Simon Sandler

Experience

• 

  Energy Strategy Student Advisory Group

  Mar 2015 - Dec 2016

  As sitting co chair I along side my graduate school counterpart were in charge of setting the monthly meeting schedule, delegating and advising on committee tasks, finding and inviting speakers, and generally staying on top of the committee direction. This ad-hoc committee advised the board/chancellor of the University of Missouri-Columbia on how it could reach its commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 as it related to energy production and consumption. This included working with the energy management who oversaw the operation of the University's on-site combined heat and power, district energy, power plant, which supplied service to the campus, residential facilities, two medical centers, athletic facilities, and other auxiliaries. Thus all members had a working understanding of both the power plants existing operations and fuel sources, which included coal, natural gas, biomass, solar, and wind, while also becoming aquatinted with other potential renewable energy sources to identify the best option to meet the University's goal. ESSAG also served to educate students using presentations helping to increase awareness of the University’s sustainable energy production capabilities and goals. Show less This ad-hoc committee advised the board/chancellor of the University of Missouri-Columbia on how it could reach its commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 as it related to energy production and consumption. This included working with the energy management who oversaw the operation of the University's on-site combined heat and power, district energy, power plant, which supplied service to the campus, residential facilities, two medical centers, athletic facilities, and other auxiliaries. Thus all members had a working understanding of both the power plants existing operations and fuel sources, which included coal, natural gas, biomass, solar, and wind, while also becoming aquatinted with other potential renewable energy sources to identify the best option to meet the University's goal. ESSAG also served to educate students using presentations helping to increase awareness of the University’s sustainable energy production capabilities and goals. Show less

  • Co Chair

    May 2016 - Dec 2016

  • Representative/Member

    Mar 2015 - Dec 2016
• 

  Abengoa

  May 2015 - Aug 2015

  Civil Engineering Intern

  Collaborated with senior civil engineers to complete a cost estimate for sustainable energy proposals. Calculated grading, trenching and earthwork quantities from CAD drawings. Researched construction costs via bid tabs and historical internal data. Assisted in civil and photovoltaic array layouts and layout optimization. Coordinated project layout across multiple engineering departments. Drafted technical specifications for varying proposals.

• 

  MU Campus Facilities: Planning, Design, & Construction

  Jan 2016 - May 2016

  LEED Building Intern

  Analyzed pre and post renovation net energy use of numerous like use buildings and compared it with energy models in an attempt to quantify and identify inconsistencies and deduce information about building inefficiencies. Used the analysis to create an auditing process for future building renovations. Researched energy models, modeling programs and created a building energy model for research purposes. Inspected the universities LEED certification tool to calculate new construction renewable energy credits to gain insight into LEED point distribution. Show less

• 

  Alberici Constructors

  May 2016 - Aug 2016

  Project Engineering Intern

  I helped to direct the completion of interior fit-out on the construction of a hospital ($500 million project). I assisted superintendents by tracking, directing and coordinating multiple sub-contractors work. I worked alongside project managers to expedite material procurement and create construction scheduling. I pushed completion of quality control issues guaranteeing a timely and well-crafted project. I accomplished administrative tasks included recording meeting minutes, documenting construction progress and furnishing clarifying information from the architect. Show less

• 

  Rochester Institute of Technology

  Aug 2017 - Jan 2019

  Graduate Research Assistant

  Completed research identifying financial tipping points and non-linear relationships for renewable energy in off-grid micro-grids as a function of key component costs using the software HOMER Pro. Drafted a publishable paper by drawing data driven conclusions and postulating on the policy implications of the research. Explored related research topics and completed literature reviews to inform and validate the research at hand.Took courses including: Energy Policy, Renewable Energy Systems, Economics of Sustainable Systems, Data Analysis for Sustainability, Technology Innovation & Public Policy, Multi-criteria Sustainable System Optimization. Show less

• 

  NC Clean Energy Technology Center

  Feb 2019 - Jul 2021

  Clean Power & Industrial Efficiency Project Engineer

  The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center, a state chartered non-profit energy office, provides technical and policy analysis to commercial, industrial, non-profit, government, and other organizations regarding renewable energy, transportation, and policy. I work as a project engineer on the clean power and industrial efficiency (CPIE) team where we consult on projects covering solar, storage, wind, combined heat and power, and energy efficiency. In my tenure at the Clean Tech. Center I have:•Completed techno-economic renewable energy studies using advanced softwares including Helioscope, SAM, ReOpt Lite, Energy Toolbase, and customized Excel models•Developed novel solar and battery storage user-friendly Excel models aimed at utility clients for decision making of technical performance and economic returns.•Performed technical engineering designs and analysis of PV solar, battery storage, CHP, and waste-to-energy projects for utilities, industrial/commercial clients, and state/federal agencies•Managed projects for grants (valued at $110k+) and contracted service projects (valued at $150k+) in order to deliver engineering objectives and products•Collaborated with policy and technical experts to provide cutting-edge research and analysis on the grid’s carbon intensity, renewables capacity, resiliency, etc. Show less

• 

  Q CELLS USA Corp.

  Jul 2021 - May 2022

  Development Engineer

  Designed, developed, and supported utility scale solar and storage projects from interconnection request submission through to generation interconnection agreement and finally commissioning. Working on a portfolio pipeline of >10GW of combined projects in California, ERCOT, PJM, MISO, SERC, NYISO, and ISO-NE.

• 

  Freelance

  Jul 2022 - Sept 2022

  Renewable Energy Consultant
• 

  National Renewable Energy Laboratory

  Feb 2023 - now

  Researcher III