Category: News

Clean Energy Capitalist Shares Vision of a Green America

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Melink Corporation CEO Releases “Fusion Capitalism” with ForbesBooks.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This release is posted on behalf of ForbesBooks (operated by Advantage Media Group under license).

NEW YORK (October 27, 2020) — Steve Melink, CEO of Melink Corporation, today announced the publication of Fusion Capitalism: A Clean Energy Vision for Conservatives. The book is published with ForbesBooks, the exclusive business book publishing imprint of Forbes.

In Fusion Capitalism, clean energy expert Steve Melink shares his vision of a clean energy future. In Melink’s view, the economy, national security, public health, and a sustainable environment are all inextricably linked to the world’s energy infrastructure – making the transition to alternative energy one of the greatest opportunities of the 21st Century. Sustainability, he argues, must become a core national value because it is fundamental to the future of America’s success.

Steve Melink - Fusion Capitalism

“If America is to remain a world leader, we must rise to the new challenges and opportunities of our time,” said Melink. “Our values should demand a fresh take on our love affair with fossil fuels and the costs, risks, and liabilities they impose on society. If we don’t commit to the equivalent of a moon race on clean energy, we will cede our power and influence over to those more willing to adapt.”

Melink shares the story of his awakening on climate change, inviting readers to educate themselves without prejudice. As a lifelong conservative, he sees American capitalism, innovation, and leadership as strategic advantages to make the world safer, healthier, and more prosperous for future generations. 

Fusion Capitalism: A Clean Energy Vision for Conservatives is available on Amazon starting today. For more information, please visit fusioncapitalism.com.  

About Steve Melink

Steve Melink is founder and CEO of Melink Corporation, a Cincinnati-based company providing energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for commercial building owners. With more than 30 years of experience, Steve is on the forefront of the Zero-Energy Building movement. Melink’s customers include customers include some of the largest corporations and organizations in the world, including top U.S. universities.

About ForbesBooks

Launched in 2016 in partnership with Advantage Media Group, ForbesBooks is the exclusive business book publishing imprint of Forbes. ForbesBooks offers business and thought leaders an innovative, speed-to-market, fee-based publishing model and a suite of services designed to strategically and tactically support authors and promote their expertise. For more information, visit forbesbooks.com.

Melink Solar & Geo Awarded U.S. Department of Energy Grant

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Why it Matters

Cincinnati, Ohio — Melink Solar & Geo, Inc., a solar PV and geothermal engineering company, has been awarded grant funding by the United States Department of Energy’s (DOE). The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) specifically provided the grant funding. The funding enables Melink to accelerate the research and development of its next-generation Hybrid Geothermal HVAC System. This system stores energy using thermal batteries. It can potentially reduce installation costs of geothermal heat pump systems. In effect, providing significant energy saving opportunities for the U.S. with widespread implementation. The system’s prototype currently heats and cools Melink’s new Net-Zero Energy HQ2 facility in Milford, Ohio.

Melink Hybrid Geothermal HVAC System
Melink Solar & Geo has been awarded an innovation grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for its Hybrid Geothermal HVAC System. A system prototype is in operation at its Milford, Ohio, headquarters.

“Our company is developing a Hybrid Geothermal HVAC System to minimize the need for expensive ground loops. Instead, we are mimicking the thermal energy storage capacity of the water inside such ground loops with phase change materials (PCM),” said Steve Melink, founder and CEO. “Melink is piloting the first prototype at our Net-Zero Energy headquarters, and we are now developing next-generation prototypes for eventual commercialization. With our third U.S. Department of Energy grant, we are committed to mainstreaming this technology for the benefit of the entire HVAC industry.”

Hard Work Pays Off

The funding is part of an ongoing innovation project with the DOE. The project encourages small businesses to advance innovation at federal agencies. Melink received the recent funding as a result of its Hybrid Geothermal HVAC System. This system demonstrated technical feasibility during the first phase of research. Melink Solar & Geo’s skill team worked collaboratively with the University of Dayton, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and industry partners. Together, we designed a more cost-effective and energy efficient HVAC system.

“Funding from the DOE is the result of a multi-year effort. A group of intelligent and highly dedicated people have proven that the system has merit. I’m excited to say that the Hybrid Geothermal HVAC System is just one part of our growing platform of Net-Zero products,” said Seth Parker, vice president and general manager of Melink Solar & Geo.

The two-year funding will be used to finalize engineering and early commercialization of the Hybrid Geothermal HVAC System. For more information about the system or Melink Solar & Geo, please visit https://melinkcorp.com/geothermal or contact [email protected].

About Melink Solar & Geo

Melink Solar & Geo is a national provider of renewable energy and efficiency solutions for commercial buildings. We provide consulting services and turnkey management of solar and geothermal projects. These services help businesses of all sizes reduce energy consumption and produce clean and sustainable energy for their facilities. The company recently opened a Zero-Energy building on its campus, featuring new thermal storage technologies being tested. This will help further mainstream geothermal HVAC for commercial use. Melink Solar & Geo is affiliated with Melink Corporation, which provides energy efficiency solutions for commercial buildings.

Melink Solar Featured on 2020 Top Solar Contractors List

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Solar Power World magazine’s Top Solar Contractors annual list includes Cincinnati-based solar installer.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cincinnati, Ohio — Although the COVID-19 pandemic is the immediate crisis, mitigating climate change is also an urgent issue. Solar installations are one way to help reduce greenhouse gases from fossil fuel-based power generation. Solar Power World has recognized the efforts of solar contractors across the United States in its 2020 Top Solar Contractors list, where local solar installer Melink Solar achieved a rank of 69 out of 407 companies.

Top Solar Contractors

The Top Solar Contractors list is developed each year by Solar Power World to honor the work of solar installers big and small. Solar firms in the utility, commercial and residential markets are ranked by number of kilowatts installed in the previous year. Companies are grouped and listed by specific service (developers, electrical subcontractors, EPCs, installation subcontractors, rooftop installers), markets and states.

“The Solar Power World team is so pleased to highlight more than 400 companies on the 2020 Top Solar Contractors list, especially during this unprecedented time,” said Kelsey Misbrener, senior editor of Solar Power World. “All contractors featured on the 2020 list reported strong 2019 installation numbers and are continuing to stand tall this year.”

This year’s collection of more than 400 Top Solar Contractors is facing obstacles that the industry has never seen before. The first quarter of 2020 was the country’s biggest ever capacity gain, with 3.6 GW of new solar capacity added. However, COVID-19 impacts slowed the market in Q2.

Melink Solar installed 27,266.8 kW (27.2 MW) of solar power in 2019. Since its founding, the company has installed more than 65 MW of solar, equivalent to 215,000 solar panels. Melink Solar is a commercial solar EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) firm offering turnkey solutions with projects across the U.S. The firm designs solar systems, procures all labor and supplies, constructs the solar array, monitors performance and provides remote and field troubleshooting assistance.

To learn more about Melink Solar, please visit www.melinkcorp.com/solar.

About Melink

Melink Corporation is a global provider of energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for commercial buildings with five offerings: Intelli-Hood® Kitchen Ventilation Controls, HVAC Test & Balance, Solar PV, Geothermal HVAC, and PositiV® Building Health Monitor. For more than 30 years, Melink has helped companies save energy, increase profitability, and make the world more sustainable. In 2018, Melink became an ESOP and is now 100% employee-owned.

About Solar Power World

Solar Power World is the leading online and print resource for news and information regarding solar installation, development and technology. Since 2011, SPW has helped U.S. solar contractors — including installers, developers and EPCs in all markets — grow their businesses and do their jobs better.

Maintaining Perspective (For a Better Future)

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Colleagues, Team Members, Friends, and “Family”:

Global pandemic.  Divisive rhetoric.  Recession.  Systemic racism.  Civil unrest.  Climate change.  On their own, each issue represents a monumental challenge for the United States of America — let alone the global community.  Yet, here we are, faced with the totality of these seemingly insurmountable problems. As with any challenge we are faced with, we have a choice to make: Lay down and surrender.  Or, stand-up and find a solution. But nothing can change without first changing our perspective.

Despite the perpetual drumbeat of bad news, we must be intentional and work hard to maintain perspective. For without it, we are subject to become victims of circumstance, insecurity, desperation, and anxiety. Reason yields to emotion. Our thoughts become overwhelmed and critical thinking, cloudy. Therefore, let us seek perspective.

  • Historical.  For nearly 250 years, America has persevered from one crisis through to the next:  war, depression, pandemic, natural disaster, gun violence, etc.  Has it ever been easy?  Certainly not.  The night is darkest just before the dawn.  Though it may be challenging to see, we will emerge stronger than ever before. 
  • The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health crisis.  In incredibly short order, we have made massive societal adjustments to manage the impacts.  The growth clip of the pandemic is slowing.  And there is a tremendous amount of investment, research, and development, with some of the best minds in the world, working to minimize and hopefully eradicate this disease. 
  • These are times of divisive rhetoric, a crisis of culture.  Fortunately, 2020 is an election year.  Soon we shall have a meaningful opportunity to exercise our vote and drive whatever change it is we want to see.  Debates on social media will only get us so far.  Elections matter.  Vote.
  • We are in a recession, an economic crisis.  Businesses are re-opening and people are getting back to work.  The impetus of this recession was an unpredictable, catastrophic event, not part of a normal cyclical downturn.  Our new normal may be different, but consumers will consume.  Things will get better.  
  • Systemic racism is, at its core, a crisis about the soul of our society.  We, along with many of you, are disturbed by the injustice that plagues our country.  Clearly, the national conversation has been elevated and this problem is being given the attention it so desperately needs and deserves.  In the spirit of seeking a better world, for ourselves, our children, and grandchildren, we pray that these events shall not go by in vain.  Rather, that as a nation we may fulfill the concept of ‘Equal Justice Under the Law.’ 
  • Prior to the pandemic, the cause, risks, impacts, and remedies of climate change were beginning to garner regular mainstream media attention.  This is a crisis in slow-motion that will hit public health, the economy, culture, society, and most certainly human rights.  The good news is not that the tide is turning – it has turned.  For the first time in 130 years, renewable energy production in the United States has surpassed coal.  And more electric cars are being sold than ever before.  We have a long, long way to go to stave off the worst impacts of climate change, but this is progress; net-zero energy is coming.  Through our continued innovation and deployment of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies and services we will continue transforming the world.

Still yet, you may remain daunted by the scale of these issues. If so, we offer the following actionable items, to put into perspective. First, as a reminder, maintain perspective and look for the good.  Do not be naïve, but staying positive requires choice, intention, and critical thinking. Second, carry your world on your shoulders, not the world. That is, to say, do not worry about things beyond your control. Someone once said worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due. Your resources are limited. Focus them in areas where you have control and, or influence. Similarly cut out the noise. Seek truth when you absolutely need to be but be judicious in so doing. Apply yourself where and when it matters most. 

Finally, beyond their respective magnitude and impact, I believe each of these issues has one more critical attribute in common:  they are incredibly complex. We cannot solve them if we remain entrenched and endeavor for our perspective “side” to win.  We can and will continue solving complex issues if we remain open minded, empathetic, collaborative, and firmly commit to a better future. 

To our children, and grandchildren,

Craig M. Davis
President & Employee-Owner

Steve Melink
Chairman & CEO

Meet Krista Rose, Marketing Communications Specialist

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Business Unit and Job Title

Marketing Communications Specialist

What does your job entail?

Helping tell Melink’s story. A big focus of my job is content creation for Melink’s blog, website and social media, as well as organizing materials for tradeshows and miscellaneous marketing efforts.

What did you do before coming to Melink?

I graduated from Ohio University with a degree in journalism, which led me into event planning, public relations, and eventually digital marketing. Before Melink, I was the marketing manager of a travel club for RV owners. I’m from a camping family and own a small travel trailer, so this was a really neat role for me. I never tired of hearing club members’ stories and living vicariously through their RV trips!

What is your favorite aspect of working at Melink?

I really value the work-life balance and the trust that the company places in its employees. It is unlike any place I have previously worked.

What do you like to do in your time off?

I’m a wannabe homesteader. I have my own flock of chickens for egg production, and I’m really into gardening and canning. I also like spoiling my dog, Tally. She is a beagle-basset hound mix. And, of course, I like going on camping trips with my husband!

Welcome to our chicken coop!

Tell us something that might surprise us about you.

I like visiting different state parks, and I have a silly goal of visiting every state park in Ohio. I am currently at 18/75.

What are you most proud of?

I’m a hard worker, and for several years I worked multiple jobs.  I may not have always had a job in my preferred field, but I’ve always given 100%.

What are your hopes for our industry?

That more businesses start viewing clean energy as the “norm.”

Do you collect anything?

Currently obsessed with the Pioneer Woman’s colorful kitchenware. It’s taking over my house… There’s really no need for me to own five mixing bowls just because they are pretty!

Meet Megan Parker, National Account Manager

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Business Unit and Job Title

Testing & Balancing (T&B) National Account Manager

What does your job entail?

I “quarterback” and work with a team of five individuals supporting the T&B needs of national accounts including retail chains and restaurant groups.

What is your personal philosophy?

Treat others the way you’d like to be treated.

What did you do before coming to Melink?

I worked for a global IT recruiting organization as a Network Infrastructure Recruiter for three years.

What is your favorite aspect of working at Melink?

I love the fast-paced environment and the project management aspect of my role. Overall, I really enjoy working for a smaller organization that values their employees.

What do you like to do in your time off?

Bargain shopping and house DIY projects.

Tell us something that might surprise us about you.

I went to middle school with Jennifer Lawrence. She was a grade above me, but we’re still in the same yearbook!

What are you most proud of?

Paying off my student loans.

What are your hopes for our industry?

I want my children, when the day comes,  to grow up in a world where incorporating discussions and actions of environmental sustainability have become the norm in every industry and aspect of life.

Meet Jon Sawyer, Account Engineer

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Business Unit and Job Title

T&B Account Engineer

What does your job entail?

It’s a moving and evolving target but basically It can be anything from job quotes and technical analysis to site investigations and customer inquiries.

What is your personal philosophy?

Life’s too short to sweat the small stuff, do your best with what you’ve got.

What did you do before coming to Melink?

I was an Aircraft Mechanic for Delta Airlines.

What is your favorite aspect of working at Melink?

The great people here.

What do you like to do in your time off?

I used to enjoy skiing and anything to do with being in the woods. I’m working on getting back to that point!

What are you most proud of?

My Flag, My country, and my Kids!

What are your hopes for our industry?

That the world continues to evolve and see the reasoning, value, and absolute necessity of the things that we stand for and provide.

Meet Katherine Moeller, Account Coordinator

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Business Unit and Job Title

T&B, Account coordinator

What does your job entail?

My job entails coordinating sites that are ready to be scheduled, entering orders, beginning to quote jobs, coordinating night work, and helping technicians with issues they run into onsite.

What is your personal philosophy?

A philosophy I believe in is leaving the world a better place than how you found it.

What did you do before coming to Melink?

I was living in Athens, attending Ohio University and studying Industrial and Systems engineering.

What is your favorite aspect of working at Melink?

The sustainability initiatives. It feels good to not have to compromise my values based in sustainability when I come to work. Melink provides opportunities to help play a part in supplying renewable energy to others in the community and around the world. I also really enjoy the culture and people I get to work with every day.

What do you like to do in your time off?

I enjoy seeing live music as much as possible, hiking, exploring Cincinnati since it’s still a new city to me, traveling, going to breweries, and being around my good friends.

Tell us something that might surprise us about you.

In 2017 I lived in a Buddhist monastery up in northern Thailand for a few weeks. We spent our days practicing meditation and learning about the religion from Buddhist Monks.

What are you most proud of?

Something I’m very proud of was getting inducted into Industrial Engineering Honor Society (Alpha Pi Mu) my senior year of college.

What are your hopes for our industry?

Keep going towards greener energy solutions when available and when not looking for ways to save energy in general.

Motto or personal mantra?

A motto I follow is “live simply”

Do you collect anything?

I’ve recently started collecting unique looking glass that I use to make stained glass art.

Meet Michael Berry, Field Service Technician

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Business Unit and Job Title

Inelli-Hood Field Service Technician

 What does your job entail?

The three major parts of my job are

1. Surveying potential buildings to be outfitted with an Intelli-hood system.

2. Pre-site meetings with local electrical trades to coordinate installation and designate specific scopes of work

3. Installation, Upgrades, and troubleshooting of Intelli-Hood systems. 

What is your personal philosophy?

My personal Philosophy is to strive to be the best at anything you do. If you really enjoy what you’re doing whether it be personal, professional or both you should always give 100%. At the end of the day, you’ll find yourself a lot more satisfied knowing that you held nothing back to complete your goals. 

What did you do before coming to Melink?

Before Melink I was an Avionics technician on the CH-53E Super Stallion Helicopter for the Marine Corps for 5 years, then I briefly worked on installing “Positive Train Control” or PTC for class 1 freight locomotives before joining the Melink family. 

What is your favorite aspect of working at Melink?

My favorite aspect of working at Melink would have to be all of the cities I have been able to travel to. I find it very fulfilling being able to see all the different parts of the country and try different types of food from each. 

What do you like to do in your time off?

In my time off I like to do anything that involves a sport. If it can be played on the beach, even better!

Tell us something that might surprise us about you.

I was a pretty good pizza spinner in high school. I worked at a couple of local pizzerias and was featured on the local Hampton Roads TV for spinning pies. Nicknames included “Dough Master Mikey and Mr. Dances with Dough”

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my accomplishments and achievements in the Marine Corps during my 2 deployments in OEF 10.2 and OEF 12.2.

What are your hopes for our industry?

My hopes for our industry is to see a standard in all kitchens that includes our system to help make the world a little greener. 

Meet Krysta Kincaid, Account Coordinator

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Business Unit and Job Title

T&B Account Coordinator

What does your job entail?

Scheduling our technicians with site supers/PMs, entering job information, following construction schedules and helping problem solve with our customers

What is your personal philosophy?

“What others say and do, is a projection of their own reality. Don’t take anything personally.”

What did you do before coming to Melink?

I graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering in December of 2018

What is your favorite aspect of working at Melink?

I feel very passionately about sustainability and climate change, which Melink also values. During my job search, I wanted to be proud of the company I chose to work for. I can fully say I am proud of the work Melink accomplishes especially Solar and Geo.

What do you like to do in your time off?

I enjoy relaxing at home with a murder mystery (book, TV show, movie; I do not discriminate). I also spend my time taking my dog, Draco, on hikes, painting (acrylic on canvas usually) and filling my apartment with plants.

Tell us something that might surprise us about you.

I am the youngest by 9 years. I became an aunt in the 8th grade.

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my engineering degree. And my dog.

What are your hopes for our industry?

I hope the clean energy and net zero buildings become the norm. This is critical to our grandchildren’s survival.

Motto or personal mantra?

Treat people the way you want to be treated.

Do you collect anything?

Houseplants and makeup I do not use