Editor's note: Partner Profiles is a recurring feature of our blog. Over time, NH SBDC will publish Q&As with our partners across New Hampshire. Today, we are talking with Michael Berhmann, Director of Business Development, Clean Energy NH.
Hi Michael, tell us about Clean Energy NH. What is its mission – its reason for being?
Clean Energy NH is the Granite State’s leading clean energy and clean tech advocate and educator. Our mission is to promote clean energy and technologies through education and advocacy for a stronger economic future.
- We build relationships among people and organizations using a fact-based approach that offers objective, balanced, and practical insights for transforming the Granite State’s clean energy economy and sustaining its citizens’ way of life.
- We work with policymakers, businesses, local energy committees, municipal staff, and individuals to promote, educate, and advocate for favorable clean energy and energy efficiency policies and practices.
- We educate audiences on all matters pertaining to generating, storing, and efficiently using clean energy and to accelerate technology and opportunities that provide a more prosperous, eco-friendly future for the state.
How does Clean Energy NH help businesses in New Hampshire?
CENH helps businesses in several ways. We offer businesses throughout the state a way to discover, understand, and act on ways that will improve their businesses’ operations, energy costs, and environmental footprint. We do this through the terrific informational resources we provide the public, along with the network of service providers that make up our business members. These business members are experts in their field and are stand ready to assist the state’s business community to reduce energy use, generate their own power, and understand the ins-and-outs of today’s complex energy market.
CENH also facilitates a robust industry network, actively promotes our members through various online and print channels, and members of the staff serve as policy and technical experts.
Tell us about business membership with CENH.
CENH business membership largely targets those businesses throughout the state and region who provide services or products in the clean energy and clean tech space. These members provide the solutions that our society needs when looking to become more efficient and energy independent. Our business members also represent industries that work closely with the clean tech and clean energy industries including financial institutions, law firms, consultants, etc. We have over 130 business members and are continuing to bring on many more year-over-year. We are also very welcoming to any business member looking to support our work, whether they are involved in the energy industry or want to see a clean energy future for NH.
Is there a particular program or source of information that you would like businesses to know about?
All businesses should be aware of the state’s energy efficiency programs, run by a coalition of the state’s utilities under the banner NHSaves. These programs offer a broad range of financial and technical assistance to help businesses become more energy efficient and save money. Learn about the programs at www.nhsaves.org.
Who should business owners connect with at CENH?
Any one of our staff members are more than happy to speak with an interested business. As the Director for Business Development I am always happy to be the point person for any and all business needs.
As Director of Business Development with Clean Energy NH, tell us a bit about yourself and your role.
I have been with CENH for over five years now and have witnessed the organization grow substantially to become the leading voice for clean energy and clean tech within New Hampshire.
My primary focus revolves around how we can grow the industry in the state through the delivery of more clean energy projects and clean tech products to positively impact our economy, workforce, and energy future. I greatly enjoy working with the vast and professional business partners we have and showcasing their capabilities around NH so we begin to realize the promise of a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. I’m honored to do this work and wake up every day thrilled to be working in this industry.
Mike, what is your past and current experience with the NH SBDC?
My first experience with NH SBDC actually occurred while starting my business roughly eleven years ago. We were in need of understanding how to start a business and desperately needed to talk with an advisor with knowledge and experience on how to do that correctly. I have gained a great deal from my experience with the organization and working with its staff. As a result, I have recently joined the NH SBDC’s Advisory Board. I hope to give even a fraction of what I have learned from these terrific people back by working with the Business Sustainability Program to grow SBDC’s resources on energy for businesses.
How does CENH partner with the NH SBDC?
CENH is thrilled to partner with NH SBDC to help small businesses throughout the state to better understand a vital component of their business – energy. Moreover, we look to bridge a big gap for businesses: the ability to more easily locate professionals that are able and ready to address any and all of their energy needs.
NH Energy Week is coming up March 23-27, 2020. Tell us what businesses should know and how may they participate?
CENH is pleased to once again serve as a co-host of the 4th annual NH Energy Week. This is a series of events held throughout the state, each focusing on a different topic and featuring expert speakers, networking opportunities, and more. If your business wants to learn more about clean energy investments, electric vehicles and charging stations, energy efficiency, and beyond, consider attending an event during NH Energy Week!
The highlight of the week is the annual Energy Breakfast, free to attendees, on Wednesday March 25th. This will feature conversations on new technology and industry coming to the state as well as a discussion on energy and transportation. You also don’t want to miss the annual NH Energy Awards, including awards for Small Business Energy Champion and Large Business Energy Champion! Visit www.nhenergyfuture.org for a full schedule of events and to register.
Thank you for telling us more about Clean Energy NH, Mike. We at NH SBDC look forward to continuing to partner with you to help NH businesses.
For more info on Clean Energy NH, visit https://www.cleanenergynh.org/.