Energy projects don’t fail in engineering – they fail in the boardroom. If decarbonization is such a no-brainer, why are we still selling it with simple payback?

Capital exists and is available to push energy projects and decarbonization. We, as an industry, need to be better at how we ask for that capital. In this webinar, you’ll learn to pitch energy and decarbonization investments the way CFOs, investment committees and infrastructure capital actually underwrite them: with a pro forma that shows cash flow, timing and risk. We’ll translate technical performance into decision-grade value drivers: operating cost reduction, demand charge avoidance, grid services revenue, resilience and reliability, regulatory-risk avoidance and long-term asset appreciation.

You’ll also see how real-world capital pathways (C-PACE, performance contracting, Energy-as-a-Service, green bonds and tax credits) snap into a pro forma narrative that gets to “yes.” You’ll leave with a practical story arc, a sharper value stack and model inputs you can reuse to move bold projects from “interesting” to funded.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

  • Distinguish what a pro forma pitch captures (cash flows, timing, risk and decision criteria).
  • Build a “value stack” that translates technical performance into finance-ready drivers (savings, revenues, resilience, compliance and asset value).
  • Identify key assumptions and sensitivities that most influence investment approval and how to communicate them credibly.
  • Match common capital pathways (C-PACE, performance contracting, Energy-as-a-Service, green bonds and tax credits) to the project story and pro forma structure.
  • Draft a concise investment narrative that aligns engineering, finance teams and stakeholders on a fundable path forward.

AUDIENCE

This webinar is best suited for a cross-functional, investment-facing audience involved in selling, evaluating or financing energy and decarbonization projects. Specifically, those who need to translate technical performance into an approval-ready business case. It will also be valuable for finance, procurement and real estate/asset management stakeholders who review assumptions, risk and capital pathways and want a clearer, pro forma-based decision narrative.
 

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Rachel Brombaugh is the Director of Client Financial Solutions at McKinstry. In this role, she leads a team that tracks Federal and state policies, financing options, and incentives. Rachel and her team develop communications and programs, as well as provide one-on-one support, that enable McKinstry’s customers to navigate the increasingly complex funding environment for high performance buildings. Rachel brings a commercial banking and project finance background to her role, as well as public sector experience as the Director of Climate and Energy Initiatives for King County, leading the development of policies, programs, and investments to reduce emissions and build community and infrastructure resiliency. Rachel serves on the Board of the Washington State Green Bank. She holds a BA from Stanford University, and a MBA from the University of Washington Foster School of Business.