Energy Sense

On this episode of Energy Sense, Chris Rawlings and guest Molly Shutt discuss the evolving space of environmental, social and governance, or ESG, investing. Molly, a Sustainable Investment Analyst, explains the importance of ESG investing for businesses, including trends, compliance and access to capital. They also discuss the need for realistic goals when it comes to carbon emission reduction, the difficulty of setting targets for small businesses, and the importance of investing in energy efficiency programs. Finally, they emphasize the need for thoughtful planning and local engagement in the energy transition.

On this episode of Energy Sense, Bowerbird CEO Chris Rawlings and Jason Roop discuss the importance of professional services in the energy industry. They explain how Bowerbird Energy provided a solution to a private equity group and the need for energy engineers to bridge the gap between professional engineering companies and tradesman contractors. Additionally, they discuss the SkillBridge Internship Program and the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program, which offers grants and support to companies that hire veterans and military spouses — and paid internships to veterans who are transitioning to civilian careers.

On this episode of Energy Sense, Bowerbird Energy CEO Chris Rawlings and Jason Roop discuss the company's biggest design/build government project to date — a solar thermal installation at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia. The mission of the project, managed by Bowerbird Energy, was to transition the Shellbank Recreation and Fitness Center from traditional natural gas-fired hot water heaters to an innovative solar thermal system, which produced renewable electricity and used the sun to heat the domestic hot water. Chris and Jason discuss the importance of quality control, project management, creative problem-solving, and engineering solutions that reduce the fitness center's carbon footprint while saving energy. Project partners included Dominguez Design-Build, SunDrum Solar, and Energy Control Company.

Get ready to see more solar panels on the move. More of them are popping up on campers, vans and trailers with the increasing popularity of green travel. People are enjoying the freedom and adventure of life on the road — whether it's a short-term vacation or a long-term lifestyle. And they want renewable energy along for the ride. To learn more about the trend and technology, host Chris Rawlings of Bowerbird Energy talks with Caza Gomis, an Off Grid Energy Specialist for RV Solar Connections. His Denver-based business designs renewable energy systems and supports installation partners across the country working on RVs, vans, tiny homes and other off-grid adventures. We discuss the engineering needed to optimize solar for these purposes, including benefits, limitations and costs. Listen to find out what to need to know before you invest in solar for your RV.

Kyle Mullins, the President of Virginia-based startup Coastal Wind Services, shares his journey from the Navy to cell towers to his work with Ørsted — and what it's like to maintain offshore wind farms. He talks with host Chris Rawlings, Bowerbird Energy Chief Energy Officer, about innovation, workforce and what's on the horizon for wind as a renewable energy resource here in Virginia and abroad.

A look at indoor environmental quality with Bowerbird Energy CEO Chris Rawlings — and how energy efficiency measures and IEQ go hand in hand. Plus, a roundup of technology in the news, including microgrids and EV charging, solar in sports and more.

In this 28th episode of the Energy Sense Podcast we talk with Stacey Shiflet of Lynnhaven River NOW. Our discussion focuses on nonprofits, resources available for businesses and individuals to meet sustainability goals, and some of the challenges certain industries face — such as hospitality, where she spent the bulk of her career. The intersection of energy conservation and environmental management can be elusive at times, but Stacey draws a clean connection for our listeners.

Guest Herbert Dwyer, CEO of EMPEQ, sits down with Bowerbird Energy CEO Chris Rawlings to discuss the role of AI-powered technology in the energy engineering space. EMPEQ's Fast Site Survey sets out to improve efficiencies and accuracies with the process of energy auditing. We also touch on workforce development, technology adoption, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the investment outlook for the energy industry post-IRA. Recorded on location at the Association of Energy Engineers' 2022 AEE World Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

The U.S. advanced energy sector and its connection with national security has been sparking policy discussions and leading headlines around the world. We share excerpts from a panel discussion focusing on current events, Virginia clean energy and the relationship of veterans to the energy sector. Energy Sense podcast host Chris Rawlings, a Veterans Advanced Energy Fellow, former U.S. Marine and the CEO of Bowerbird Energy Contractors, joins: - Col. Dave Belote, USAF (Ret.), Former F-16 Pilot and Managing Partner and CEO of DARE Strategies LLC - Col. Greg Douquet, USMC (Ret.), Senior Fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center, and Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Red Duke Strategies, LLC - Ann Loomis, Vice President of Federal Affairs, Dominion Energy, and former chief of staff to Virginia Sen. John Warner. We also hear from Bob Keefe, executive director of E2 and author of the new book “Climatenomics: Washington, Wall Street and the Economic Battle To Save Our Planet." Panel Discussion was recorded May 25, 2022. Sponsors included Atlantic Council Veterans Advanced Energy Project, Dominion Energy, Bowerbird Energy Contractors, E2 and the Virginia Energy Workforce Consortium.

Host Chris Rawlings, CEO of Bowerbird Energy, welcomes guest Abby Johnson, executive director of the Virginia PACE Authority. They explore the role of Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy to finance energy efficiency, renewable energy and resiliency improvements on commercial and multifamily properties. They highlight some of the misconceptions behind C-PACE financing, and Johnson discusses how important it is, why it works, and where it's best suited to succeed. Johnson also serves on the boards of Virginia Housing Authority and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and shares her passion for reaching tenants and residents of affordable housing with energy efficient technology and solutions.

How is policy helping shape our transition to clean energy? And how can we make sure the workforce isn't left behind? Host Chris Rawlings of Bowerbird Energy welcomes guest J.C. Kibbey, a clean energy advocate with the Natural Resources Defense Council who works in Illinois. Kibbey analyzes and advocates for policies to advance clean, equitable energy and a healthy climate. He grew up in a community with several coal plants, and is passionate about charting a just transition away from fossil fuels. They discuss how policy can be prioritized to support energy efficiency and topics such as infrastructure and technology. When it comes to infrastructure, Kibbey says we need to build a lot more transmission: “Where transmission goes, renewable energy, jobs and economic growth follow."

In this episode of the Energy Sense Podcast, Chris Rawlings welcomes Dane Acton, Sales Manager at Bowerbird Energy. In a conversation with host Jason Roop, Chris and Dane discuss what it's like to transition into a career in the energy industry. Dane's experience with customer relations and technical background selling high end commercial kitchen equipment proved to be the perfect recipe for success at Bowerbird after joining in July 2020. Listen as Chris and Dane dive into the details of some recently completed air quality projects, and what it took to work as a team in a fast-paced environment of growth.