On Wednesday, July 24, 2024, the EC hosted Powering the Palmetto State, a free workshop focused on the future of freight electrification in South Carolina. Attendees heard from industry experts, networked with local partners, and learned more about the latest advancements in zero-emission transportation. Speaker bios and presentations can be viewed below.
Download the complete slide deck.
If you are working on freight electrification, check out the EC’s Dashboard for Rapid Vehicle Electrification (DRVE Tool), EV Funding Finder, and Electric Vehicle Adoption Leadership (EVAL) program.
Panel #1: Preparing the Grid for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electrification
This panel discussed the short- and long-term needs of utilities and the grid to effectively support the medium- and heavy-duty sector’s transition to electric. Speakers shared tools and resources for load mapping, best practices for how to communicate with utilities about electrification, and short-term solutions for meeting charging needs.
Speakers:
Michael Spurr, ADS-TEC Energy
Michael Spurr is public affairs manager for ADS-TEC Energy, where he oversees public and government affairs for the company, which produces battery-buffered, ultra-fast EV charging solutions plus battery storage systems for commercial and industrial use. He previously covered regulatory affairs at EnBW, one of the largest energy supply companies in Europe and Germany’s largest charge point operator.
Westy Westmoreland, Dominion Energy
Mr. Westmoreland has been with Dominion Energy South Carolina (formerly SCE&G) for 33 years and is currently director of electrification. In his current role, he is developing programs and supporting customer efforts to electrify transportation, especially on road EVs. His goal is to support the rapid transition from ICE vehicles to EVs with timely electric utility infrastructure deployment, strategic programs, and excellent customer service.
Mike Rowand, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
For more than 15 years, Mike has been at the forefront of utility research and planning for EVs and has held leadership positions in multiple industry groups that influence electric transportation and distributed energy technologies. He has 40 years of experience in the electric utility industry in various roles, including emerging technology, transmission and distribution engineering, customer service, rates and regulatory processes, and marketing. Mike is a senior advisor to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and provides consulting services to companies across the EV ecosystem.
Catherine Reed, National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO)
Catherine Reed serves as the senior project director for NASEO’s Electricity Program, which informs and educates the states on issues related to generation, transmission, and distribution. Prior to joining NASEO, she served as the deputy director of the State Energy Office in the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff. She also worked in the private sector on the implementation of a commercial and industrial demand side management program for an investor-owned utility. She has more than 20 years of experience in resource conservation and management, public policy and planning, and stakeholder engagement, including stints in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.
Panel #2: Progress Toward Port Electrification
This panel discussed progress being made toward port electrification in South Carolina. Speakers highlighted recent pilot projects of electric port equipment and charging infrastructure depots, and discussed the impact port electrification can have on South Carolina communities.
Speakers:
Mike Franz, Benore Logistic Systems, Inc.
Mike Franz is the senior business development manager for Benore Logistic Systems, Inc. Benore is an asset-based 3PL providing end-to-end supply chain services, which includes dedicated full truckload transportation and warehouse and distribution services to customers throughout the Southeast region. Mike is focused on creating new partnerships with companies searching for new and innovative solutions to manage their supply chain efficiently, sustainably, and competitively in the marketplace.
Sean Ackley, Einride
Sean Ackley has had a career focused on electrical infrastructure technologies and grid-scale development projects. As the charging and energy business leader for Einride’s North American operations, Sean is responsible for developing and executing strategies surrounding infrastructure partnerships, charging and service solutions, and defining the value charging provides to clients served by Einride’s electrified shipper services. In the last seven years of his career, he has worked to deliver robust and reliable charging solutions (including remote operations capabilities), and fleet scale energy optimization.
Amy Sartain, South Carolina Council on Competitiveness
Amy is the director of the SC Logistics Cluster within the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness. She is focused on supporting, connecting, and growing logistics excellence in SC. In 2024, Amy was recognized on the SC Biz News Logistics Industry Power List, and was honored to be included in the 2023-2024 SC Ports Ambassador Program. Currently, she serves on many collaborative committees such as the SCDOT Rail Advisory Council and the Palmetto Clean Fuels Advisory Board.
Margaret Boelter, Zeem Solutions
Margaret is a policy analyst at Zeem Solutions with a strong background in clean transportation incentives and policy. During almost 3 years at Zeem Solutions, she has managed incentive programs and grants worth millions of dollars and led transformative policy advocacy efforts. Her responsibilities at Zeem include policy work, government relations, grant management, and research.
Evan Renshaw, Conservation Voters of South Carolina
Evan serves as the partnerships and engagement manager for Conservation Voters of South Carolina and facilitates the South Carolina Electric Transportation Network. In this role, he communicates current electrification projects, programs, and news with members, connects organizations, and fosters collaborative efforts to advance electric transportation in South Carolina. Previously, he worked with the SC Energy Office and Palmetto Clean Fuels Coalition to promote sustainable transportation solutions statewide and as a project coordinator for USC’s Office of Sustainability.