Charles Loos, P.E.

Charles Loos has over 30 years of experience in the power industry, including extensive work in the field and overseas.  He has deep skills in engineering, operations management, project development, environmental permitting and due diligence.  He has held senior-level engineering management positions at power development companies where he was responsible for the EPC contracting process, startup, and operations. 

Whether an arctic wind farm, a microgrid or an ocean-based project, Charles excels at judging the suitability of a proposed site, with due consideration for technical, operational and environmental factors. 

Charles also has broad experience performing due diligence reviews of renewable projects on behalf of investment bankers and portfolio managers.

Charles’ operations experience includes both startup and ongoing plant operations.  He has served as Plant Engineer, Startup Manager and Operations Manager.

In addition to a balanced background of both operations and development, Charles has a full range of environmental permitting experience.  He has prepared numerous permit applications, including several in the challenging California environment.  

He has a B.S., Mechanical Engineering from the University of California at Irvine and is a Registered Professional Engineer (Mechanical) in the State of California.

For a more complete outline of qualifications, see Charles’ website; www.columbiapowerconsulting.com

CLIENT LIST

Now in his 24th year as an independent consultant, Charles earns repeat engagements with long-term customers.   Selected clients are listed below.

Alberta Investment Management Company, Edmonton, Canada:  12+ due diligence engagements for wind and PV projects over an 8-year period.

Caterpillar, Peoria, IL:  20+ engagements over a 16-year period including creating equipment and EPC proposals, rollout of photovoltaic and microgrid product lines, field assignments worldwide, and development of reciprocating engine projects.

 Solar Turbines, San Diego, CA: 40+ engagements over a 15-year period, writing equipment and EPC proposals for Solar customers.

Universal Energy, Houston, TX:  6+ due diligence engagements over a 6-year period

Sterling Energy, Capistrano Beach, CA:  30+ engagements over a 10-year period including solar, wind, gas and biomass projects

TYPICAL PROJECTS

As a consultant, Charles has completed multiple engagements, both domestic and foreign, in each of the categories listed below.   Technologies included wind, photovoltaics, gas turbines and reciprocating engines.

OEM Support:   Created complete EPC proposals on behalf of prime mover OEMs.   Managed OEM staff to produce necessary cost estimates and documentation.  Also produced standardized proposal templates that were adopted for worldwide use. 

Operations Audits:   Root cause analysis of operational problems including identification and correction of of underperforming equipment, systems and management systems.

Project Development:  Determined financial, technical and regulatory feasibility of proposed wind, solar and and gas-fired power projects. These engagements included site visits, environmental planning, prime mover selection, cost estimating and development schedules.   Opined on site suitability, path to market, and critical path schedule.

Cost Estimating:   Generated cost estimates for capital, O&M and permitting for renewable and fossil fuel projects.

Due Diligence:   Site inspections, staff interviews, record searches, evaluation of fuel supply and power sales contracts.  Determined physical condition of plants, regulatory status, financial health and future viability of project. 

Equipment Procurement:   Wrote specifications and negotiated equipment supply contracts including scope of supply and terms/conditions (turbines, wind turbines, boilers, emissions control equipment, PV equipment etc.)

Environmental Permitting:   Completed environmental permitting plans and complete permit applications (including California CEC).  Managed scientists, engineers and specialty contractors.