Jim Walker, P.E.
Founder & Principal, Cleantech Adoption LLC
I founded Cleantech Adoption LLC to help client companies — investment bankers, entrepreneurs, and corporate energy managers — transition to clean electricity.
Before founding Cleantech Adoption, I was involved in the development of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for various clients, including municipalities, hospitals, corporations, utilities, and state agencies. These systems have been constructed in diverse locations, including municipal landfills, parking lots and garages, airport terminals, school roofs, and large agricultural fields, for utility-scale projects. Prior to construction, I negotiated with municipalities to secure 20-year electricity sales agreements through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Additionally, I drafted proposals and presented projects to municipal approval agencies, including finance committees, school committees, and town meetings. To ensure seamless power delivery to utilities, I met with grid operators and utilities to address interconnection concerns. Furthermore, I actively participated in meetings with mayors, legislators, and governors to advocate for the benefits of clean energy and contribute to the enactment of regulations and laws that support the solar PV industry.
Before developing solar PV projects, I was an energy industry research analyst for Forrester Research, Global Insight, and Cambridge Energy Research Associates. I wrote strategy and scenario planning reports, as well as executive briefs.
For Sun Microsystems' electric utility sales team, I presented technology solutions to CIOs and CEOs of electric utilities, helping Sun’s account executives sell solutions rather than commodity computer servers.
Earlier in my career, I created an energy supply business for XENERGY to reduce natural gas costs for glass, steel, and chemical manufacturers. The effort helped industrial plants in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts remain competitive, saving rural towns from plant closures.
Before creating the Energy Supply Management Business, I conducted energy audits of manufacturing and commercial buildings to identify cost-effective, energy-efficient capital projects.
My first job as a young engineer was to develop a new residential heat pump for Carrier Air Conditioning Corp, earning a patent on the new design.
As a volunteer, I co-founded the MIT Ignite Clean Energy Business Plan Competition with the MIT Enterprise Forum. He served on the Board of Directors of the MIT Enterprise Forum for six years.
Education/Awards/Certifications
MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School (MBA)
BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Licensed registered Professional Engineer in Massachusetts
MIT 2006 Presidential Citation for MIT Enterprise Forum Energy Special Interest Group
MIT All-Star Volunteer Recognition Award
Patent on Heat Exchanger and Fan and Method of Assembly for a new heat pump product, Carrier Air Conditioning Company
At UMass: Tau Beta Pi (an Engineering Honor Society), the Engineering Services to Industry and Community (ESIC) program, and a Physics Commonwealth Scholar.
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