Episode 48: Energy P3's grow up: lessons from the field in 2025

July 22, 2025 by David Karlsgodt in Energy Efficiency, Energy Management, P3s

L-R: David Braslau, Leslie Fangman, Mike Walters

Energy public-private partnerships (P3s) have moved beyond the pilot phase. They’re now a serious, scalable strategy for institutions facing aging infrastructure, decarbonization targets, and budget constraints. But a maturing market also brings complexity — in procurement models, financing tools, and internal alignment. In this episode, we talk with three experienced voices from across the P3 deal table about what’s working, what’s changing, and what institutions need to understand before jumping in.

Guests:
David Braslau
Vice President, Project Structuring and Financing, NORESCO
LinkedIn

Leslie Fangman
Principal, Fangman Associates
LinkedIn

Mike Walters
Principal, Salas O’Brien
LinkedIn

Host:
Dave Karlsgodt
Director of Energy and Sustainability
Brailsford & Dunlavey

Production Team:
Executive producer and host: Dave Karlsgodt
Producer, sound editor: Kristan Crawford
Producers: Karmela Lejarde, Allison Bruns

Episode Transcript:

The following is an AI-generated transcript of this episode and may contain errors or omissions: Transcript

Episode 47: From classroom to stadium: the Michigan sustainability model

May 20, 2025 by David Karlsgodt in Communications, Carbon Emissions, Community, Education, Sustainability Curriculum, Student Engagement, Energy Efficiency, Sports

L-R: The University of Michigan’s Paul Dunlop and Andy Berki. Photos courtesy of the University of Michigan and Second Wave Media.

What does it take to embed sustainability across an entire university—from academic buildings to athletic arenas? In this episode, we sit down with Andy Berki, Director of the Office of Campus Sustainability, and Paul Dunlop, Associate Director of Facility Operations for Michigan Athletics, to explore how the University of Michigan is turning ambitious climate goals into everyday action. From high-impact energy and waste reduction strategies to zero-waste game days at the Big House, Andy and Paul share how Michigan is leading the way in higher education sustainability. Whether you're focused on campus operations, athletics, or institutional strategy, this episode offers real-world insights for creating a culture of sustainability that sticks.

Guests:
Andy Berki
Executive Director of Campus Sustainability
LinkedIn

Paul Dunlop
Associate Athletic Director, Facility Operations
LinkedIn

Host:
Dave Karlsgodt
Director of Energy and Sustainability
Brailsford & Dunlavey

Resources:
Michigan Sports Sustainability
University of Michigan Office of Campus Sustainability

Production Team:
Executive producer and host: Dave Karlsgodt
Producer, sound editor: Kristan Crawford
Producers: Karmela Lejarde, David Almany
Production assistants: Claudia Ahawo, Allison Bruns

Episode Transcript:

The following is an AI-generated transcript of this episode and may contain errors or omissions: Transcript

Episode 39: The Cutting Edge with Peter Kelly-Detwiler

June 10, 2021 by David Karlsgodt in Energy Efficiency, Carbon Emissions, Energy Management, Energy Storage, Community, Investing, Wicked Problems, Utilities, Systems Thinking, Water, Justice, Electrification, Design, Solar, Gas, Thermal Energy, Hydrogen

Guest:
Peter Kelly-Detwiler
Cofounder, NorthBridge Energy Partners, LLC

Host: Dave Karlsgodt
Director of Management Advisory Services, Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc.

In this episode we will talk with journalist, author, and energy consultant Peter Kelly-Detwiler. Our topic: Cutting Edge Campus Climate Tech.

Our mission: help campus decision makers and stakeholders understand "cutting edge" campus decarbonization / reliability / resilience technologies. How can they take advantage of new and emerging technologies while avoid wasting time on ideas that are either empty hype or operationally irrelevant for their campus context?

Resources:

NorthBridge Energy Partners website: https://www.northbridgeep.com
The Energy Switch: How Companies and Customers Are Transforming the Electrical Grid and the Future of Power at Buttonwood Books and Toys: https://www.buttonwoodbooksandtoys.com/book/9781633886667

Production Team:

Episode Transcript:

The following is an automated transcription of this episode which will include errors and omissions. You can listen and follow along with the text here: Otter Transcript You can find a text-only version of the transcript here: Episode 39 Otter Transcript

You can find a text-only version of the transcript here: Episode 39 Transcript

Episode 38: The Political Economy of Higher Ed with Dr. Katrina Kelly-Pitou

February 27, 2021 by David Karlsgodt in Energy Efficiency, Carbon Emissions, Student Engagement, Energy Management, Energy Storage, Community, Investing, Renewable Energy, Wicked Problems, Utilities, Systems Thinking, Water, Justice, Electrification, Education, Design

Guest:
Dr. Katrina Kelly-Pitou
Energy Systems Strategist -
SMITHGROUP

Host: Dave Karlsgodt
Director of Management Advisory Services, Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc.

In this episode, we talk with with Dr. Katrina Kelly-Pitou, Energy Systems Strategist at SmithGroup. The discussion focuses on what higher education can expect from federal, state and local governments in the near term, but also a broader discussion about the politics and business model of higher ed. itself. She both challenges conventional ideas and paints a compelling vision for a sustainable future for higher education and the communities in which they operate.

Resources:

SmithGroup website: https://www.smithgroup.com/

Production Team:

Episode Transcript:

The following is an automated transcription of this episode which will include errors and omissions. You can listen and follow along with the text here: Otter Transcript

You can find a text-only version of the transcript here: Episode 38 Transcript

Episode 37: Designing for the 90% with Kenny Seeton (CSU Dominguez Hills)

January 09, 2021 by David Karlsgodt in Energy Efficiency, Carbon Emissions, Student Engagement, Energy Management, Energy Storage, Solar

Guest:
Kenny Seeton
Central Plant Manager/Energy Manager at California State University, Dominguez Hills

Host: Dave Karlsgodt
Director of Management Advisory Services, Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc.

In this episode, we talk with Kenny Seeton, central plant and energy manager at California State University Dominguez Hills. The wide-ranging conversation spans everything from LED retrofits to solar powered golf carts. Kenny talks about how to safely take risks and how to connect systems seeking continuous improvement. He offers up sound advice for energy managers on metering, sensors, occupancy controls, valves, dampers, trend analysis and even phase change materials. This engaging episode is perfect for anyone looking for creative energy solutions for their campus, whether this is your first introduction to energy management or, like Dave and Kenny, you geek out over topics energy efficiency, storage, and more.

Resources:

Connect with Kenny Seeton on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kenny-seeton-424bba3b
CSUDH Receives $1.18 Million for Successful Reduction of Greenhouse Gases — CSUDH News: https://news.csudh.edu/edison-ceop-grant/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=edison-ceop-grant
A Disclaimer from Kenny Seeton: “There are many products out there to accomplish the same results as I did. I am not endorsing any of said products or vendors but only saying that I have had good results with them. I believe more of us need to share good results so that others know that technology exists that can make all of our lives better. Do your due diligence and choose the product or vendor that works best for you and your unique situation.”
Other related links:

Production Team:

Episode Transcript:

The following is an automated transcription of this episode which will include errors and omissions. You can listen and follow along with the text here: Otter Transcript

You can find a text-only version of the transcript here: Episode 37 Transcript