March 25, 2025
The story of Alder Renewables begins with our people. This month, we highlight Bella Brandes, Research Engineer, who has been producing Alder Renewable Crude (ARC) since 2022.
Where do you consider home?
I’m from the island of Oahu and more specifically the valley of Mānoa. I was born and raised here and will always consider Hawai’i to be my home.
What did you study in school?
I graduated from Colorado State University in 2021 with a Bachelor’s in Chemical & Biological Engineering. I also have a minor from CSU in Global and Environmental Sustainability.
What is your favorite park about working for Alder Renewables?
This may be cliché to say, but the people I work with, and seeing how each one shows up with a different form of resiliency and a commitment to helping the company succeed.
What goals are you working towards at Alder Renewables?
At Alder, my goals are threefold. First, I aim to complete the design of a robust 50-gallon batch ARC pilot reactor that can reliably produce the critical ARC volumes needed for downstream testing. Second, I want to develop the project management skills to successfully implement this system in our lab, including operator training, material handling procedures, and all other necessary components. Finally, I plan to integrate our thermal stability work with this new sample generation system to maximize learning and synergy between the two.
What are you most proud of at Alder Renewables?
I am most proud of my contribution to establishing our first laboratory. This has been instrumental in our team’s growth, both technically and as a company.
What are your hobbies? What is something people don’t know about you?
Growing up in Hawai’I, most of my hobbies were ocean-based before moving to Colorado. So, I enjoy surfing, diving for shells, and Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Paddling to name a few. Pulling from my years living in a landlocked state, I’ve found a love for hiking, mountain biking, and skiing. One thing people might not know about me is that I’m a part of a Hawaiian outrigger canoe club on Oahu, and we compete in many different races, some as long as 27 miles and more!
What are you proud of outside work?
Besides receiving my bachelor’s degree, I am proud of the wonderful community that I’ve built in Colorado, and the work I’m able to do here in Hawai’i, giving back to my community through beach cleanups and a project I volunteer for that uses microorganisms to clean up waterways.
What is a quote you live by?
“You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.”- Angela Davis
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