Speakers

Quinn Nakayama is the senior director of Grid Research Innovation and Development (GRiD) organization at Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).  GRiD’s role is to provide insight into the future of the grid, perform research and development on key areas impacting the company’s energy system strategy, pilot new grid architectures and technologies, identify pathways of pilots to full programs, and drive and collaborate on energy policies to ensure a safe, clean, reliable, and affordable energy future in meeting the needs of energy resilience and climate change.  This includes areas of focus such as Distributed Energy Resources, microgrids, electric vehicles, sensing, new forms of generation and storage, load management, infrastructure maintenance and construction innovations, and energy system planning.  Prior to his current role, Quinn held various roles at the company, including directing Electric Distribution Planning, running the Central Distribution Control Center, executing as the Chief of Staff for the VP of Electric Distribution, and assisting in the startup of the company’s Emergency Preparedness and Response program and department.  He also held leadership positions in management consulting with the Big 4, and graduated with a Business Administrations degree from UC Berkeley (Go Bears!).  But most importantly, he has a wife and 2 kids, which are the center of his world.