How Electric Vehicles and Solar Can Cut Costs and Boost Energy Resilience

Zoom

California leads the nation in residential solar power and electric vehicle (EV) adoption. Our state has the opportunity to integrate these technologies into the electricity grid to lower energy bills and prevent power outages, even in the face of climate-fueled extreme weather. In this webinar, speakers discussed new technology that can accelerate this Vehicle-Grid Integration (VGI). They also highlighted new opportunities for low-income Californians to afford EVs and home energy resilience through state incentives. This webinar was for any current or potential owner of an EV or rooftop solar panels who wants to learn how to save money and avoid power outages.

Presentations and Resources

A Roadmap To Unlocking The Benefits of Bidirectional Charging, California Energy Commission (PDF)

Speakers

Kurt Johnson (Moderator)

Community Energy Resilience Director

Kurt began working at the Center in 2019. He previously founded and directed a renewable energy project development consulting firm, bringing new projects online ranging from 8 kW to 8 MW. Kurt worked at the U.S. EPA for eleven years where he founded the EPA renewable energy program, the Green Power Partnership. Kurt holds an MS in Environmental Sciences and Policy from Johns Hopkins University and an MA and BA from Stanford University.

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Peter Chen

Supervisor of the Transportation Unit in the California Energy Commission’s Energy Research and Development Division

Peter Chen is the Supervisor of the Transportation Unit in the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) Energy Research and Development Division. He oversees a portfolio of research, development, and demonstration projects funded through the Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) program focused on advancing transportation electrification and vehicle-grid integration. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering from UC Davis and has been with CEC for over 9 years.

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Anna Bella Korbatov

Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Nuvve/Fermata Energy

Anna Bella Korbatov joined the Fermata Energy team in 2017. She manages the company’s policy and regulatory affairs strategy and leads the company’s collaboration with state agencies, utilities, and local jurisdictions on the design of Vehicle Grid Integration (VGI) rates and programs, make-ready funding, interconnection policies, and grant-funded opportunities.

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Alex Pawlowski

Regulatory Strategy Manager at Kia America

Alex Pawlowski is the Regulatory Strategy Manager at Kia America covering regulation activities in energy and environmental subject areas, with bi-directional charging a major piece in his coverage of EV Infrastructure policies and programs. Prior to joining Kia in 2022, Alex worked for an electrical engineering design-build firm managing projects supporting defense and data center clients. Alex holds a Masters of Science (Mechanical Engineering) from the University of Tennessee where he conducted research at Oak Ridge National Lab under Department of Energy Vehicle Technologies Office contracts.

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Linda Khamoushian

Senior Clean Mobility Strategist at GRID Alternatives

Linda Khamoushian serves as the Senior Clean Mobility Strategist at GRID Alternatives, where she works to extend clean energy and transportation electrification benefits to environmental justice communities first, and works alongside coalition partners and community members to shape state and national transportation policy and programs. Linda is a Los Angeles native, and graduate of UC Berkeley and UCLA. She holds a masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning.

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