Gunnar Brent
Willdan Group, Inc. | Energy Efficiency Program Manager
Speaker
Track D: Clean Energy Transition: Challenges and Opportunities
Session D3: Grid Resilience and Flexibility in a Clean Energy Era
March 12, 2026 | 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Panel Discussion on "Grid Resilience and Flexibility in a Clean Energy Era"
Panel Discussion on “Grid Resilience and Flexibility in a Clean Energy Era” led by Kristin Gustafson. Panelists include Gunnar Brent, Randal Kaufman, and Nick Gemperle
Track D: Clean Energy Transition: Challenges and Opportunities
Session D3: Grid Resilience and Flexibility in a Clean Energy Era
March 12, 2026 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Leveraging Utility Incentives to Advance Affordable Housing Outcomes
| Willdan partners with utilities across the Pacific Northwest to design and deliver Energy Design Assistance (EDA) and incentive programs that intentionally prioritize affordable housing and income-qualified communities. Recognizing that energy costs represent a disproportionate burden on lower-income households, Willdan supports utilities in structuring enhanced incentives and bonus offerings for qualifying projects to improve feasibility, reduce long-term operating costs, and deliver durable benefits to tenants.
This session will focus on how Willdan operationalizes equity-driven program design for affordable housing. Topics include the use of bonus incentives for income-qualified developments, reduced eligibility thresholds to increase program accessibility, and proactive project identification through tax credit and affordable housing databases. Willdan will also discuss its active engagement with the affordable housing ecosystem, including participation in housing conferences, coordination with housing authorities and community partners, and direct outreach to developers and design teams to influence energy decisions early in project development. Attendees will learn how Willdan integrates utility allowance analysis with NEO energy modeling to financing, and incentive optimization for affordable housing projects. The presentation will also highlight how credits for emerging and advanced systems can be incorporated into EDA workflows to maximize both utility and resident value. |
Speaker Bio
Gunnar Brent is an Energy Efficiency Program Manager at Willdan, where he leads utility-funded Energy Design Assistance (EDA) and incentive programs across the Pacific Northwest. His work focuses on multifamily new construction, commercial buildings, and affordable housing, supporting utilities such as Puget Sound Energy, Seattle City Light, Snohomish County PUD, Tacoma Power, and Clark Public Utilities.
Gunnar specializes in integrating energy modeling, local energy code compliance, and utility incentive strategies to influence building design decisions early in the project lifecycle. He has extensive experience using energy modeling software to support system selection, reduce peak load, and support utility allowances.
A core part of Gunnar’s work centers on advancing equity-driven program design for affordable housing. He collaborates with housing developers, community partners, and public agencies, tracks eligible projects through tax credit databases, and supports enhanced incentive and bonus structures that reduce tenant utility costs and long-term operating burdens. Gunnar regularly engages with the affordable housing community through conferences and industry forums and works closely with utilities to align program delivery with regional decarbonization, affordability, and grid objectives.