Boosting the Sustainability of Energy Program

Maureen McDonald is a Director of Energy Services at Southland Industries in Garden Grove, California. She is a LEED  Accredited Professional with over 20 years of experience in the construction industry. Maureen has worked on various projects,  including K-12 schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings. She has expertise in energy modeling, commissioning, and retrocommissioning.  Maureen has also been involved in the development of energy-efficient designs for HVAC systems and lighting  controls. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and an  MBA from Pepperdine University. Maureen is passionate about sustainability and has been involved in several green building  projects throughout her career. 

In an interview with Energy Tech Review, McDonald  discusses her roles and responsibilities in the Southland  industry and delves into her recent projects, sharing  Southland Industry’s strategies and how they help it stand  out among market contemporaries. 

What are your roles and responsibilities at  Southland Industry? 

As the Director of Energy Services at Southland Industries, I  am responsible for overseeing the energy division’s efforts in  providing innovative energy solutions to government agencies  at the state, local, and federal levels. Our focus is on providing  cost-efficient, resilient, and sustainable energy options that  meet the evolving needs of these entities.

 I hold a Master’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering,  Business Administration, and Environment Policy and  Management. Before joining Southland Industries, I owned a  solar company that provided me with expertise and insights  into the solar market. 

My experience in the construction industry spans over  20 years. I have worked on various projects, including  K-12 schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings. My  expertise lies in energy modeling, commissioning, and retrocommissioning.  I have also been involved in the development  of energy-efficient designs for HVAC systems and lighting  controls. 

I am passionate about sustainability and have been  involved in several green building projects throughout my  career 

What according to you are some of the prevalent  challenges in the energy market? 

One of the predominant challenges is when we help clients  analyze how they spend these funds. They should be holistic  rather than narrow-minded. For instance, they should be  ready to spend it on Plexiglas instead of approaching it as a  COVID-relief fund. 

We aim to broaden their mindset and make them look  at what they wish to accomplish. Then we take their vision forward to see whether these resources and funding from the  Federal Government will facilitate them to achieve it or are  there gaps not bridged by these allowances. Then we work on  finding a way to cover and fill those gaps if any. 

Often, it is just a matter of a change of perception or capital  contribution, and sometimes it is finding incentives or utility.  The method in financial engineering should seem parallel to  the technical solutions and challenges faced by clients and  look at the financial aspect of it that weaves together multiple  funding sources to provide the best financial solutions. 

Please elaborate on the technological trends that  you are witnessing in the energy space. 

Incentives for battery backup offered by the Federal  Government are relevant funding sources. Implementing  battery back-ups in micro grids can improve cost-efficiency and  help companies keep up with technological advancements,  leading to smoother operations in the market. However,  incentives can be irregular, which can be a challenge for  companies. 

California has done an excellent job in the solar industry  by catering to the need for incentives to be sustainable. This  enables technology companies to invest in affordable rates  on technology advancements. California’s incentive program  has reduced participation time, boosting tech-driven firms’  confidence to invest in new facilities and technologies. The  program mentions of the significant price drop that is helpful.  Organizations plan and invest in technology development  despite being aware of the decreasing incentives, as they  employ their experience and deep knowledge to leverage and  optimize the usage of incentives, which helps them enhance  business by adopting recent technologies. 

Could you please delve into strategies Southland  Industry employs? 

We developed an energy program in Pomona, California  several years ago, and it’s wonderful to see that it’s still  being used. The school district has taken a wise decision by  looking beyond the direct use of COVID funds and integrating  strategies that include cost-efficient energy, improved air  quality, and comfort level. This has subsequently enhanced  the learning environment in the classroom and promoted  electrification. 

Our aim is to participate in the state initiative for  electrification that will subsequently reduce greenhouse  gas emissions. We equipped them with a comfortable and  improved learning environment for strengthening their future  by supporting them in their venture. We aligned with them to  tackle situations and arrive at solutions to fulfill this vision by  connecting the pieces and parts. 

Nowadays, people are more aware of the relationship between energy and the environment, which allows us to consider the broad concept of resiliency, sustainability, and energy efficiency and how they are interconnected

Since the climate is humid these days, people use  air conditioners even during the daytime, which makes it  imperative to increase and maintain a certain level of comfort  for children by providing them an adequate learning space.  By doing so, we can ensure that they have a conducive  environment for learning. 

How do you envision the future of the energy  industry? 

Nowadays, people are more aware of the relationship between  energy and the environment, which allows us to consider  the broad concept of resiliency, sustainability, and energy  efficiency and how they are interconnected. It is heartening  to see that most of us understand the need for resiliency and  sustainability in the industry, which can have a positive impact  on both the market place and the environment. Companies  and clients can catalyze and move forward in these areas with  enough momentum on both political and legislative fronts. 

What is your advice for peers and other  professionals in the field? 

Advancements happen when engineers to get excited  over technical aspects. But while acting on it, you need a  proper understanding of the framework and incentives  capable of increasing the sustainability and impact of said  advancements.