Employee Profile: Carter Kupchella

RENEW’s newest employee profile blog series features our employees who make us great. This month we interviewed one of our talented Project Engineers, Carter Kupchella.

Q: How long have you worked for RENEW Energy Partners?

A: I started with RENEW in December 2022.

Q: What sort of work do you do for the company?

A: I work as a Project Engineer, so I support all our projects with my technical background.  I wear a lot of hats, from helping analyze the potential of projects in development, to supporting our EPC contractors through construction and operation of equipment.

Q: Where are you from? What is one aspect that you enjoyed about the place that you grew up?

A: I grew up on the south shore of Massachusetts, in Scituate.  I will always love the ocean, and small coastal fishing towns.  I grew up learning to sail, spending summer days at the beach, and eating fried clams and lobster – I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

 Q: What activities/hobbies do you enjoy in your daily life? How do you relax?

A: I love anything that gets me outside. In the winter that’s usually skiing, and in the summer, I’ll go hiking, mountain biking, or out onto the nearest body of water.  I’m also a car nut, and while I don’t have anything to wrench on right now, you can usually catch me researching or browsing eBay for a project.  In 2023 I am relocating from Boston to Utah, and I can’t wait to spend even more time outside doing those things I love.

Q: Have you ever worked in another field? What was it and why?

A: I spent a year after college working in construction management for a nonprofit, building housing in a disaster recovery zone. I wanted to build something physical and make a concrete positive impact on the world.  I would say I did that, as we built more than 50 homes in that year, and I made a lot of personal connections with the people and families we were able to assist.

Q: What is one fun fact about you?

A: I’m getting married in September 2023, but because of our move out west (which we didn’t have planned when we got engaged) it will be a “destination” wedding for us– to Massachusetts!

Q: Why is sustainability/decarbonization important to you? How did you get started in this career/field?

A: I knew from when I was in college that I wanted to make an impact on the energy economy, but it took some exploring before I found the niche where I could be useful.  I worked for a design-build engineering firm for 5 years that specialized in energy reduction and decarbonization projects, and that experience helped me see just how huge the issues we face as a society are.  It also helped me learn how to approach projects within operating institutions and businesses, and how implementation is never as simple as having the most efficient design.

Q: What sustainability practices have you seen that have surprised and/or excited you?

A: I get excited about optimized energy systems and eliminating waste.  In the past, the projects I’ve worked on that excite me the most involve using “waste” heat for a novel application – like using the heat removed from a chiller to reheat ventilation air, or combined heat and power projects.  However, what’s surprised me is that even if you have a really optimized design or idea, it’s typically a financial or administrative factor that can hold up a great project.

Q: Why do you choose to work with RENEW?

A: Being a part of RENEW allows me to be close to major carbon and energy reduction projects and truly measure my impact.  I’m also happy to be around people every day who share that feeling of accomplishment associated with helping to save the environment.

Q: What are you most excited about for the future of the energy industry?

A: I’m excited because I feel that progress really is possible and happening around us.  The financial incentives are finally aligning with the moral necessity of addressing climate change, and the number of people in this space just continues to grow.  It’s an exciting time to be here!

To be continued next month. We are lucky to be growing our team with exemplary individuals. We are lucky to be growing our team with exemplary individuals. Last month’s featured employee profile included Michael Savage. If you are interested in joining RENEW, you can find our current career opportunities here. 

RENEW Energy Partners specializes in funding energy saving retrofits for your commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings. For more information contact us today!