Collaborative Thinking: Bringing renewable energy to buyers big and small through the Consortium for Climate Solutions

Collaborative Thinking: Bringing renewable energy to buyers big and small through the Consortium for Climate Solutions

Author: Ann Gisinger June 23, 2025 Duration: 45:44

Today’s episode dives into the efforts of the Consortium for Climate Solutions, a groundbreaking collaborative model for large-scale renewable energy procurement that recently won the EBC Nicholas Humber Award for Outstanding Collaboration. Learn about their model for bringing together eleven partner organizations to procure renewable energy through today’s discussion with members of the four leading organizations: Jaclyn Olsen, Director at the Harvard Office for Sustainability, Steven Lanou, Senior Project Manager in MIT’s Office of Sustainability, Dennis Villanueva, Director of Utilities, Energy Strategy & Procurement at Mass General Brigham, and Heather Takle, President and CEO of PowerOptions.

Links from the Episode:

About the EBC Nicholas Humber Award for Outstanding Collaboration: https://ebcne.org/news/award/outstanding-collaboration/

WBUR news item Harvard, MIT and MGB-led group helps build major solar and wind farms, November 22, 2024 by Martha Bebinger: https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/11/22/massachusetts-climate-consortium-renewable-energy

Harvard Office for Sustainability webpage: https://sustainable.harvard.edu/

MIT Office of Sustainability webpage: https://sustainability.mit.edu/

Mass General Brigham: https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en

PowerOptions homepage: https://poweroptions.org/

Boston Green Ribbon Commission homepage: https://greenribboncommission.org/

Better Together Brain Trust homepage: https://www.bt2energy.com/

Where to find Jaclyn, Steven, Dennis, & Heather:

Jaclyn’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclyn-olsen-5b95398/

Steven’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-lanou/

Dennis’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-v-5163a15/

Heather’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermarchtakle/

Where to find EBC:

Webpage: https://ebcne.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/environmental-business-council-of-new-england-inc-/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLKLl6DmcaFbOwjJ2aB956g


Hosted by Ann Gisinger, Energy Environment Economy digs into the complex and critical intersections suggested by its name. This isn't a surface-level discussion; it's a deep dive into the practical challenges and innovations shaping our world, from modernizing our electrical grids and scaling renewable energy to managing stormwater and redeveloping brownfield sites. Each conversation in this podcast features thought leaders who are actively working on issues like climate adaptation, emerging contaminants, and solid waste management, providing listeners with grounded insights from the field. The discussions, presented by the Environmental Business Council of New England, move beyond theory to explore the real-world economic and policy decisions that drive environmental progress. Tuning in, you'll hear experts unpack how these technical fields directly impact communities and commerce, offering a nuanced perspective that connects scientific detail with broader societal outcomes. For anyone curious about the forces designing our sustainable future, this series provides essential context and analysis, making the vital links between energy systems, environmental health, and economic viability clear and compelling.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Energy Environment Economy
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