Renewable energy, or green energy, is generated from renewable resources that are naturally available and replenishable, and include sources like sunlight, wind, water and geothermal heat. An electrical engineer steeped in a “learn by doing” philosophy, Jessica has been tackling energy problems for nearly 20 years. Bringing sustainable design into the mainstream is her favored way of creating not only resilient buildings, but communities.
Below, Jessica shares about the growing the renewables industry and the implications of building electrification in California and beyond.
Can you tell us about your role and background?
I lead the renewables team under Property and Buildings on the west coast and focus primarily on solar photovoltaics (PV) and battery energy storage in the commercial and industrial building space. By degree and licensure, I’m an electrical engineer with experience in the construction and energy industry. My first job was with San Diego Gas and Electric’s distribution planning team, so I have a healthy respect for power quality and grid resilience. As my career developed, so did my passion for renewable energy. I love pairing the simplicity of nature – the sun and wind – with high tech engineering innovations.
What are some insights into renewable energy design that people might not know?
Generally, renewable energy and electrifying the built environment are viewed as positive. What people might not know is that electrification is only as effective as the grid to which it connects. Even with new energy code adoptions around the country, change isn’t instant and good intentions are not enough. Further, as with all aspects of the natural world, there is an equilibrium to maintain.
WSP’s renewables team has a distinct advantage with that challenge. Since our team understands how the pieces of a building go together, we help clients generate sufficient distributed energy to offset the demand created by electrification. We collaborate closely with key disciplines to do so.
For example, a mechanical engineer ensures a building is heating and cooling water efficiently, which has a massive impact on the energy usage of a building. The electrical team ensures that there is sufficient infrastructure capacity to support the power generation, and a structural engineer can provide louver designs atop a parking structure to support PV. Fire protection design ensures smoke and gas can escape. These are all disciplines we offer in house. Electrification requires that we approach renewable energy design from all angles.
