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Rich Voorberg
President, Siemens Energy North America
Rich Voorberg is the President of Siemens Energy North America, a role he has held for approximately two years. He is based in Orlando, Florida, and is responsible for overseeing the company's operations and strategic initiatives in the North American region. Siemens Energy is a leading global energy technology company that focuses on supporting the transition to sustainable energy systems, including both traditional and renewable energy sources.
In his position, Voorberg emphasizes the importance of decarbonizing and securing North America's energy system. He has been actively involved in discussions surrounding hydrogen energy and its role in the future energy landscape. During recent industry events, such as the Hydrogen Americas Summit, he highlighted the shift from theoretical discussions to practical implementations in hydrogen projects, aiming to drive contracts and initiate projects that contribute to a green economy.13
Voorberg's background includes significant experience in the energy sector, having worked with Siemens Energy for several years. His leadership has been pivotal in promoting innovative solutions, such as additive manufacturing and hydrogen technologies, which are crucial for enhancing the resilience of the energy supply chain in the U.S..24
Overall, Rich Voorberg's leadership at Siemens Energy North America positions him as a key figure in advancing sustainable energy initiatives and fostering collaboration across various stakeholders in the energy industry.
Highlights
Why the grid matters in North America and what are the challenges around it?
People rightly talk about ramping up renewables but put less emphasis on the grid – THE TRUTH is we need both.
There is no transition without transmission, that is a fact. Just in the U.S., more than one million kilometers of grid needs to be upgraded or added. So, we need to get the basics right, such as making the grid able to get the electrons from windfarms to the people – from A to B.
I´m thrilled to share that TransWest Express received last week the Notice to Proceed. This is THE transmission project that will provide close to 20,000 GWh/yr of clean and sustainable electric energy generated in Wyoming to the Desert Southwest region: Arizona, Nevada and southern California. It will be the Western power grid’s largest transmission addition in decades and represents the first major use of HVDC technology in the U.S. to deliver onshore wind power. This project will significantly advance the nation’s net-zero goals.
This is not the first HVDC where we are on board in partnership.
We have built around 68 HVDC projects globally, but one of the challenges is a lag in big transmission projects.
Mostly this is due to permitting, and the delays create this backlog in the industry. If we really want to speed up the build out of the infrastructure and reduce that backlog, we need a much better coordination and approval process. But updating and/or expanding the grid is a three-part challenge: as well as being sustainable, the grid needs to be reliable and affordable.
The Inflation Reduction Act will focus on massive investments in the construction and modernization of transmission networks and energy storage, and TransWest is a sign to that.
Tim Holt´s article includes more dimensions on how the grid need serious updating… if we are serious to fully delivering and let me know your thoughts about it! 👇
https://lnkd.in/gs58wYSn
#regionalgrid #transmission #reliablerenewables
