Eric Ritter Email & Phone Number

Manage the Renewable Integration Unit in the CEC's Energy Research and Development Division. Administer the EPIC grant program, which funds demonstration projects for pre-commercial clean energy technologies. Team focuses on technologies and strategies that help integrate more renewables on California's grid. Current research topics include:-Role of DER strategies in supporting charging infrastructure for electric trucks and buses-Repurposing used electric vehicle batteries as stationary storage-Using DER aggregation technologies to reduce BTM solar curtailment and increase hosting capacity-Power electronics devices that help upgrade homes to support zero-emission backup systems-Technologies that minimize unnecessary conversions to AC for integrated DC-based DER systems -Improving accuracy of BTM DER forecasting models used to support real-time grid operations

Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

Performed regulatory oversight of Arkansas electric and gas utilities' energy efficiency and DER programs. Supported the cost allocation and rate design team in reviewing electric utility rate cases.

Sacramento, California Area

Planned and administered the EPIC grant program, which funds applied research and demonstration projects for pre-commercial clean energy technologies. Focused on distributed energy resources (DERs) such as distributed solar PV, energy storage systems, electric vehicles, smart inverters, energy management systems, and others. Also supported natural gas research through the PIER grant program.Research projects included:-Demonstrating an integrated DER system (solar PV, stationary energy storage, building energy management) in a commercial building-Building a software tool to aid stakeholders in building microgrids-Providing technical oversight on a portfolio of microgrid demonstration projects-Developing a roadmap to guide future grant funding opportunities aimed at advancing the commercial-readiness of DER technologies and strategies-Creating a methodology to use chemical and isotopic signatures to track the basin of origin of natural gas imported into California

Sacramento, California Area

Helped California pursue 100% renewable energy goals. Administered the Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) and New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP) programs. Researched and analyzed renewable energy topics. Shaped policy regarding the certification of renewable facilities for the RPS. Topics included:-Tracking renewable energy progress in CA-Strategies for integrating renewable generation-Energy economics and emerging technologies-Customer-sited & community-based distributed energy resources-Renewable adoption among low-income customers and in disadvantaged communities

Vacaville, California

Canvassed neighborhoods to identify homeowners who could save money with rooftop solar. Educated customers about California's net energy metering program. Presented installation and financing proposals to customers, and closed deals.

Cleveland/Akron, Ohio Area

Part of the development team for the Icebreaker offshore wind project - working to secure permits, attract investors, and sell power.Responsibilities:-Managed strategic communications activities-Served as company spokesperson-Coordinated with technical partners-Performed research-Wrote grant applications-Prepared project profiles for prospective investors-Negotiated terms with contractors -Managed employees and interns-Participated in board meetings and recorded the minutesAccomplishments:-Helped secure ~$40 million in grant funding from the U.S. Dept. of Energy and attracted investments from a key commercial partner-Authored reports on various topics including wind/wildlife interactions, stakeholder engagement, public acceptance, energy market analysis, and engineering design-Created the Power Pledge campaign demonstrating residential demand and public support-Earned endorsements from key stakeholder groups

Various

Opened and directed multiple campaign offices throughout the country for political, humanitarian, and environmental causes. Responsibilities:-Recruited, trained, and managed large staffs of canvassers, field managers, lead field managers, and assistant directors. -Trained leadership staff to manage parts of the office and launch campaign offices in other cities. -Planned and conducted week-long college recruitment visits to universities. Accomplishments:-Consistently maintained highest personal fundraising average among all directors and canvassers. -Established the largest and highest-raising San Francisco fundraising office in company history. -Managed the second highest fundraising office in the country in Berkeley during the summer of 2008.

Ba, History, Public Policy

Mechanical Engineering