Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Paola Palazzolo

Paola Palazzolo

Summary

  • Pre Construction activities: I led and coordinated pre-construction activities for PV projects, ensuring full compliance with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements, managing secondary permitting processes, and overseeing land acquisition, expropriations, and compensatory works agreements with local authorities and stakeholders. These projects are located in Puglia, Sicily, Piemonte and Lazio.
  • Grid Management: I worked closely with grid operators to secure grid connection (from the STMG to the signing of the “regolamento di esercizio”).
  • Project Management for Regulatory Approvals: Managed projects to obtain the Autorizzazione Unica (AU) and Provvedimento Autorizzatorio Unico Regionale (PAUR), Verifica d'ottemperanza Decree, ensuring compliance with national and regional permitting processes. Oversaw the Environmental Impact Assessment (VIA) at the ministerial level and coordinated with regulatory authorities to secure approvals for renewable energy projects.

Overview

5
5
years of professional experience

Work History

Project Developer

Recurrent Energy (a Subsidiary of Canadian Solar)
02.2023 - Current
  • Taking Charge of Projects: Managing projects from obtaining Authorization up to the start of the construction phase, ensuring all necessary steps for project readiness are completed.
  • Project management: plannig GANTT, budget and forecast costs;
  • EIA “Verifiche di Ottemperanza” Management: Conducting and coordinating compliance verifications to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and permits obtaining in the EIA procedure. Activities mandatory for the start of the construction of the PV Plants.
  • Management of Authorization Requirements: Handling and ensuring compliance with conditions imposed during the authorization phase, addressing all necessary prerequisites for project realization.
  • Management of Expropriation Procedures: Overseeing the legal and administrative processes required to expropriate land or assets necessary for project implementation, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
  • Land: easement right for connection works, definitive land agreement;
  • Management of Permits and Public Concessions: Securing all required public concessions (e.g., road permits, permissions for crossing watercourses, etc..) essential for the implementation of plant connections and infrastructure.
  • TSO and DSO Portal Management: Overseeing the operations of portals for Transmission System Operators (TSO) and Distribution System Operators (DSO), ensuring accurate and efficient data exchange and communication to go ahead with the connection process.
  • Compensatory agreements: negotiation and signing with municipalities for compensatory works agreements
  • Constant dialog with relevant Authorities for “post Authorization Projects” and for “under construction Projects” (in case of modifications to the projects or complications with the permits that have already been obtained and to speed up the process);
  • Activities that involve acquiring and managing the bonds and guarantees necessary for the project's start of works (concessions, dismantling, etc.)

Project Engineer

Enel Green Power
06.2021 - 01.2023


  • Design Issue Resolution: Identified and resolved design challenges in photovoltaic (PV) systems, ensuring compliance with technical standards and optimizing system performance.
  • Project time schedule management
  • Technical Support for Business Development: Provided technical expertise on Design to Permitting processes for renewable energy projects, assisting in feasibility studies and ensuring project alignment with regulatory requirements.
  • Project Design Coordination: Led and coordinated the design phases of renewable energy plants, ensuring the integration of engineering disciplines and optimizing system layouts for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
  • Technical Due Diligence: Managed technical due diligence for renewable energy projects at different development stages, including fully permitted projects, those in the authorization process, and already constructed plants. Assessed project risks, compliance, and technical feasibility to support investment decisions.
  • Technical Specifications & Procurement: Drafted and reviewed technical specifications for the procurement of system components, engineering services, and construction works for renewable energy plants. Ensured compliance with industry standards and optimized supplier selection.
  • International Tender Management: Oversaw and managed competitive international tenders for the construction of renewable energy plants, evaluating bids, negotiating contracts, and ensuring alignment with project objectives.
  • Project Monitoring & Reporting: Managed internal reporting for the Project Managment department, tracking project progress, identifying potential risks, and ensuring effective communication between teams and stakeholders.

Project Developer

Solar Clean Energy Italy
01.2021 - 05.2021
  • Feasibility Analysis: Conducted feasibility studies for photovoltaic (PV) plants, assessing technical, environmental, and regulatory constraints.
  • Permitting Process Management: Prepared and managed authorization packages at regional, national, and municipal levels, coordinating with Transmission System Operators (TSO) and Distribution System Operators (DSO) to ensure project approval.
  • Greenfield Development: Managed greenfield development processes, from site identification to early-stage permitting, ensuring project viability and alignment with regulatory requirements.

Project Engineer

S&P Sicilia E Progresso S.R.L.
01.2020 - 01.2021
  • Photovoltaic System Design & Layout Optimization:
    Designed and developed PV plants.
  • Land Constraint & Feasibility Analysis:
    Performed desk-based feasibility studies to assess land suitability, evaluating environmental, regulatory, and technical constraints using tools such as Google Earth, QGIS, and online geographic databases. Conducted site visits to verify land characteristics, topography, and accessibility for large-scale PV installations.
  • PV System Sizing & Equipment Selection:
    Executed comprehensive PV field sizing by selecting appropriate PV modules based on the project's construction timeline and performance requirements.
  • Permitting & Authorization Documentation:
    Prepared technical and regulatory documentation required for permitting and authorization processes at municipal, regional, and national levels. Coordinated with regulatory authorities, Transmission System Operators (TSO), and Distribution System Operators (DSO) to ensure compliance with legal and environmental requirements.
  • Managed the submission of environmental impact assessments (EIA), grid connection applications, and construction permits to support project development.

Education

Master’s Degree in Energy Engineering -

University of Palermo
Italy
03-2020

Skills

    TECHNICAL SKILLS

    Permitting management
    Technical Regulations

    Environmental Regulations
    Negotiating agreements and contracts
    Supervision and coordination of design
    Cost and time estimation

    SOFTWARE SKILLS

  • QGIS
  • Autocad

    • Smartsheet
    Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point)
    Acrobat Pro
    ENERGY PLUS

  • EES (Engineering Equation Solver)
  • Sketchup

    PERSONAL SKILLS

  • Problem-solving & critical thinking
  • Analytical and strategic mindset
  • Strong organizational and multitasking skills
  • Proactivity
  • Teamwork & leadership abilities
  • Adaptability & resilience in dynamic environments
  • Attention to detail & precision
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

Timeline

Project Developer

Recurrent Energy (a Subsidiary of Canadian Solar)
02.2023 - Current

Project Engineer

Enel Green Power
06.2021 - 01.2023

Project Developer

Solar Clean Energy Italy
01.2021 - 05.2021

Project Engineer

S&P Sicilia E Progresso S.R.L.
01.2020 - 01.2021

Master’s Degree in Energy Engineering -

University of Palermo

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Paola Palazzolo