Sponsor: Coastal Los Angeles Section Chapter, SYS45
Speaker: Arash Saidi

Meeting Date: 09 Oct 2024
Time: 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Cost:
Location: Long Beach, California
Reservations: IEEE
Summary:
Los Angeles has decided to accelerate the Senate Bill 100 mandate, aiming for 100% clean energy for all electric utilities by 2045, a decade ahead of the original goal to 2035. To facilitate this transition, two key studies were conducted: the LA100 and the LA100 Equity Strategies study. These studies identified 12 pathways for achieving 100% clean energy while prioritizing equitable investments, affordability, access to energy technologies, and community resilience. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is prepared to invest over $80 billion over the next decade to meet these goals, fostering job creation and workforce development in collaboration with community-based organizations (CBOs). This innovative approach serves as a model for utilities nationwide, guiding their long-term resource plans. LADWP is also exploring various funding opportunities to ensure these initiatives benefit underserved communities that have historically faced underinvestment. The action plan under development in partnership with CBOs will outline the necessary strategies and decisions to promote equity throughout the service .

Bio: Arash Saidi obtained his B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from CSULB and USC, respectively, and an MBA from USC’s Marshall School of Business. He also holds a Professional Engineering license in the State of California. As a Power Engineering Manager of Distributed Resources Development & Programs, he oversees the development of customer-centric business solutions to integrate the clean and reliable energy into the grid along with deploying distributed energy resources across City’s facilities that align with LADWP’s goal to decarbonize the entire grid by 2035. During his 15+ year tenure at LADWP, Arash has held various engineering and system planning roles related to bulk renewable energy development and underground transmission design.