(INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., May 15, 2023) Energy Systems Network (ESN), Indiana’s industry-driven advanced energy and transportation initiative, elected two new members to its board of directors. Damian Bilbao, Vice President of U.S. low-carbon ventures for B.P., and Nick Cohen, President & CEO of Doral Renewables, are the latest additions to ESN’s diverse board.
“Our global network continues to expand as we pursue collaborative projects that span the clean energy and alternative transportation ecosystems,” says John Bear, President & CEO of Midcontinent Independent Systems Operator (MISO). “Damian and Nick bring deep technical expertise, project development, and finance experience that will strengthen our network as we pursue the development of new markets, including clean hydrogen.”
Bilbao began his 25-year energy career with B.P.’s North America Gas Performance Unit in Houston in 1998. Since then, he has held various management positions with B.P. in Houston, Moscow, Jakarta, Anchorage, and Denver. His current responsibilities include representing B.P.’s broad portfolio of low-carbon businesses in the United States, including renewable power, biofuels, hydrogen, and mobility. Damian earned his undergraduate degree in economics and a law degree from Creighton University. He also earned an MBA in Finance from the University of St. Thomas in Houston.
“I’m honored and excited to join the ESN board of directors. I look forward to working with my fellow board members to help advance the energy transition in ways that unlock new potential for Indiana industry and the broader state economy.”
Cohen has 17 years of global experience leading energy project development. He leads Doral Renewables, developer of the 1.3-gigawatt Mammoth Solar project in Indiana, one of the nation’s largest solar projects. For nine years, he served as Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of EmberClear, a developer of utility-scale energy projects. Before co-founding Doral Renewables LLC, Mr. Cohen managed the development of energy and desalination projects for Chicago-based Invenergy, a leading developer, owner operator of renewables. Mr. Cohen earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Drexel University and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
“The Indiana clean-tech industry cluster is powering America’s growth. As the Crossroads of America, Indiana is in the best place to ensure that we maintain our global advantage and supply the country (and world) with critical infrastructure services and manufactured products. We are proud to be a part of The Energy Systems Network and the economic advantage that it delivers to Indiana.”
ESN president and CEO Paul Mitchell added, “B.P. and Doral are already heavily invested in Indiana’s advanced energy economy. We will work with them to build on that foundation to accelerate clean technology commercialization and generate the jobs of tomorrow.”
About Energy Systems Network:
Energy Systems Network (ESN) is an Indiana-based non-profit industry-driven economic organization focused on developing the energy technology “clean-tech” and alternative transportation sectors. ESN provides project development and coordination for joint ventures and cooperative partnerships between network members to bring new energy technologies to market. ESN partners include a wide range of Fortune 500 firms, emerging technology companies, and research and educational institutions with expertise in advanced technology vehicles, distributed power generation, advanced biofuels, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. For more information, visit www.energysystemsnetwork.com.
