FOR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPERS, INVESTORS AND INDUSTRIAL USERS
Key factors in energy that will shape 2022 and beyond
• Women leaders speak up about diversity and inclusion in the energy industry • Quantum computing, the last frontier for super-optimized systems
• SurfCleaner, solving the global problem of floating water pollutants • Isotrol and its success in improving efficiency in power utilities
BRENT JOHNSON, secure the success of your fleet electrification project
Energy Capital Magazine
OPINION 8 | Rubi Alvarado Women's inclusion in the energy sector is not just a matter of political correctness, nor a trend or a vogue, but a vital factor to be considered for the complete transformation of the industry. The energy transition, in this regard, is much more than just decarbonization. 10 | Aldo Santillan 2021 was a pivotal year for the energy sector. Coming out of the demand destruction that 2020 represented, during 2021, companies from all industries faced severe headwinds and a deep need for transformation.
ANALYSIS 12 | Energy Capital Digital technologies are unlocking potential in the oil and gas, power and manufacturing businesses. New technologies like augmented reality and machine-learning will pave the way for cleaner and more resilient business models.
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WEN (WOMEN’S ENERGY NETWORK) 18 | Women Leaders in the energy industry are increasingly advancing awareness about the relevance of gender equality and diversity in companies as a vital element for a deep and meaningful transition.
POWER 24 | Chris DeBenedictis, Budderfly LL Budderfly provides its customers with guaranteed energy savings through its Energy-Efficiency-as-a-Service solution (EEaaS). The company helps customers be more energy efficient, while they harness the highest savings solutions. 30 | Brent Johnson, SAGE Energy Consulting As electric vehicles become a crucial part of the energy transition and a critical pillar for companies and governments to meet their climate and net-zero goals, undertaking a fleet transition has become a true driver for change.
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Energy Capital Magazine
WOMEN IN ENERGY 36 | Annie Rosenfeld, Riveron Riveron is a business advisory firm specializing in accounting, finance and operations. Energy Capital spoke with Annie Rosenfeld, Senior Manager of the company, about her work and the opportunities that women in the industry have today.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECH 42 | Christina Lundbäck, SurfCleaner SurfCleaner is an emerging Swedenbased company with top-notch solutions for treating surface water, making it possible for plants to solve sludge, oil spills, diesel, and other contaminants problems while stimulating biogas production and top efficiency levels.
INDUSTRIAL TRANSFORMATION 50 | Manuel Losada, Isotrol Isotrol is a top technology developer with specialized and tailored solutions for the energy sector. Since 1984 it has been a pioneer of monitoring, system controls, and digitalization technologies.
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Contact Information MANAGERS Rubi Alvarado – General Manager Aldo Santillan – Managing Director & Editor in Chief Noe H. Saenz – Editorial Board Chairman DESIGN Gonzalo Rivas – Senior Designer Aleysa Sanchez – Senior Designer Cristian Martinez – Digital Strategy Ivan Ledezma – Digital Strategy EDITORIAL STAFF Eduardo Medina – Editorial Analysis Saul Olvera – Editorial Analysis Paola Sanchez – Editorial Analysis Elizabeth Garcia – Editorial Analysis EDITORIAL BOARD Christine Spiro – Member (Our Energy Manager) Todd C. Frank – Member (Burns & McDonnell)
Energy Capital The Magazine is published by Capital Media Group LLC © 2020. All rights reserved. Digitalized and distributed by Capital Media Group LLC. We accept no responsibility in respect of opinions, products or services obtained through advertisements carried in this magazine. www.energycapitalmedia.com
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Editorial Letter
Riding the transformational wave, towards diverse and inclusive energy industry Women in the energy industry are still underrepresented. This needs to change fast if the industry wants to truly reshape facing energy transition.
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However, there is an aspect of the energy transition that must not be taken lightly: the role of women and the deep need for diversity in this new energy industry. Oftentimes we associate the energy transition with new technologies development and we underpass the importance of a change of paradigm and the development of a new culture, a culture of inclusivity, diversity and equity in all their forms.
ear reader, welcome to our final issue of 2021! During this year, we explored together the most relevant topics and issues of the energy In this regard, throughout this issue we will explore industry in Canada, the United States and how companies are actively working towards a new Mexico, including how the industry business model, one that leverages THE ADOPTION OF NEW is transforming in each country, talent, creativity and innovation TECHNOLOGIES LIKE in regards to new technologies, from a diverse pool. In this regard, DIGITALIZATION, AUTOMATION climate change and innovation we will explore how the inclusion AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS SHAPING A NEW KIND OF adoption. of women is playing a vital role in COMPANY, RESILIENT, FLEXIBLE, the energy transition, and the best AND BETTER PREPARED It has been indeed a ways and roadmaps to achieve this FOR A DISRUPTED AND cultural and corporate transition transformational year for the TRANSFORMATIVE MARKET. without reinforcing bias of any kind. industry. The climate change agenda, the net-zero pledges as well as the COP26 have been main drivers for this change and will Moreover, women executives will share their continue to play a critical role during 2022. experiences and their insight on the matter, and
how their companies are establishing and building a truly diverse workspace. Personalities like Sabrina Kristobak, Business Development Manager - Large Industries at Air Liquide will share with us hard data about the underrepresentation of women in the industry, and her valuable insights, as a member of the Women’s Energy Network (WEN) in Houston, on the best pathways for change. On the other hand, we will explore how the adoption of new technologies like digitalization, automation and artificial intelligence is shaping a new kind of company, resilient, flexible, and better prepared for a disrupted and transformative market. In this regard we will discuss the role of quantum computing in the development of super-optimized energy systems for the future, and how companies like Shell are implementing new energies to transform its products and boost efficiency and profitability at the same time. Furthermore, we include an exclusive interview with the Sweden-based emerging company SurfCleaner, which is bringing to the table competent and costeffective solutions for a global problem: floating contaminants on the surface of the water. The company’s Co-Founder, Christina Lundbäck, will share with us how the company is innovating surface water treatment and how its products could make a true difference in greening industrial operations across sectors. Finally, you will dive deep into how Isotrol is becoming a true technology partner for its customers, and how it has managed to
deploy digital solutions for power utilities. Through the words of the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Manuel Losada, you will get an accurate outlook on the company’s vision for the future and the relevance of new technologies adoption for boosting efficiency. We cannot thank enough for going along with us in this journey. It has been a transformational year for all sectors of the economy, and energy in particular is reshaping at an astonishing rate, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. We are proud and pleased to have reached a yearlong coverage of this fascinating industry and to be able to share it with you, our dear readers. So, without further due, we leave you with our December 2021 issue! Don’t forget to share our content and to follow us on our social media and website to keep informed on the cutting-edge advancements of the energy industry in North America.
Opinion
For a renewed energy sector in 2022 women inclusion is a must MANY “GENDER-NEUTRAL” PROGRAMS IN THE ENERGY INDUSTRY ARE NOT GENDER NEUTRAL AT ALL.
By Rubi Alvarado General Manager, Energy Capital Magazine
Only a small portion of women participate in the energy industry, this must change in other to truly change it, facing energy transition.
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omen's inclusion in the energy sector is not just a matter of political correctness, nor a trend or a vogue, but a vital factor to be considered for the complete transformation of the industry. The energy transition, in this regard, is much more than just decarbonization. In fact, the energy transition must 8
come along with significant changes to close the gender gap as women have been, are, and will be key drivers of innovative solutions for the future. Indeed, a clean and true energy transition will change paradigms and business models and implement changes for women's greater participation. If successfully implemented, these changes will be valid drivers for economic growth. According to the International Energy Agency, female investors rise rapidly across different technological sectors, with the highest rates reported in the health and chemistry industries. Nevertheless, women are listed below the 11% in patent applications in the energy industry related to combustion apparatus, engines, pumps, and power. On the climate change mitigation technologies, which is comparable to all technologies, including information and communication technologies, women appear in around 15%. On the other hand, worldwide, women make up about 48% of the labor force. Nevertheless, women workers account for only 22% of the energy industry. As a result, women face very similar barriers in the energy sector to those in other sectors of the economy. However, the energy sector's challenges
are more pressing since the industry is going through a transformation process; clean energy transitions will require innovative solutions and business models to be adopted and greater participation from a diverse talent pool.
Useful tools to retain and empower women and other minorities in the industry Moreover, according to a recent IRENA study, women hold just 32% of jobs in renewables and only 22% jobs in the oil and gas sectors, and 45% of those jobs are administrative. Therefore, only a tiny portion of women participate in the energy sector, leaving a wide gap of unharnessed opportunities. The IRENA study also points out that women leave their jobs in the energy industry primarily due to gender biases, lack of adequate training and opportunities, inadequate policies to attract or retain women, workplace inflexibility, and unequal pay, among other reasons. Furthermore, according to experts from the Department of Energy, many "gender-neutral" policies and workshops pushed and endorsed by the industry are, in fact, not at all gender-neutral but instead,
reinforce gender biases and leave women behind. Indeed, a diverse workplace not only means women inclusivity; specific policies and practices are needed to ensure that women and other underrepresented groups participate in the energy industry and remain in it, engaged and empowered. Finally, some practical tools that will pave the way for more women and other minority groups to truly participate, invest, develop, and lead in the energy industry are: strong skills development and training; mentoring; showcasing and studying role models; providing of network opportunities; improving recruitment and retention policies; ensuring access to finance and capital for entrepreneurs, and strong engagement with students and young women so they can enter the industry without experiencing gender biases.
LESS THAN 11% OF WOMEN PARTICIPATE IN ENERGY AS INVESTORS
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Opinion
How will energy shape in 2022? Key trends for next year’s economic panorama 2022 will bring new challenges and opportunities for companies of all industries; however, keeping a strong financial architecture and a sustainability approach will be vital.
By Aldo Santillan Managing Director and Editor in Chief, Energy Capital Magazine
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021 was a pivotal year for the energy sector. Coming out of the demand destruction that 2020 represented, during 2021, companies from all industries faced severe headwinds and a deep need for transformation. The Covid-19 pandemic kept its grip over the markets, and the climate change agenda became more relevant than ever. Nevertheless, through the implementation of sustainability efforts, clean energy purchasing, and other trends that we've discussed previously (like carbon 10
capture), upstream, midstream, downstream, and power companies were able to adapt and ride the transformational wave. The outlook for 2022 will still have its challenges and opportunities, and only those able to add flexibility, resiliency, and sustainability will seize the most significant
opportunities of them all. Firstly, during next year global energy consumption will rise by 2,2%, as economies keep recovering from the pandemic. Such growth in demand will support high energy prices. As a result, all types of energy will benefit. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit's Outlook for 2022, even coal will see a tailwind, as increased commodity prices will prompt a switch to coal for power generation and other industrial activities. However, many energy companies will need to undertake an urgent review of their strategies to fulfill pledges and new regulations coming out of the COP26 Summit. Consequently, coal and oil companies may find it difficult to get financial backing, especially as the European Investment Bank has said that it will stop investing in coal projects from 2022.
Key events of the economic panorama for 2022 What will be pivotal events in energy for 2022? Firstly, the Infrastructure Bill approved by the United States government will modernize its energy systems, therefore pushing it forward in its combat against climate change. The vast investment from the bill will strengthen existing and create new programs for new technologies development, which will enable the adoption of new energies like biofuels, hydrogen, and advanced nuclear. On the other hand, during 2022, most likely the first quarter, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline will start operations. The pipeline will connect Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany, increasing Germany's dependence on Russian gas. Currently, Germany gets around 30%
COP26, AND CLIMATE CHANGE, TO SHAPE MUCH OF THE ENERGY SCENARIO FOR NEXT YEAR
of its gas from Russia. After Nord Stream 2 will be more than 60%. Under such a scenario, geopolitical tensions with Ukraine may rise. However, the energy crisis in Europe may ease. Moreover, the Climate Change agenda will be more relevant than ever. In fact, meeting emissions reductions and sustainability goals will be the biggest challenges of them all. This trend will boost the decarbonization of the power sector by encouraging renewable energy generation. Solar, wind, geothermal will be essential sources during 2022. Consequently, developing a solid financial architecture and a bulletproof business model, one that balances clean energy generation, sustainability, grid connectivity, as well as substantial returns of investment, will be vital for operators, executives, and stakeholders to encourage investment, development, and adoption. Finally, Mark Davis, GridBeyond's Managing Director UK, has said that "it's imperative for our economy that industries of all kinds remain profitable and competitive. Businesses have a once in a lifetime opportunity to use their energy strategy to remake themselves into cleaner energy users." As a result, bigger and bolder investments for the decarbonization of the energy sector will be crucial for 2022 and beyond, especially to achieve the 2050 net-zero goal.
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Analysis
Digitalization, building a business model for the future New technologies like augmented reality and machine-learning will pave the way for cleaner and more resilient business models.
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By Energy Capital
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igitalization technologies have quality. This is particularly important in manufacture. become a central issue for the During 2021 and after the market disruption due to energy industry, as the energy the Covid-19 pandemic, the manufacturing industry transition demands improved energy faced rapid and profound changes in production lines. For efficiency, optimized energy management, example, the automotive industry faced the switch from and sustainable business models. combustion to electric vehicles, which means disruptions Indeed, digitalization technologies in the production line. Such disruptions are practically allow the automation of processes, data impossible to manage without automated processes. analytics, and the delivery of specific production goals. As a result, these Opportunities in manufacturing, oil and gas and power technologies enable the transition to a cleaner business model and are key drivers In this regard, Blake Moret, CEO of Rockwell Automation, for value and growth. during the 30th Automation Fair, talked about how the In previous issues, we have discussed companies able to manage fast-paced changes by the importance of the adoption of adding flexibility, resilience, and sustainability to their digitalization technologies. In particular, production lines will be better positioned for the future. we have discussed how they help measure These capabilities would be enabled by intelligent devices and reduce carbon emissions, mainly by that gather data and leverage its flows to anticipate improving efficiency, coordinating the supply disruptions. As a result, automation has become essential and demand of energy for industrial activities. "You cannot from decentralized make six billion vaccines manually DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES sources, and improving and meet the demands of the ARE UNLOCKING POTENTIAL operational processes. market," Moret said. On this issue, we will IN THE OIL AND GAS, POWER On the other hand, these focus on how these capacities are also paramount for the AND MANUFACTURING technologies are growing energy sector, specifically for the oil BUSINESSES. and strengthening a and gas business, as unconventional new business model, hydrocarbons become more relevant enabling a smoother energy transition for the industry. Consequently, safety, leak detection, while harnessing market opportunities. emissions monitoring, carbon capture, utilization, and Notably, digital technologies deliver other values are critical to maintaining operations and trusted data from the assets; enable IT essential pillars of the energy transition. Especially as it and OT connectivity to ensure flexible is now undisputed that hydrocarbons will still play a vital role in the energy mix of the future. workflows; they also assist decision-making and automate processes to speed up Dan Jeavons, Vice President for Digital Innovation and production without giving up safety and Computational Science at Shell, has said about the matter. 13
Analysis
20
YEARS OR MORE TO SEE FULL POTENTIAL OF QUANTUM COMPUTING.
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"Digital technologies can make it possible to design and operate entirely new energy systems at the device, plant and regional scales." "Digital technologies can provide the tools and mechanisms for optimizing the energy efficiency of operations and enabling the sharing economy; they can enable more accurate greenhouse gas emissions tracking and transparent reporting across supply chains and can also enable more effective monitoring of carbon offsets."
Sensors, AI, AG and Digital Twin as value and growth enablers In this regard, three technologies have become paramount in this digitalization era: sensors, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence. Firstly, sensor technologies enable the generation and analysis of vast data processed in real-time using cloud capabilities. This data can be accessed through a device to better understand the assets' performance. Moreover, augmented and virtual reality development allows the visual representation of such data, puts it in context and creates a digital twin of
the physical asset. This digital twin simulates new production scenarios, optimizes processes, and predicts anomalies. Then, through artificial intelligence, an operator can interrogate this data, compare disparate sources of information and implement changes in a fastpaced manner. These capabilities are critical for energy industries, oil and gas, as we have discussed, and power utilities, midstream, and downstream companies. Dan Jeavons shares a success story of Shell on the company's liquified natural gas (LNG) facilities. "We have shown that optimization technologies can reduce the CO2 emissions of one of our LNG facilities by as much as 130 kilotons per year – the equivalent of taking 28,000 US cars off the road1 for a year." In the downstream sector, these technologies also enable research on how to pair data-driven simulation combined with physics-based
Credit: IBM
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KILOTONS PER YEAR OF CO2 AVOIDANCE USING DIGITALIZATION TECHNOLOGIES AT SHELL’S LNG PLANT models to optimize the efficiency of lowcarbon fuels. "We used this approach to demonstrate that sustainable aviation fuel concepts would work at scale. In 2020 we produced 500 liters of synthetic kerosene from carbon dioxide, water, and renewable energy to replace conventional hydrocarbon feedstock," added Jeavons. Furthermore, digital and AI technologies will also be paramount for the future of mobility. Firstly, these technologies will help develop smart metering, devices that
record information on electric energy consumption to be shared with suppliers, inform about demand, and as a basis for billing and electricity transactions. This would provide a solid platform for developing smart energy storage and autonomous charging and discharging of batteries linked to renewable sources. The development of a smart charging algorithm will help maintain a stable and balanced power grid by spreading charging demand and enabling customers to charge at a lower cost when energy demand is lower. All of these would be impossible without adopting AI and digital technologies. In fact, companies like Shell and Enel are already deploying these solutions for customers in North America. However, to achieve wide adoption of these capabilities, a change of mindset and culture is needed. Jeavons considers that "too often in the energy industry, proprietary systems are the norm and data sharing is rare; this reduces the opportunities for smaller start-ups to participate in the ecosystem and also limits the ability of partners to collaborate easily across organizational boundaries," he concludes. 15
Analysis
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES CAN MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO DESIGN AND OPERATE ENTIRELY NEW ENERGY SYSTEMS. DAN JEAVONS, VICE PRESIDENT FOR DIGITAL INNOVATION AND COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE AT SHELL.
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Quantum computing, a new frontier for superoptimized energy systems
would dramatically pave the way for cheaper, more reliable power.
On the other hand, there is another technology being developed that will truly disrupt the energy future: quantum computing. Classical computing systems rely on semiconductor technologies like silicon chips that use "bits" as a basic unit of information. In contrast, processors in quantum computers use quantum systems—atoms, ions, photons, or electrons—and their properties to represent bits. The particulars of quantum computing are vast and go way beyond the limits of this paper; however, quantum computers are expected to aid in chemistry and materials development far beyond the capacity of present-day supercomputers. They are expected to boost simulation capabilities to create batteries with greater storage capacity; and high-temperature superconductors, which could be used for new catalysts that could convert and optimize alternative fuel sources. Moreover, quantum computing will also help in climate modeling to find potential locations of wind flow that would help in designing new wind-energy sources, for instance. Nevertheless, a greater and more immediate impact of this technology might be seen in today's smart grids. Currently, power utilities are struggling with optimizing hybrid systems, those that combine multiple renewable energy sources. Consequently, quantum computers promise to track demand, predict peaks in consumption, coordinate energy storage, and boost efficiency, all in real-time. This
Projects regarding quantum tech Currently, there are several projects regarding quantum computing, one of them under the leadership of the US Department of Energy: the National Quantum Initiative, that is launching a series of multidisciplinary research programs on the matter. These programs include efforts to develop quantum computers as testbeds, to design new algorithms for quantum computing, and to use quantum computing to model fundamental physics, chemistry, and materials phenomena. Another one is the Microsoft Quantum program, which aims to scale up the development of quantum hardware and software. One of the tools launched by Microsoft is the Azure Quantum, an open ecosystem platform that allows users to borrow quantum principles and run them on classical resources for the design and launching of quantum algorithms. Moreover, Honeywell is another company entering the quantum realm. Honeywell Quantum Solutions offers access to its trapped-ion quantum systems, which leverage mid-circuit measurement and qubit reuse, allowing developers to write algorithms in impactful ways. Overall, this technology promises to disrupt the energy industry panorama from top to bottom and completely revolutionize cryptography, machine learning, chemistry, communication, and other fields. It will have a significant impact on discovering new clean energy sources, the creation of cleaner fuels, lowering emissions, and creating super-optimized power systems. Finally, all of these advantages will be tangible in the foreseeable future, but more research is needed. For now, the expectation is for quantum technology to allow a faster, easier, and cleaner delivery of electricity. However, the true potential of this technology might not be accessible for the next 20 years. For now, the existing digital technologies that we have discussed must grow their adoption to unlock their full potential and pave the way for the energy transition. 17
WEN (Women´s Energy Natwork)
Air Liquide, championing diversity and gender equality in parallel to energy transition Sabrina Kristobak, Business Development Manager - Large Industries at Air Liquide shares with us her insights about the relevance of diversity and gender equality in the energy industry.
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he energy transition is a multi-factor event that requires not only the shifting to cleaner energy sources but a complete change of paradigms to harness true creativity and new perspectives for the future. Women Leaders in the energy industry are increasingly advancing awareness about the relevance of gender equality and diversity in companies as a vital element for a deep and meaningful transition. To speak about the matter, Sabrina Kristobak, Business Development Manager - Large Industries at Air Liquide, sat with us to highlight what leaders can do to maintain and strengthen their workforces in this transitioning context and her role in the Women's Energy Network (WEN). Energy Capital: Sabrina, you started early in your career as an intern at Air Liquide. Could you tell us more about it and the Air Liquide Leading Excellence Program that you were part of?
POWER PLANTS AND MORE HAVE IMPLEMENTED ISOTROL’S SOLUTIONS Sabrina Kristobak: The opportunities are a big part of what keeps me in Air Liquide. In my experience, the company takes an active role in developing its employees and pushing them on to take new challenges. As you mentioned, I started in Air Liquide as an intern. I was outside of San Francisco with our electronics business, working specifically in the semiconductor precursor industry. Then I finished my chemical engineering degree for Penn State and joined Air Liquide in the ALLEX program you mentioned, a two-year leadership development program designed for recent graduates to move to a different position and geography every six months.
WEN (Women´s Energy Network)
During that program, I worked for four different Air Liquide entities and gained experience in both engineering and business roles. My roles were in Philadelphia, Houston, our US corporate office, and in Paris, France, which is our global head office. This exposure so early on in my career allowed me to grow my network and quickly understand the company. The program's structure challenges you to learn quickly and become a value-added asset. EC: Congratulations! Currently, Sabrina, what is your role at Air Liquide, and what activities does this position involve. SK: Sure! I am currently a Business Development Manager for Air Liquide Large Industries. I am responsible for developing large-scale business across the US with chemical, petrochemical, refining, cement, and metals customers to build new Air Liquide facilities. Along with identifying new businesses and working with customers, this role includes negotiating contracts and getting the projects approved internally. I'm also actively involved in developing solutions to support our customer's energy transition goals. EC: What is the relevance of boosting female participation in this transitioning context, in your opinion? SK: Almost every active project I'm on is related to energy transition in some capacity. This is both an exciting and challenging time. We are facing new situations that require us to think differently, and in that sense, creativity and different perspectives are critical to developing innovative solutions. For the energy transition to be successful, it will require a collective effort and engagement of the best talent from all backgrounds. I think it's
not just gender diversity but diversity in all forms that will enable companies to adapt by bringing their unique perspectives to the conversation. EC: On a similar background, we would like to ask you what do you think about the number of women in your workspace and also in the energy industry. SK: I really think it is important to champion diversity in a variety of forms, not just gender diversity, as I said earlier. However, from a gender diversity perspective there is still significant amount of work to be done. The US Department of Labor data shows that only 15% of full-time engineers are female and that women make up just over 25% of all STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. McKinsey wrote an article called 'Women in the workplace 2020' that echoes this same message with statements that at the beginning of 2020, the representation of women in corporate America was trending in the right direction. This was most pronounced in senior management. Between January 2015 and January 2020, the representation of women in Senior Vice President positions grew from 23 to 28%. The representation of the C suite grew from 17 to 21%. Consequently, women remain dramatically underrepresented, particularly women of color. However, numbers were slowly improving. Before 2020 research consistently found that women and men leave their companies at comparable rates. However, due to challenges created by the Covid-19 crisis,
Employees Who Believe Senior Leaders Are Supportive Of Their Flexibility Needs Are Less Likely To Considering Downshifting Their Carriers Or Leaving The Workforce.”
as many as 2 million women are considering leaving the workforce. So, if these women feel forced to leave the workplace, we will end up with far fewer women in leadership and far fewer women on track to become future leaders. All the progress we have seen over the past six years could be erased. EC: With these numbers that you share with us, and from your perspective, what do you think could companies do to increase female participation, especially in leadership positions. SK: I really appreciate this question. I think it is extremely important that we don't just solve the numbers as they stand today but that we shift the conversation to focus on what we can do to bring about change. So, in this context, I feel extretny like Air Liquide, where we have programs and initiatives that address these types of issues. For example,
we have business resource groups, one of which is our women's resource group that holds events and organizes a mentoring program. We recently had a company-wide survey called Women in the Workplace to share our experience as female employees and how Air Liquide can improve. We also have a strong number of talented and driven women in leadership positions, which is highly encouraging. All of that being said, going that to the McKinsey article I referenced earlier, we are in unprecedented times and some of the most critical things that companies can do are support employees facing burnout, and eliminate the stigma around flexible work arrangements; minimize gender bias through bias training and adapt and educate on resources available to employees. McKinsey states that even when these flexible options are available, some employees worry that
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WEN (Women´s Energy Network) there may be a stigma to using them. To mitigate this, leaders can assure employees that their performance will be measured based on results, not when, where, and how many hours they worked. Leaders can also communicate their support for workplace flexibility; better yet, leaders can model flexibility in their own lives, which sends a message to employees that it is okay to take advantage of flexible work options. Employees who believe senior leaders support their flexibility needs are less likely to consider downshifting their careers or leaving the workforce. In my opinion, these practices impact gender diversity, but companies that adapt this mindset will far outperform their competition in the long run because they will attract and maintain the best talent from all backgrounds. EC: Sabrina, besides working at Air Liquide, we know that you actively work with the Women's Energy Network (WEN). So, we would like to ask you, can you tell us about your work as Director of Educational Programming at Houston's WEN?
Only 15% Of Full-Time Engineers In The Us Are Female
SK: Yes! My work at WEN is something I am very proud of and passionate about. WEN is an international organization with 20 chapters across the US and Mexico. We have over 6000 members, of those about 2000 are in Houston, and our mission is to develop unique programming, networking opportunities and foster carrier and leadership development to women who work in the energy value chain. For the past three years, I've led a team to organize about 20 educational events per year. Our events feature industry speakers that can provide insights into energy trends, emerging strategies, and technologies, global energy
WEN (Women´s Energy Network)
25%
OF WOMEN IN ALL STEM
outlooks, marketing influencers, etcetera. We have featured women like Dr. Helen Currie, Chief Economist at ConocoPhillips; Lees Rodionov, Global Director Sustainability at Schlumberger; Robin Fielder, Noble Midstream Partners's President, CEO, and Director, and more. We aim to highlight companies that are committed to diverse workforces and promoting professional women in the energy industry. EC: Finally, in your opinion, how do organizations like WEN help increase gender equality, awareness, advancement, and of course, networking. SK: Organizations like WEN increase gender equality and awareness by creating a space for women to learn and ask questions about topics they might not be exposed to in their current role. But what attracted me to WEN was the caliber of the events. It's a highly
intellectual group, and the events provide a broad exposure to support the development of business acumen. I've been to talks on what makes a good deal for private equity firms, the business of pipelines for business companies, and the similarities of skillsets required for deep-sea and space exploration. These topics are not necessarily tied to industrial gases, which is the business that I am in, but they help me to understand better my customers and the markets they are part of. WEN also creates a network of peers and establishes mentoring relationships with women who are more advanced in their careers, and these personal connections allow us to navigate difficult situations. Now that we have champions in the industry that want to help us succeed. This is extremely valuable when we are moving through challenging times in our professional and personal lives.
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Power Chris DeBenedictis, Vice President of Technology in Budderfly LLC
Budderfly, the revolutionary firm in saving energy Budderfly provides its customers with guaranteed energy savings through its Energy-Efficiency-asa-Service solution (EEaaS). The company helps customers be more energy efficient, while they harness the highest savings solutions.
Power
I
n addition, Budderfly provides technology and innovation solutions to reduce energy usage and pollution, to deliver savings from day one. It also helps its customers in completely removing all the complexity and financial hurdles of a project to ensure its success. With no cost to its customers, Budderfly implements proprietary energy intelligence software, energy efficiency upgrades such as LED lights, HVAC controls, variable frequency drives, refrigeration controls, among others. Budderfly creates networks of patented Internet of Things (IoT) devices that monitor and report on all elements of energy usage. As a result, Budderfly is able to optimize energy usage at the point of consumption within each facility across the enterprise. In an exclusive interview with Energy Capital, Chris DeBenedictis, Vice President of Technology in Budderfly LLC, talked about the matter. In this conversation, the Vice President explained the Budderfly experience in partnering with Amazon Web Services (AWS), and how Cloud Computing Services, such as the one AWS provides, is a great opportunity for energy management and efficiency companies to leverage.
BUDDERFLY IMPLEMENTS PROPRIETARY ENERGY INTELLIGENCE SOFTWARE, ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADES SUCH AS LED LIGHTS, HVAC CONTROLS, VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVES, REFRIGERATION CONTROLS, AMONG OTHERS.
Power From Budderfly’s Vice President point of view, the energy management industry is changing. In other words, the energy industry is increasingly shifting the conversation from cost savings to sustainability. DeBenedictis considers two important points about the change in energy management. Firstly, cost savings has long been a tremendous opportunity for many organizations because there are energysaving technologies that can save money for companies. However, companies have begun to consider sustainability as a key issue. And secondly, he thinks that there is an increase in the sense of corporate responsibility. A lot of large organizations are making announcements about going carbon-free, like the quick serve restaurants. But customers now are looking for companies that are on the forefront of sustainability. Chris DeBenedictis mentioned that organizations, like Just Salad, which is one of Budderfly’s customers, have been on that forefront of sustainability. Both in terms of energy, but also in terms of sustainably sourcing their products, minimizing use of plastic utensils. Additionally, he expressed that: “It really comes down to the
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Power
corporate responsibility, as well as a message that just resonates with their customers”.
their extensive experience and products around security, like their web application Firewall and GuardDuty”.
In addition, Budderfly partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to provide cloud-based data collection and analytic services for its Budderfly EnergyCloud™ solution. In this regard, Chris DeBenedictis thinks that there are many benefits of choosing a cloud computing route, when looking to enhance the Internet of Things (IoT) and energy management infrastructure.
Furthermore, Budderfly's partnership with Amazon provided the company with an AWS infrastructure, which it didn't have to build itself. “And that brings with it cost savings in terms of equipment costs, hosting costs, and also staffing costs,” Chris DeBenedictis remarked.
Budderfly and Amazon Web Services have been partners for about four years now. During the first year, Amazon started with an AWS PRO server engagement to help Budderfly get their infrastructure off the ground. Since then, trained staff have helped to implement the Budderfly program. At Budderfly, they have recognized that security is of paramount importance for any infrastructure, particularly with IoT device networks. So, the Vice President said that “one of the benefits that Butterfly got from partnering with Amazon is all
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Chris DeBenedictis explained the way that AWS helped Butterfly better manage its IoT devices. First, each connected device is equipped with a unique Budderfly IoT sensor that securely passes information to the AWS IoT cloud using AWS Greengrass and AWS FreeRTOS. Consequently, AWS IoT Greengrass is an open-source edge run-time and cloud service that helps you build, deploy, and manage intelligent device software. AWS help customers better understand and optimize their energy consumption. The Vice President mentioned that: “It all really comes back to the time to market and
ONE OF THE BENEFITS THAT BUTTERFLY GOT FROM PARTNERING WITH AMAZON IS ALL THEIR EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE AND PRODUCTS AROUND SECURITY, LIKE THEIR WEB APPLICATION FIREWALL AND GUARDDUTY”. CHRIS DEBENEDICTIS.
Power the cost savings that the AWS infrastructure brings to the table”. Moreover, AWS Greengrass allows the equipment to act in real-time on Budderfly’s data; which is generated in proprietary devices. So, AWS Greengrass executes predictions based on machine learning models and pre-set power circuit (load) filters. Additionally, the Vice President thinks that AWS services have been very beneficial for Budderfly. Whenever the company has a problem it needs to solve, the first thing it does is turn to the AWS collection of offerings. In this sense, Amazon offers a large catalog of solutions. Starting with Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3), and Amazon Relational Database Service (Amazon RDS). The company has expanded its use of AWS technology to create richer clinical tools and pursue advanced data science approaches. In reality, Budderfly's spending on AWS has meant a return on investment and operational expenditure (OPEX), rather than capital expenditures (CAPEX). “Our AWS subscription is just an operational expense that we manage monthly,” he said. In previous deployments and in other organizations that Chris DeBenedictis worked with, when the company had its own hosting facilities, it had to buy its own hardware and software. All of that represented a CAPEX expense and it was a difficult time-consuming process, he explained. In contrast, AWS allows Budderfly to log in and enable new services. From the perspective of the Vice President: “It’s a luxury to just focus on what 28
BUDDERFLY PARTNERED WITH AMAZON WEB SERVICES (AWS) TO PROVIDE CLOUD-BASED DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYTICS SERVICES FOR ITS BUDDERFLY ENERGYCLOUD™ SOLUTION.
Power Budderfly does best, building the software for energy management”. Therefore, AWS represents a return on investment for the company. In the same way, DeBenedictis thinks that “the benefit of the Cloud Computing Services is in that ability to scale as your business grows and as your data needs to grow”. That means companies must capture data on energy management. In order to be the highest company in energy management, you need to capture granular data minute level. To achieve this, “you need an infrastructure capable of actually ingesting, curating, making available for reporting, and for business intelligence,” he said. Then, the Cloud Computing Services Works to bring that important information to the customers. Finally, Chris DeBenedictis invites readers to move towards Cloud, in order to be more efficient. “We have found with our partnership with AWS is that it really relieves so much of the pressure that you have to manage your ecosystem. And this is really just lets you focus on what your business does best,” he concluded.
Women in energy Women in energy
Finance & operations
Riveron: Inclusion and diversity in the energy industry Riveron is a business advisory firm specializing in accounting, finance and operations. Energy Capital spoke with Annie Rosenfeld, Senior Manager of the company, about her work and the opportunities that women in the industry have today.
THERE ARE THREE NECESSARY FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN THE ENERGY TRANSITION: INNOVATION, INFRASTRUCTURE AND INVESTMENT
Women in energy configured to meet their short and long-term needs. In this regard, Rosenfeld's nearly 15 years of experience in accounting and financial functions enables her to prepare and analyze financial statements and capital markets. Thus, her activities improve business processes in terms of profitability, design, documentation, preparation and execution of audits and budgeting. This extensive experience in public and private companies in various fields, such as now the energy sector, allows her to understand the challenges of clients in the sector's landscape. Some of these challenges relate to managing volatility, adapting to and driving the energy transition; as well as digital transformation and environmental care. From her work in the upstream and downstream sectors of the industry, Rosenfeld notes that many companies are trying to take advantage of the energy transition and sustainability curve. So, while there is still a long way to go, "this context is inspiring creativity and collaboration in the energy community."
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iveron's team's priority is to meet the changing needs of each client by providing relevant resources and high levels of expertise on the job. In conjunction with their clients, they carefully prepare and execute change throughout the transaction and business life-cycle, in both healthy and distressed environments. Annie Rosenfeld, as Riveron's Senior Manager, has helped optimize the company's financial and technology operations. She focuses on all client portfolios to ensure that each investment is properly
Such cooperation is reflected not only in these sectors, but also in technology, media, e-commerce, industrial consumer products and financial services. Technology also makes it possible for people to work together as a community," she said. Annie Rosenfeld also highlighted three necessary factors to consider in this process: innovation, infrastructure and investment. All according to the goals and challenges of each company, but with Riveron "integrating them from an expert vision to find the best solution". In addition, climate change means opening up to new needs in each of these factors, and companies in the industry are indeed aware of these emerging
Women in energy
IN THE NEXT 20 TO 30 YEARS, SOLUTIONS AND REGULATIONS WILL HAVE AN EVEN GREATER IMPACT THAN THEY DO NOW, A TIME WHEN THE NEEDS ARE EVEN STRONGER THAN THE ANSWERS.
requirements. Therefore, in the next 20 to 30 years, solutions and regulations in that regard will have an even greater impact than they do now, at a time when the needs are even stronger than the answers. In the context of these transformations, one is essential: women's participation in the energy industry. Annie Rosenfeld pointed out that "Women elevate performance and make us more inclusive". In addition, "they are cross-functional and effective leaders, not to mention that we are 50% of the population," she noted. In the perspective
of Riveron's Senior Manager, women's participation is invaluable in innovation and in creating the opportunities presented by the energy transition. This presence is not only personal, but collective, because "throughout the industry there are women who exist and are working closely with the great solutions, but it is still not enough". She explained that, as great entrepreneurs, women's participation is growing more and more and it is essential to communicate these achievements so that the community continues to grow. This growth must be in all business positions, including
Women in energy
leadership positions, and in both professional development and networking, and in the fields of technology and mathematics. "We are also supporting education programs,” Rosenfeld said. This allows the industry to work with the women it needs and, at the same time, to be the industry that women need. Particularly in Riveron's case, gender diversity and inclusion of women is very important. "There is a growing number of women at all levels and in business consulting," Rosenfeld noted. Additionally, she expressed her personal and professional willingness to help to increase this presence of women throughout the industry. In order for companies to motivate women leadership in the sector, Rosenfeld argued that the first thing they must implement, is to recognize the opportunity to change paradigms. This involves not only keeping up to date with the latest issues in the energy industry, but also opening minds to support this diversity and inclusion. Rosenfeld knows that this is a long process, but to achieve it, companies must make structured plans and programs to close the gap. In this sense, policies and projects must also be flexible to join new talent and capabilities according to the needs of each company. At Riveron, they have recognized that working differently also entails modeling a new mindset and staying alert to find areas of opportunity. To open up this range of recognition for women's work at the business advisory firm they have also taken educational and training steps.
"This is a daily, constant work, as it directly affects women's activities and business reality," commented Rosenfeld. In the company, they have carried out programs of inclusion in the work culture, team meetings at the end of the workday to recognize female employees and creating networks for more equitable participation. Moving towards equity not only improves operational processes, but also opens up avenues for financial benefits. In short, "they help us to be better, both for the experience of employees and customers, as well as for the success of the company". One example of this is that staff stay with the company longer. Rosenfeld detailed that this inclusion should be taken into account as a long-term attitude and not just for short periods. She also stated that this approach is indispensable for the business and energy sector, as well as for the industry in general. Thus, the knowledge that is developed in terms of investment, innovation and infrastructure will also be crossed by openness to gender diversity and the participation of women. Regarding her personal journey, Annie Rosenfeld acknowledged that even with all the obstacles she has overcome and the areas of opportunity she has taken advantage of, she feels good to be working in this business. "We are breaking down those walls that existed for years and recognizing our work to evolve and revolutionize the industry," she said. Finally, she stated that, in her experience, it is fundamental for women to recognize the victories they have achieved so far. She also expressed the importance of supporting each other not only in one industry, but in all of them.
"THIS CONTEXT IS INSPIRING CREATIVITY AND COLLABORATION IN THE ENERGY COMMUNITY”, ANNIE ROSENFELD
Riveron's Senior Manager concluded by reiterating her commitment and that of the company to continue opening paths for the transformation to an industry that motivates, supports and includes the work of women and the existence of gender diversity.
Environmental tech SurfCleaner looking to expand into the US market
SurfCleaner, bringing tangible solutions for treating surface water The global issue of floating pollutants in the water needs efficient solutions, and SurfCleaner is bringing them to the table to advance the energy transition and a cleaner economy.
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urfCleaner is an emerging Swedish-based company with top-notch solutions for treating surface water, making it possible for industrial plants to treat surface pollutants including sludge, oil spills, diesel, and other contaminants, while stimulating biogas production with top efficiency levels.
Christina Lundbäck Founder & Corporate Relations, SurfCleaner
100% separation of oil, diesel, plastics sludge and more!
Environmental tech
In fact, its customers can reach up to 100% separation of oil, diesel, plastics, floating sludge, and debris. The company’s solutions also allow up to 99% hydrocarbon removal, with less than 0,5% water content. As a result, refineries, steel mills, mining facilities, and municipal waste treatment plants can achieve greener operations with a 95% greenhouse gas emissions reduction.The company’s solutions also come promptly, as new regulations come out of the COP26 summit for the energy industry. From major companies to governments globally and locally, the need for cleaner operations and treating surface water solutions is a must. We can take the example of Nigeria’s Delta oil spill from a well owned by the state company NNPC, which has been ongoing for weeks, affecting the lives of residents. The environmental cost of the spill is a matter of global attention now, and politicians are still trying to find a solution. That’s where SurfCleaner’s solutions come in handy. The company has a mission of
expansion to advance its portfolio and help the energy transition and allow a greener and healthier environment worldwide. Christina Lundbäck, Founder and Corporate Relations of the company, sat with us on an exclusive interview to disclose SufCleaner’s vision for the future. Products and overall mission of SurfCleaner Energy Capital: Christina, could you please tell us about your portfolio of products and the overall mission of SurfCleaner? Christina Lundbäck: Yes, we have a skimmer separator hybrids for 100% removal, separation, and recovery of oil, diesel, petrol, plastics, sludge, debris, and other contaminants floating on the surface of the water. We have divided the market into two segments. We have industrial wastewater and public wastewater treatment plants. When talking about the industrial segment, we are talking about refineries, steel mills, etc. Our primary aim is to treat water. Up to this date we have sold more than 40 of our products. However, this year the peak is going higher because the demand is so big now. Significantly since the COP26 and all
0,5% water content in pollutants removal
of the objectives from it to reduce biogas. So, our aim for next year is to sell 100 products at least worldwide, because the more SufCleaners are out there, the cleaner the world will be. EC: Can you please describe in general the customer-based solutions that you offer? CL: Yes. We have sold our solutions to refineries and big brands like ExxonMobil and others in Italy and Argentina. I think that the need for these devices is great. So, we are focusing on expanding to other countries; establishing partnerships, and finding distributors because you cannot do it alone. EC: How does the company foresee the future for its business model?
CL: We aim to be present in all the countries in the world. However, we especially aim for the US due to the immense size of the wastewater treatment market. I t hink it is like a $208 billion dollar market. So, we are going to focus on expansion. We have three products. A small one that is portable so you can put it into oil harbors or minor oil spills. We also have a big one, which has a certification for explosion class. And then, we have the wastewater product that we are testing in Sweden right now to take care of floating sludge because that is a resource. With it, you can produce methane gas or dry it and use it as a fertilizer. So, we have a focus on circular economy. For refineries, our products also serve to take care of pollution, with no methane produced. So, it is a win-win for everybody.
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Environmental tech Tackling the global problem of floating pollutants EC: When talking about floating contaminants, can you explain how your company plans to deploy solutions for this global problem? CL: The thing is that we are a small company right now, based in Sweden. So, that’s why we are raising our voices so that the industry knows about us. We know that different regulations are coming, especially for the oil business, as it now has to take care of its waste. There will be a carbon tax, plunging the profits of oil businesses. So, we want to help the companies take responsibility for that. Indeed, we still need oil, so we aim to make the industry cleaner. But we also want to push the notion of reusing sludge because only 20% of our wastewater is clean. That is a pretty low margin. The UN aims to increase that margin to 60% by 2030. How are we going to do that? That is why SurfCleaner has to grow fast so we can treat more wastewater. In this regard, we are doing research right now in two wastewater treatment plants in Sweden. We are investigating how to increase energy efficiency and circular economy. We consider this to be very important because floating sludge is a problem that everybody has. Moreover, there are no mechanical solutions right now, and the ones out there waste a lot of energy. On the other hand, our competitors, especially in the oil and gas sector, are struggling with diesel because it is very difficult to remove it from the water surface. It also evaporates fast. So, you need to clean it fast and efficiently. We can take it out with 0,5% water in it. Our competitors use 7,5 kilowatts when they are collecting it. They have a hydraulic pump and other devices. They have to run it manually. While with SurfCleaner, you just have to get it into the wastewater treatment plant
Environmental tech and let it work. It collects the pollutant, separates it, and gets rid of it in the same step. Furthermore, the need for maintenance for refineries is minimal. With SurfCleaner, you don’t have to get the refinery on hold for several days – you just lift it up and flush it with a hose. Thirty minutes later, you can put it down again. It is much simpler. EC: So, would you say this is a good time for deploying these solutions? Not only for enterprises but for governments facing new regulations… CL: Yes. Not only at a global level but also at the local one. Many regulations are coming at a local level. This is happening for instance in Sicily, which is witnessing a rise in cancer cases related to coastal refineries and methane gas levels. We want to help industry take responsibility and make politicians understand that there are solutions to tackle these issues. As such, we are ramping up our international distributor network, as part of a strategic expansion plan led by CEO Mikael Andersson (pictured left). Having recently appointed new partners in Italy and Norway, we will be making further announcements in 2022 to underpin our network spanning across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas. We can make a real impact delivering cleaner water and reducing emissions. Crucially, our solutions also support a future circular economy providing a strong incentive to reuse raw materials-boosting green credentials while improving the bottom line.
SurfCleaner Founder Christina Lundbäck and CEO Mikael Andersson
We know that we can make a real difference in clean water, reduce methane gas, and improve the circular economy. Indeed, it is important to have all these green options. But you also have to make sure that they reuse things and earn money from them while getting green. That’s our aim, at least, to do something for real. 47
Industrial transformation Isotrol, not only an IT provider but a technology partner.
Isotrol and its success story in improving efficiency of power generation assets The company surpassed a 110GW of operating footprint, and 450 power generations plants adopted its solution in 2021 alone. The future is also looking bright for Isotrol in the oil and gas industry.
Manuel Losada Chief Operating Officer, Isotrol
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sotrol is a top technology developer with specialized and tailored solutions for the energy sector. Since 1984 it has been a pioneer of monitoring, system controls, and digitalization technologies. The company recently announced it surpassed the 110-gigawatts milestone, having deployed its solutions to more than 450 power plants in 2021 alone.
Such growth is critical for the advancement of the energy transition. Indeed, Isotrol is not just a technology provider but a technology partner. As the company's solutions go deeper into the industry, reaching renewable generation assets and now delivering them to the O&G utilities that are entering in the renewable market, the company has become a true leader with a 49
Industrial Transformation
consolidated position in the US, Europe, and Latin America. To speak about how it crossed the 110 GW threshold and its success story, Manuel Losada, Chief Operating Officer of the company, sat with us on an exclusive interview to shed light upon the matter. Energy Capital: Can you tell us please how Isotrol crossed the 110 Gigawatts threshold? Manuel Losada: It is the consequence of many years of work. We have been in the market for more than 37 years so far, and we have been working basically with energy utilities. For the last 20 years, we have been working on renewable energy assets and working with new energies. We have introduced that knowledge into our Bluence platform, which is handling what we call Three Pillars to sustain energy transition. One pillar focuses on managing renewable energy assets, controlling them, gathering data, and getting the most of the assets through efficiency. The second pillar is how to integrate the energy into the grid. The 'grid integration' pillar is critical, as we need to make sure that the power is being introduced properly. The third pillar is the trading part, how to make the most of the energy. This is something we solve using complex algorithms and through artificial intelligence. Today we have about 64 GW in renewable assets and more than 60 so far in the energy trading part.
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Industrial Transformation
We consider ourselves a technological partners rather than IT providers,” Manuel Losada, COO.
EC: It's truly amazing. So, Isotrol has implemented its technology across more than 2500 power plants, right? So, can you tell us the expansion plans for Isotrol over the next few years? ML: Sure. The market is growing a lot. Today we will say that 25% of the energy generation in the world is coming from renewable energies. However, this value will see a threefold increase by 2050. So, we will reach more than 86% of the energy generation coming from renewable sources. This is just a consequence of different factors. As you know the cities are now much more crowded. You need to decarbonize those cities, and the answer for that is renewables. Consequently, electrification is also a main factor. Today, worldwide renewables are about 1500 GW, and this will grow fast in 10 years. So, our plans for the future are to help our customers to manage these changes in consuming energy. EC: As you said, the industry is changing a lot, and the energy transition is a fact that requires many changes. So, with the help of solutions such as the ones Isotrol offers, the panorama will be very different. In this regard, can you tell us about the specific services or developments that Isotrol offers for the renewable energy industry?
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Industrial Transformation
ML: Bluence is a platform that offers help in precisely managing the changes of the energy transition. When so many new generation plants are installed in a region, you have to manage them. Consequently, digitalization technologies are a must. I always like to take this example: if you want to generate the energy of a nuclear plant with renewable energies, you will need several plants, which means many more sensors to monitor and therefore a huge amount of data to process, when at the same time you need to be more efficient reducing the number of people to operate the plants. Without the proper tools, you will not be able to achieve that. So, you need a system to know exactly what is going on with the plants and the assets; a system that delivers hints to the operators, so they know what they need to do to improve efficiency, get the most of the assets, and make the operational work much safer and easier, allowing operators to handle many more power plants. EC: Can you tell us about the accompaniment process that Isotrol offers to its customers and the technology involved front-end?
ML: In Isotrol we like to think of ourselves as technological partners rather than IT providers. In fact, Isotrol stands for (in Spanish) Engineering software and control. So, we know how to integrate data, communicate with different devices in any plant, and process that data into valuable information. Moreover our customers business is also evolving, and they need solutions that can adapt to new requirements. This is something that we understood. Customers do not only need peer products. That's why we like to call Bluence not a product but a solution. We adapt Bluence to our customers' needs, processes, future needs, etcetera. We deeply understand our customer's particular needs, the business they are involved in, and we help them under such conditions. EC: In regards to evolution. We know that the oil and gas industry is rapidly adapting to the energy transition. Can you talk a little about the solutions that you offer for this sector?
2500 POWER PLANTS AND MORE HAVE IMPLEMENTED ISOTROL’S SOLUTIONS
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Industrial Transformation
ML: Yes. O&G utilities and electric utilities have similar backgrounds. O&G utilities are now entering in the Renewable Energy market. In fact, in ten years they are going to have more than 10% market share. Today they are in 0,5% of market share. But, the kind of needs are very similar when we speak about IT platforms they need to manage renewable energies. In this regard, I think they are doing their job pretty well. Now they know exactly what developments are needed to transform their assets from traditional sources
to cleaner ones. So, we see a great future with O&G utilities, electric utilities and YieldCos. Finally, I think for the following years is going to be critical to treating data as another asset. Also, the investment to implement our solutions is even less than 1% of the total cost of a plant. However, the benefits are plentiful. Through solutions like the ones, we offer operators can get the most out of the assets for the next 20 or 30 years. So, for us, the future is really bright. We are delighted with our outlook for the future.
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