Alternative Power Plays
By Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney
Alternative Power PlaysApr 06, 2021
Exploring Community-Scale Renewable Energy in New York City
On this episode, Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis welcome David Arfin, CEO and co-founder of NineDot Energy.
NineDot is a true innovator in the urban energy space. The company is developing and implementing clean energy business models for New York City. Evolving from a fuel cell project company started in 2015, NineDot was created in 2021 to build community-scale energy systems that support a more resilient electric grid and deliver economic savings, all while reducing carbon emissions.
The episode gets into how solar energy can work in a big (shadowy) city like New York, the ins and outs of battery storage in urban areas, and what the future of renewable energy in cities may need to look like in order to work in what can be a complex energy and regulatory environment.
For more information on NineDot, visit https://nine.energy/.
To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis. To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer.
The Primer on Hydrogen Power
Hydrogen is becoming an increasingly popular fuel in the energy sector. Discussion of the fuel source as an alternative to natural gas has continued to grow. It can be combusted to deliver energy without producing carbon emissions and can come from a variety of sources domestically. But what’s the real story behind hydrogen, and how does it work?
On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, our hosts John Povilaitis and Alan Seltzer welcome friends from the Brattle Group, Ragini Sreenath and Josh Figueroa, to talk about where hydrogen may be headed as an energy source and the potential it may have.
Since hydrogen is such a growing topic, this episode will be a primer and the first of a handful of episodes in which we’ll discuss hydrogen in more detail.
To learn more about Josh Figueroa, visit: https://www.brattle.com/experts/josh-figueroa/
To learn more about Ragini Sreenath, visit: https://www.brattle.com/experts/ragini-sreenath/
To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis
To learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer
Power Player - Ed Hild
One of our favorite guests from last season makes a return appearance to discuss the energy space as it relates to our elected officials in Washington, D.C. Ed Hild, a principal in Buchanan’s Government Relations practice in D.C., stops by to discuss the fallout from the midterm elections that left Democrats in control of the Senate and the Republicans with slim control in House. With this new power structure in place, Ed gives his expert opinion on if he expects a standstill in energy policy. Ed also provides insight on the fluctuation of energy prices due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
For our new listeners, Ed has spent years with Buchanan after nearly two decades on Capitol Hill serving in various positions, most recently as chief of staff for U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and as a legislative assistant, legislative director and deputy chief of staff for former U.S. Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM).
To read more about Ed Hild, visit: https://www.bipc.com/edward-hild.
To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis
To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer
Power Player – Anul Thapa
On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, Anul Thapa, a Principal with the Brattle Group, discusses New England’s natural gas supply, transmission and distribution system and the challenges it faces in this winter. Anul has more than a decade of experience applying economic and finance principles in complex oil and gas-related litigation, arbitration, and regulatory proceedings. He co-authored “Understanding Natural Gas Markets,” which was prepared for the American Petroleum Institute in 2014.
New England gets about 80% of its electricity from natural gas fired generation. Anul discusses how the already heavily utilized gas pipeline capacity into the region, combined with high natural gas prices, will impact the New England electric market and how the demand of LNG will impacted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This episode wraps up by the trio discussing how policy makers address the New England gas system supply issues and could avoid economic disruptions in the future.
To read more about Anul Thapa, visit: https://www.brattle.com/experts/anul-thapa/
To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis
To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer
Power Players – Joel Haas & Jeff Haas G2 Power
On this episode, Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis welcome two Power Players who are helping revolutionize the energy space by developing technology that they say will allow existing electric power generation plants to use natural gas with absolutely zero carbon emissions.
Brothers Joel and Jeff Haas say, unlike other carbon emission technology that requires significant upfront cost and a major overhaul of a power plant’s existing infrastructure, their company, G2 Power promises to make this process incredibly simple and cost-effective.
This episode explores how G2 Power’s technology would impact decommissioned or soon-to-be decommissioned coal plants, key legislation that would create incentives for more use of their technology, how much power plants could save in operating cost by using their technology and much more.
To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis.
To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer.
Decarbonization of the Utilities Sector
Natural gas has always been a focus on Alternative Power Plays. From its use in CHP facilities and much more, it is the dominant fuel source for electric power across much of the country. On this episode, the focus has shifted to discuss another strong influence on the future of natural gas – the increasing pressure on utilities to shift away from natural gas to conservation, electrification, and cleaner fuels, out of concern for the climate. Policy initiatives could alter the availability and/or cost of natural gas for everyone, yet unfortunately, there is no way to exactly know when and how that might occur because there is a patchwork of approaches under consideration.
Our guests for this episode, Jay Balasbas, president of JMB Strategies, and Josh Figueroa, senior associate at the Brattle Group, will give us an overview of the pressures facing the natural gas industry and how they might play out in the form of changes in gas service and energy end-use requirements, as well as what some of the alternatives may be and some examples from actual proposals on regulatory treatment of gas infrastructure.
To learn more about Josh Figueroa, visit: https://www.brattle.com/experts/josh-figueroa/
To read more about Jay Balasbas, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-balasbas-b9abb816/
To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis
To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer
ARIPPA’s Mission: Coal Waste Is Still an Energy Source
Hosts John Povilaitis and Alan Seltzer of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney are joined by a former member of PA’s House of Representatives, Jaret Gibbons. Gibbons is the current executive director of the Appalachian Region Independent Power Producers Association, a non-profit whose mission is to turn coal waste into an energy source. Connecting back to our episode on the blockchain coalition, this podcast will also discuss how the use of coal refuse is important in mining bitcoin.
In this episode, Jaret Gibbons gives a deeper insight into what his organization does and how coal waste, or refuse, is turned into electric energy in the Appalachian region, with the added benefit of cleaning up the mess coal leaves behind – click here (https://arippa.org/projects-before-after/) to see some incredible before and after photos. Gibbons paints a picture of the before and after of coal refuse clean up while explaining how the waste is then turned into electric energy. He ends off with the importance of making sure people are educated about his organization’s mission and not just grouping land and coal clean-ups as environmental hazards, instead of what they actually do.
Blockchain and Energy: Where is the Middle Ground?
On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, Buchanan, Ingersoll, & Rooney attorneys and podcast hosts John Povilaitis and Alan Seltzer shift from the usual renewable energy discussions to welcome Pennsylvania Blockchain Coalition president, Dominic Folino, to discuss the history of blockchain technology and the connection it has with conversations around energy.
The episode begins with the introduction of the PA Blockchain Coalition, or PBC, and how it began. Folino goes on to speak about the importance of education when it comes to blockchain, its effects, how it works, and what energy is required to make it possible. He then discusses how crypto mining uses energy and the difference between blockchain and cryptocurrency. The episode ends with a discussion on technology’s role in make life easier and more secure.
To read more about Pa Blockchain Coalition, visit: https://pablockchain.org/
To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis
To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer
Power Players: Paul Jacob and Michael Rooney, Rye Development
Welcome back to another episode of Alternative Power Plays, the podcast from Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney and The Brattle Group. Alan Seltzer, an Energy attorney at Buchanan, and is joined by his colleague at Buchanan and co-host John F. Povilaitis, a shareholder at Buchanan.
On this podcast, the pair talk to companies across industries about the new and innovative ways in which they are getting electricity to their facilities, buildings and other sites. On this episode, we are talking to a company building upon some longstanding technologies for producing and storing energy that will play a key role in a more renewable and sustainable energy future.
On this episode, we welcome both Paul Jacob, CEO of Rye Development, and Michael Rooney, Vice President of Project Management at Rye Development. Rye is a developer of new, low impact hydro-powered energy generation and energy storage in the U.S. We’re thrilled to have Paul and Michael with us to talk about the growth of hydro-electric power, what Rye is working on, and what the future looks like for this long-time renewable technology.
To read more about Rye Development, visit: https://www.ryedevelopment.com/
To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis.
To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer.
Power Player - Ed Hild
Traditionally, Alternative Power Plays has been about speaking with companies across industries about the new and innovative ways in which they are getting electricity to their facilities, buildings and other sites. On this episode, however, At Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, energy attorneys and podcast hosts John Povilaitis and Alan Seltzer want to take that energy discussion to an even higher level – specifically, to Washington, D.C.
Our guest for this episode is Edward G. Hild, a principal in Buchanan’s government relations practice in Washington, D.C. Ed joined Buchanan after nearly 20 years on Capitol Hill, serving in various positions, most recently as chief of staff for U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and as a legislative assistant, legislative director and deputy chief of staff for former U.S. Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM).
On the podcast, the trio discusses the Build Back Better bill’s impact on the energy space. The conversation then turns to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and how the energy space here in the U.S has been impacted by that war.
For any company in the energy space or a business thinking about their energy supply options, the attorneys at Buchanan and the economic consultant partners at the Brattle Group can help businesses across industries manage complex transactions, regulation, litigation and more. And for anyone looking for insights into what’s coming down the pipeline at the federal, state, and local level, the government relations folks at Buchanan can help businesses across industries have a say in our legislative process and prepare for what’s to come. Visit www.BIPC.com/CHPto learn more about how Buchanan can help you navigate the complex world of energy.
To read more about Ed Hild, visit: https://www.bipc.com/edward-hild.
To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis.
To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer.
Impact of Russia/Ukraine War on World Natural Gas & Oil Markets Part 2
On the second part of our two-part series, focusing on the impact of the war between Russia and Ukraine on global gas and oil markets, Frank Graves of the Brattle Group is joined by Steve Thumb, a nationally noted oil & gas expert, to explore the long-term impacts of the war on global energy markets. The conversation continues with the recent history of the energy industry and forecasts what fallout is likely to occur as a result of the war. Tess Counts and Josh Figueroa of the Brattle Group once again join in on the discussion.
To follow along with the slides referenced in this discussion, please use one of the following links:
Impact of Russia/Ukraine War on World Natural Gas & Oil Markets Part 1
Between the war between Russia and Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, our global energy consumption habits have become a major point of concern. In a special episode from the Brattle Group, principal Frank Graves talks with Steve Thumb, a nationally noted oil & gas expert, who was in charge of oil and gas forecasting for three decades at the widely used source, Energy Ventures Analysis. Steve shares how the current war in Ukraine and Russia has and will impact the long-term landscape of global energy. Tess Counts and Josh Figueroa of the Brattle Group also join in on the discussion. This is Part 1 of a two-part series.
To follow along with the slides referenced in this discussion, please use one of the following links:
Power Player – Lynn A. Kirshbaum – CHP Alliance
In Alternative Power Plays, we talk all about the new and innovative ways in which businesses are getting electricity to their facilities, buildings and other sites.
John Povilaitis a shareholder at Buchanan, Ingersoll and Rooney and is joined by Alan Seltzer, an Energy attorney at Buchanan. The pair focus our legal practice in the energy and public utility space, with specific work helping clients navigate the world of combined heat and power, also known as CHP or cogeneration.
For this episode, we would like to welcome Lynn Kirshbaum – Deputy Director of the Combined Heat and Power Alliance to Alternative Power Plays. Lynn leads the Alliance’s policy work at the state level and engages with regional and state partners. The Combined Heat and Power Alliance is the leading national voice for the deployment of Combined Heat and Power and Waste Heat to Power.
The Combined Heat and Power Alliance is a coalition of business, labor, contractor, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions with the common purpose of educating all Americans about Combined Heat and Power and Waste Heat and Power, and how CHP and WHP can make America’s manufacturers and other businesses more competitive, reduce energy costs, enhance grid reliability, and reduce emissions.
Power Player – Jim McVaney, Carbon Sink
Welcome to Alternative Power Plays, a podcast from Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney and the Brattle Group. In Alternative Power Plays, we talk all about the new and innovative ways in which businesses are getting electricity to their facilities, buildings and other sites.
John Povilaitis, a shareholder at Buchanan, Ingersoll and Rooney in the firm’s energy practice, and is joined by Alan Seltzer, a fellow shareholder and energy attorney at Buchanan.
On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, we are switching gears and discussing innovations in the exciting world of carbon-reducing, energy recycling technology. And to do this, we are happy to welcome Jim McVaney of Carbon Sink, a company that hopes to develop projects to convert captured CO2 waste into sustainable fuels, energies and building-block chemicals.
For any facility or business considering CHP or more closely examining their energy needs, visit www.BIPC.com/CHP and www.Brattle.com to learn more about how Buchanan and the Brattle Group can help you navigate all the steps involved.
Power Players – Thomas Nyquist and Ted Borer, Princeton
On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, Metin Celebi interviews Ted Borer and Tom Nyquist both from Princeton University! As the Executive director of Facilities Engineering and Campus Energy, Tom Nyquist is responsible for HVAC, electrical distribution, utility plant capacity additions, energy budget, underground utilities and energy conservation. As for Ted Borer, he has three decades in the power industry starting in nuclear industry in the early 1980’s. Currently, Borer is the energy plant manager for Princeton University and is actively involved in campus energy and carbon emissions reduction efforts.
On this episode the trio discusses solar and thermal storage through optimization to reduce costs and carbon footprint, with plans to further reduce carbon footprint of the campus energy use.
For any facility or business considering CHP or more closely examining their energy needs, visit www.BIPC.com/CHP and www.Brattle.com to learn more about how Buchanan and the Brattle Group can help you navigate all the steps involved.
How to Avoid Pitfalls in the CHP Process
At Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, energy attorneys John Povilaitis and Alan Seltzer focus their work on helping clients go through the process of installing combined heat and power units, also known as CHPs, to their facilities. At the Brattle Group, Metin Celebi and Frank Graves help clients figure out the financial aspects of this process, evaluating whether these projects make sense for facilities of all types.
Over the course of their careers, the four have helped countless clients understand the ins and outs of the CHP consideration, financing, and installation process. And during that time, they've witnessed companies run into their fair share of pitfalls during this process that they've needed to help them navigate.
On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, John, Alan, Metin and Frank have gathered a list of the most common pitfalls companies across industries have come across with tips on how to avoid them.
For any facility or business considering CHP or more closely examining their energy needs, visit www.BIPC.com/CHP and www.Brattle.com to learn more about how Buchanan and the Brattle Group can help you navigate all the steps involved.
To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis.
To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer.
Power Player - Al Wanosky of Solvay Specialty Polymers
On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, we talk to Al Wanosky, the Global Health, Safety and Environmental Manager at Solvay Specialty Polymers. Al has been with Solvay for more than 16 years and, in working for a plastics manufacturing company, has dealt with some unique challenges when it comes to getting electricity and steam to Solvay facilities, specifically at the plant in Marietta, Ohio.
Hosted by Metin Celebi, principal at The Brattle Group, a global economic consulting firm and partner with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, this discussion centers around Al's experience deploying a Combined Heat & Power (CHP) system.
For any facility or business considering CHP or more closely examining their energy needs, visit www.BIPC.com/CHP and www.Brattle.com to learn more about how Buchanan and the Brattle Group can help you navigate all the steps involved.
To read more about Al Wanosky and this specific facility, visit https://s7d2.scene7.com/is/content/Caterpillar/CM20190108-44231-07674.
Bringing a Combined Heat and Power System to Life
As part of their legal practice at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, attorneys Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis focus on the energy and public utility space. They have specific work helping clients go through the process of installing combined heat and power units, also known as CHPs, to their facilities.
Making your own electricity and using the waste heat to avoid energy purchases can be a complex process, but with the right team in place it can bring enormous financial, environmental, and operational benefits to host sites. During their careers, Alan and John have been fortunate to help many clients across various industries develop these projects and realize their long-term benefits.
On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, John and Alan talk about the basic steps involved in bringing a CHP system to life, including what those considering CHP should think about at each step of the way.
For any facility or business considering CHP or more closely examining their energy needs, visit www.BIPC.com/CHP to learn more about how Buchanan can help you navigate all the steps involved.
To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis.
To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer.
Power Player - Al Neuner of Geisinger Health Systems - Part 2
This episode of Alternative Power Plays is Part 2 of a discussion with Al Neuner, Vice President of Facilities Operations at Geisinger Health Systems. To listen to Part 1, click here: https://anchor.fm/alternative-power-plays/episodes/Power-Player---Al-Neuner-of-Geisinger-Health-Systems-etpeug.
Part 2 of the interview with Neuner focuses on some of the different types of cogeneration systems that businesses can consider and how Geisinger was, once again, ahead of the curve in this area. Specifically, Geisinger's CHP system was able to significantly lower emissions at its facility, which led to the facility receiving a handful of awards along the way. Additionally, Neuner talks about Geisinger's cold water storage system that's part of his facility's CHP and why that technology is so important for a health system.
This episode is hosted by Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis, Energy attorneys at Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney.
For any facility or business considering CHP or more closely examining their energy needs, visit www.BIPC.com/CHP and www.Brattle.com to learn more about how Buchanan and the Brattle Group can help you navigate all the steps involved.
To read more about Al Neuner and Geisinger, visit https://www.geisinger.org/.
Power Player - Al Neuner of Geisinger Health Systems
This episode of Alternative Power Plays is Part 1 of a discussion with Al Neuner, Vice President of Facilities Operations at Geisinger Health Systems. Neuner is responsible for introducing a Combined Heat and Power system at Geisinger’s flagship hospital and healthcare site in Central Pennsylvania in the late 1990s -- making him a true pioneer in the world of CHP. Since then, the system has delivered Geisinger consistently reliable energy in addition to millions in energy savings.
This episode is hosted by Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis, Energy attorneys at Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney. The two of them focus their legal practice in the energy and public utility space, with specific work helping clients navigate the world of Combined Heat and Power.
Part 1 of the interview with Neuner centers around his decision to bring a CHP system to Geisinger when few other healthcare facilities were even considering it. They talk about the biggest challenges with deploying CHP, the estimated cost to install and maintain, the estimated savings over the past 20-plus years, and more.
Make sure to tune in next episode to hear Part 2 of this enlightening energy conversation.
For any facility or business considering CHP or more closely examining their energy needs, visit www.BIPC.com/CHP and www.Brattle.com to learn more about how Buchanan and the Brattle Group can help you navigate all the steps involved.
To read more about Al Neuner and Geisinger, visit https://www.geisinger.org/.
Power Player – Mike Larson of DTE Energy
On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, we talk to a true Power Player in the world of combined heat and power (CHP) – Mike Larson, Business Development Director at DTE Energy Services, a diversified energy company based in Detroit.
Hosted by Metin Celebi, principal at The Brattle Group, a global economic consulting firm and partner with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, this discussion centers around Mike's experience with CHP. The two talk about how he helps facilities of all types install the technology and what DTE Energy's role is in all this. As an outsourcer, DTE Energy can help companies who see value in combined heat and power but may not have the resources to plan, develop, and install themselves.
For any facility or business considering CHP or more closely examining their energy needs, visit www.BIPC.com/CHP and www.Brattle.com to learn more about how Buchanan and the Brattle Group can help you navigate all the steps involved.
To read more about Mike Larson and DTE Energy, visit www.dtepowerandindustrial.com/.
Lessons from the Energy Catastrophe in Texas
Last week, unprecedented snowfall and frigid temperatures wreaked havoc on Texas’ energy infrastructure, leaving millions across the state without power and heat for hours, or in many cases, days at a time.
Many of the state’s nuclear, gas, coal, wind and solar generating facilities were unable to handle the surge in power demand, and because Texas’ energy grid is largely separate from neighboring states, Texas could not address this energy crisis by taking from the surrounding region.
While the Texas works its way back from the energy crisis, there are lessons that individual businesses can take away from this catastrophic event and increase the reliability and resiliency of their electric supply despite severe weather emergencies.
In the first episode of Alternative Power Plays – Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney’s newest podcast all about the innovative ways in which businesses are getting electricity to their facilities, buildings and other sites – Buchanan energy attorneys Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis discussed a specialized form of electric supply known as combined heat and power (CHP). CHP systems allow facilities to generate their own safe, reliable and cost-effective electric power without needing to depend exclusively on the electric grid and costly backup generators. They can allow facilities of all types – including hospitals, industrial and manufacturing facilities, universities and colleges, retirement communities, and more – to stay operational, even if the nearby electric grid is down for hours or days.
In the episode, John and Alan discuss the situation in Texas, what went wrong, and how CHP offers facilities a way to protect a facility from some of the uncertainties of relying on the electric grid.
For any facility or business considering CHP or more closely examining their energy needs, visit www.BIPC.com/CHP to learn more about how Buchanan can help you navigate all the steps involved.
To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis.
To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer.