The Road to Renewables: Doug Smith on Hampton Roads’ Clean Energy Journey

11/15/24 • 43 min

Green Giants: Titans of Renewable Energy Podcast

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Green Giants, host Wes Ashworth talks with Doug Smith, President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Alliance, about how Hampton Roads, Virginia, is emerging as a renewable energy hub. Doug shares pivotal moments in the region’s shift from traditional energy to offshore wind and other renewable sectors, reshaping Hampton Roads' economy and workforce.

Key Topics:

Offshore Wind Development: Hampton Roads is poised to become a leader in offshore wind with projects like Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW), aiming to install 176 turbines. Doug discusses the region’s coastal advantages, skilled workforce, and logistics readiness for large-scale wind projects.
The Regional Energy Roadmap: Doug explains the creation of a regional energy roadmap to provide independent data for energy planning. This roadmap empowers local decision-makers and aligns community efforts towards sustainable energy goals.
Reshoring and Green Manufacturing: Hampton Roads is drawing green manufacturers like LS GreenLink, creating jobs and securing local production of essential components for renewables. Doug shares insights on building a regional green supply chain and attracting investment under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Community Engagement and Education: Doug highlights the importance of educating local leaders and residents on the benefits of renewable projects, helping to overcome resistance and build regional support.
Exploring Nuclear Energy: With its history in naval nuclear energy, Hampton Roads is also considering small modular reactors (SMRs) as a stable complement to renewables. Doug explains how nuclear can meet growing energy demands and enhance resilience.
Military and Federal Investments: As one of the top U.S. regions for Department of Defense spending, Hampton Roads is leveraging federal investments to strengthen green infrastructure and align with national priorities.

Why Listen?
This episode offers a unique look at Hampton Roads’ transformation and provides practical insights into creating a resilient green economy. Doug’s strategies around regional energy planning, community engagement, and public-private partnerships highlight how any region can transition to renewable energy.

About Doug Smith:
Doug Smith, CEO of the Hampton Roads Alliance, leads the region’s economic shift towards renewable energy and green manufacturing. His experience in regional economic development has positioned Hampton Roads as a leader in offshore wind, green supply chains, and sustainable job creation.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction to Doug Smith and Hampton Roads Alliance
2:30 - Shifting from pipelines to renewables
6:15 - Regional energy roadmap and community buy-in
10:45 - Offshore wind projects and job creation
18:00 - Reshoring green manufacturing
23:15 - Nuclear energy and military collaboration
28:45 - Public-private partnerships for economic resilience

Links:
Doug Smith on LinkedIn
Hampton Roads Alliance

Wes Ashworth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslgs/

Key Topics:

Offshore Wind Development: Hampton Roads is poised to become a leader in offshore wind with projects like Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW), aiming to install 176 turbines. Doug discusses the region’s coastal advantages, skilled workforce, and logistics readiness for large-scale wind projects.
The Regional Energy Roadmap: Doug explains the creation of a regional energy roadmap to provide independent data for energy planning. This roadmap empowers local decision-makers and aligns community efforts towards sustainable energy goals.
Reshoring and Green Manufacturing: Hampton Roads is drawing green manufacturers like LS GreenLink, creating jobs and securing local production of essential components for renewables. Doug shares insights on building a regional green supply chain and attracting investment under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Community Engagement and Education: Doug highlights the importance of educating local leaders and residents on the benefits of renewable projects, helping to overcome resistance and build regional support.
Exploring Nuclear Energy: With its history in naval nuclear energy, Hampton Roads is also considering small modular reactors (SMRs) as a stable complement to renewables. Doug explains how nuclear can meet growing energy demands and enhance resilience.
Military and Federal Investments: As one of the top U.S. regions for Department of Defense spending, Hampton Roads is leveraging federal investments to strengthen green infrastructure and align with national priorities.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction to Doug Smith and Hampton Roads Alliance
2:30 - Shifting from pipelines to renewables
6:15 - Regional energy roadmap and community buy-in
10:45 - Offshore wind projects and job creation
18:00 - Reshoring green manufacturing
23:15 - Nuclear energy and military collaboration
28:45 - Public-private partnerships for economic resilience

Links:
Doug Smith on LinkedIn
Hampton Roads Alliance

Wes Ashworth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslgs/

Previous Episode

EDF Renewables’ Tristan Grimbert on Solving Clean Energy’s Biggest Challenges

In this episode of Green Giants, host Wes Ashworth sits down with Tristan Grimbert, President and CEO of EDF Renewables North America, a leader in the renewable energy space for nearly two decades. Since joining EDF in 2004, Grimbert has driven the company’s remarkable 14-fold growth, overseeing a diverse portfolio of 18 GW of clean energy projects. This episode dives deep into how EDF Renewables tackles the energy sector’s biggest challenges, from grid reliability and offshore wind expansion to innovative electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions and energy storage.

Episode Highlights:

Strategic Leadership in Clean Energy: Grimbert reflects on his 20 years at EDF Renewables, sharing key moments and decisions that shaped the company’s success in wind, solar, and energy storage. His unique perspective combines visionary goals with practical strategies for overcoming market obstacles.
Technology-Agnostic Approach: EDF Renewables is technology-neutral, adopting solutions from solar, wind, EVs, and storage to address specific grid needs across North America. This adaptable approach allows EDF to support the grid’s transition to decarbonized energy with flexible, custom solutions.
Expansion into Offshore Wind: Grimbert discusses EDF’s partnership with Shell in the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind project, aiming to power densely populated areas along the Atlantic coast. He shares insights on navigating complex permitting, supply chain challenges, and the importance of patient, strategic partnerships in building a sustainable offshore wind market.
EV Charging as Grid Stability: Under Grimbert’s leadership, EDF Renewables has pioneered the integration of EVs as mobile storage units, using PowerFlex to deploy EV chargers, rooftop solar, and batteries. He explores how these technologies work together to stabilize the grid and meet the growing demand for clean energy across North America.
Managing Supply Chain and Regulatory Challenges: Grimbert details EDF’s approach to supply chain resilience and political uncertainties. His “strategy by capillarity” philosophy focuses on pragmatic solutions and adapting to ever-evolving market conditions. He also discusses EDF’s contingency planning and the critical need for index pricing to manage risks over long project timelines.
Company Culture and Retention: Known for fostering a strong company culture, Grimbert emphasizes transparency, collaboration, and innovation. He shares insights into how EDF has built a team that thrives in the fast-paced, challenging world of renewable energy.

Why Listen?

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in renewable energy innovation, sustainable leadership, or the evolving energy grid landscape. Tristan Grimbert’s experience and insights shed light on how EDF Renewables is adapting to market demands and leading the industry in creating a resilient, sustainable energy future.
Links:
Tristan on LinkedIn
EDF Renewables North America

Wes Ashworth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslgs/

Next Episode

Secrets Behind Georgia's Renewable Energy Success – A Talk with Commissioner Tim Echols

In this engaging episode of Green Giants: Titans of Renewable Energy, host Wes Ashworth sits down with Commissioner Tim Echols, Vice Chair of the Georgia Public Service Commission. Known for his pivotal role in Georgia's energy landscape, Tim shares the strategic moves that have turned the state into a renewable energy powerhouse. From pioneering solar projects to advancing electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and leveraging nuclear power, Tim has been at the forefront of innovation while keeping economic responsibility in focus.

Episode Highlights:

Tim’s Unexpected Journey into Renewable Energy: Tim reveals the origins of his passion for clean energy, starting with his early work on solar thermal technology and his personal experiences that fueled his advocacy.
Building a Reliable EV Infrastructure: Dive deep into the complexities of EV charger networks and why Tim believes Elon Musk’s approach set a standard that others struggle to match. Discover Tim’s insights on "charging deserts" and how strategic policies are filling these gaps in Georgia.
Georgia’s Solar Boom: With solar power growing from just 3 megawatts to over 7,800 megawatts, Tim discusses the policies that made this possible. Learn how Georgia has leveraged federal incentives to boost solar energy while balancing economic impacts.
Overcoming Energy Challenges with Innovation: Tim explores the pressing need for energy solutions that accommodate the demands of AI-driven data centers and the tech sector's expansion. Hear about future-proofing energy infrastructure with commitments from businesses and innovative policies.
The Case for Nuclear Power: Addressing the controversy surrounding nuclear energy, Tim breaks down the financial and political barriers to expanding nuclear capacity and how the federal government can play a crucial role.
Navigating Natural Gas Volatility: Tim explains the ripple effects of natural gas price fluctuations on Georgia residents and outlines potential measures to shield consumers from future shocks.
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology: Tim passionately advocates for vehicle-to-grid integration, detailing pilot programs that could revolutionize how electric school buses and personal EVs contribute to grid resilience.
Making Renewable Energy Bipartisan: As a Republican who champions renewable energy, Tim discusses how to make sustainability appealing across party lines, focusing on economic benefits and practical solutions.

Why Listen?

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolving energy landscape, particularly in how state-level policies can drive large-scale renewable adoption. Tim’s firsthand experiences and deep insights offer a unique perspective on balancing innovation with economic reality.

Links:
Tim Echols LinkedIn
Tim's Energy Matters Podcast
Clean Energy Roadshow
Teenpact

Wes Ashworth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslgs/

Green Giants: Titans of Renewable Energy Podcast - The Road to Renewables: Doug Smith on Hampton Roads’ Clean Energy Journey

Transcript

Wes Ashworth (00:24)

Today on Green Giants, we’re excited to welcome Doug Smith, the president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Alliance. Doug is a seasoned leader with a rich background in regional economic development, both in the public and private sectors. He’s been instrumental in shaping Hampton Roads, Virginia as a key player in offshore wind energy and is now spearheading the region’s efforts to expand into other renewable sectors. Doug’s journey into renewab