The year 2023 has been a remarkable one for clean energy development, and the Department of Energy's Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) has played a pivotal role in driving innovation and deployment. Through strategic cooperative agreements and support for a diverse range of projects, OCED has made significant strides towards achieving the nation's ambitious clean energy goals. OCED has been receiving and evaluating applications for projects across a variety of program areas (e.g., Hydrogen Hubs, Direct Air Capture, Long Duration Energy Storage [LDES], etc.) throughout 2023. Over the course of 2023, OCED has announced the selection of a number of exciting projects. In addition to the selections made in 2023, OCED has also further funded critical Advanced Reactor Demonstration Projects...
As the world pivots towards green energy, the nuclear industry stands on the cusp of a renaissance, poised to play a pivotal role in the sustainable energy transition. Central to this shift may be Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), innovative technologies that have the potential to revitalize nuclear energy's prospects, and are an area of interest to the Department of Energy (DOE)’s Office of Nuclear Energy. This revolution could not only redefine our energy infrastructure but also underscores the need for a new cadre of nuclear safety professionals, trained to navigate the complexities of a changing energy landscape...
The nuclear landscape is perpetually evolving. Technological advancements, shifting global policies, and the quest for sustainable energy sources compel the nuclear industry to pivot, adjust, and transform. While change is inevitable and can usher in new opportunities, it often brings challenges – especially when organizations are ill-equipped to manage the transitions. Change Management is a systematic approach to handling organizational and individual changes. One proven method that stands out in the arsenal of change management techniques is the ADKAR® model. An acronym for Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcement, ADKAR® is not just a tool but a guiding philosophy...
The Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), a division of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), plays an important part in the United States’ goal of and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Established with the primary objective of scaling emerging technologies, OCED is backed by over $25 billion in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. This budgetary support allows OCED to execute clean energy demonstration projects at a large scale, working in tandem with private-sector partners. Their collective aim is to accelerate the deployment of innovative solutions, foster market adoption, and pave the way for a just transition to a decarbonized energy ecosystem...
The transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future - championed by organizations such as the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Electricity - places renewable energy at its center. While the use of renewables like wind, solar, and other green energy technologies are surging, the United States is seeking to overcome a significant hurdle: seamlessly integrating renewable energy into the central grid. There are many challenges along the path to renewable energy integration, but there are also abundant opportunities.
In the ever-evolving landscape of business and organizational management, talent management has emerged as a pivotal aspect of ensuring federal agencies are able to deliver on their missions. With the rapid pace of technological changes and shifting demographics, understanding and adopting industry best practices in talent management is crucial for any organization...
In the face of an escalating global climate crisis, decarbonization of power generation and industrial processes is essential in the pursuit of a more sustainable future. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a key contributor to global warming, is paramount. Among the carbon dioxide reduction (CDR) technologies available today is Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), which many studies state will play a critical role in meeting climate objectives...
As contractors embark on government projects, understanding and complying with environmental regulations are critical factors in ensuring success. These regulations are designed to protect the environment and public health, but they can also pose challenges for organizations if not properly addressed. Management Solutions understands the importance of environmental compliance in government and commercial projects. We provide insights on navigating the regulatory landscape and offer strategies to mitigate risks associated with non-compliance.
In today's rapidly evolving productivity landscape, embracing the right mindset can make all the difference in an organization’s ability to innovate, adapt, and thrive. Management consulting firms often emphasize the importance of fostering a growth mindset, which has been widely recognized as a key factor for success in both personal and professional settings. However, recent research suggests that a gymnastic mindset, focusing on flexibility and adaptability, may offer additional advantages for organizations navigating an increasingly complex and unpredictable world. While these two mindsets may appear quite similar at first glance, understanding the differences between these two mindsets can help organizations leverage their potential to stay ahead of the curve.
In the world of management consulting, project management teams are the backbone of every successful project. Ensuring that these teams work effectively and efficiently is a top priority for any organization. David Halpern's book, Inside the Nudge Unit: How Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference, sheds light on how insights from behavioral economics can be applied to create better functioning teams and improve project management outcomes...
Emerging technologies are changing construction management services. They aim to improve project delivery, data analysis, and communication among stakeholders. Using the latest tools for data management helps organizations make more informed decisions, optimize processes, and minimize risk.
The latest Pulse of the Profession® report from the Project Management Institute (PMI) examines the link between 'power skills' -- interpersonal skills related to leadership and teamwork -- and project success. The results make a strong case for organizations to prioritize these skills: 92% of respondents agree that "power skills help them work smarter."
Wow, it is hard to believe it is December already. What a year! As we approach the year end, I aways try to pause from the busyness of the season to reflect a bit; both on the year behind me as well as the year ahead. One reflective practice I’ve come to appreciate is the Jesuit contemplative practice called the examen. The examen asks the practitioner to...
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope at this time of year you can spend some time with family and friends and spend a few minutes remembering all you are thankful for. At Management Solutions, we have a lot of things to be thankful for. As you may know, we just celebrated our 20-year anniversary. Throughout this past year, we have thanked so many folks that have enabled us to reach this milestone and we are so appreciative to everyone that has helped us along the way. In addition to looking back, ..
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If you didn’t already know, Management Solutions is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. Knoxville is also the home of the University of Tennessee and in the Fall, that means the home of some fantastic SEC (Southeastern Conference) football match-ups...
It is hard to believe we are quickly approaching fall and the end of the government fiscal year. For most companies that means it is time to access performance year to date but more importantly, initiate the annual strategic planning process....
'Bracing for the Worst, Hoping for the Best' -- This was the headline for the New York Times as students across the country made their way back into our schools over the past week or two. This too, may be the sentiment of businesses as we look at the landscape in the US...
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