News & Insights
Mike Walters on Energy P3s and the Evolution of Campus Infrastructure Partnerships
Energy infrastructure expert Mike Walters discusses the technical complexities of campus energy P3 projects and how engineering firms are evolving their role in long-term energy partnerships.
Mike Walters, Principal with Salas O’Brien, is featured on the Campus Energy & Sustainability Podcast with Dave Karlsgodt. They discuss how energy public-private partnerships are transforming campus infrastructure and the unique technical challenges that set these projects apart from traditional P3s.
Here’s what you’ll discover from Mike’s insights:
- How energy P3s require vastly different risk management compared to simple infrastructure (10:57)
- What energy P3s actually build beyond traditional infrastructure (12:59)
- Why qualified teams must communicate effectively across multiple technical disciplines (17:04)
- Why seemingly simple operational details can derail complex energy projects (18:40)
- The evolution toward progressive P3s and strategic risk ownership (37:24)
- How engineering firms are now putting their own money into energy projects they design (57:40)
- The unexpected ways AI and data centers are disrupting timelines plus emerging nuclear opportunities (1:04:50)
- Why energy master planning is essential before institutions pursue major partnerships (1:18:05)
Tune in to discover how technical expertise and strategic partnerships are reshaping campus energy infrastructure: Campus Energy & Sustainability Podcast.