Smart Energy Research

Brenda is a Director at SEPA and has focused much of her time investigating the proliferation and integration of resources along the grid. She covers a range of topics including integrated distribution planning, non-wires alternatives, and demand flexibility. Prior to joining SEPA, Brenda worked as a consultant on Utility of the Future and grid modernization efforts.

She holds a master’s degree in sustainable development from the University of St. Andrews, and a bachelor’s degree in economics and environmental studies from Emory University.

Phone: 202.753.8955     Email: [email protected]

Daisy Chung Senior Manager, Technical Programs Daisy joined SEPA in 2014 and has held various roles across research, industry & strategy, operations, and engagement teams. With a research background in utility renewable energy deployment at the distribution level, she leads technical engagements to steer the industry’s energy transformation, producing industry-driven outputs. Her team specializes in fostering collaboration through SEPA’s platforms, cultivating technical and learning communities supported by practitioners.

Throughout her tenure, Daisy finds the greatest satisfaction in facilitating joint efforts among stakeholders, especially connecting electric service providers and integrators, to help advance grid evolution initiatives.

Before joining SEPA, Daisy focused on process engineering and implementation in the semiconductor industry, overseeing system start-ups, qualification, standardization, and failure and root-cause analysis. Leveraging her experience in technical knowledge transfer, she utilized Six Sigma data analytics and system monitoring strategies to enhance efficiency and drive innovation.

Daisy holds a Master of Science in International Public Affairs focusing on Energy Analysis and Policy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas, with dual minors in Business Foundation and Chinese Language.

Phone: 202.559.2027     Email: [email protected]

Erika H. Myers joined SEPA in 2015 and leads SEPA’s transportation electrification research. She has 16 years of experience in the clean energy sector and specializes in the nexus between the grid, electric vehicles, and renewable energy.

Erika currently serves on an electric vehicle (EV) steering committee for the U.S. Department of Energy and is an EV advisor for the National Energy Foundation, a non-profit organization developing curriculum to increase EV literacy in K-12 schools. She was awarded the 2019 Public Utility Fortnightly “Fortnightly Under 40” award for her work on vehicle-grid integration.

Prior to joining SEPA, Erika worked as a consultant with ICF International where she helped electric utilities and local governments develop EV readiness plans. She also served as the Renewable Energy Manager for the South Carolina Energy Office and was a Clean Cities Coordinator for the Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition. In these roles, she oversaw the development and execution of key state renewable energy and clean transportation policies, regulations, and grant programs.

Erika has a bachelor’s degree from Clemson University and a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina with a specialization in clean energy and climate science.

In her spare time, Erika volunteers for her city’s Energy Transition Subcommittee where she identified donations for the city’s first bank of public EV chargers. She also volunteers as a regular guest speaker for the Clean Energy Leadership Institute and mentors young professionals interested in a clean transportation career.

Phone: 202.379.1615     Email: [email protected]

Nick Esch joined SEPA as a Research Associate in August 2015 after interning with the research team since January 2015. Nick is the lead on SEPA’s annual utility data collection effort, leads SEPA’s Energy Storage Working Group and is SEPA’s subject matter expert on all things energy storage.

Nick was a Fall 2016 Fellow in the Clean Energy Leadership Institute (CELI) in Washington D.C., a leadership development organization dedicated to building a diverse community of professionals to advance innovative clean energy solutions.

Nick holds a bachelor’s degree in climate science from the University at Albany and master’s degree in solar energy engineering and commercialization from Arizona State University.

Phone: 202.559.1535     Email: [email protected]

Mac joined SEPA in December 2018 after having interned and worked as a research assistant on SEPA’s Utility Market Snapshots. In 2020, he supported the ideation, surveying, and analysis of results from SEPA’s Utility Transformation Challenge in which we surveyed utilities on their progress towards clean and modern. He subsequently co-authored our Utility Transformation Challenge Profile based on those results. In addition to his work on SEPA’s Utility Market Snapshots and Utility Transformation Challenge, Mac is the co-lead of SEPA’s Microgrids Working group, which convenes members for monthly calls to discuss topics related to microgrid deployments and develop deliverables aimed at overcoming barriers to deployments.

Mac holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics with a minor in sustainability from the University of Maryland, College Park. In his free time, he enjoys cooking up a storm and playing ultimate frisbee.

Phone: 202.559.2030     Email: [email protected]