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When Henry Herndon '15, '17G arrived at UNH in September 2011, he didn鈥檛 have a career in mind; he was just eager to learn 鈥渉ow the world works.鈥�

The major soon discovered an ardent interest in the politics and economics of climate change and sustainability 鈥� the result in part from a study-abroad program in Costa Rica and a semester in Washington, D.C. He found a meaningful way to synthesize these issues in a class taught by , a lecturer in the , called Introduction to Sustainable Energy and Our Energy System.

鈥淭he class was hyper-focused on New Hampshire鈥檚 evolving energy system, recent policy developments, early markets for solar and other emerging energy technologies,鈥� Herndon says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 where I realized that I want a career in energy, and I want to do it here in New Hampshire.鈥�

Since earning his bachelor鈥檚 degree, Herndon has been steadily working toward his goal: He has interned at the and, in 2017, earned a Master of Science in natural resources from UNH, during which he was awarded a prestigious Switzer Environmental Fellowship.

鈥淭here鈥檚 this exciting future where communities are prosperous and healthy because they鈥檙e generating their own energy, and they鈥檙e also reducing the global supply chain consequences of energy production that are the source of violence and conflict around the world.鈥�

While in the natural resources master鈥檚 program, Herndon worked closely with , assistant professor of natural resources and the environment, and conducted research in her . He credits Ashcraft with giving him the opportunity to 鈥渄ig deep into real-world issues.鈥�

鈥淗enry has an infectious passion for contributing to energy solutions through community engagement and building new partnerships between regulators, industry and consumers,鈥� says Ashcraft. 鈥淗is work is a great example of how UNH鈥檚 research provides timely and valuable policy recommendations and opportunities for engaging with partners to apply research to practice for the benefit of our state and communities.鈥�

With Ashcraft鈥檚 support, Herndon helped launch an outreach initiative called in the Seacoast area. Based on Vital Communities鈥� program, Energize 360 aims to connect residents and small businesses with solar installers and energy efficiency companies, promote awareness of renewable energy options and benefits and provide information about programs that can help pay for improvements like solar panels, LED lighting and insulation.

Initially, the communities of Durham, Dover, Lee, Northwood and Portsmouth signed on to host educational events, and the program eventually spread to seven more towns on the Seacoast.

鈥淭he idea was to create a space for people to ask questions like 鈥榃hat is net metering?鈥� and 鈥楬ow do I generate a return on investment for my solar?鈥欌�� says Herndon. 鈥淎 lot of people don鈥檛 know that there are state programs that help finance improvements that will increase home energy efficiency.鈥�

Now, Herndon is working for the and recently received another accolade from the Robert & Patricia Switzer Foundation: a , which recognizes the high impact nature of his work.

鈥淎s a part of my fellowship now, I work with local energy committees and municipal staff,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 could be helping with public outreach for a solar or weatherization campaign or providing information to the municipal staff about energy projects they could implement or connecting them with other energy committees and energy professionals from neighboring communities to share information and best practices.鈥�

He is charged with no small task: New Hampshire has 234 cities and towns, and about half have energy committees.

鈥淎n important part of my job is finding the towns that need more guidance and seeking out the opportunities to connect them with the right resources,鈥� explains Herndon. 鈥淚鈥檓 not going into these communities and saying 鈥楾his is what you need to do.鈥� I鈥檓 asking, 鈥榃hat do you need, and how can I help you get what you need?鈥欌��

While Herndon is excited about effecting change at the grassroots level, he acknowledges that when it comes to a long-term restructuring of the energy system, the obstacles are numerous and complex.

鈥淭he single biggest challenge is a utility company and regulatory world view that still has no incentive to change,鈥� says Herndon. 鈥淭hey don鈥檛 share the vision of a localized, competitive and efficient sustainable energy system. It鈥檚 really a significant change from the old model where it鈥檚 one company, they set a price, you pay the price and that鈥檚 it.鈥�

Which brings Herndon to where he sees himself in five years 鈥� leveraging his relationships with municipalities and his understanding of the regulatory commissions and the renewable energy industry to help implement smart grid, time-based energy management systems at the local level in New Hampshire.

And despite the challenges, he is optimistic that innovators and leaders in government and the emerging energy industries will generate solutions that work for everyone.

鈥淭here鈥檚 this exciting future where communities are prosperous and healthy because they鈥檙e generating their own energy, they鈥檙e sustainable and reducing their environmental impacts, and they鈥檙e also reducing the听global supply chain consequences of energy production that are the source of violence and conflict around the world,鈥� he says.

But for now, Herndon remains laser-focused on the state he now considers his home.

鈥淭en years ago there were three solar companies in New Hampshire; today there are 90, and the next decade will be even more dramatic,鈥� he says, casting his eyes in the direction of a new solar array on a local church in Durham. 鈥淚 feel like I can have an impact in New Hampshire 鈥� and I already have had an impact in New Hampshire.鈥�