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Each year on June 15th, Global Wind Day is celebrated across the world. It is a day for recognising wind energy, its power, and the possibilities it holds to reshape our energy systems, decarbonise our economies, and boost jobs and growth. This year, as we mark Global Wind Day 2024, we reflect on the advancements in wind technology, the growing importance of renewable energy, and the exciting opportunities in the clean energy sector. The Power of Wind: Driving a Sustainable Future Wind energy has emerged as one of the most efficient and sustainable sources of renewable energy. According to windenergy.org, wind power is the largest source of renewable electricity generation in the United States, providing 9.8% of the country’s electricity and growing. (1) Harnessing the natural power of wind through turbines, this clean energy source generates electricity without emitting greenhouse gases or other harmful pollutants. As we face the urgent challenges of climate change, wind energy emerges as a promising solution, providing a practical way to reduce our carbon footprint and transition to a low-carbon economy. In fact, wind power helps avoid 346 million metric tons of CO2 emissions annually—equivalent to the emissions of 76 million cars in the US. (2) In 2024, the global wind energy capacity continues to soar, with significant investments in wind farms, offshore wind projects, and innovative technologies. These advancements are not only helping to meet the growing energy demands but are also creating a multitude of job opportunities in the clean energy sector, with the role of wind turbine technician being the fastest-growing job in the US, increasing by 44% over the next decade. (3) Opportunities in the Wind Energy Sector As a clean energy recruitment brand, we are excited about the diverse career opportunities available in the wind energy sector. Spanning engineering and project management to research and development, the wind industry is brimming with possibilities for professionals eager to make an impact. Here are some key areas where the demand for talent is increasing: Engineering and Technical Roles: With the continuous innovation in turbine technology, there is a growing need for skilled engineers and technicians to design, install, and maintain wind turbines. Mechanical, electrical, and civil engineers are particularly in demand to ensure the efficiency and reliability of wind energy systems. Project Management: Developing and managing wind farms requires adept project managers who can oversee the entire lifecycle of wind projects, from planning and permitting to construction and operation. These roles are crucial for ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and to high safety standards. Research and Development: As the wind energy sector evolves, there is a constant need for research and development to improve turbine efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance grid integration. Scientists and researchers play a pivotal role in driving innovations that make wind energy more competitive and sustainable. Environmental and Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring that wind projects comply with environmental regulations and standards is essential. Environmental scientists and compliance officers work to assess and mitigate the impacts of wind farms on local ecosystems and communities. Sales and Marketing: As the wind energy market expands, professionals in sales and marketing are needed to promote wind projects, secure investments, and educate the public and stakeholders about the benefits of wind energy. Looking Ahead As we look to the future, the importance of wind energy will only continue to grow. The transition to a sustainable energy system is essential, and wind power will be at the forefront of this transformation. By embracing the opportunities in the wind energy sector, we can drive innovation, create jobs, and build a cleaner, greener world for future generations. At Piper Maddox, we are committed to connecting passionate individuals with leading companies in the clean energy sector. Our mission is to support the growth of renewable energy by ensuring that the industry has access to the best talent. Whether you are an experienced professional or just starting your career, there is a place for you in the wind energy sector.

The battery storage industry has gained significant momentum in recent years, driven by the increasing demand for renewable energy and the transition towards a more sustainable future. As this sector expands, it is natural to wonder about the salary prospects within the battery storage industry. While salaries can vary depending on several factors, including job role, experience, and geographical location, this article will delve into the trends and factors behind these variations to provide a better understanding of salary and compensation expectations in this dynamic field. We will also offer exclusive insight into up-to-date data from our extensive 2023 Battery Storage Salary Survey. Experience and Expertise Experience plays a crucial role in determining salary levels. Professionals with several years of relevant experience in the battery storage industry are likely to earn higher salaries compared to entry-level candidates, which is a noteworthy trend that we observed in our 2023 Battery Storage Salary Survey. In our analysis, we broadened our examination to include not only base salary, but also bonuses, which are a crucial component of overall compensation, and found that in particular, C-Suite bonuses were nearly double those of VP-level candidates, whilst salaries exhibited a steady upward trajectory as titles grew more senior. Furthermore, individuals with expertise in emerging technologies, such as advanced battery chemistries or grid-scale energy storage, may enjoy greater demand and better compensation. When analyzing compensation data based on years of experience in the US battery industry, it comes as no surprise that there is a steady upward trend. However, what is interesting to note is the widening delta between low and high cash compensation as experience increases. Our data indicates that after the 11-15-year mark, there is a significant increase in average annual bonuses, doubling for those in the 16+ years category. Geographical Location Salaries in the battery storage industry can vary significantly based on the location of the job. Factors such as cost of living, local market conditions, and government incentives can influence salary ranges significantly. For example, regions with a strong focus on renewable energy, such as California in the United States, may offer higher average salaries compared to other areas. We have analyzed the compensation data across the United States, focusing on the three major states with a significant concentration of battery talent, including California, Michigan, and Massachusetts, and compared them to the average compensation rates across the rest of the country. Our findings reveal that California’s cost of living is 42.2% above the national average, Massachusetts is 35% above the average, and Michigan is approximately 9% below the average. To gain more insight into these figures, click here to download our 2023 Battery Storage Salary Survey. Future Outlook As the battery storage industry gains increasing momentum, our observations from battery storage leaders shed light on the challenges they face, particularly in recruiting within this sector. However, it is important to note that these challenges are expected to gradually resolve over time. Currently, managers face a formidable challenge when it comes to team growth: sourcing suitable candidates is the foremost obstacle, primarily due to a scarcity of qualified individuals especially, compared to sectors that have had the advantage of extensive development over the years. Nevertheless, the battery storage industry is expected to continue its rapid growth as renewable energy integration and grid reliability becomes increasingly important. As technology matures and economies of scale are realized, it is likely that salaries in the industry will continue to rise. Moreover, advancements in energy storage technologies and the potential for widespread adoption will create new job opportunities and potentially drive higher salaries. Gain more insight. To gain a further understanding of the compensation trends and career growth opportunities within this dynamic industry, download here the 2023 Battery Storage Salary Survey report today and unlock the valuable insights that will shape the future of your career or organization in battery storage. The battery storage industry offers a promising career path for individuals interested in renewable energy and sustainable solutions. To find out more contact Matt at M.Anders@pipermaddox.com

A microgrid is a group of distributed energy resources and interconnected loads that act as a self-sufficient energy system. Microgrids operate autonomously and can connect and disconnect from the main grid; they provide resilience to grid disturbances and promote energy efficiency. Microgrids have been proven to promote infrastructure reliably in real-world situations. What is a microgrid? A microgrid is a group of interconnected loads and DERs (distributed energy resources) that behaves as an autonomous system. Individually, microgrids can power houses, hospitals, facilities, universities, etc. However, individual microgrids can be linked together to power larger regions. (1) The U.S. Office of Electricity defines a microgrid as “… localized grids that can disconnect from the traditional grid to operate autonomously. Because they are able to operate while the main grid is down, microgrids can strengthen grid resilience and help mitigate grid disturbances as well as function as a grid resource for faster system response and recovery. Microgrids support a flexible and efficient electric grid by enabling the integration of growing deployments of distributed energy resources such as renewables like solar. In addition, the use of local sources of energy to serve local loads helps reduce energy losses in transmission and distribution, further increasing the efficiency of the electric delivery system.”(2) Some examples of DERs that comprise these grids are generators, wind, storage, and solar. Since microgrids are not a new concept, they have historically been run using 'dirty energy'. However, in the movement towards a clean future, microgrids that run primarily on renewable energy can provide a beneficial alternative. Currently, microgrids are important to critical services such as hospitals, wastewater treatment plants, and communication towers. However, climate change will pose a major threat to the main grid. Extreme temperature anomalies (cold or heat) and natural disasters can cause the grid to malfunction – both predicted facets of a warmer world. In the present time, blackouts are growing more and more frequent.(3) Microgrids will play a big role in allowing the world to stay on during major extreme weather events. How do they promote energy efficiency and clean energy? In order to understand how microgrids promote energy efficiency, we need to understand the qualms of the main power grid. Currently, electricity production in the main power system is responsible for 25% of greenhouse gas emissions.(4) Along with fossil fuel production, there are some other major environmental risks that the traditional grid produces: Vegetation and natural habitat loss from power lines Downstream water and land pollution by-products Over-consumption of water from cooling/steam methods Solid waste production Microgrids could be the clean answer to distributing energy more efficiently. For starters, it is important to note that 5-6% of energy is lost through transmission lines in the U.S. Since microgrids produce energy near where it is consumed, there would be little to no energy lost in the system and there would be less energy produced for the same energy needed. The use of transmission lines also can destroy vegetation and natural habitats. Thus, the use of fewer transmission lines in this system could encourage the regeneration of biodiversity. Furthermore, when electricity is generated, it produces heat. In a microgrid scenario, this heat would be unused. However, microgrids can utilize this heat energy in a variety of ways. For example, the heat can be used to power homes or warm up water. (5) When microgrids disconnect from the main grid (islanding), they can provide resilience to end users during natural disasters or extreme weather events. Microgrids can also help “reboot” the main grid in the event of outages or malfunctions. (6) One of the main ways a microgrid can promote clean energy to users is by utilizing methods of renewable energy production. A microgrid can deploy a large range of clean energy production technologies such as wind, solar, and hydrogen fuel. Coupled with traditional energy production, a microgrid can switch between various energy production methods to be the most efficient. Smart microgrids can be programmed to hit different carbon emission and energy efficiency goals. When have the capabilities of microgrids been tested in real-world scenarios? There have been numerous examples of microgrids saving communities from blackouts to natural disasters. The most recent example was during the Rio Dell, California earthquake that occurred on December 24th, 2022. This 6.4 magnitude earthquake created massive havoc with 72,000 businesses and homes estimated to have lost power. During the incident, the Blue Lake Rancheria – a Native American reservation – remained an emergency resource service due to its microgrid. During the outage, the microgrid served 8% of the region’s population and provided aid to 10,000 people. (7) The microgrid was powered by solar panels and batteries. This is not the first time that the Blue Lake Rancheria has been credited with aiding the community during a grid outage. In 2019, California was taken over by wildfires and many residents were faced with extended outages and a lack of medical equipment. The microgrid at the rancheria remained fully functioning and around 10,000 people were served with medical and electrical needs. It is estimated that four lives were saved by the microgrid and the assistance from the native people.(8) The Blue Lake Rancheria is not the only microgrid that has withstood natural disasters. Some other notable examples include the numerous microgrids in Puerto Rico that helped the community stay on the grid during Hurricane Fiona, a solar microgrid in Malawi that helps children receive life-changing education, and the solar and natural gas microgrid at Pittsburgh International Airport that saved $1 million dollars in energy costs.