Wind Today - Q1 2008 - (Page 56)

Industry Profile Years with company: 14 Years in the industry: 27 Born: November 24, 1957 Family: Wife Beth; son Michael (19); daughter Rachel (17). Education: BS Electric Power Engineering–Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Career: Founded MSE Power Systems in 1993 as a two-person engineering firm. Today, MSE is an 85-person firm that provides engineering, procurement, and construction support for high voltage electrical systems. My personal key to success: Treat people fairly, tell them what you are going to do, and then do it. Also, realize that you are not perfect and what really matters is that you minimize errors and correct them promptly when they do occur. Mark Scher has served on the American Wind Energy Association transmission committee since 2004. “I have been privileged to be a member of the AWEA transmission committee for the past 3 years and to have been a contributor to the AWEA Grid Code. During this time, I was able to work with some of the best minds in the industry.” —Mark Scher excited by developments in the wind forecasting segment. To me, this is a vital part of increasing transmission access for more projects. What I like about the wind industry: The ability to respond quickly to individual project challenges. Key to the growth of the industry: In the short term, the key is continued development of transmission policy to allow continued growth of the industry. In the mid-term, the key is the maturation of the industry to prosper without government subsidies such as the production tax credit (PTC). In the long term, the key is to develop cost effective and efficient energy storage solutions. The biggest trend in the industry: Increasing project size. When I first started in the business in 1993, a typical project was 30 MW or less. Today, a very high percentage of projects are over 150 MW. Wind projects of this size bring an entirely different set of challenges as we work to integrate them into the nation’s power grid. What I predict for the industry in the next three years: Continued steady growth. I feel that the political and economic climate is very favorable for this growth to be sustained. Hobbies: Golf and reading. Mark Scher MSE Power Systems, Inc. President/CEO 403 New Karner Road Albany, NY 12205 518-452-7718 mscher@msepower.com www.msepower.com My biggest challenge: Learning to trust other people and depend on them. This was especially difficult for a person who started a two-person firm and did almost everything himself. I meet that challenge by: Finding the right people to work with. In my opinion, this is a vastly underrated skill. To succeed in today’s business environment, it is crucial to develop a qualified and integrated team of people to be able to compete. The best new wind product/service: As a general statement, I am most 56 WIND TODA Y First Quarter 2008 http://www.msepower.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Wind Today - Q1 2008

Wind Today - Q1 2008 Contents Windpower 2008 U.S. Energy Map Canada Energy Map Global Report Options and Expectations for O&M Service Providers O&M Safety Issues for Wind Farms Guanting Wind Farm to Power 2008 Olympics Operating Economics of Wind Farms Long-Term Operating Costs Post-Warranty Energy Bill Incentives May Have Another Chance Wind Gears: A Closer Look at the Drive Train Elk River Wind Farm Should Lightning Be A Concern For Wind Farms? Interview: Steve Sawyer Zephyr Powers Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort WT News: United States & Canada Interview: Willett Kempton Centennial Wind Energy WT Transmission: Southwest Power Pool EPA's Top 25 Wind Power Projects 2008 RPS Update Mark Scher, MSE Power Systems Richard Legault, Helimax Second Wind Henkels & McCoy NRG Systems Apterra Technologies, Inc. Wind Resource Maps: Michigan and New York Calendar Glossary Product Surveys Ad Index

Wind Today - Q1 2008

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