Nathan Sermonis Email & Phone Number

Cape Town, WC, ZA

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

• With over a decade of international energy experience, including off-grid power engineering and development initiatives, Nathan provides mini-grid expertise toward SustainSolar's innovative finance and partnership.

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

- Leads company strategy on development, partnerships, finance, and research.- Manages innovative energy projects awarded competitive grant and accelerator support from the Clinton Global Initiative, Bertha Centre for Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship, SAB Foundation, and Innovate UK Energy Catalyst.

Worldwide

• Lead nonprofit organization exploring renewable energy solutions through field expeditions, original reporting, digital media, technical research, design trials, and advisory services.
• Co-founded affiliate for-profit social enterprise Vittoria Technology, turning research into action.
• Advise small off-grid PV design projects (marine and residential), business concepts, and policy initiatives. Beneficiaries have included SustainSolar (South Africa), the U.S. Congressional Research Service, Solar and.
• Designed and built all-solar-electric marine propulsion system for 31' offshore sailboat demo project achieving self-sustaining, all-weather passages. Led successful sea trials over 2,000 miles from Washington, DC to.
• Spearheaded multi-year project examining sustainable energy in Cuba, coordinating legal travel clearances, field visits to renewable power facilities, and interviews with key experts.
• Mounted post-hurricane expedition across Puerto Rico researching storm impacts on utility wind/PV facilities, benefits of PV microgrids during recovery, and disaster resilience implications of distributed renewable.

Cape Town Area, South Africa

• Conduct technical research at UCT engineering school for postgraduate study on adaptable PV minigrids, assessing flexible design for growth and technology upgrades. Study examines system design and business models of.
• Supported South African minigrid manufacturer as part-time management consultant. Assisted leadership with novel business development project, winning competitive application for investment incubator advancing.
• Analyze commercial and academic literature to identify key PV minigrid design considerations for expandable generation, storage, and distribution systems.
• Track and study PV minigrid developments in sub-Saharan Africa through news articles, sector reports, interviews, and site visits. Engage developers, technical experts, investors, NGOs, academics, consultants, and.
• Provide market intelligence, logistical support, and minigrid data to UCT energy research units. Included field work in the Democratic Republic of Congo supporting report on rural energy access, "Electrifying DR Congo.
• Awarded faculty bursary supporting dissertation and research toward AXA-funded program on Social Acceptance of Energy Transitions in Remote Communities.

Washington, DC

• Directed all fundraising, employees, budgets, and expansion for nonprofit organization advancing bipartisanship in U.S. foreign policy and national security. Individually raised over US$4.5 million.
• Designed and guided bipartisan programs educating U.S. policymakers through original research, off-the-record events, negotiation training, collaborative working groups, and professional networks. Projects covered.
• Built and managed relationships with 26 corporate and institutional funders over eight years, including the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Hewlett Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, American University.
• Tripled average annual budget and staff size, winning new foundation grants and introducing corporate sponsorship program to establish unrestricted funding reserve.
• Tracked and evaluated relevant policy developments, identifying program opportunities and providing analysis to funders, board members, and organizational partners.
• Pioneered ten new Congressional staff initiatives, including joint foreign embassy travel programs, critical threats working group series, legislative negotiation course with Harvard University, and first-ever nuclear.

Washington, DC

• Deputy Executive Director | February 2013 - February 2016
• Program Director | January 2012 - February 2013
• Program Associate | March 2011 - January 2012

Washington, DC

• Advised member of Congress on energy, environment, agriculture, science, technology, education, labor, and small business policy. Provided political analysis, subject matter research, and voting recommendations.
• Built and managed relationships with commercial, government, and civil society stakeholders. Focused particularly on natural gas, wind power, hydrogen fuel cells, nuclear energy, and biofuels.
• Created and led all office legislation that passed in the House of Representatives, including new initiatives supporting hydrogen fuel cell research and rural job development programs.
• Authored white papers, op-eds, press releases, speeches, official letters, constituent correspondence, legislative proposals, instructional staff guides, and briefing memos.

Corning, NY

• Staffed successful Congressional campaign winning competitive election for U.S. House of Representatives.
• Provided research memos and campaign briefings on energy, environment, and agriculture policy proposals.

Williams, AZ

• Wrote news articles on Forest Service programs across Northern Arizona. Published in local media outlets.
• Organized and spoke at public seminars, charitable events, and department meetings.
• Awarded competitive Student Conservation Association scholarship funding paid internship.

Wolfenbuettel, Germany

• Assisted multinational research team studying organic decomposition of industrial pollutants.
• Awarded competitive university scholarship funding paid internship.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Natural Resources

Mphil(Eng), Energy Studies (Expected 2022)