Product manufacturers typically offer specialized technical design assistance and in most cases, are able to quantify financial outcomes associated with the operational performance of their particular systems. Unfortunately, in the case of advanced microgrids, multiple technologies and equipment sets must be seamlessly integrated, both operationally and financially.

Oftentimes, this integration of technologies becomes the most significant challenge for project developers and contractors. In addition to the challenges associated with integrating disparate equipment components, gaining objective and unbiased technical input also becomes a significant challenge when dependent on manufacturers as a primary source of technical support. In most cases, when a product manufacturer becomes the technical support mechanism for a given piece of equipment or subsystem, objectivity is lost since that manufacturer is understandably biased toward its own products.

Independent third-party consulting engineers can provide unbiased technical support in many practice areas such as traditional electrical and mechanical systems, for instance. However, the majority of consulting engineers have little experience with advanced microgrids or many segments of the cleantech sector in general. As such, many consulting engineers are able to provide support for only small portions and/or phases of microgrid, demand management, or energy storage projects.

PowerSurety staff have broad experience in developing complex utility infrastructure and other types of projects such renewable energy generation systems, (REGS) distributed energy resources, (DERs), facility/infrastructure modernization, and energy efficiency. As such, we are able to provide a wide array of unbiased and product neutral technical support and consulting services focused on efficient, seamless, and cost-effective project development, delivery, and long-term systems operation/maintenance.

Please feel free to contact us for more information.

Only a few years ago, installing solar power generation systems was considered technically challenging even though systems at the time operated more-or-less in standalone fashion. Today’s technical challenges are much more complex and include issues such as seamless systems integration, smart sensor connectivity, data analytics, and system decision-making and intelligence.

In order to provide optimal value today, a renewable energy generation system (REGS) needs to operate as one of multiple distributed energy resources (DERs) integrated within a microgrid. The microgrid needs to sync with the electrical demands of multiple users, intelligently interconnect with the utility’s transmission or distribution grid in real time, and interface with communications and software technologies that enable large-scale data acquisition and analytics. The system also needs to provide monitoring and control between hundreds or thousands of devices and individual pieces of equipment. All of the above components and functionalities add complexity and risk, making projects more challenging to develop, finance, and operate.

Another significant challenge in today’s marketplace is the financial community’s integral role in cleantech energy projects. While structural regulatory and policy-level changes within the utility industry have created new opportunities for project developers, contractors, and other market participants, they have also brought with them new risks and uncertainties. To attract commercial banks, investment banks, private equity, and other investors in such a dynamic environment, highly-specialized expertise is required to evaluate and manage risk in order to develop financeable projects. This is particularly true with projects wherein complex economics, operational viability, technology risk, future fuel prices, regulatory policy, and other key issues are pivotal elements to developing project creditworthiness and financeability.

Having led, developed, built, and financed over $2 billion in energy infrastructure projects over the past 20 years, PowerSurety principals have been closely involved in enough projects to understand what works and doesn’t work. What is not universally understood or recognized are the inextricable links between a project’s development methodology and its financeability, long-term operations risk profile, and its operational profitability.

If any of the above interests you enough that you’d like to understand more, please contact us so that we can discuss further.

Robert Eidson began his service as a combat engineer officer, utility engineering officer, and heavy equipment officer with the 7th Engineer Battalion at Marine Corps Base 29 Palms, CA. He managed the surveying and initial construction of the air field at 29 Palms, working with Navy Seabees. He then served as a Vietnamese Refugee Camp Commander for Operation New Arrival, Camp Pendleton, CA. While serving as camp commander for over 1,200 Vietnamese refugees, Mr. Eidson was nominated for a Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

Following active duty in the Marine Corps, Bob began his 25-year career with the Department of Veterans Affairs as a resident engineer and later as a project design and construction contract manager for the implementation of new VA medical facilities ranging from $8 million to $250 million. Mr. Eidson served as VA’s Attaché to the American Embassy in Paris, France and managed the day-to-day activities of Pershing Hall, an American military asset and memorial to General Pershing and the Expeditionary Forces of WWI. In parallel with management activities, directed the redevelopment of Pershing Hall, which is now a five-star hotel that generates revenue to the Secretary of VA for veterans’ programs. Pershing Hall was VA’s first privately financed project accomplished through a 99-year lease on land under the jurisdiction and control of the Secretary of VA.

As a Capital Assets Manager in VA’s Central Office, Mr. Eidson led the planning, development, and negotiation of a $31 million, privately financed, Public-Public-Private Partnership-based combined heat and power (CHP) facility at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center in Mt. Home, TN. The CHP energy center provides reliable energy to federal, state, and municipal customers. The project was a “first of its kind” in the federal government and received numerous awards, including the Vice President’s Hammer Award.

While shorter in duration than Mr. Eidson’s distinguished military career, PowerSurety’s Managing Director, Ken Ormsbee, proudly served in the U.S. Navy as an enlisted Operations Specialist. Mr. Ormsbee was stationed aboard CGN-24, the USS Reeves, a nuclear guided missile cruiser whose home port was Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. While aboard the Reeves, Ken worked in the ship’s Combat Information Center where he monitored and tracked both friendly and hostile aircraft and regularly communicated with pilots in flight, for purposes of positive aircraft identification. Although Ken didn’t serve during a time of active military conflict or war, he was able to participate in multiple war exercises while on an extended West Pacific cruise that took him to countries such as Japan, China, Philippines, and South Korea.

Although Ken did not elect to work for the federal government following active duty, for nearly 20 years, he built and lead the business he co-founded while under the employ of Xcel Energy, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN. The business worked exclusively with U.S. federal government agencies and their utility providers, to reduce energy consumption levels and peak demands, and to improve energy infrastructure resiliency and reliability. During his tenure, Mr. Ormsbee actively participated in and oversaw nearly $1 billion worth of energy infrastructure projects and services.