Sander Cohan

Head, Innovation -- Strategy, Innovation and Market Analytics (SIMA)/National Grid Partners

2021

Head of US and UK team creating and introducing new, transformative technologies and business models to drive the next phase of the energy transition. Find and explore new solutions and business models to disrupt company and market before someone else does. The Innovation team’s goal is to leverage transformative technologies, business models, and new ways of thinking to drive impact and create solutions for National Grid’s long-term strategic challenges. Partner with other industrials to create new growth opportunities. • Develop and deliver pipeline of transformative innovation projects around strategic areas. Focus on measurable outcomes and meaningful impact. Executed on innovation projects with potential impact $5B+ in the medium term. • Report to advisory board of top-level National Grid leaders. Support the creation of innovation culture within regulated and unregulated business units. • Grow and mentor diverse team of innovation mangers located across the US and UK on goals, performance, and professional development.

Director of Innovation, Global Power Generation

2015 - 2021

Head of North America team for Italian multinational utility to commercialize technologies that drive its transition to a sustainable energy company. Work with emerging startups, industrials, and internal Enel stakeholders to develop products to implement in commercial business units at scale, globally. Manage change and promote innovation culture. • Develop, introduce, and implement proof of concept technology projects. • Commercialize and scale successful innovations to create meaningful value in the organization. • Support new ideas, inspire creative problem solving among colleagues. Project areas included wind, solar, long-duration energy storage, geothermal and marine energy, predictive analytics/big data, robotics/AI, hybrid renewables. I provide support for European, Latin American and Asian/African projects. Sample Initiatives: ● Integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and robotics into everyday operations. Expanded robotics expertise from a few proof-of-concepts projects to a commercial unit that coordinates drone and internet-of-things operations at Enel’s facilities in North America. ● Pathways for Long-Duration Energy Storage. Projects and collaboration with technology founders to align their product development path with our internal business development pipeline, with the goal of jointly developing a commercial-scale product in the near term. This has included not only proving the business case, but solving the technical and policy challenges to operate at scale. ● Agrivoltaics in Commercial Practice. Improving the sustainability and land use of large-scale utility scale solar to allow for its continued competitiveness. My team worked to move the combination of agriculture and industry-standard bifacial PV panels (agrivoltaics), from pilot to commercial scale, collaborating with stakeholders and startups to develop industry best practices that align with Enel’s sustainability guidelines.

Sr. Analyst, Innovation and Technology

2012 - 2015

Board Member

2015 - 2015

VEPP Inc. is the Purchasing Agent appointed by Board Rule 4.100 of the Vermont Public Service Board. VEPP Inc. purchases electric power from renewable resources. These resources include 15 hydro-electric generating stations all located in Vermont. Power is then sold to all 17 Vermont utilities on a pro-rata basis to their in-state retail sales.

Principal, Renewable Energy, Climate, and Transportation Fuels

2007 - 2012

International oil and alternative fuels markets consulting firm. Principal on research dealing with renewable energy, alternative and conventional fuels markets (gasoline, diesel biofuels, EV, CNG, GTL/CTL, Oil Sands), and emerging vehicle technologies. I also covered developments in North and South American petroleum, refining, and product markets. Founded transportation fuels and vehicle technology advisory, designed to identify new vehicle and fuel technologies (biofuels, conventional fuels, efficiency and EV technology) and quantify effects of policy measures for ESAI Clients. Grew business from core idea to established revenue stream.

Energy Analyst

2005 - 2007

Consulted on financial, policy and market issues for KEMA’s energy industry clients. Work included feasibility studies for new renewable energy projects, a utility expansion model for a major university, and market potential studies for energy efficient technologies. Also performed electricity tariff and conventional fuels market analysis.

Finance Associate

2004 - 2005

Worked with the CFO and VP of Strategic Development on energy finance projects. Designed detailed financial models for potential renewable energy ventures and corporate acquisitions, leveraging energy tax credits, policy developments, and project finance options. My job also had a large operational component, building and implementing new business tools for financial reporting and project budgeting.

Consultant

2003 - 2003

In a consulting position with this Luxembourg-based, Internet-via-Satellite service provider, I led a 5 person project team to design and deploy the company's online store.

Business Analyst

2001 - 2002

As a marketing lead with this New York based voice application software company I developed and executed the marketing and promotions strategy for new product launches.

Product Manager, Analyst

2000 - 2001

As part of the business development team, I worked with the technology leads to bring the Kargo suite of projects to market. My job also included revising and refining the company business plan to present to potential investors.

Associate, Strategy.com

2000 - 2000

Completed training and certification course in MicroStrategy DSS software.