This event has been cancelled.
Join us for a discussion of Harris School Alumnus and former Bartlett Fellow, Hong Zhang Durandal, about his career journey as well as his upcoming book.
Hong focuses on energy storage business development and mergers and acquisitions. Starting in 2021, he worked his way up from Senior Associate. Prior to working at EDP Renewables, Hong’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to found Energy Hunters in 2019. A minority-owned business that prides itself on doing “more than making a network of EV charging stations”, Energy Hunters builds stationary and portable EV infrastructure, providing solutions to the “complexities and challenges of our current [energy] grid.”
Hong also has a Masters of Science, Economics and Public Policy from the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago.
Book Summary:
The book shares a compelling journey in the renewable energy sector, emphasizing the unique challenges and opportunities that originated from the COVID-19 pandemic. Durandal’s narrative begins with a vivid depiction of his efforts to secure renewable energy projects in Chile, a country chosen for its stable market and favorable trade laws. Amidst the global lockdown, Durandal leveraged his Bolivian heritage, development experience, and determination to navigate through the uncertainty, ultimately establishing a significant presence in the Latin American renewable energy market. His story is not just about professional success; it’s a personal quest of resilience, embracing imperfections, and the relentless pursuit of growth and development in a turbulent world.
The book further explores the broader landscape of renewable energy development, detailing the complexities and the dynamic nature of the field. Durandal discusses the importance of policy incentives, such as the REPowerEU initiative and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), in fostering the growth of renewable energy projects. He shares insights into the intricate dance of development work, which requires flexibility, risk management, and a deep understanding of the interplay between technology, policy, and community engagement. Through his experiences, Durandal illustrates the transformative power of renewable energy development, not only in terms of environmental impact but also in its ability to empower communities and individuals. His journey from a minority in the US to a pivotal figure in the clean energy revolution underscores the message that with perseverance, creativity, and a willingness to embrace the unpredictable, you can also contribute to the sustainable development of our planet.