Edison Plugged In: Meet Avery Hammond, Renewables Advisory Analyst

In the next installment of our Edison Plugged In Series, which shines a spotlight on the people, projects, and perspectives of the Edison Energy team, we are featuring Avery Hammond. Avery joined Edison Energy as a Renewables Supply Intern in 2020 and became a full-time Renewables Advisory Analyst in 2021. Learn more about Avery’s path to Edison Energy and role with the company in her interview below!

Tell us your background, a little bit about yourself, and how you ended up at Edison Energy.

My love for environmental science has flourished ever since I got my first library card at the age of six, and subsequently checked out every book I could get my hands on. After discovering an affinity for economics as an undergraduate, renewable energy emerged as the natural career choice at the intersection of my two passions. My first experience at Edison was as a Renewables Supply Intern in the summer of 2020 between my junior and senior years of college. The wonderful team, creative problem-solving, and impact of our work quickly made it clear that Edison was the right place for me. After staying on in the fall of 2020 to continue my renewable energy policy work, I happily joined the Renewables Supply team as a full-time analyst this summer. I have the privilege of starting every day feeling excited about my work, and for that I am extraordinarily grateful.

What is your role at Edison Energy?

My role as a Renewables Supply Analyst is to carry out every phase of the renewable energy procurement process to ensure that the needs of our clients are met effectively and efficiently.

Is there a project you feel most proud of in your career, and if so, what made this project successful from your perspective?

I feel particularly proud of the Distributed Energy Resources renewable policy and incentive database I created for internal use during my summer and fall internships with Edison. In a sector that is subject to ever-changing policies, it was immensely satisfying to build something that could save both time and effort for the Edison team while providing the information necessary to maintain the high-quality standard of our work.

What advice would you give to a peer who is looking to pursue a similar career path?

Excitement about your work is just as important as excitement about who you work with. In an industry as evolving and complex as renewable energy, you need the right team around you when you take on the hard projects. You need to feel comfortable asking questions, challenging yourself, and being wrong. A talented and diverse team will help you grow in unimaginable ways, and your work will be better for it.

What is the most recent song you had on repeat?

Dreams by the Cranberries.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what 3 things would you take with you and why?

The first thing that comes to mind is an emergency kit because I was a lifeguard for five years and know how essential it can be. I would also bring some kind of ball because they’re very versatile and would allow me to keep my mind sharp by making up new games and staying creative. The last thing I would bring would probably be a friend, just because I think it would be much more fun with company.

Share an interesting fact about yourself.

I’m a big fan of women’s soccer, but I’ve never played the sport myself. Instead, I was a collegiate sprinter and discus thrower, which is about as far from soccer as one can get.

Click here to learn more about the Edison Energy team and stay tuned for the next feature in our Edison Plugged In Series!