In this time of rapid expansion, diversification in skillsets, and attention for the public and the policymakers, the job of the utility professional is undoubtedly more complex and also critical than at any other time in the history of the industry. But just because the sector is changing so rapidly doesn’t mean we can’t learn essential lessons from the past, and that’s in fact why the expertise of industry veterans and leading voices is so important.
Energy Central’s Network of Experts always seeks to be the leading collaborative group of these utility sector voices, bringing a unique mix of expertise from experience and innovation from new ways of thinking. And the latest addition to that network, specifically positioned in our Generation Professionals group, is positioned in just such a manner. That expert joining today, and participating in this latest iteration of our New Expert Member Interview series is Tom Rolfson of POWER Engineers. Tom is a Project Manager at POWER Engineers, and members of our community may remember that in 2022 Tom was named one of the community’s Top Voices in the Generation Network.
Keep reading to learn about Tom’s experience and then in the comments below welcome him as our latest official Energy Central Expert!
Matt Chester: Thanks for agreeing to be one of our experts, Tom. Please start by sharing a bit about your background in the industry so our community better understands what went into you being established as an expert?
Tom Rolfson: My dad was an engineer in the nuclear power sector. From a young age, I’d listen to him talk about work and developed an appreciation of where electrons come from and how they get the lights to work. My natural curiosity about how things work led me to studies focused on physics and mechanical engineering. I take a deep-dive approach into all aspects of project development from this vantage point.
I’ve been working as an environmental consultant for 10 years, primarily focusing on air quality permitting and compliance. To accurately evaluate emissions of various pollutants, it’s essential to have a technical understanding of the physical processes creating emissions—everything from the combustion of fuel to chemical reactions in the add-on emission control equipment to the volatility of a certain compound applied during a manufacturing process. I want to know as much as I can about as much as I can!
MC: You’ve built up expertise in the world of regulatory compliance for the power sector. What, in your opinion, makes up a positive and useful type of regulation for the industry? What roadmap do you wish policy makers followed for this process?
TR: One important aspect to me is not trying to change too much too quickly. Change is always hard, so having a plan and making change incremental typically means it’s more achievable (and less painful).
Another extremely important issue is that, when developing environmental legislation, the legislative policymakers need to make sure they communicate with the technical regulatory experts tasked with turning a law into an enforceable rule and the industry stakeholders required to comply with those rules. We’ve seen some examples—especially on the state or local levels—where legislation gets drafted and signed into law, and the regulators are left to pick up the pieces and write a rule that allows facilities to attain and document compliance.
Industry stakeholders generally know what will get passed based on the legislative makeup. They work with legislators to develop meaningful legislation. When working in isolation, however, leads to regulations that are more difficult to enforce and likely to get scrapped by a future administration.
MC: You’re also well connected to the next generation of sustainable technologies. What are some upcoming opportunities in that area in the years to come that have you most excited?
TR: Honestly, there are so many opportunities to choose from! I’ve been interested in hydrogen for a couple years, and we keep seeing more and more developing in that arena. I’m excited about what I see developing there.
Similarly, carbon capture intrigues me: membrane technology, new power cycles with oxy-combustion, using CO2 as a working fluid (Allam-Fetvedt Cycle) rather than the traditional amine-based carbon capture, each of these developments inspires me to consider new ways to capture carbon.
Lastly, waste. It seems like there are many, better new ways to manage waste, turning something previously seen as burdensome into useful energy. I expect to see more of this innovation, including some new ways—aside from landfill waste and incineration—into useable energy.
MC: Over the course of your time with POWER Engineers, what has been the hardest or simply most rewarding lesson you’ve learned about the sector? And where are you still hoping to grow and expand in this industry in the years to come?
TR: It’s always hard when you put a lot of effort into project development, only to learn the project will never make it to construction or operation. Unfortunately, that’s not uncommon. But I’m looking forward to continuing my involvement with innovative projects early. I think there are great opportunities to contribute to strategy and project emission reductions during the development phase of a project.
MC: You’re no stranger to Energy Central, having previously been named one of our top voices. Can you share what value you get out of your time engaging with peers on Energy Central and how you hope to elevate the conversation as one of our Experts?
TR: I’ve always enjoyed professional discourse. I appreciate having a place where people like me can discuss topics we‘re not only passionate about but are foundational to our jobs and our environment. We all benefit from diverse perspectives, and I value contributing to and learning from these important conversations captured in this convenient forum.
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Thanks to Tom Rolfson for joining me for this interview and for providing a wealth of insights and expertise to the Energy Central Community. You can trust that Tom will be available for you to reach out and connect, ask questions, and more as an Energy Central member, so be sure to make him feel welcome when you see her across the platform.
The other expert interviews that we’ve completed in this series can be read here, and if you are interested in becoming an expert, you can reach out to me or you can apply here.