Graduates of the class of 2020 were hosted by Professor Jim Williams and ESM Program Director Fred Wellington for an informative talk on the challenges and opportunities in demand response programs implemented by Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs).

ESM alumni Brandon Britt (Dispatch Operations Manager @ Voltus, Inc.), Randy Chiu (Program Manager, Demand Response Operations @ PG&E, and Marc Gaulier (Lead, Data Analytics Team @ Olivine, Inc.) each shared their unique perspectives on demand response in light of the recent Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP) pilot program created by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and the September 2022 Flex Alerts issued by Cal ISO this year.

The speakers and former ESM students also spoke of their individual and diverse backgrounds prior to joining the program, and answered audience questions about what they gained from their course of study that helped them in their current roles, skills and technologies that are in demand in the industry, and career networking advice for future energy professionals.