Name: Devon Atwell
Title: Energy Consultant
Employer: Standard Power of America
City/Town of Residence:
Allenstown, NH
Education: Environmental Conservation and Sustainability BS + Minor in Renewable Energy from University of New Hampshire
Why did you decide to work in the clean energy industry?
Growing up, my parents worked full-time at a YMCA camp, so many of the people that I looked up to were outdoor educators and/or generally outdoorsy people. They instilled in me a love for nature and a sense of responsibility to do work that makes a positive impact on the planet.
What interested you in working at your current employer?
Part of what made me want to work at Standard Power was their level of involvement in so many different projects. Between their work in Community Power, State legislature, REC trading, general energy consulting, third-party electricity supply, and Group Net Metering, Standard Power provided me with an opportunity to jump in the deep-end and get exposure to a variety of niches within the renewable energy industry.
Describe the work you do in more detail.
My role at Standard Power primarily pertains to REC trading as I manage and sell the RECs produced by a portfolio of hydro assets across New England and New York. In addition to tracking hydro production and performing administrative tasks related to asset management, I monitor the REC market, make future projections, and trade our forward production volumes through brokers and direct purchasers when market conditions are suitable.
What aspect of your job excites you most? Why?
I find the idea of building out the REC trading desk and expanding it to provide services that make REC trading more accessible to companies that want to offset their energy consumption really exciting.
What makes you hopeful about the clean energy transition in New Hampshire?
Whenever I go to a YPiE event with a big turnout, my hope of a clean energy transition is refreshed because I’m reminded of the work that other teams are doing as well to contribute to realizing that future.
What do you believe is the most pressing challenge that lies ahead for the clean energy industry in the state?
I think that upgrading the capability of the grid to accommodate large-scale battery storage, the prosumer energy model, and increased demand as beneficial electrification continues to develop should be a primary focus to ensure a smooth transition to a cleaner energy future.
What interested you most about being part of YPiE? (Young Professionals in Energy)
YPiE is a great platform that affords me the chance to connect with other people in NH that are also building their careers in the clean energy industry – As we all continue to work on projects and grow professionally, having a network of peers will be a useful tool for organizing to accomplish real goals.
What advice would you give to someone that is new to the industry or fresh out of college?
Don’t delete your Handshake profile if you had one in school! It can be a great resource in addition to LinkedIn to get exposure to relevant companies that are looking for full-time hires instead of college interns.
What do you like to do when you aren't working?
When I’m not working, I love to stay active. Bouldering, biking, skateboarding, skiing, and snowboarding are all things that I enjoy in my spare time.
A typical weekend for me is...
Spent hanging out with friends, going out to a local restaurant or bar, seeing some live music, and doing some sort of activity outdoors.
What's on your bucket list?
Design and construct a cabin in the woods as my forever-home, travel to the Faroe Islands, build my own custom motorcycle, and learn falconry in Mongolia – just to name a few!
Tell us one thing most people don't know about you.
I’ve ridden an Ostrich!
Fun Facts:
Coffee or Tea? And how do you take it?
Both, and I drink them without milk or sugar.
Fave NH Restaurant?
Barrio – hands down.
Fave Musician/Band/Music genre?
Hard to pick just one but Turnstile, Tyler the Creator, and Zach Bryan are always in the rotation.
Fav Recreational activity?
My favorite activity has got to be snowboarding even though I grew up as a ski racer – (I joined the dark side a few years ago).