CPA Sponsorship Helps Train Future Green Energy Leaders

The inaugural cohort of the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) Microgrid Maintenance Fellowship Program recently concluded an intensive eight-week program that prepared students to operate, deploy and maintain microgrid components and software.

Clean Power Alliance provided a $50,000 sponsorship to LACI to help fund the launch of the program in support of the organization’s success in preparing the workforce of the future and developing talent ready to lead in the field of clean energy and community resilience.

LACI’s Green Jobs Fellowship is a multitiered program which provides technical training, interpersonal skills development, and industry-recognized certifications to help underrepresented groups succeed. The microgrid program fosters student understanding of microgrid systems, high-level solar-plus-storage system sizing, feasibility analysis, operation and control software, and electrical design of distribution networks – readying a workforce poised for green economy jobs.

The students concluded their course with a demonstration day and presented their final projects on microgrid design and technician related tasks and functions. Excitement about what was learned was evident.

“In predicting storm events, I learned the microgrid control system is designed to disconnect from the grid in anticipation of a storm caused by grid outages. This ensures no disruption,” said participating student Darlene Hunt. “Cleaner power and economic development. Power I can feel good about.”

Participants who complete the program are matched with LACI startups and partners for internships and potential job opportunities to fulfill the mission of building an inclusive green economy.

Applications are being accepted through July 27 for the summer Green Jobs Fellowship focused on microgrid maintenance. Interested applicants can apply here.

Founded in 2017, Clean Power Alliance is the locally operated electricity provider for 30 cities across Los Angeles County and Ventura County, as well as the unincorporated areas of both counties. CPA is the fifth largest electricity provider in California and the single largest provider of 100% renewable energy to customers in the nation, serving approximately three million customers via one million customer accounts, providing clean renewable energy at competitive rates.

Sergei Kotsan

Sergei Kotsan serves the Energy Risk Manager for Clean Power Alliance. He has over a decade of experience working on quantitative research and modelling of the wholesale power markets as well as hedging commercial risk and market monitoring. He led commercial operations at TexGen and fundamentals research at Talen Energy on the power supply side. He also has utility experience at Portland General Electric and Pacific Gas and Electric evaluating market risks and financial valuation on the demand side. In addition, he worked at the Market Monitoring Unit at CAISO, developing dashboards and preparing market reports. Sergei holds Ph.D. in Economics from West Virginia University.

Rachel Allred

Rachel serves as Project Manager, Settlements for Clean Power Alliance. Rachel is responsible for reviewing and identifying discrepancies with our California Independent System Operator (CASIO) and bilateral counterparty invoices, validating transactions of wholesale market products, and performing after the fact analysis on settlements and Congestion Revenue Rights (CRR) to influence resource optimization and CRR strategies. Prior to joining Clean Power Alliance, Rachel served as a Power Settlements Analyst at Utah Municipal Power Agency for two years where she developed and finalized all settlement processes. Rachel earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from Lewis-Clark State College.

Riju Mondal

Riju serves as the Website Developer, Communications and Marketing at CPA. He brings over 10 years of software development experience in addition to having a strong background in information technology and server infrastructure. Riju oversees all web related functions at CPA to ensure that the organization is able to effectively sustain meeting the requirements of its rapidly growing digital presence. Prior to joining CPA, Riju worked as a digital content developer at Claremont Graduate University where he developed and launched an online learning platform for the federally funded POLARIS mentoring program for museum professionals. More recently, Riju founded and operated a web development and digital marketing agency which served government organizations, non-profits, and other multi agency partners. Riju holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems & E-Business from Cal Poly Pomona. Riju supports CPA’s overall goal and mission to a cleaner, brighter future.

Jacob Adamson

Jacob Adamson is an Analyst, Data and Systems, at Clean Power Alliance (CPA), where he collaborates with the Data and Systems team to develop and maintain robust data analytics frameworks. Jacob supports cross-functional departments in data enablement and business intelligence, focusing on automating reporting tasks and assisting staff with data requests. With a background in engineering, information technology, regulatory analysis, and data analytics, Jacob brings a wealth of expertise to CPA’s work in the renewable energy sector. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, is a former licensed professional engineer in the state of Colorado, and is a GCP certified professional data engineer. Outside of work, Jacob is passionate about outdoor recreation, conservation, and engineering sustainable community development.

Ammad Mansoor

Ammad serves as the Analyst, Strategic Finance at CPA. He comes to CPA with 3 years of prior experience in financial planning and analysis. Ammad most recently served as a Financial Analyst at Georgia Power, the largest subsidiary of the Southern Company. In this role, he supported various areas in the Customer Experience division where he ensured timely and accurate financial reporting, conducted monthly expense forecasting, and created 5-year budgets with the approval of the Georgia PSC. He also sat on the 2024 Budget Committee where he contributed to developing guidelines for the company’s budgeting process and identifying areas for cost savings. Ammad earned his Bachelor’s in Finance from the University of Central Florida.