Innovation

Clearway Energy Group is pioneering sustainable energy generation through the development of extensive wind, solar, and battery storage initiatives around the United States. The company seeks to enhance the accessibility and reliability of clean energy, directly contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goal #7: Affordable and Clean Energy. Their strategy helps to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and creates new opportunities for enterprises to transition to green energy. Clearway enables enterprises to mitigate their emissions by acquiring Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), which correspond to each megawatt of renewable energy produced. This distinctive system enables Clearway to generate cash while assisting other enterprises in minimizing their environmental footprint.

Clearway's innovation is beyond mere sustainable energy production, they actively engage local communities to guarantee that their projects yield benefits for all stakeholders. Clearway fosters robust, trustworthy connections with locals near their facilities by conducting town meetings and addressing concerns over construction impacts. This proactive community interaction has become integral to their operations. It has helped to reduce disturbances and ensure their facilities are perceived as beneficial contributions to local neighborhoods. Furthermore, Clearway endorses educational activities within local areas, exemplified by a recent $50,000 contribution to a high school. This endorsement corresponds with SDG #4: Quality Education.

Additionally, Clearway is tackling the technical problems associated with renewable energy storage. Their extensive battery initiatives seek to store energy for periods when solar or wind resources are unavailable. This initiative has enhanced the reliability of renewable energy. Clearway is advancing storage technologies to provide a sustainable, clean energy infrastructure capable of scaling to accommodate increasing energy demands. In doing so, they are fostering a more robust future for the earth.

Inspiration

Jennifer Hein’s inspiration for her work at Clearway Energy Group stems from a deep commitment to fighting climate change and making a lasting positive impact. When asked about what attracted her to this field, Jennifer shared, “The drive to combat climate change is a powerful motivator. I feel that what we do at Clearway isn’t just about business; it’s about contributing to a cleaner future.” This mission-driven approach extends across the Clearway team, where employees come together not just for a job but to work with purpose. Jennifer highlighted that “everyone here is dedicated to the same goal – reducing our carbon footprint and making a real difference.”

Her passion for renewable energy goes beyond the company’s goals; Jennifer appreciates the opportunity to see the impact firsthand. She noted, “It’s incredible to visit a wind farm or a solar facility and witness the work in action. It’s a reminder of why we do what we do.”

Jennifer’s role also allows her to foster relationships with communities, ensuring Clearway’s projects have a positive effect beyond clean energy. Her belief in community-building resonates through Clearway’s local initiatives, such as town meetings and community investments. “We want to leave a lasting impact,” she said, emphasizing the company’s commitment to creating strong ties with the areas they serve. This blend of environmental and community dedication is what drives Jennifer and her work, inspiring her to contribute actively to a sustainable future.

Overall impact

Clearway Energy’s commitment to renewable innovation centers on their significant investment in battery technology. This investment addresses both short-term energy demands and long-term climate goals. By enhancing battery storage capacity, Clearway enables renewable energy from wind and solar to be stored efficiently. This ensures that clean power is accessible even when natural energy sources are unavailable. In the short term, this technology helps stabilize energy supply which leads to renewable energy becoming a more reliable option for communities and businesses alike.

Business benefit

Clearway Energy Group is committed to promoting renewable energy alternatives throughout the United States through their wind, solar, and battery storage initiatives. Clearway's emphasis on renewable energy development has diminished the nation's dependence on fossil fuels and created new investment prospects for corporations aiming to endorse sustainable energy initiatives. Jennifer Hein, Chief Legal Officer, stated, “Clearway offers renewable energy credits that companies acquire to mitigate their emissions, enabling participation in the green energy transition without the risk of double-counting credits.” This concept has generated a lucrative revenue stream and attracted collaborations with prominent companies aiming to minimize their carbon footprint.

In addition to financial success, Clearway's dedication to community involvement and employee welfare has enhanced the company's reputation and retention rates. Clearway invests in the areas in which it operates, recently contributing $50,000 to enhance a local high school’s field and scoreboard. This level of community involvement, has cultivated strong relationships with their neighbors. Their community-focused strategy has fostered trust and enhanced acceptance of substantial energy initiatives, a crucial element in Clearway's capacity to penetrate new markets.

Clearway has endeavored to cultivate an inclusive, mission-oriented culture that enhances employee retention and well-being. Through a robust commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), they have fostered an environment in which employees feel aligned with the company's sustainability objectives. Jennifer stated, “We aim to recruit individuals who are not merely seeking employment but are fervent about effecting change.” This congruence with the company's ideals has facilitated Clearway's expansion and sustained success in the renewable energy sector.

Social and environmental benefit

Clearway Energy, a company operating throughout the United States, is a leader in renewable energy innovation. They are actively developing, owning, and operating facilities for wind, solar, and battery storage across the US. The primary focus of Clearway’s mission aligns with Sustainable Development Goal #7, Clean and Affordable Energy, striving to mitigate climate change by providing clean energy solutions. As a mission-driven organization, Clearway is composed of employees who are deeply committed to a cleaner, more sustainable world and are motivated by this shared purpose rather than simply working a standard 9 to 5 job. Clearway understands that we are in a transition period that gas and non-renewables must power us through; however, they aim to make the transition to renewable resources as smooth and effortless as possible for individual customers and businesses. 

Their hands-on approach allows employees, including Chief Legal Officer Jennifer Hein, opportunities to visit renewable facilities, from wind farms to solar arrays, fostering a genuine connection to their work. The company innovates by allowing individuals and businesses to buy green energy credits and through their focus on the importance of batteries as we move into a new era of renewable energy. To further promote sustainable development, Clearway has implemented community engagement efforts, ensuring local voices are heard and respected in the renewable projects they establish. Building a renewable energy company has meant challenging gas giants and traditional ways of doing things, but Clearway is focused on paving the way and pushing the status quo. 

Interview

Jennifer Hein, Chief Legal Officer