change. CCUS involves the capture of CO2, generally from large point sources like power generation or industrial facilities that use either fossil fuels or biomass as fuel. CCUS facilities currently capture more than 45 Mt CO2 annually. (2) Since January 2022, project developers have announced ambitions for over 50 new capture facilities to be operating by 2030, capturing around 125 Mt CO2 per year. By doing this, it will help to tackle emissions in hard-to-abate sectors, particularly heavy industries like cement, steel or chemicals, and remove CO2 from the air to balance emissions that are unavoidable or technically difficult to abate. Vertical farming and controlled environment agriculture (CEA): With the world's population continuing to grow, sustainable agriculture techniques are essential for ensuring food security while minimising environmental impact. Vertical farming and CEA methods utilise indoor farming systems equipped with LED lighting, hydroponics, and advanced climate control technologies to optimise crop production in urban environments. CEA allows us to produce crops with 70% to 95% less water than required for normal cultivation (3), and therefore by reducing water usage, eliminating the need for chemical pesticides, and minimising land use, these innovative farming practices are revolutionising the way we grow food. Electric and autonomous vehicles: There is no doubt that transportation is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, especially with the increase of cars per household, but electric and autonomous vehicles (AVs) offer a cleaner and more efficient alternative. The widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), coupled with advancements in AV technology, promises to revolutionise the way we travel, reducing carbon emissions, easing traffic congestion, and enhancing road safety. In fact, under an appropriate pricing strategy, SAV deployment could reduce PM2.5 emission and energy consumption by 56–64% and 53–61%, respectively (4). As we look ahead to a more sustainable future, these four groundbreaking technologies are paving the way for transformative change. Through innovation and collaboration, we can create a world where economic wellbeing aligns with environmental care, securing a healthier planet for future generations. This Earth Day, let's celebrate these technological advancements and pledge to advance sustainability even further.

S2 E3: Powering Progress: The Public-Private Partnership with Jen Daloisio Welcome to the third episode of the second season of the ‘Clean Fuels Podcast’ hosted by Alex Horne of Piper Maddox. In this series, we will explore the dynamic CleanTech sector, where we are joined by industry leaders to delve deep into the evolving landscape across North America. Specifically, we focus on Clean Fuels, Hydrogen, and Sustainability markets. Our discussions center on the latest technologies, trends, and the visionary individuals driving change, with a particular emphasis on hiring trends and the influential figures shaping the future of our planet. In this episode, we are thrilled to have Jen Daloisio, SVP of Corporate Operations with FirstLight Energy. This episode, Jen delves into the various types of organizations and environments within renewables/cleantech, highlighting how entities across the spectrum—public, private, non-profit—play pivotal roles in achieving the planet’s decarbonization goals. Jen also explores the diverse skillsets that thrive in different organizational contexts and discusses the challenges newcomers may face. ABOUT JEN DALOISIO: Jen Daloisio currently serves as the SVP of Corporate Operations at FirstLight Energy, following an extensive tenure at The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center as CFO and CEO. With a career spanning consulting, the public sector, and renewable energy development, Jen offers valuable insights into the skills and qualities essential for success in various professional settings. She has also made significant contributions through board work and volunteering with organizations such as Greentown Labs, NECEC Institute, and the MA STEM Advisory Council, focusing on workforce development in the climate space, establishing herself as a pioneering force for sustainability in the industry. You can also listen to the Clean Fuels podcast on the below platforms:Spotify > https://open.spotify.com/show/69TS4ekYNMyYh32JmGxwPV Apple > https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clean-fuels-podcast/id1649553222 Youtube > https://youtu.be/IwsrrIfnv0k?si=zH2GROeVadhewMQ0

S2 E2: The CleanTech Career Ladder We are back with episode 2 of the second season of the ‘Clean Fuels Podcast’ hosted by Alex Horne of Piper Maddox. In this series, we will explore the dynamic CleanTech sector, where we are joined by industry leaders to delve deep into the evolving landscape across North America. Specifically, we focus on Clean Fuels, Hydrogen, and Sustainability markets. This episode is a deep dive into the different steps of someone’s potential career in the CleanTech space. Claire Broido Johnson, Co-Founder and Operating Advisor and Board Member at Sunrock Distributed Generation gives terrific insight into ways to best stand out as a junior person, and what intangibles she and other leaders most look for – and delves into the best resources and tips for executives and potential founders in the space. We give some color into what the sentiment is in the market, and how to best stand out on a resume and interview as well.. ABOUT CLAIRE: Claire is career Leader, Founder, and Advisor in the Renewable Energy and CleanTech industry, currently serving on several boards and supporting dozens of startups in the space with how own consultancy CBJ Energy. She is the founder of SunEdison, who at one point was the largest solar energy services provider in North America; at its height, the company had an asset value of over $10 billion and more than 7,000 employees. She’s also spent time with the Department of Energy, as an advisor to their energy efficiency vertical. Claire has dedicated much of her career now to helping others in the Climate space grow their careers and reach their potential. USEFUL RESOURCES: https://careers.powerhouse.fund/companieshttps://wrisenergy.org/https://www.womeninrenewables.org/https://newiee.org/ To get in touch with Alex, get in touch at a.horne@pipermaddox.com. You can also listen to the Clean Fuels podcast on the below platforms:Spotify > https://open.spotify.com/show/69TS4ekYNMyYh32JmGxwPV Apple > https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clean-fuels-podcast/id1649553222 Youtube > https://youtu.be/a0pSDK3inEA?si=bAxwCnoufYvt8qnq

S2 E1: The Green Shift; Fueling the future Welcome to the first episode of the second season of the ‘Clean Fuels Podcast’ hosted by Alex Horne of Piper Maddox. In this series, we will explore the dynamic CleanTech sector, where we are joined by industry leaders to delve deep into the evolving landscape across North America. Specifically, we focus on Clean Fuels, Hydrogen, and Sustainability markets. Our discussions center on the latest technologies, trends, and the visionary individuals driving change, with a particular emphasis on hiring trends and the influential figures shaping the future of our planet. In this episode, we are thrilled to have Eric Planey, the CEO at SolaBlock, joining us. Together, we delve into the anticipated trends across the CleanTech industry in 2024, particularly from an investment and growth perspective, focusing on hiring and talent trends. Eric provides an incredible perspective on ways to transition into the CleanTech space from other sectors – and what soft skills are most in need when growing your career in the space. We talk through expectations and hopes for the year, and provide some resources for people looking to kickstart their career in the space. Eric is a career finance and commercial leader – who made the transition to CleanTech to head up SolaBlock; a startup creating solar capturing building blocks and materials. A cross section between CleanTech and the ConstructionTech space, he’s had a unique journey in building relationships in the space. From the Rust Belt of Ohio, he’s been passionate about creating a more sustainable future for our planet, and has hosted a podcast in the past about topics in the space. Check it out! “Pirates of CleanTech” You can also listen to the Clean Fuels podcast on the below platforms:Spotify > https://open.spotify.com/show/69TS4ekYNMyYh32JmGxwPV Apple > https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clean-fuels-podcast/id1649553222 Youtube > https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6AFhp_PmPf_FBMqW0F3GGJ-5HjJk4tfO&si=TLnsS7MNXFdQRKk9

Why was 2022 an important year for renewable energy? There is no doubt that 2022 was an important year for renewable energy. Despite delayed supply chain turbulences and skyrocketing raw material costs caused by the lingering coronavirus pandemic, the renewable energy industry maintained its upward growth trajectory over the past year, with the global renewable net capacity increasing by a groundbreaking 295 Gigawatts [1]. We can attribute these positive trends primarily to the largest global power players – notably China, the United States, the European Union, and India – and their commitment to market reforms and new renewable energy policy implementations. The most influential of these policies; China’s “Five-Year Plan” and Europe’s “REPowerEU”, have played an integral role in marking this year as the beginning of the green transition [2],[3]. On the American side of things, no law has been more integral to Biden’s presidency and contributed more to clean energy investment than the ‘Inflation Reduction Act of 2022’. In addition to combatting the national inflation crisis and reducing prescription drug prices, the US IRA aims to inject 369 billion dollars into the renewable energy industry, “lower overall energy costs, increase cleaner production, and reduce carbon emissions by roughly 40 percent by 2030” [4]. What markets are likely to benefit most from IRA? Being only a few months into IRA, it is challenging at this stage to discern IRA’s direct impacts on the industry and how successful it will be in the long term. That said, its presence has certainly created quite a buzz in several renewable energy markets. Assuming the IRA forecasts are correct, and this past decade’s growth trend is maintained, the markets that are likely to benefit the most from IRA lie in solar. This, of course, is probably not very shocking to most industry leaders; although hydropower and wind remain the largest source of global renewable energy capacity, solar PV has contributed to over 60% of capacity growth in 2021 and is expected to be “the most installed power capacity worldwide by 2027, surpassing coal, natural gas, and hydropower” [2]. As it currently stands, the solar cell market continues to be dominated by crystalline silicon - the leading material in photovoltaic energy harvesting technology. This has been the case since 1954, when Bell Labs modeled the first silicon cell to have an energy efficiency of over 6 percent [5]. 70 years later, most of the solar panels available for commercial use have an efficiency that fluctuates between 15 - 22 percent [6]. Although this progress is substantial, silicon-based solar projects are still relatively inefficient for how much they cost to manufacture and upkeep. Some even argue that the processes and materials involved in the production of solar panels are not environmentally friendly, casting even more uncertainty on solar as a potential long-term renewable energy source. What will most likely increase scientific research? The good news? Laws like the Inflation Reduction Act will most certainly increase scientific research in solar efficiency, both in silicon technology and in other materials whose efficiency potentials have yet to be fully recorded. Perovskite technology has been on the radar for many researchers and industry leaders, primarily due to its remarkable efficiency levels, low production costs, and commercial viability. We must note however, that a lot of work needs to be done before we can expect to see perovskite cells take over our suburbs. Its primary limitation is its durability; perovskite cells have continuously demonstrated short life lengths and a tendency to decompose when interacting with moisture and oxygen (two things that are somewhat common on this planet) [7]. That said, compared to silicon, progress in perovskite solar cell technology has been much faster; efficiency levels that were first reported at 3% back in 2009 are now standing at 25% today, making its durability issue slightly less concerning [7]. In addition to its competitive power conversion efficiencies (PCE), perovskite technology has received a lot of attention for its small size and low production time, cost, and complexity. As such, it seems that from both a business and scientific perspective, its commercial viability is not a matter of if, but a matter of when.

The last time I wrote a post about moving offices was back in September 2020 (three years ago to the day). At that time, with the support of LHi, I made the decision to move from our New York office to Austin to establish our Piper Maddox division. This week, I find myself reflecting on the past three years as our LHi Austin office makes the transition from our shared workspace to our brand-new office in downtown Austin. This new space has the capacity for up to 60 consultants. The saying "blink, and you'll miss it" couldn't be more relevant in this situation. These past three years have been some of the best of my life, but they've flown by. There have been plenty of exhilarating highs and a few rough patches to navigate. All in all, I wouldn't change a thing. When I first moved to Austin, I had a small team of two, and we faced the enormous task of building a market and client base from scratch. The Relocation. My move coincided with the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, making things even more challenging. I'm a determined person, but this experience pushed me far outside my comfort zone and truly tested my resilience. After many long days (and nights), we managed to grow our pipeline of clients and began expanding our team. As things stand now, we have an Energy Storage division led by Lauren Fotta, a Business Development/Delivery team led by Lauren Jones, a Solar team (currently in the process of hiring a manager for this unit), and a Hydrogen/Clean Fuels division led by Oliver Buck. I'm incredibly proud of this team and how far we've come together. I can't wait to see us scale from 12 to 24 people! Piper Maddox experienced impressive growth, with a 53% year-on-year increase in 2022, and we've had an outstanding start to 2023, achieving over 162% of our target. We have strong plans to finish the year on a high note. What I'm even prouder of is what Austin represents within LHi Group across our leadership group and anyone who has visited the office and spent time with us. The feedback has always been that Austin feels like a real family, where everyone cares about each other's successes and offers support during tougher times. Jack Eldridge (our fearless leader), Ross Lewis (Head of Lawrence Harvey), Michael Tobin (Head of Harper Harrison), and I have worked incredibly hard to hire individuals who embody our LHi philosophy of 'family,' and you can genuinely feel it when you spend time here. Our office values. Our office values are incredibly important to us: Empowering, World Class Basics, Passionate, And genuine. We all believe in the simple principle of being good people, working incredibly hard with great customers, going above and beyond to help solve problems, and providing exceptional service. We've also implemented a minimum two-dog policy in the office, which means we have furry friends roaming around at all times. We even have a fish named Piper as a new addition to the family. We plan to add Maddox shortly, but Jack got two male Betta fish, which apparently have a tendency to fight. On a personal note, my life has undergone significant changes in the last three years. I convinced my boyfriend, Anthony, to move from New York to Austin and even pursue a career in recruitment (though not with Piper Maddox, unfortunately). I even managed to teach his English Bulldog to swim, which is no small feat but necessary for survival in the Austin heat. Honestly, I could go on, but I think you get the idea! If the next three years are anything like the last, we are in for one hell of a ride, and I can't wait to see what challenges are thrown at me. I intend to stay outside of my comfort zone. Bring it on.

Piper Maddox, a leading recruitment brand in the clean energy industry, is thrilled to announce the opening of its new office location in Miami, Florida coming soon in October 2023. This expansion marks an exciting milestone for the company as it extends its reach into a thriving market and positions itself for significant growth in the region. Miami, with its proactive approach to renewable energy and a strong commitment to sustainability, presents a prime opportunity for Piper Maddox to further its mission of connecting top talent with leading organizations at the forefront of the clean energy industry. By establishing a physical presence in Miami, Piper Maddox is ready to tap into the incredible opportunities the market has to offer. The company is committed to making a meaningful impact, acting as a catalyst for sustainable change, and driving economic growth. The new office will be more than just a place to find extraordinary talent; it'll be a vibrant hub where we shape partnerships with clean energy companies, governmental organizations, and educational establishments. Together, we aim to drive the clean energy sector to new heights and provide tailored solutions to meet the evolving demands of clients and candidates alike. “Florida is among the top three states in the country for solar power generation and home to over 450 solar companies,” said Alex Cohen, Senior Director at Piper Maddox “It’s also the perfect regional hub to build an even deeper footprint across the entire Southeast, where more and more solar, electric vehicles and battery companies are investing billions in building out R&D and manufacturing facilities in what many are now calling the ‘Battery Belt’”. Cohen adds “Miami is also a vibrant, diverse, and growing city where we feel confident, we can build an amazing team of wonderful humans to help support our clients that are changing the world and have fun while doing it.” Piper Maddox prides itself on its ability to identify and attract top talent, placing highly skilled individuals in key positions within the clean energy industry. With its expansion to Miami, this marks a significant milestone in Piper Maddox's ongoing commitment to expanding its global footprint. With existing offices in several major cities across the globe, this expansion reaffirms the company's dedication to driving positive change on a regional and global scale, supporting the transition to a greener, more sustainable future.

Piper Maddox is excited to announce the release of the Battery Storage Salary Survey. This is the initial year that Piper Maddox has conducted a salary survey for the battery storage community across the USA. The release of our battery storage salary survey marks a significant milestone in understanding the compensation trends and career growth opportunities within this dynamic industry. We invite you to download the survey report today and unlock the valuable insights that will shape the future of your career or organization in battery storage. How did Piper Maddox coduct the Salary Survey? Battery storage leaders were asked to share their views across a wide range of areas including, but not limited to, what attracts battery storage professionals to their organizations, what are the most difficult skill sets to recruit for, and the challenges of recruiting in the battery storage space. This information led Piper Maddox to create a survey focusing on the North American battery storage market where over 350 battery storage professionals located across the USA were surveyed and sourced from Piper Maddox’s professional network. As well as analyzing compensation trends, the research uncovers trends in areas such as, background and working preferences for candidates, insight into organizations' battery storage programs, and some of the key hiring challenges for organizations. 76% of people list an increase in compensation as a major motivator for seeking new opportunities and over 65% of individuals are looking for new job opportunities in 2023. Download our Battery Storage Salary Survey here.

As education has not yet caught up to the speed at which energy technology is advancing, recruiting niche talent in the energy industries can be very challenging, and a high-octane, proactive approach is required. These are rapidly growing fields with a high demand for skilled professionals and the competition for skilled talent is fierce. Recruitment methods need to evolve. Companies need to be strategic in their approach to attracting and hiring the best candidates in the industry. In this blog post, we'll explore some key points for talent attraction, talent development, and successful talent acquisition in this candidate-controlled market. Invest in Employee Development. The best employees in the energy industries are often highly motivated by opportunities for professional development and openings for career advancement. Companies can use this to their advantage by investing in employee development programs, such as training, internships, and financial support programs for higher education. This not only attracts top talent, but also helps to retain employees over the long-term. For example, internship programs that provide industry experience in tandem with academic coursework, expose young professionals to real world experiences early in their career. As they continue to develop and then (hopefully) convert to a full-time position post-graduation, you will not only have an individual trained on what needs to be done, but someone who appreciates what your company has offered them so far, and someone who wants to do good work for you. Often, there’s been times when we’ve seen former interns that are two to three years into their professional career in various energy companies provide just as much value as someone with five to six years’ experience. Networking and Employee Referral Programs. Networking is a crucial aspect of talent acquisition in the energy industries. Companies should encourage their employees to network and attend industry events, as this can be an effective way to build relationships with potential candidates. Companies can also host their own events like company sponsored after hour events (weekend brunches, happy hours, etc.). Additionally, companies should consider offering employee referral programs, which incentivize employees to refer their friends and colleagues to the company. These programs can prove to be a very effective source of great talent, as these referrals often come with personal in-house recommendations and can be a great cultural fit. Culture. Many think unlimited PTO, flexible hours, dog-friendly offices and remote setups are the answer to this, but these are rapidly becoming industry standard. Investing heavily in people, taking D&I initiatives very seriously, and hiring mission-driven people aligned to your company’s goal is the way to get ahead of your competition. Think of a company that has such a specific purpose in which those who join are completely motivated by the mission. Your employees will talk to their network putting the message of “how great it is to work here” out there, and by word of mouth, you will eventually see an influx of individuals looking to work for you. It is very difficult to architect a culture that is truthfully mission driven, but the companies who do it successfully will have great employees for a very long time. Speed of the Interview Process. Time is of the essence in the recruitment process, and quick action often makes the difference in securing top talent. Companies should aim to move quickly from the initial resume screening to in-person or virtual interviews, and to make a job offer as soon as possible. Candidates in these industries are often highly sought after, and it's important to move quickly to avoid losing them to another company. At the onset of opening a position, the hiring team should meet to define exactly what the interview process is. An interview process that lasts more than three rounds frequently causes candidates to lose interest due to disorganization and gives candidates more time to see what else is out there. Incorporating panel interviews to cut additional stages out of the process is a very effective means of ensuring your company does not lose out on candidates solely due to timing. Compensation and Offer Negotiations. Attracting the best talent in the energy industries requires a competitive compensation package. The saying “you get what you pay for” certainly applies, so for the sake of efficiency, early salary discussions about what candidates are targeting are crucial in making sure both the company and the candidate are on the same page. The candidate should understand the total compensation package, including equity, bonus, benefits, salary, PTO, etc. It is never wise to offer a candidate under their ask at the tail end of a process, especially in such tight talent market conditions where they are likely evaluating several offers at once. Companies should consider offering competitive salaries, as well as benefits and other incentives, such as stock options, short/long term incentive plans (STIP/LTIP) or flexible work arrangements. It's important to understand the candidate's priorities, such as work-life balance, opportunities for professional development, cash compensation versus equity, PTO, etc. After considering this information, companies will be in a position to understand what factors have the most weight, which ultimately positions the company to make the best offer possible per each candidate’s individual priorities. Utilizing Specialist Agencies. Recruitment agencies can be a valuable resource in the search for niche talent, as they have access to a wider pool of candidates, and through the power of their brand and network, are able to source candidates that may not be accessible through traditional mediums. Agencies often solely network in one industry, which provides a deep understanding of market conditions, relevant compensation, and a genuine understanding of where to find qualified candidates. Collectively, this gives agencies a unique advantage in being able to source high caliber talent faster than traditional internal methods. Although there is a fee involved with such service, companies need to evaluate the cost of hiring a great candidate quicker versus the cost of leaving this position unfilled for several months while waiting for the right candidate to come across their desk. Furthermore, for companies that have other priorities and can’t commit several hours per day to sourcing candidates and dealing with process logistics, agencies can keep the entire process organized through one point of contact saving countless administrative hours. What does this mean for recruiting within the energy efficiency industries? Recruiting niche talent in the energy efficiency industries requires a strategic and proactive approach. Companies should consider partnering with recruitment agencies with niche networks, developing talent and network development programs, enhancing interview process efficiency, and should treat offer negotiations as an open discussion. By following these strategies, companies can differentiate themselves from their recruitment competition and will have a competitive advantage when it comes to hiring the best talent the industry has to offer.

S1 Ep4: Decarbonizing Aviation Welcome to the Clean Fuels Podcast hosted by Ben Greenfield of Piper Maddox, the aim of this four-part series is to shed light on the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable and low-carbon alternative fuel sources. We’ll be exploring innovations in Hydrogen, BioFuels, Novel Nuclear technologies, and other potential forms of alternative energy and storage. We’ll be speaking with in-industry experts to discuss their various applications, benefits, and potential challenges in bringing these products to market. In Episode 4 of the Clean Fuels Podcast, we’re thrilled to sit down with Tim Cesarek, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer at Gevo to discuss low-carbon fuels and decarbonizing aviation. We break down the current state of the Sustainable Aviation Fuels market, and a wide variety of topics including demand drivers, government incentives, and market challenges. Tim Cesarek is the Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer at Gevo – a next-generation low-carbon fuels company focused on the development and commercialization of renewable fuels. Prior to his current 5-year tenure at Gevo, he worked for notable businesses such as Enerkem as Vice President of Business Development, Waste Management, and Koch Industries as Managing Director. You can also listen to the Clean Fuels podcast on the below platforms:Apple > https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clean-fuels-podcast/id1649553222Spotify > https://open.spotify.com/show/69TS4ekYNMyYh32JmGxwPVAnchor > https://anchor.fm/piper-maddox

A microgrid is a group of distributed energy resources and interconnected loads that act as a self-sufficient energy system. Microgrids operate autonomously and can connect and disconnect from the main grid; they provide resilience to grid disturbances and promote energy efficiency. Microgrids have been proven to promote infrastructure reliably in real-world situations. What is a microgrid? A microgrid is a group of interconnected loads and DERs (distributed energy resources) that behaves as an autonomous system. Individually, microgrids can power houses, hospitals, facilities, universities, etc. However, individual microgrids can be linked together to power larger regions. (1) The U.S. Office of Electricity defines a microgrid as “… localized grids that can disconnect from the traditional grid to operate autonomously. Because they are able to operate while the main grid is down, microgrids can strengthen grid resilience and help mitigate grid disturbances as well as function as a grid resource for faster system response and recovery. Microgrids support a flexible and efficient electric grid by enabling the integration of growing deployments of distributed energy resources such as renewables like solar. In addition, the use of local sources of energy to serve local loads helps reduce energy losses in transmission and distribution, further increasing the efficiency of the electric delivery system.”(2) Some examples of DERs that comprise these grids are generators, wind, storage, and solar. Since microgrids are not a new concept, they have historically been run using 'dirty energy'. However, in the movement towards a clean future, microgrids that run primarily on renewable energy can provide a beneficial alternative. Currently, microgrids are important to critical services such as hospitals, wastewater treatment plants, and communication towers. However, climate change will pose a major threat to the main grid. Extreme temperature anomalies (cold or heat) and natural disasters can cause the grid to malfunction – both predicted facets of a warmer world. In the present time, blackouts are growing more and more frequent.(3) Microgrids will play a big role in allowing the world to stay on during major extreme weather events. How do they promote energy efficiency and clean energy? In order to understand how microgrids promote energy efficiency, we need to understand the qualms of the main power grid. Currently, electricity production in the main power system is responsible for 25% of greenhouse gas emissions.(4) Along with fossil fuel production, there are some other major environmental risks that the traditional grid produces: Vegetation and natural habitat loss from power lines Downstream water and land pollution by-products Over-consumption of water from cooling/steam methods Solid waste production Microgrids could be the clean answer to distributing energy more efficiently. For starters, it is important to note that 5-6% of energy is lost through transmission lines in the U.S. Since microgrids produce energy near where it is consumed, there would be little to no energy lost in the system and there would be less energy produced for the same energy needed. The use of transmission lines also can destroy vegetation and natural habitats. Thus, the use of fewer transmission lines in this system could encourage the regeneration of biodiversity. Furthermore, when electricity is generated, it produces heat. In a microgrid scenario, this heat would be unused. However, microgrids can utilize this heat energy in a variety of ways. For example, the heat can be used to power homes or warm up water. (5) When microgrids disconnect from the main grid (islanding), they can provide resilience to end users during natural disasters or extreme weather events. Microgrids can also help “reboot” the main grid in the event of outages or malfunctions. (6) One of the main ways a microgrid can promote clean energy to users is by utilizing methods of renewable energy production. A microgrid can deploy a large range of clean energy production technologies such as wind, solar, and hydrogen fuel. Coupled with traditional energy production, a microgrid can switch between various energy production methods to be the most efficient. Smart microgrids can be programmed to hit different carbon emission and energy efficiency goals. When have the capabilities of microgrids been tested in real-world scenarios? There have been numerous examples of microgrids saving communities from blackouts to natural disasters. The most recent example was during the Rio Dell, California earthquake that occurred on December 24th, 2022. This 6.4 magnitude earthquake created massive havoc with 72,000 businesses and homes estimated to have lost power. During the incident, the Blue Lake Rancheria – a Native American reservation – remained an emergency resource service due to its microgrid. During the outage, the microgrid served 8% of the region’s population and provided aid to 10,000 people. (7) The microgrid was powered by solar panels and batteries. This is not the first time that the Blue Lake Rancheria has been credited with aiding the community during a grid outage. In 2019, California was taken over by wildfires and many residents were faced with extended outages and a lack of medical equipment. The microgrid at the rancheria remained fully functioning and around 10,000 people were served with medical and electrical needs. It is estimated that four lives were saved by the microgrid and the assistance from the native people.(8) The Blue Lake Rancheria is not the only microgrid that has withstood natural disasters. Some other notable examples include the numerous microgrids in Puerto Rico that helped the community stay on the grid during Hurricane Fiona, a solar microgrid in Malawi that helps children receive life-changing education, and the solar and natural gas microgrid at Pittsburgh International Airport that saved $1 million dollars in energy costs.

The battery storage industry has gained significant momentum in recent years, driven by the increasing demand for renewable energy and the transition towards a more sustainable future. As this sector expands, it is natural to wonder about the salary prospects within the battery storage industry. While salaries can vary depending on several factors, including job role, experience, and geographical location, this article will delve into the trends and factors behind these variations to provide a better understanding of salary and compensation expectations in this dynamic field. We will also offer exclusive insight into up-to-date data from our extensive 2023 Battery Storage Salary Survey. Experience and Expertise Experience plays a crucial role in determining salary levels. Professionals with several years of relevant experience in the battery storage industry are likely to earn higher salaries compared to entry-level candidates, which is a noteworthy trend that we observed in our 2023 Battery Storage Salary Survey. In our analysis, we broadened our examination to include not only base salary, but also bonuses, which are a crucial component of overall compensation, and found that in particular, C-Suite bonuses were nearly double those of VP-level candidates, whilst salaries exhibited a steady upward trajectory as titles grew more senior. Furthermore, individuals with expertise in emerging technologies, such as advanced battery chemistries or grid-scale energy storage, may enjoy greater demand and better compensation. When analyzing compensation data based on years of experience in the US battery industry, it comes as no surprise that there is a steady upward trend. However, what is interesting to note is the widening delta between low and high cash compensation as experience increases. Our data indicates that after the 11-15-year mark, there is a significant increase in average annual bonuses, doubling for those in the 16+ years category. Geographical Location Salaries in the battery storage industry can vary significantly based on the location of the job. Factors such as cost of living, local market conditions, and government incentives can influence salary ranges significantly. For example, regions with a strong focus on renewable energy, such as California in the United States, may offer higher average salaries compared to other areas. We have analyzed the compensation data across the United States, focusing on the three major states with a significant concentration of battery talent, including California, Michigan, and Massachusetts, and compared them to the average compensation rates across the rest of the country. Our findings reveal that California’s cost of living is 42.2% above the national average, Massachusetts is 35% above the average, and Michigan is approximately 9% below the average. To gain more insight into these figures, click here to download our 2023 Battery Storage Salary Survey. Future Outlook As the battery storage industry gains increasing momentum, our observations from battery storage leaders shed light on the challenges they face, particularly in recruiting within this sector. However, it is important to note that these challenges are expected to gradually resolve over time. Currently, managers face a formidable challenge when it comes to team growth: sourcing suitable candidates is the foremost obstacle, primarily due to a scarcity of qualified individuals especially, compared to sectors that have had the advantage of extensive development over the years. Nevertheless, the battery storage industry is expected to continue its rapid growth as renewable energy integration and grid reliability becomes increasingly important. As technology matures and economies of scale are realized, it is likely that salaries in the industry will continue to rise. Moreover, advancements in energy storage technologies and the potential for widespread adoption will create new job opportunities and potentially drive higher salaries. Gain more insight. To gain a further understanding of the compensation trends and career growth opportunities within this dynamic industry, download here the 2023 Battery Storage Salary Survey report today and unlock the valuable insights that will shape the future of your career or organization in battery storage. The battery storage industry offers a promising career path for individuals interested in renewable energy and sustainable solutions. To find out more contact Matt at M.Anders@pipermaddox.com

After the past few years of not being able to attend in-person events, some of our US Piper Maddox team enjoyed attending the largest and most comprehensive event in North America for the clean energy industry. The event; RE+ brings together the modern energy industry to embrace a cleaner future for all. RE+ reflects an ongoing entrepreneurial approach to renewing best practices across the clean energy landscape as the marketplace evolves. It is comprised of Solar Power International, Energy Storage International, RE+ Power (including wind, and hydrogen and fuel cells), and RE+ Infrastructure (electric vehicles and microgrids). With some of our US consultants attending the RE+ event, it offered them the chance to have various networking opportunities whilst bringing them together with a vast alliance of renewable energy leaders. Lauren Jones; Senior Client Partnerships Manager at Piper Maddox comments: “After not seeing people face-to-face for so long, it was great to see the industry get together and get to rekindle those in-person relationships. Seeing how many people were in attendance just shows how big of an impact the renewable space is making! I had the best time seeing new technologies, meeting new/old faces and learning about all the projects in the works. Cheers to this next year, it’s sure to be an exciting one!” As a brand, we see it as an ideal opportunity to attend events such as RE+ as it brings together the best minds and technology under one roof to both transform the biggest energy, environmental, and economic challenges into opportunities that will ensure a prosperous, clean, and productive future, and gives the opportunity to access resources for growing our brand further in line with industry changes. Our consultants enjoyed every minute at the RE+ Event and look forward to continuing to grow our brand and network, and they are excited for the next year to come!

Piper Maddox are proud to announce its partnership with TSG UK (part of TSG Group) to help the growth of its TSG Charge, DRB and UCP Choice divisions. Established in 2016, TSG Group is a global energy and retail solutions provider that has grown to employ over 3,500 employees, spanning over 30 different countries, while continuing to reach new heights at rapid rates. With the remarkable €650million worth of annual sales in 2020, the Group was able to retain its market position as world-leading equipment & services provider, leading the group to now invest heavily in renewables to build a more sustainable world. Where does our brand; Piper Maddox come in? Piper Maddox are playing an influential role in the positive change in the way we power the world. And so, TSG UK has partnered with Piper Maddox exclusively for their recruitment needs in their TSG Charge, DRB and UCP brands. TSG Charge provides multi-technology EV charge solutions, enabling its customers to better manage and maintain their networks. DRB represents over 40 years of experience in the installation of electrical products and services. UCP Choice is a leading national provider of high-voltage connections, helping to accelerate the move to electric vehicles and renewable energy. These divisions are rapidly growing and are looking for the best talented individuals to join their respective teams. Piper Maddox are Renewable Energy recruitment specialists covering the E-Mobility, Energy Storage, Sustainability, Solar, Grid Edge, Wind, Energy Efficiency, and Hydrogen markets. Founded In 2015, Piper Maddox now has five offices spread across the USA and Europe, dedicated to supporting companies that will be the biggest disruptors in the future state of our planet, through the sourcing and introduction of talent.

Founded in 2014, NIO have quickly positioned themselves as a market leader within the new automotive era by designing not only the latest in premium electric vehicles, but also redesigning the market for how those vehicles are charged with the rollout of their Battery Swap Stations. This is where Piper Maddox come in – at the start of 2022 NIO approached Piper Maddox we agreed to a partnership with NIO to build their Power Teams across Europe. These are the teams who will design, build and operate their battery swap stations, making sure the necessary charging infrastructure is in place ready for the rollout of NIO’s EV’s across Europe. All the roles can be found on our website and cover everything from Construction design and project rollout right through to helping NIO devise and execute their rollout strategy across Europe. By the end of 2022 they aim to have 1000 stations built across the Netherlands, Germany and the Nordics – if you would like to play a part in helping them achieve these goals, and everything they have planned for after, reach out to the team here at Piper Maddox via email, phone or application on our website to discuss which role suits you best.

S1 Ep 3: Decarbonizing heavy industry & manufacturing using clean fuels Welcome to the Clean Fuels Podcast hosted by Ben Greenfield of Piper Maddox, the aim of this four-part series is to shed light on the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable and low-carbon alternative fuel sources. We’ll be exploring innovations in Hydrogen, BioFuels, Novel Nuclear technologies and other potential forms of alternative energy and storage. We’ll be speaking with in-industry experts to discuss their various applications, benefits and potential challenges in bringing these products to market. In Episode 3 of the Clean Fuels Podcast we sit down with our guest Chris Shugart to discuss the topic of decarbonizing heavy industry & manufacturing by using green hydrogen and clean fuels. We break down the reasons hydrogen can be a major solution to decarbonizing heavy industry, collaboration and competition in the hydrogen and clean fuels market, and a holistic overview of the clean fuels & hydrogen market. Chris Shugart serves as Senior Vice President of Operations, and Interim Head of Development at Ambient Fuels. Over the years he has also worked for big industry names such as Rev Renewables and Pattern Energy where he served most recently as Senior Vice President of Operations & Construction. You can also listen to the Clean Fuels podcast on the below platforms:Apple > https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clean-fuels-podcast/id1649553222Spotify > https://open.spotify.com/show/69TS4ekYNMyYh32JmGxwPVAnchor > https://anchor.fm/piper-maddox

S1 Ep2: The ways we can use clean fuels & hydrogen to decarbonize the grid Welcome to the first episode of the Clean Fuels Podcast hosted by Ben Greenfield of Piper Maddox, the aim of this four-part series is to shed light on the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable and low-carbon alternative fuel sources. We’ll be exploring innovations in Hydrogen, BioFuels, Novel Nuclear technologies and other potential forms of alternative energy and storage. We’ll be speaking with in-industry experts to discuss their various applications, benefits and potential challenges in bringing these products to market. In Episode 2 of the Clean Fuels Podcast we sit down with our guest Mary Usovicz to discuss the applications and ways we can use clean fuels & hydrogen to decarbonize the grid. We break down the history of the hydrogen market, the reasons it has gained traction of the past few years, and the challenges we will face with fostering a cleaner, more sustainable grid. Mary Usovicz is an independent consultant with a primary focus on the hydrogen and fuels markets. She’s worked with a number of high profile clients such as Avangrid, and First Light Power- she also serves as the Director of Business Development for the UMASS Lowell Emerging Energy Institute. She formerly served as Senior Vice President of Business Development for TRC Companies, and Vice President of External Affairs for Repsol. She is passionate about clean energy, and also hosts her own Podcast with a focus on green hydrogen. You can also listen to the Clean Fuels podcast on the below platforms:Apple > https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clean-fuels-podcast/id1649553222Spotify > https://open.spotify.com/show/69TS4ekYNMyYh32JmGxwPVAnchor > https://anchor.fm/piper-maddox

S1 Ep1: Exploring the true scope of the clean fuels economy Welcome to the first episode of the Clean Fuels Podcast hosted by Ben Greenfield of Piper Maddox, the aim of this four-part series is to shed light on the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable and low-carbon alternative fuel sources. We’ll be exploring innovations in Hydrogen, BioFuels, Novel Nuclear technologies and other potential forms of alternative energy and storage. We’ll be speaking with in-industry experts to discuss their various applications, benefits and potential challenges in bringing these products to market. In our inaugural episode, we sit down with our guest Naomi Boness, PhD to discuss a holistic overview of the Clean Fuels & Hydrogen markets. We break down the reasons for the current push for clean fuels, the industry applications, as well as the challenges to deploy clean fuels en mass. Naomi Boness, PhD currently serves as Co-Managing Director for the Stanford Hydrogen Initiative at Stanford University and is an advisor, and board member for various Hydrogen, and Clean Fuels businesses. She has a PhD in Geophysics from Stanford University, a Masters of Science in Geological Sciences from Indiana University, and a Bachelors of Science in Geophysics and Seismology from the University of Leeds. She is passionate about clean energy, and her work at Stanford is aimed to foster new tech innovations in the clean fuels and hydrogen spaces. You can also listen to the Clean Fuels podcast on the below platforms:Apple > https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clean-fuels-podcast/id1649553222Spotify > https://open.spotify.com/show/69TS4ekYNMyYh32JmGxwPVAnchor > https://anchor.fm/piper-maddox

Last year, I was finishing up my undergrad degree getting ready to graduate, having decided I didn’t want to get my Masters but instead wanted to hop right into the workforce and pursue my dreams of living and working in New York City. I was applying to a lot of jobs, therefore doing quite a few phone interviews. Back then, my idea of interview prep was simply scanning the website for 5 minutes. Fast forward a year and I have secured a job at Piper Maddox as a Renewable Energy Recruitment Consultant, and already supported many people through the interview process that ended in a new job - I now realize what a disservice I did myself when preparing for an interview. Today, interview preparation is one my favorite parts of my job as I see it as something that truly has a huge impact when trying to secure your next role. Here I’m going to walk you through what I usually discuss with people, and why it’s important: The key questions to think about before the interview. With each of these questions it’s important to remember you’ll learn much more about the company, and your fit, throughout the process, but it’s so important to make sure you are as well-armed as possible prior to the call. What do you know about the Company? Before I give any advice, I ask what they’ve done to prepare for the interview. The typical response I get is “I took a look at the website and read the job description”. This is good, but we live in a world where we’ve got access to a ton of knowledge right at our finger tips, so we should be using it to secure our dream jobs! Other sources I suggest using are Google News and LinkedIn, each of these sources pull up information that may not be easily accessible or even on the website. This is important for a few reasons, the first being that for an employer it’s a good gauge of commitment. Having someone that walks into an interview already having a good bit of knowledge on the company is appealing to an interviewer as it shows interest. For the interviewee it’s important as it’s one of the first steps in figuring out if a company matches what they want in a culture and if it would be a place they’d like to work. It's also worth noting that an interview can essentially be boiled down to two key questions: Why would you be a good fit for this role? This part of the interview prep takes a good chunk of time, as I find there are a lot of small reminders that don’t necessarily come to the forefront of people’s mind. The tips I usually recommend range from having your resume in front of you (only if it’s a phone interview), being more specific and highlighting key projects. For most people this is the self-explanatory portion of the interview - of course it's important as companies want well qualified people to work for them that can walk in and do the job, but it goes beyond this. It’s important that we’re able to articulate our workplace successes and failures as it shows capacity to learn and grow on the job. We have a habit of shying away from our failures, but by highlighting them and explaining how you learned from it can set you apart from other interviewees. Being specific is hugely important because it highlights exactly what you did in situations. Why are you interested? There is a big misconception that being a good technical fit for the role is the be all end all for an interview. This is one of the most important parts of the interview. I work with a lot of passive candidates that aren’t necessarily scouring LinkedIn for their next job, but are open to opportunities that present more growth and allow them to take the next step in their career. It’s SO important to convey why you’re interested and how this makes sense as the next step in your career. I think playing your cards too close to your chests is one of the biggest mistakes you could make, as employers want to hire people who are motivated to accept and succeed in the role. Ask questions. Perhaps the most obvious one - when going through an interview process it’s so important to ask questions throughout. For a lot of people they think an interview is a one-way street where the candidate gets peppered with questions and then the company decides if they’re a fit. This isn’t the case - it’s as much about you feeling it is a fit for you, so ask questions that will help you make a well-informed decision about whether this role and company are where you want to work. You’re often judged as much by the questions you ask as the answers you give. I recommend questions be in a few key areas as well as the ones that are important to you. I’d say it helps to categorize your questions into three areas: The Company: These questions help you understand the longevity of the business and the plans for an advancement. What are the company’s plans for growth? How does this business unit play into those plans? The Role: Questions in this area can help give more of an insight into the breadth of the role and possible career growth in the business. What do the first 6 months of this role look like versus the long term? What is the long-term growth trajectory for a person in this position? Your Interviewer: These questions serve a purpose when it comes to building rapport with your interviewer. Why did you join this business? What’s the most challenging part of your job/ what’s your favorite part of your job? Enjoy. Interviewing can be a stressful time for many people and it shouldn’t be. This is an exciting moment and a possible new journey for you, so it’s important to take a deep breath and enjoy it, as it could be the next adventure in your career!

My colleague and I were invited to the WRISE event celebrating Women’s Leadership in Renewables, Energy Efficiency, and Energy Storage held in Bloomberg’s building in Manhattan and I felt it important to share my thoughts on a, perhaps incorrectly, highly politicized subject. Before I go ahead, at this stage, I think it’s important to tell you that a) I am a man and b) I am a feminist. What does being a feminist mean to me? It means equality without question. That women and men, in education and the workplace, deserve equal rights, equal opportunity and should be treated with equal amounts of respect. As a leader of Piper Maddox, a recruitment business that focuses exclusively in placing professionals in one of the most progressive industries out there – Renewable Energy & Cleantech, it was important for me to learn about equality and inequality in the workplace in our industry. Perhaps more importantly, I wanted to learn how we could help the businesses in our sector to improve their diversity and why they should be putting this at the forefront of their hiring strategies. This is why I was honored to have been invited to this event and have the opportunity to learn from impactful women such as Kristen Graf, Executive Director of WRISE. Here were some of the key takeaways I gained from Kristen Graf’s presentation: The renewable energy industry is projected to employ 24 million people globally by 2030, up from 9.8 million today – we’re going to need to mobilize a diverse workforce! According to a major MIT study, group decision-making was improved by 3 major factors, with the 3rd being the proportion of women in the group. Where there are 3 or more women on the board, they outperformed businesses with zero women on the board by 84% for ROS (return on sales), by 60% for ROIC (return on investment capital) and by 46% for ROE (return on equity) in four of five years where data was recorded. Although it did increase year on year, by 2013 the Energy industry was behind most major industries in the percentage of women on boards of businesses, with just less than 10%. In a famous study, where identical resumes were assigned 4 different names “Jamal”, “Greg”, “Jennifer” and “John” there were some interesting results: “Jamal” needed 8 additional years’ experience to be considered as qualified as “Greg”; “Jennifer” was offered $4,000 less in starting salary than “John”. There is inherent unconscious bias built into the interview process of most companies that make it more difficult for women (and minorities) to succeed. There is also bias built into most other areas of talent engagement including how adverts are written. During the networking event, we also discussed some of the solutions to increase the diversity of the workforce in Renewable Energy. What is clear is that we need to: Increase the recruitment of women into our sector and the businesses within it. We need to develop the women in our businesses, through training and mentoring programs. We need to retain the women in our businesses and in our industry. We need to promote the women in our businesses and give them tools to progress. Speaking to the different attendees, and even members of the Board of WRISE, some trends became clear that I noticed. Firstly, all of these women are passionate about Renewable Energy and they have been for a long time. So, it’s disheartening to hear how most of the people I spoke to had felt like a minority in their business and felt marginalized both socially and professionally. Some of the people went so far as to admit they considered leaving their businesses and the industry itself because of the “boys club”. It was interesting and heartening to hear about how mentoring from both men and women had played an important role in their careers, and also how this offered a support network that they otherwise wouldn’t have had. There were great stories of progression in the industry, the different female advocacy groups that have since sprung up, and the strides some businesses have made – for example; we talked about how BP has appointed their first black female CEO! Great to hear about positive change. What was really exciting was talking to the different members of WRISE and sharing how, Piper Maddox, as a recruitment partner can help educate and facilitate diversity in the workplace. We’ve experienced such positive reactions from the market and our clients about the different diversity initiatives that we can run. I have sparked an internal debate about how best to formalize these programs and aggressively take them to the market to offer the options that our clients want to see. While we’re discussing this internally, I’d greatly appreciate any input, either privately or in the comments section to hear your challenges around diversity, possible solutions or anything else regarding hiring in the Cleantech sector. I look forward to keeping you updated on our progress! Finally, I wanted to send a big thank you to WRISE – it was an honor to be invited, we had a great time and look forward to the next event!

Elon Musk hit the stage at SXSW this week to talk Mars, Tesla and Artificial Intelligence. I don't know about you, but the informative interview left me with way more questions than answers, particularity when it comes to the subject of AI. The Government commissioned an independent review into the development of AI in the UK last year. The findings were that AI shouldn't be subject to direct regulation, but an AI council should oversea the industry. Are the suggestions of Wendy Hall and BenevolentTech CEO Jérôme Pesenti enough to keep us safe? Should we not demand regulation and controls over the development of AI? As Elon says, you wouldn't let just anyone build a nuke! (Cheery stuff ay?!!!). According to Elon, it is inevitable the world will slip into a dark age... he should try being a Spurs fan, like me! Here are the recommendations following the Government review, which to me feels insufficient. What do you think? Read the original article here.