This panel session examines the status and future of commercial financing for microgrids. Panelists will compare microgrids to other alternative energy and smart grid investments, and will discuss emerging approaches to mobilizing private capital for microgrids. We will look at the cross-cutting effects of federal infrastructure and energy policy on the prospects for microgrid finance, as well as matching the uses of microgrids with financing sources -- including Pentagon, State Green Bank and UN Initiatives.
Speakers:
Speakers:
Michael T. Burr
Director, Microgrid Institute
Founder, Microgrid Finance Group
Michael T. Burr manages collaborative work among multidisciplinary groups of subject matter experts and leaders. He has produced more than 20 volumes of energy industry journals; moderated numerous public events, workshops, and seminars; and led formative industry initiatives to accelerate adoption of advanced energy technologies.
Michael brings 25 years of industry experience to the Microgrid Institute initiative. He began his career in 1989 on the editorial staff of Independent Energy magazine and the Independent Energy Forum, serving developers and finance executives in the independent power producer (IPP) industry. In the early 1990s he served a brief stint as communications director for the National Independent Energy Producers trade association (succeeded by EPSA). He then began an independent analysis and consulting practice that numbered among its clients IBM, Barclays PLC, PriceWaterhouse Coopers, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, and U.S. Generating Co. In the late 1990s he served as editor of PennWell's Electric Light & Power magazine. In the 2000s he served as editor-at-large for Inside Counsel magazine. He joined Public Utilities Reports in 2001, and from September 2007 through April 2014 he served as editor-in-chief of Public Utilities Fortnightly, the journal of record for the U.S. investor-owned utility industry. He also was Fortnightly's associate publisher from 2009 through 2014.
Michael founded Microgrid Institute in 2012. As its Director, he initiates and coordinates multidisciplinary work to address factors affecting the development and operation of energy microgrids. He represents Microgrid Institute in stakeholder engagements, and manages team members, collaborators, and advisers in a variety of projects, from market studies to microgrid development.
Director, Microgrid Institute
Founder, Microgrid Finance Group
Michael T. Burr manages collaborative work among multidisciplinary groups of subject matter experts and leaders. He has produced more than 20 volumes of energy industry journals; moderated numerous public events, workshops, and seminars; and led formative industry initiatives to accelerate adoption of advanced energy technologies.
Michael brings 25 years of industry experience to the Microgrid Institute initiative. He began his career in 1989 on the editorial staff of Independent Energy magazine and the Independent Energy Forum, serving developers and finance executives in the independent power producer (IPP) industry. In the early 1990s he served a brief stint as communications director for the National Independent Energy Producers trade association (succeeded by EPSA). He then began an independent analysis and consulting practice that numbered among its clients IBM, Barclays PLC, PriceWaterhouse Coopers, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, and U.S. Generating Co. In the late 1990s he served as editor of PennWell's Electric Light & Power magazine. In the 2000s he served as editor-at-large for Inside Counsel magazine. He joined Public Utilities Reports in 2001, and from September 2007 through April 2014 he served as editor-in-chief of Public Utilities Fortnightly, the journal of record for the U.S. investor-owned utility industry. He also was Fortnightly's associate publisher from 2009 through 2014.
Michael founded Microgrid Institute in 2012. As its Director, he initiates and coordinates multidisciplinary work to address factors affecting the development and operation of energy microgrids. He represents Microgrid Institute in stakeholder engagements, and manages team members, collaborators, and advisers in a variety of projects, from market studies to microgrid development.
Michael Zimmer
Executive in Residence, Voinovich School and Russ College of Engineering, Ohio University
Washington Counsel, Microgrid Institute
Michael Zimmer is Executive in Residence at the Voinovich School and Russ College of Engineering at Ohio University, and serves as Washington Counsel to Microgrid Institute. Previously he previously served as Senior Counsel with Thompson Hine LLP, practicing in the firm's Energy unit in the Corporate Transactions Group in Washington, D.C. During a 40-year career he has focused on natural gas, electricity, water and utility regulation, dispersed energy, cogeneration and micro grids, renewables and environment, and energy corporate acquisition and project finance transactions nationwide and in over 25 countries. He has been involved since 1985 in mergers, acquisitions, construction, development and project financing assignments in the non-utility generation, renewables, natural gas and electric, rural cooperatives, clean tech energy, emissions trading, and manufacturing sectors. Mr. Zimmer is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia, and focuses on development and finance issues on projects in North America, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
Executive in Residence, Voinovich School and Russ College of Engineering, Ohio University
Washington Counsel, Microgrid Institute
Michael Zimmer is Executive in Residence at the Voinovich School and Russ College of Engineering at Ohio University, and serves as Washington Counsel to Microgrid Institute. Previously he previously served as Senior Counsel with Thompson Hine LLP, practicing in the firm's Energy unit in the Corporate Transactions Group in Washington, D.C. During a 40-year career he has focused on natural gas, electricity, water and utility regulation, dispersed energy, cogeneration and micro grids, renewables and environment, and energy corporate acquisition and project finance transactions nationwide and in over 25 countries. He has been involved since 1985 in mergers, acquisitions, construction, development and project financing assignments in the non-utility generation, renewables, natural gas and electric, rural cooperatives, clean tech energy, emissions trading, and manufacturing sectors. Mr. Zimmer is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia, and focuses on development and finance issues on projects in North America, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
Roger D. Feldman
Of Counsel
Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP
Roger Feldman's practice focuses on the project finance of all types of energy and infrastructure projects. He has previously chaired the project finance groups of three major international law firms. His particular current emphasis is on structuring and financing all types of renewables, clean energy and environmental infrastructure, contributing to sustainability. In that regard, he also advises on the impact of regulatory matters; the formation of public-private partnerships; and the formation of non-profits in the sustainable energy field. Clients include project developers, financial institutions, purchasers and sellers of corporate assets, clean energy companies and parties dealing with the Defense Department, the Department of Energy and other Federal agencies. He represents energy, environmental and energy efficiency companies in obtaining and contracting for federal financing assistance, purchase agreements and guarantees.
Roger's public service includes prior government positions, including Deputy Administrator for Finance and Environment, U.S. Federal Energy Administration, White House Staff, U.S. Dept. of Defense (Systems Analyst), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Financial Advisory Board); and ongoing professional activities (including Chair of several American Bar Association Committees in energy, environment, finance, infrastructure resiliency and innovations in public-private partnerships), a Director of the American Council on Renewable Energy, and as Chairman Emeritus of the National Council on Public-Private Partnerships.
Of Counsel
Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP
Roger Feldman's practice focuses on the project finance of all types of energy and infrastructure projects. He has previously chaired the project finance groups of three major international law firms. His particular current emphasis is on structuring and financing all types of renewables, clean energy and environmental infrastructure, contributing to sustainability. In that regard, he also advises on the impact of regulatory matters; the formation of public-private partnerships; and the formation of non-profits in the sustainable energy field. Clients include project developers, financial institutions, purchasers and sellers of corporate assets, clean energy companies and parties dealing with the Defense Department, the Department of Energy and other Federal agencies. He represents energy, environmental and energy efficiency companies in obtaining and contracting for federal financing assistance, purchase agreements and guarantees.
Roger's public service includes prior government positions, including Deputy Administrator for Finance and Environment, U.S. Federal Energy Administration, White House Staff, U.S. Dept. of Defense (Systems Analyst), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Financial Advisory Board); and ongoing professional activities (including Chair of several American Bar Association Committees in energy, environment, finance, infrastructure resiliency and innovations in public-private partnerships), a Director of the American Council on Renewable Energy, and as Chairman Emeritus of the National Council on Public-Private Partnerships.
David W. South
Senior Principal, Sustainability, Energy & Utilities Practice
West Monroe Partners
David South devises innovative business solutions and strategies for clients challenged by the interaction among technologies (power generation, energy efficiency, process and environmental), commodity and financial markets, and regulatory requirements related to energy, emissions/residuals and sustainability. He has worked with numerous companies in the power generation, industrial/manufacturing, financial, technology development, and transportation sectors, as well as public-sector organizations such as trade associations, research institutions, and government agencies at the local, state and federal levels.
David combines substantial business consulting experience with deep resource, technology and delivery infrastructure experience includes coal, natural gas, nuclear power, distributed/on-site, cogeneration, renewable/clean energy and clean fuels. He has devised strategies for compliance with clean air and greenhouse gas emissions -- including making contributions to trading mechanisms for SO2, NOx, CO2, and RECs -- and water and waste residuals. For example, he is widely recognized for his work on emissions and renewable energy credit (REC) trading; monetization of clean air, greenhouse gas, environmental and energy credits to facilitate project economics; multi-pollutant control and mitigation strategies; and quantification and monetization of avoided (displaced) emissions.
Senior Principal, Sustainability, Energy & Utilities Practice
West Monroe Partners
David South devises innovative business solutions and strategies for clients challenged by the interaction among technologies (power generation, energy efficiency, process and environmental), commodity and financial markets, and regulatory requirements related to energy, emissions/residuals and sustainability. He has worked with numerous companies in the power generation, industrial/manufacturing, financial, technology development, and transportation sectors, as well as public-sector organizations such as trade associations, research institutions, and government agencies at the local, state and federal levels.
David combines substantial business consulting experience with deep resource, technology and delivery infrastructure experience includes coal, natural gas, nuclear power, distributed/on-site, cogeneration, renewable/clean energy and clean fuels. He has devised strategies for compliance with clean air and greenhouse gas emissions -- including making contributions to trading mechanisms for SO2, NOx, CO2, and RECs -- and water and waste residuals. For example, he is widely recognized for his work on emissions and renewable energy credit (REC) trading; monetization of clean air, greenhouse gas, environmental and energy credits to facilitate project economics; multi-pollutant control and mitigation strategies; and quantification and monetization of avoided (displaced) emissions.