Nexus Engineering Group

Sustainability in Engineering

Authors

Andrew Ali

Andrew Ali

John Manzuk

John Manzuk

School

Case Western Reserve University - Weatherhead School of Management

Case Western Reserve University - Weatherhead School of Management

Professor

Gabriela Cuconato

Gabriela Cuconato

Global Goals

7. Affordable and Clean Energy 9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities

Keep this story going! Share below!

Summary

Nexus Engineering Group is a full-service, independent engineering firm focused on supporting clients' specific project goals, from concept to startup. Nexus works with clients across multiple sectors including oil & gas, manufacturing, industrial, and power & energy. It has recently been aiding numerous power generation, transmission, and distribution companies in achieving their sustainability and renewable energy goals across four key areas: advising on viability of solutions, optimizing existing energy systems, reducing emissions, and enhancing infrastructure reliability. Their collaboration with clients in the power generation, transmission, distribution and renewable energy sectors includes direct support in project management and seamless integration of renewable power sources. Nexus also tackles optimization of power systems and offers solutions like heat capture and utilization of excess gasses.


Additionally, Nexus is also involved in efforts to develop alternative fuel sources such as hydrogen, aligning with the global shift towards cleaner energy. These initiatives have propelled Nexus's growth and market presence and contributed significantly to societal and environmental well-being by reducing carbon emissions, promoting sustainability, and advancing renewable energy technologies.

Innovation

Nexus Engineering Group has been on the front lines of energy innovation since 2020. Since then, the engineering firm has helped numerous through four major regimes. The first is advising on solution viability and return on investment projections. Second is the assessment and optimization of a company's energy system and use. Third, it supports a company's project to reduce carbon and other harmful substance emissions. Lastly, Nexus is working towards improving company's infrastructure and energy reliability.


Some of the solutions that Nexus provides include collaborating with clients in the renewable, biofuel, and green energy sectors to assess and implement projects that support sustainability goals. One of the areas they focus on is whether a potential solution will be a worthwhile investment based on financial and technical incentives. Due to recent government incentives, the financial feasibility of many of these projects is much more likely. Power systems analysis is another tool Nexus has. The goal of power systems analysis is to ensure that an existing or proposed power system is stable, resilient, efficient, and right sized. It also involves considering the impact of connecting a new system, as well as safety and risk. When working to reduce a company's harmful emissions, Nexus will work with companies to improve processes or replace equipment to reduce the factors that cause pollution. Lastly, Nexus is a large contributor to modification and modernization of electrical infrastructure via their project work throughout the United States. This is done through work with utilities on their power lines and substations, stations designed to regulate and supply power to the surrounding area.


Another notable project that Nexus has been working on is working towards a future that uses green hydrogen as a fuel source. Hydrogen is an extremely energy dense element that when properly harnessed could be the key to replacing fossil fuels in the modern world due to its potential of being a completely emission free fuel source. What Nexus has done to assist in this massive world wide undertaking was improve the technology, through electrical systems analysis, used for storage and transportation of hydrogen as well as providing plans for future growth. The end goal is to create the beginnings of a working infrastructure that one day will help fuel America.

Sustainability in Engineering

Inspiration

As early as 2017, Nexus was looking at the market and where the economy was heading, and the world was seeing the significant commercial impact. At this time, they saw that electrification, the conversion from fossil fuel-oriented power to electric and renewable energy, was becoming the forefront of innovation today. Emily Gambill, director of marketing and strategy at Nexus, explained that there are many factors driving electrification but one of the most visible was the increasing popularity of electric vehicles and the incentive structure that was starting to form, intending to move people away from the internal combustion engine. However, at that early time, the Engineering Group felt they needed more talent to tackle projects associated with electrification.


A notable issue with this electrification movement was that even if the general populace committed to moving away from fossil fuels entirely, the electricity still has to come from somewhere. This feeds into the inspiration behind Nexus's work in power generation, transmission, and distribution. They viewed this issue as having two ways to create a positive impact. The first is finding ways to improve the efficiency of fossil fuel power generation. While this strategy does not solve the environmental issues associated with power generation, it does reduce the environmental exposure to pollutants. The second is creating large-scale green and renewable energy production through solar, wind, biofuels, and even ways to produce clean nuclear energy.


The next issue that Nexus needed to look into for this electrification goal to be realized is the implementation of infrastructure that could support it. Emily Gambill explained that Nexus is working with power producers so they are able to transmit power efficiently and reliably from the plant to the end user.

Overall impact

Integrating new services to support the shift to electrification has been a significant milestone for Nexus, leading the company towards new growth and diversification opportunities. Expanding its services to include capabilities such as high-end Power Systems analysis has solidified Nexus's position as an industry leader. This strategic move has attracted new clients seeking innovative electrical engineering expertise while enabling better engagement with existing clientele. As a result, Nexus has seen a substantial increase in annual revenues, with the Energy Services division accounting for 20% of the business today. The innovation supported Nexus's market presence and reinforced its reputation as a forward-thinking engineering consultancy.


Also, the electrification initiative by Nexus has a profound impact on society. By optimizing electrical systems for enhanced efficiency and reliability, Nexus contributes to the resilience and sustainability of essential infrastructure. Through its collaborations with power generation, distribution, and transmission clients, Nexus plays a pivotal role in ensuring the uninterrupted flow of electric energy to communities nationwide. Additionally, Nexus's commitment to sustainability aligns with larger societal aspirations for a greener and more sustainable future. The firm's efforts in electrification resonate beyond business interests, echoing a collective commitment to addressing environmental challenges and advancing societal well-being.


Nexus's adoption of electrification services represents a tangible step towards mitigating environmental impact and promoting sustainability. The transition towards cleaner energy sources, facilitated by Nexus's expertise, will help contribute to more efficient power production and the advancement of renewable energy technologies. Nexus's efforts aim to create a greener energy environment. Concrete evidence of this impact can be observed through Nexus's partnerships with clients in the renewable energy sector and its various projects with clients in the energy and industrial sectors aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

Business benefit

The electrification initiative has brought substantial benefits to Nexus, propelling the firm to new heights of success and relevance in the industry. By diversifying its service offerings, Nexus has expanded its client base, doubled its revenue over the past five years, and solidified its position as an industry leader. This strategic move has enabled Nexus to stay ahead of market trends, attract top talent, and foster deeper relationships with clients seeking innovative engineering solutions.

Social and environmental benefit

Nexus's electrification initiative extends beyond business interests, bringing significant societal and environmental benefits. Nexus contributes to necessary infrastructure resilience, sustainability, and reliability by optimizing electrical infrastructure and promoting clean energy technologies. The firm's commitment to sustainability aligns with broader societal aspirations for a greener, more sustainable future. At the same time, its efforts to make power generation, transmission, and distribution cleaner and more efficient help advance environmental conservation efforts. Through its electrification initiatives, Nexus is shaping the future of engineering and driving positive change for society and the environment.

Interview

Emily Gambill, Director of Marketing and Strategy

Business information

Nexus Engineering Group

Nexus Engineering Group

Cleveland, OH, US
Business Website: https://nexusegroup.com
Year Founded: 2005
Number of Employees: 201 to 500

Nexus Engineering Group guides industrial projects from start to finish, helping clients develop business cases, plan designs, and manage construction. Their expertise covers safety, energy, and plant systems. They also handle procurement, ensuring projects stay on track with the suitable materials and services.