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Electrical Engineer looking to collaborate on Renewable Energy based project/start-up

Hi Everyone!

This may be a different post to the usual, but I am an Electrical Engineer with a Master's in Wind Energy with a serious passion for the renewable energy industry. I don't really have any concrete ideas for a business or service, but I am looking for like-minded individuals with a similar passion to brainstorm and collaborate!

Hit me up if any of that sounds good!
Thanks

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    If you're an electrical engineer interested in collaborating on a renewable energy project or startup, there are several steps you can take to explore opportunities:

    Networking:

    Attend industry conferences, workshops, and networking events related to renewable energy. Connect with professionals, entrepreneurs, and researchers in the field.
    Online Platforms:

    Join online platforms, forums, and communities focused on renewable energy, where you can engage with like-minded individuals, share ideas, and explore collaboration opportunities.
    Collaborative Spaces:

    Explore collaborative spaces, innovation hubs, or startup accelerators that focus on renewable energy. These environments often foster collaboration and provide resources for startups.
    LinkedIn and Professional Networks:

    Use LinkedIn to connect with professionals in the renewable energy sector. Share your expertise, express your interest in collaboration, and explore potential partnerships.
    Research Institutions:

    Reach out to research institutions or universities involved in renewable energy projects. Collaborating with academic researchers can lead to innovative projects.
    Startups and Companies:

    Explore existing startups or companies in the renewable energy space. Many companies are open to collaboration with skilled engineers who bring expertise to their projects.
    Contribute to Open Source Projects:

    Contribute to open-source projects related to renewable energy on platforms like GitHub. This can showcase your skills and attract potential collaborators.
    Entrepreneurial Events:

    Attend events focused on entrepreneurship and innovation, where you may find individuals looking to start renewable energy ventures.
    Online Project Platforms:

    Explore online platforms that connect professionals for project collaborations. Websites like Upwork, Freelancer, or specialized platforms in the renewable energy sector can be valuable.
    Pitch Your Ideas:

    Develop a clear pitch for your skills, expertise, and project ideas. Being able to articulate your value proposition can attract collaborators and investors.
    Remember to conduct thorough due diligence when exploring collaboration opportunities. Understand the goals, values, and track record of potential collaborators, and ensure that your skills align with the needs of the project or startup. Effective communication and a shared vision are essential for successful collaborations.

  2. 1

    If you're an electrical engineer looking to collaborate on a renewable energy-based project or startup, there are several steps you can take to find potential collaborators and opportunities:

    Networking:

    Attend industry events, conferences, and meetups focused on renewable energy and sustainability. This is a great way to meet like-minded professionals, potential co-founders, and investors.
    Online Platforms:

    Join online platforms and forums dedicated to renewable energy and engineering. Websites like LinkedIn, GitHub, and specialized forums can connect you with individuals and groups working on similar projects.
    Collaboration Platforms:

    Explore collaboration platforms such as CoFoundersLab or AngelList. These platforms connect entrepreneurs, engineers, and business professionals interested in starting new ventures.
    University or Research Institutions:

    Connect with researchers, professors, and students at universities or research institutions who may be working on renewable energy projects. Collaborations between industry professionals and academia can lead to innovative solutions.
    Incubators and Accelerators:

    Look into joining incubators or accelerators that focus on renewable energy startups. These programs provide mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities.
    Social Media:

    Utilize social media platforms to connect with professionals in the renewable energy sector. Twitter, for example, often has active communities discussing the latest developments in the industry.
    Industry Associations:

    Join industry associations related to renewable energy, such as the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) or the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). These associations often host events and provide networking opportunities.
    Local Renewable Energy Groups:

    Check if there are local groups or organizations dedicated to renewable energy initiatives. Participate in their events or meetings to network with professionals in your area.
    Startup Competitions:

    Participate in startup competitions focused on sustainability and renewable energy. These events can provide exposure, funding, and opportunities to connect with potential collaborators.
    Online Collaboration Tools:

    Utilize collaboration tools like Slack, Trello, or Asana to connect with professionals remotely and work on projects together. Remember to clearly communicate your skills, expertise, and the type of project or startup you're interested in. Building a strong network and staying active in relevant communities will increase your chances of finding the right collaborators for your renewable energy venture.

  3. 2

    Mechanical Engineer here - worked at a top energy company in the USA doing engineering, audit, and finance. The energy grid is going to transform into a marketplace within the next 5-20 years. Distributed networks of power generation are going to be widespread - home generated solar is going to experience a massive explosion in the next 5-10 years. It will be like a flip of the switch.

    Power companies in the states are already preparing for this eventuality, huge investments are being made in strengthening the grid and in startups that can bring tech to this process (they have absolutely dismal tech, it is seriously really bad and archaic, borderline dangerous - you never really hear about the breaches we had due to bad IT controls because its a matter of national security). Power companies are also regulated monopolies - they have more spending power on tech investments and the risk is passed on to the consumers, so they can take larger risks on investments, but this also means they are less discerning with the investments they make (I have seen some absolute crap be invested in).

    I think there is opportunity now (before the large players have made a move because the market does not exist yet) in designing a tool to manage energy transactions automatically for consumers to state at what price and at what time they will sell power to the grid or buy it (Solar customers will probably never cycle their batteries (Charge and discharge) because it will degrade their battery, instead it will be more efficient to sell to the grid immediately their generated power during the day (the demand for power will be higher during the day because that is when the peak use is the highest) - and at night to buy the power from baseline nuclear or natural gas sources at a cheap price. They will only really use their stored power when the demand is so high that the price of power goes above a certain price (So there will be power arbitrage in which people will charge their batteries at night when the price cheap, and use it if they have to during the day or at a time when the power is in high demand and thus expensive). This self-regulation of energy consumption will be absolutely transformative, it will have drastic consequences, it will stop the energy companies from over producing power to meet hard to predict demand resulting in gross inefficiencies which cost billions the costs of which is directly passed on to the consumers, the marketplace will result in increased efficiency and conscientiousness of consumers energy consumption that will save trillions in environmental damage, not to mention that it will save billions in transmission losses - when power is delivered there is 5-10% loss of power between the generation source and the place at which it is consumed something that will be alleviated with distributed networks, the combined effect of all this will be to drop the overall price of energy resulting in an increase national GDP as cheap and abundant energy is directly related to a nations wealth and quality of life. Eventually all these energy companies are going to become the maintainers of the grid and operators in an energy marketplace.

    I would definitely consider working with the right group on designing the tools they will use to do it.

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      Interesting concept.

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      Hi and thanks for replying to the post!

      Consumer trading is certainly an interesting topic, and as I hail from the UK I have no real idea what the situation looks like in the US. Over the pond, there are platforms appearing now which are trying to bridge the gap between the consumer and the electricity marketplace however this is a regulated environment and does require a certain level of credibility to be able to trade kWh on the customer's behalf. As an example, Agile Octopus (in the UK) is one such platform which gives some choice to the consumer on how they can sell or buy electricity. The problem with this type of platform the way I see it is the regulatory boundary that does exist here in the UK but perhaps things are different in the US!

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        This comment was deleted 4 years ago.

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          I wish I knew more about how things operate in the US!

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      I can take care of the UI/UX if you're interested, I like the idea

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    When electrical systems and appliances fail, we realise how frustrating and upsetting it can be.
    https://onegoodhandyman.co.uk/service/electrical/

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    Yes its a valid news I also read about it on ittermann website there are so many other informative available there.

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    Hey Aleks! I'm a full stack software developer and I have experience within the energy industry. Are you still looking for potential partners/collaborators? If you want you can reach out to me on linked in https://www.linkedin.com/in/bailey-ritchie-568569142/

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    Happy for your initiative friend. How is the project going? Some news about partners? I' m really happy for the young generation, for their desire to do smth. That's how I discovered a young team with a non-profitable project https://usave.co.uk/energy/ I sustain them and I know that this website helps a lot of people to find their supplier. I know that people do not afford to pay a lot of money on the bills and some of them live for today

  8. 1

    Hey Aleks, this sounds interesting! We'd love to discuss your idea more. What's the best way to contact you?

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