Meet the Champion Who Helped New Mexico’s Clear Vitality Transition by means of Fellowship

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When Arthur O’Donnell was in faculty learning communications, he wished to work in media. What he didn’t know was that his journalism profession would lead him to develop into a champion for New Mexico’s power transition.

Meandering paths to wash power careers aren’t unusual, and the business advantages enormously from the variety of backgrounds and expertise it attracts. That’s why the U.S. Division of Vitality (DOE) creates and helps packages that open doorways for college students, current grads and established professionals searching for power jobs. The Clear Vitality Innovator Fellowship (CEIF) is one among these packages, funding Fellows to spend as much as two years supporting clear power initiatives at important power organizations.

O’Donnell arrived on the New Mexico Public Regulation Fee (NM PRC) as a Fellow in 2020. After finishing his two-year fellowship, he was employed because the Director of Coverage Administration to assist develop progressive methods to combine solar energy and distributed power assets with the state’s electrical grid. O’Donnell now mentors a CEIF Fellow himself at NM PRC, passing down the alternatives and learnings he gained.

“What I discover most enjoyable is energizing individuals round change,” O’Donnell stated. “Having youthful employees at long-standing power establishments is useful. They see what could be completed, and so they’re motivated to contribute to progress within the areas they care about.”

On this interview, O’Donnell displays on his profession, the worth of mentorship, and why now is the time to reap the benefits of unprecedented Federal funding and assets aimed toward clear power jobs.

What was your earlier expertise with clear power work previous to the fellowship?

Wanting again, diversification of the power combine has at all times been part of my jobs. My curiosity was sparked after I turned a radio information reporter within the Nineteen Seventies and lined Washington state’s plans to construct 5 nuclear energy vegetation. By the 80’s, I used to be overlaying the infancy of renewable power commonly. I liked being near this zeitgeist of change, and my profession as an power journalist continued for the following 20 years. The experience I developed whereas reporting finally landed me a job with the California Public Utilities Fee as a lead analyst, the place I helped implement a bit of laws to get utilities to plan and procure power storage.

What undertaking(s) did you help throughout your fellowship?

I did many issues centered on rulemaking and implementing insurance policies and packages round grid modernization. My emphasis on stakeholder engagement and alignment helped be sure that the foundations had broad help and launched new members into the regulatory course of. I’ve supported the launch of a 200 MW Group Photo voltaic program, substantial updates to utility interconnection guidelines, and the state requirement for superior inverter set up. I’m proud to say that New Mexico’s interconnection coverage is now a mannequin for different states.

What did you discover most dear concerning the expertise?

It’s difficult for individuals with non-traditional backgrounds like mine to interrupt into power coverage work; there’s a protracted line of extremely certified professionals competing for these jobs. The fellowship opened the door to the power neighborhood in New Mexico, the place I had simply moved.  The commissioners wanted professional advisory help to deal with a lot of these grid modernization initiatives. My outsider’s perspective allowed me to advocate inventive options. When change within the fee got here, my present place was created, and I used to be capable of proceed the work I began.

What recommendation would you give future fellows?

Principally, I need them to see this as an incredible alternative. The fellowship is so academic, and it helps you determine if that is the profession path you need to take. Make the most of the federal funding and assets designed to supply capability to states that basically want them. Additionally, use the skilled growth stipend to advance your expertise and experience. You get $10,000. Spend it properly, as a result of this can be the one time in your profession that you simply’ll have such a versatile useful resource.

All for taking part in Clear Vitality Innovator Fellowship? Be taught extra.

To completely transition to wash power, we want champions at each degree. Whether or not you need to work in clear power, put money into clear power or energy-efficient upgrades for your house, apply for EERE alternatives, or just be taught extra concerning the profit of fresh power, YOU can be a Clear Vitality Champion. The revolution is now. Be part of us.

Courtesy of Division of Vitality.