Christopher Caldwell

We all feel the urgency of climate change but it would be a mistake to rush out there and try to build an instant network covering every sector and geography. It is far too easy to get overwhelmed. Climate work naturally attracts a certain kind of person altruistic. Hard-working. Scrupulous to the point of self critical. This kind of personality makes you feel nothing is ever enough. Focus on one niche and bring your passion. Learn as much as you can online and then join LinkedIn and other groups that focus on your topic. When you feel you understand enough, contribute generously and start to attend in person events. Volunteering is also a great way to broaden your network and understanding. Quality over quantity. Good luck!

Managing renewable energy projects demands an array of skills that go well beyond typical technical and project management competencies. In a polarized world, you need psychological insight to understand the motivations and concerns of diverse stakeholders, from local communities to investors. Then comes diplomatic acumen, the politics is always tricky when negotiating with government entities and communities for permits and crucial collaborations. You also won’t get far without narrative crafting, telling the story of the project’s vision and impact with cultural nuance, respecting concerns and traditions. Every project is unique, leave the cookie cutter at home, approach each with an open mind.

Consumption patterns are important and a good starting point when designing a renewable energy system. However there are dozens of other factors in play. A few big ones to consider are: - local climate for optimal placement of the core technologies of solar and wind - applicability of other technologies for integration and storage to manage energy variability - local regulatory and incentive frameworks affecting installation and operation - the various costs essential to calculate ROI and potential savings - energy efficiency measures to reduce demand - the plan for system monitoring and future scalability - engaging key stakeholders to ensure the system meets wider organizational and community needs

Watch out for the unexpected. I met a fascinating company today that has a creative, nature-based solution (or at least adjacent) that uses hydrological engineering to turn underground aquifer structures into clean energy resources – essentially underground heating and battery systems. If we really can store some renewable energy in the ground right under onshore installations, that sounds like a brilliant idea! I love hearing about repurposing old tech for the new economy. We will keep innovating, complementing existing storage technologies making it ever easier to run on 100% renewable energy.

LinkedIn is indeed a great resource for building a network but remember it is only virtual. Real world relationships have to be built. Get a coffee with new connections (on zoom or if local, in person). A polite, enthusiastic and personalized message will generally be well received. If you are going to a conference shout out to your network to see if anyone else is going. Having the knowledge of someone’s background that comes from LI can give you the platform for a great conversation. Do your homework. Finally, mine your existing network for second degree connections you would like to meet. If you have a solid reputation people will generally be happy to make introductions. Don’t do anything that can damage it. Do not spam, ever!

The greatest threat of being left behind technically comes from the rapidly improving AI/machine learning space, although renewables are far from unique here. We are only taking our first steps in understanding the potential however it is clear eg that AI will be key to unlocking peer to peer distributed generation and consumption. Treat AI as a new discipline. Embracing AI in renewable energy is a continuous process of learning, adapting, and innovating. Things will change quickly, much of the development process will be automated, renewable source mix will be optimized, R&D cycles will shorten. Train your team and stay informed about the latest AI developments and be ready to pivot strategies as needed.