Microgrid Hub Launch: An Online Showcase of Projects for Commercial and Industrial Off-Takers
Monday, March 18, 2019 | Track A | 3:00 - 4:00
The REscale project, led by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, aims to reach scale in the deployment of renewable-based microgrids by presenting innovative business models and encouraging collaboration across industries and sectors. In this session, companies involved in the project are launching the global Microgrid Hub, an online showcase of microgrid projects that shares learnings on implementation and operation of low-carbon microgrids. The Microgrid Hub features project summary snapshots to inform C&I companies of existing microgrids globally and describes key components considered in the project design phase such as financing, regulation and social benefits. The aim of the Hub is to use existing project case studies to help C&I companies to overcome barriers to development for new microgrid projects in different geographies across the world.
Speakers
Speakers
Moderator
Mariana Heinrich
Manager-Climate & Energy
World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Mariana Heinrich is a Manager in the Climate & Energy team at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). She is responsible for the Renewable business solution as part of the Low Carbon Technology Partnership initiative (LCTPi), where she leads different working groups that aim to increase corporate procurement of renewable energy, accelerate the deployment of low-carbon microgrids and improve integration of renewables into electricity markets. Mariana is also in charge of the utility program working to decarbonise the power sector and creating new business models for energy companies. Mariana was previously a Senior Consultant with Pöyry Management Consulting for 7 years. In this role, she led projects in the electricity sector focused around the integration of renewables into electricity markets, including market modelling and advising clients on investment decisions. Mariana has a Master's degree in Economics from the Christian-Albrechts-University in Kiel.
Mariana Heinrich
Manager-Climate & Energy
World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Mariana Heinrich is a Manager in the Climate & Energy team at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). She is responsible for the Renewable business solution as part of the Low Carbon Technology Partnership initiative (LCTPi), where she leads different working groups that aim to increase corporate procurement of renewable energy, accelerate the deployment of low-carbon microgrids and improve integration of renewables into electricity markets. Mariana is also in charge of the utility program working to decarbonise the power sector and creating new business models for energy companies. Mariana was previously a Senior Consultant with Pöyry Management Consulting for 7 years. In this role, she led projects in the electricity sector focused around the integration of renewables into electricity markets, including market modelling and advising clients on investment decisions. Mariana has a Master's degree in Economics from the Christian-Albrechts-University in Kiel.
James Goudreau
Head of Climate
Novartis
James Goudreau currently serves as the Head of Climate for Novartis Business Services. He crafts strategy and policy for Novartis to increase climate resilience, reduce GHG emissions and increase energy resilience across their global operations. These efforts include managing a diverse portfolio of efforts in technology, partnerships, procurement and climate risk assessments designed to achieve efficiency, resilience and greater shareholder value.
Prior to joining Novartis, he culminated a military career as a U.S. Navy Captain working on energy and climate resilience issues in the Pentagon. As the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy) he focused on increasing operational capabilities and resilience globally for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. He is a member of the Climate Security Action Group at the Center for Climate and Security at the Elliot School of International Affairs at George Washington University. He also works to improve sustainability and climate resilience in the Boston area as a member of the Board of Directors for the Cambridge Compact for a Sustainable Future and a member of the Board of Directors for A Better City. James holds a Bachelors of Science degree from Norwich University, a Masters in Management degree from Troy University and has completed the Tuck Executive Program at the Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business.
Head of Climate
Novartis
James Goudreau currently serves as the Head of Climate for Novartis Business Services. He crafts strategy and policy for Novartis to increase climate resilience, reduce GHG emissions and increase energy resilience across their global operations. These efforts include managing a diverse portfolio of efforts in technology, partnerships, procurement and climate risk assessments designed to achieve efficiency, resilience and greater shareholder value.
Prior to joining Novartis, he culminated a military career as a U.S. Navy Captain working on energy and climate resilience issues in the Pentagon. As the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy) he focused on increasing operational capabilities and resilience globally for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. He is a member of the Climate Security Action Group at the Center for Climate and Security at the Elliot School of International Affairs at George Washington University. He also works to improve sustainability and climate resilience in the Boston area as a member of the Board of Directors for the Cambridge Compact for a Sustainable Future and a member of the Board of Directors for A Better City. James holds a Bachelors of Science degree from Norwich University, a Masters in Management degree from Troy University and has completed the Tuck Executive Program at the Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business.
John Vernacchia
Segment Manager, Renewable Energy Solutions
Eaton
John Vernacchia is the Segment Manager for Renewable Energy solutions within Eaton's electrical business. Vernacchia has over 35 years of experience in marketing, sales, product management and operations. He has played a major role in the development of Eaton's Renewable Energy solutions to help customers connect solar, wind and energy storage resources to buildings and the utility grid. Vernacchia is a member of the IEEE Power & Energy Society and Smart Grid Community and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech.
Segment Manager, Renewable Energy Solutions
Eaton
John Vernacchia is the Segment Manager for Renewable Energy solutions within Eaton's electrical business. Vernacchia has over 35 years of experience in marketing, sales, product management and operations. He has played a major role in the development of Eaton's Renewable Energy solutions to help customers connect solar, wind and energy storage resources to buildings and the utility grid. Vernacchia is a member of the IEEE Power & Energy Society and Smart Grid Community and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech.