Big picture message / CTA.
Hi, I’m PKD — energy expert, strategic consultant and ‘storyteller.’ In recent years as a consultant, I kept hearing the same refrain: “There are many people who understand energy markets and technology. And there are many individuals who can speak and write. But there are precious few who can do both.” Somehow, I found myself increasingly in that role as communicator. I found myself keynoting more frequently, delivering workshops - as long as 12 hours - on issues such as the evolution of the power grid and the role of batteries, and sitting in strategic meetings with investors and comply leaders. Over time, it became clear that the world is in the early stages of a huge and complex multi-trillion dollar transformation taking place which few people understand. They don’t fully comprehend the magnitude or the nuances not because they don’t care, but because they all have day jobs.
My day job is to read 22 newsletters on a daily basis (ask me and I will send you the list) and scan about 250 titles, constantly search for new trends and understand how the technology, investments trends and business models are coming together to create something entirely unprecedented, that the world has never seen before. And then, my job is to explain what’s happening, why it’s happening, and how it will affect you, your employees, and your business.
My beginning
I’ve spent 30 years in this industry.
After kicking around in Africa (Mogadishu Somalia’s Ministry of Finance), Catholic Relief Services global audit staff, and CRS’s Ghana office, I somehow found myself in energy efficiency in the early 90’s. Then a two-year stint from ‘95-’97 in Santiago Chile working on efficiency programs.
And then in ‘97, landing right in the middle of the newly formed competitive retail electricity markets. Three years as Head of Customer Care, East Coast for New Energy Ventures; five years as Director of Operations for Constellation New Energy (we billed a billion dollars annually).
Next up was starting Constellation’s Demand Response group, hiring a team 35 and creating the capability of dispatching 850 MW of demand through a voicemail, email or text. By paying people not to use energy during peak periods, we built that virtual third lane on the highway during rush hour.
And in 2012, I took the leap, jumping out as Partner at NorthBridge Energy Partners, doing the strategic consulting thing, and writing for Forbes.com - my ‘secret weapon’ that gave me access to CEOs of many of the major renewable energy and storage companies to better understand their business models and technologies. Additional writing for companies like GE gave me access to subject matter experts in generation. If you want to understand something, try writing about it…
That background enables me to understand how markets work, and the interplay of technology on both sides of the meter. It helps me see beyond the obvious, what’s connected that may not appear to be, and what’s coming next. And it helps me understand how to actually make money - or at least avoid losing it.
The numbers and the details matter. They help point to the bigger picture and the energy and economic landscape we are currently shaping.
“Peter is our ‘Bill Nye’ — the science guy!”
— Ontario operations manager, stantec
100%
Carbon reduction goals in an increasing number of power grids. California and Hawaii, move over. New Mexico just joined you. Others will follow.
50%
50% The amount of energy expected to come from the customer side of the meter in Hawaii by 2045
20%
The impact of the learning curve in battery and solar panel manufacturing, and the approximate reduction in cost with every doubling of global output.
0%
The amount of internal combustion vehicles that will be sold in the United Kingdom after 2035.
Over the years, I have found that it is very difficult to find what I want about renewable energy in one single location. I hope this distillation of information can help create a shortcut to your understanding.