WCS Member of the Month highlights the amazing stories of female leaders in the industry. This month, we spotlight Stephanie Jumel, Energy Services Program Director at Électricité de France (EDF).
WCS: Please introduce us to EDF and the work it does. As a utility, what are some of your programs, in particular those unique to EDF?
Stephanie: EDF (Électricité de France) is a global, integrated energy company and the world’s largest electricity producer, with 85% of that electricity carbon free. In the US, EDF operates several entities like EDF Renewable Energy, the largest wind operator in North America; EDF Trading; and EDF Energy Services. EDF is active in the entire value chain of the power industry, including R&D, generation, trading, transmission, distribution, sales, and services, and is the world leader in Low Carbon Power generation.
EDF Innovation Lab (EDF IL), located in Silicon Valley, is the US branch of R&D and seeks to identify, demonstrate, and transfer innovative solutions to the entire EDF Group, with a strong focus on electric mobility, Distributed Energy Resources and Data analytics.
WCS: In what areas are you seeing the most success in your programs?
Stephanie: We see the game changing in electric mobility with an amazing increase in customer adoption and market opportunities for new services associated with vehicle charging. As an example, we are now offering an innovative “Smart Charging as a Service” solution to facilitate the deployment of charging infrastructure at workplaces for the benefit of the customers and the grid. Distributed Solar and Storage (e.g. for Commercial and Industrial Customers) is also increasing tracking and business opportunities in terms of load flexibility and monitoring.
WCS: What was your career path? Based on your experience, what advice do you have for other members of WCS?
Stephanie: Curious and forward-looking by nature, I have always been attracted by technology. I started my career with a PhD which provided me strong technical background and work methodology, and later occupied a variety of positions in European Countries (France, Germany) and US. What is really important to me (and I assume others) is keeping on learning, challenging yourself.
WCS: Assuming there is a gender disparity in your workplace, what actions would you like to see your company and other companies take to increase the number of women in positions like yours?
Stephanie: I know my company is doing a lot for gender equity, and really appreciate that.
More could maybe be done in networking and mentoring (exactly what WCS is doing actually) to encourage exchanges between young and older generations, to facilitate sharing advice, and to support networking for new positions and career building. Within EDF Group, a similar network has been created “Energies de Femmes” (i.e. “Women’s Energies”) and is doing well in that direction.
WCS: For women who are job hunting: what roles are most often hired for in your organization?
Stephanie: Again, I do not think there is any gender disparity in my company. We have business developers, data scientists, market analyst’s positions, also management and strategy positions open.
WCS: What is something you hope to get out of your WCS membership?
Stephanie: I hope sharing my experience can be useful to younger generations, as I am sure I will learn from them. I hope the network will grow internationally and get recognition for the benefit it brings in getting women in cleantech and sustainability empowered.
