Energy Sense

Join host Chris Rawlings on Energy Sense as he sits down with building engineer Kiersten Washle to uncover insights into sustainability and energy efficiency. Washle is a portfolio energy and sustainability manager for D.C.-based JLL.

Washle holds LFA, CEM, LEED Green Associate and ActiveScore AP certifications, with a degree in systems engineering and sustainability, a master's degree in engineering management and an MBA. She works to collaborate with building owners, utility companies, and third parties to benchmark, analyze, and design new and retrofitted high-performance buildings.

In her conversation with Rawlings, Washle highlights the significance of clear goals like ESG, net zero, data analysis and goal setting. The episode explores strategies for building efficiency, including energy conservation, carbon offset, and renewable energy options. Washle also sheds light on the financial considerations and incentives that impact decision-making. Tune in to learn about tailored approaches for sustainable building operations.

[00:00:04] Podcast on energy industry trends. Passionate sustainability advocate.

[00:02:22] Civil engineer turned systems analyst, sustainability advocate.

[00:05:16] Initial conversation with building owners: goals, baseline, sustainability, efficiency, net zero.

[00:08:52] Data-driven energy conservation and resiliency.

[00:12:03] New role at JLL, sustainability manager.

[00:14:00] Building operations, focus on sustainability, efficiency.

[00:16:07] Data gathering for building optimization projects.

[00:19:21] Analyze green building affordability with clients.

[00:22:56] Simplify data for energy rate analysis.

[00:25:15] Big fan of AE, trends in sustainability.

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.

What stood out for the energy industry in 2023 — and what's next? On this year-end episode of Energy Sense, Jason Roop interviews Chris Rawlings, Chief Energy Officer of Bowerbird Energy. They discuss the trends, challenges and headlines in the energy industry. Chris talks about the company's growth, the challenges of recruiting and staffing, and how small businesses are adapting to economic conditions. They also discuss LED lighting, Artificial Intelligence in the energy industry, the Inflation Reduction Act — and what's ahead for 2024.

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.

Host Chris Rawlings discusses domestic and international energy security, critical minerals, and energy policy with guest Dr. Morgan D. Bazilian, the Director of the Payne Institute and a professor of public policy at the Colorado School of Mines. Morgan has served as lead energy specialist at the World Bank. He has more than two decades of experience in the energy sector and is regarded as a leading expert in international affairs, energy policy and investment. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

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.

On this episode of Energy Sense, host Chris Rawlings of Bowerbird Energy interviews Coles Jennings, the director of corporate sustainability at the Community Climate Collaborative (C3). They delve into the work of C3, and how the nonprofit brings together businesses and communities to foster carbon reduction at the local level. Coles shares how C3 works with businesses to reduce energy usage and emissions, emphasizing the return on investment. They also discuss C3’s interest in expanding its efforts to other cities, tailoring solutions to different types of businesses, and finding common ground to address carbon reduction.

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.

Getting into government contracting can be intimidating. But one of the biggest keys to success might surprise you. Bowerbird Energy CEO Chris Rawlings shares how his company grew its government contracting business — along with some tips, insight and resources that could help you.

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.