06.13201806/13/2018
Sprynt – A Sustainable Urban Mobility Solution from the U.S.

Sprynt – A Sustainable Urban Mobility Solution from the U.S.

By In auto industry, sustainability, transportation technology, Uncategorized, urban sustainabilityTags , , ,

Sprynt is in an innovative startup that provides 100% free transportation to the passengers. It started its operation in June 2017 in the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor in Arlington, Virginia (United States), covering five different neighborhoods. This original business model includes highly targeted and customized advertising solutions to local businesses and national brands, while keeping the rides 100% free of charge for passengers. Sprynt is an on-demand transportation mode, similar to Uber and Lyft, where passengers request the service through an app on their phone. Different than the others on-demand ride services, Sprynt is 100% free of charge and is 100% electric.

The company not only contributes to sustainable urban mobility, but also to the economic development of the area in which it operates, by creating local jobs, and fostering the sales of local businesses, including restaurants and shops. The company currently employs ten people and is planning to hire more in the future. With 13,000 mobile app downloads, Sprynt connects residents to local businesses with an average of 5,000 rides per month, with both recurrent passengers and new ones.

06.01201806/02/2018
GREEN LEADERS RETREAT is JUNE 8th! Accelerating Local Community Solutions Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals

GREEN LEADERS RETREAT is JUNE 8th! Accelerating Local Community Solutions Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals

By In alternative energy, clean energy, clean jobs, climate change, economic development, energy, Green Jobs, Resilience, sustainability, United Nations Sustainable Development GoalsTags , ,

By Janine Finnell, Executive Director, Leaders in Energy On Friday, June 8th, 2018, green leaders from across the Washington Metro region will explore how to...

05.28201806/01/2018
Is the Electrical Grid moving back to the 1880’s?

Is the Electrical Grid moving back to the 1880’s?

By In energy, microgrid technology, Resilience, sustainabilityTags , ,

The electrical grid is the largest tangible network created by humankind. It all started in 1880’s, when energy was produced very close to end users, usually big industrial facilities. After 150 years of development, the world created incredible infrastructure to assure electricity supply almost anywhere. Since then, electrical grids have been expanding and embracing more generation units and end-users while covering extensive areas. That pattern, once obvious and most practical, became outdated. Overloaded electrical grids are difficult to maintain, unstable and, in case of infrastructure damage, extremely time-consuming to restore.

On September 20th, 2017, when Hurricane Maria crashed into Puerto Rico, about 95% of the island lost electricity. This energy crisis demonstrated how non-resilient the current grid is. Extreme weather events crippled the entire island. It could have been significantly mitigated - if not avoided - if Puerto Rico had developed independent microgrids. Downscaling the electrical grid by creating dispersed microgrids would increase reliability and resiliency in the electricity supply.

05.13201805/15/2018
Recruiting expert shares industry insight with green career professionals

Recruiting expert shares industry insight with green career professionals

By In clean energy, Green Career Momentum, Green Jobs, Job Creation, Leaders in Energy, Networking, sustainabilityTags , , , ,

Over the years, Leaders in Energy has been a conduit to connect employers with job seekers, suppliers with the emerging demands of the market, innovators with investors, and thought leaders with an action network. Each year Leaders in Energy organizes a series of events and workshops to help people explore different options to build a career in the green economy and to assist them in tailoring their expertise to the requirements of the rapidly evolving sector.

The first session of the Green Career Momentum Series was held on April 19th, 2018 at The McCormick Group, Arlington VA. Chery Bedard, Principal at The McCormick Group, spoke about her several decades of experience in recruiting specialized talent to match the requirements of clients.

04.15201804/15/2018
Highlights from Sold-Out January Green Career Workshop

Highlights from Sold-Out January Green Career Workshop

By In Green Jobs, Networking, sustainability, UncategorizedTags , , , ,

This past January I led a sold-out Green Career Workshop for Leaders in Energy, and I left feeling quite inspired by all the energy that was in the room!

In her welcoming remarks, Executive Director Janine Finnell highlighted how Leaders in Energy is building a community of leaders to advance solutions for a sustainable energy system, economy, and world.

During the workshop that followed, participants discovered insights about their career strengths and preferences and how these can be tailored for application to the new green economy, e.g. clean energy, sustainability, circular economy, resiliency, etc.

04.15201804/15/2018
Meeting the New Generation of Energy Leaders

Meeting the New Generation of Energy Leaders

By In 4 Gen, Extravaganza, Networking, Our members, sustainability, UniversitiesTags , , , ,

Leaders in Energy has grown into a global network of over 3,000 members, and each one of them has their own story to tell. At the 4th annual Clean Energy and Sustainability Extravaganza on February 23, 2018, I had the pleasure of spending some time catching up with a few attendees, including a few new Leaders in Energy members.

03.14201803/14/2018
Clean energy is winning, says Extravaganza keynote speaker

Clean energy is winning, says Extravaganza keynote speaker

By In clean energy, Extravaganza, Monthly Events, Networking, sustainabilityTags , , ,

On February 23rd Leaders in Energy held its 4th Annual Clean Energy and Sustainability Extravaganza at the University of Maryland.

The three-part event was a great forum for attendees to learn about exciting new developments and key challenges in clean energy and sustainability. The Extravaganza kicked off with a luncheon panel for the Council on Women in Energy and Environmental Leadership (CWEEL) on Career Perspectives in Cleantech from Women Leaders. The event continued with an all-day exposition and cleantech exhibits, as well as a University of Maryland Showcase and a Business Showcase. The final part of the jam-packed day was an evening reception, generously sponsored by Lockheed Martin.

03.11201803/14/2018
Extravaganza Sponsors Provide Sustainable Solutions to Environmental Challenges

Extravaganza Sponsors Provide Sustainable Solutions to Environmental Challenges

By In Business, clean energy, energy, Extravaganza, Networking, sustainability, Sustainable SolutionsTags , , , ,

At the fourth annual Energy and Sustainability Extravaganza at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) on February 23, 2018, attendees learned about the types of services and products offered by private sector companies to promote sustainability.

Moderated Dr. Lynn Abramson, Executive Director of the Clean Energy Business Network (CEBN), there were two panels featuring representatives from a total of eight companies. The first panel featured green building solutions, and the second panel covered clean power and transportation solutions.

03.07201803/14/2018
Career Perspectives from Women Leaders in Cleantech

Career Perspectives from Women Leaders in Cleantech

By In CWEEL, energy, Extravaganza, Green Jobs, Leaders in Energy, Monthly Events, Networking, sustainabilityTags , , , , , ,

Gender inequality is acute in the energy sector, especially in fossil fuels. People interested in the clean energy space recognize that the sustainability of the energy sector is increased when stakeholders make diversity and inclusion a priority. Therefore, as energy systems are reconfigured toward more renewable systems, gender equality should be addressed and prioritized.

The 4th Annual Energy and Sustainability Extravaganza at University of Maryland (UMD), College Park on February 23, 2018 began with an opening luncheon panel for the Council of Women in Energy and Environmental Leadership (CWEEL). The panel showcased three exceptional women who have championed sustainable energy movements in their respective fields.

03.04201804/23/2018
A great time to be part of clean energy project finance

A great time to be part of clean energy project finance

By In energy, Energy Efficiency, Green financing, Monthly Events, Networking, sustainability

On January 19, 2018, over 100 people attended the 4th Annual green finance event under the theme of clean energy project financing: where the rubber meets the road. This forum was timely, as the topic of clean energy has become more important than ever, stated Janine Finnell, Executive Director of Leaders in Energy.

With U.S. pulling out of the Paris Climate agreement, Finnell highlighted that there has been lot of concern about where clean energy and climate investing is headed. Despite this, a growing number of American companies are still planning to invest in renewable energy, according to surveys by GreenBiz and others. This news is encouraging, and there are also a lot of innovations in clean energy financing at the state and local level.