Alumni Profile: Hong Zhang Durandal, MPP'16

A native of Cochabamba, Bolivia, Hong Zhang Durandal (MPP’16, MBA’25 expected), came to the United States on a full scholarship at Berea College in Kentucky. After earning a degree in business administration, he landed at the Harris School of Public Policy, setting the stage for a career in the world of renewable energy. The co-founder of Energy Hunters and associate director at Zelestra, Durandal has become a leading business development professional in the world of solar, wind, and energy storage and has developed projects everywhere from Israel to the Bahamas.

What was it like going from Bolivia to central Kentucky?

It was nothing like what I imagined. I was expecting to see skyscrapers! But it was great. I didn't come from money, so I was constantly trying to earn money. I started working in cafeterias and woodworking crafts. Then I got involved in entrepreneurship programs for renewable energy, like solar panels for eastern Kentucky households that didn't have a lot of funds.

What led you to the Harris School of Public Policy?

One of my friends was doing research for Chicago Booth, and I joined him in Chicago. I was dedicated: I brought my dog and everything. I got a job doing PR for Professor James Heckman's new organization, where I started learning about economics. And that's when I started working in the Harris building. I met some of the professors there. After two years, I decided to apply to the school.

What was your experience like there?

It was amazing. Through that first quarter, I felt that I was getting ready to change the world. I particularly liked microeconomics with Professor Kerwin Charles. The way he talked, it was as if he were preaching.

What kind of projects really stuck with you?

I did a practicum on revitalizing Gary, Indiana. We worked with the mayor and I realized if you want to have good change, it's not going to be quick. It's going to take years—sometimes even generations. I was also able to do an Israel travel trek, hosted by Itrek Network. We got access to so many perspectives to absorb why the conflict was so complex. We met former Prime Minister Shimon Peres; we met members of the military; we went to Palestine. Those experiences enriched the way I saw public policy.

How did this help you after graduation?

There were lot of opportunities that came through with the advent of the renewable energy boom of the wind industry, like going to Denmark and being in the consulting world. I’ve been able to ride this huge wave. When I became a developer, I started using public policy, business development, and everything that I learned to do things around the world.

What does it mean to develop solar and energy projects?

It can mean any number of things. There might be some need for new mining capacity for lithium for electric vehicles or artificial intelligence (AI), which needs a lot of copper to be extracted from the earth to make sure that they have all the servers. What I do is work with companies to develop and supply them clean energy. There are policy discussions, and you have to make sure that the project can fulfill its debts and the project financing.

How does this affect individuals?

Going to the project fields, that that's where you can see a big difference. While working in Chile, I met farmers living in pretty dire conditions. There was a drought for the past 10 years, and their goats were dying. We were able to give them some funds to put bigger solar panels in their home and help improve their quality of life.

What do you do as a developer?

I’ve shifted my focus from originating projects to managing their development. Now, I collaborate closely with industry partners and supply chain experts. If someone needs a donation of a few thousand solar panels, I can make the call, and the logistics are handled by others. It’s a team effort, with everyone working together to make things happen

How has the world of renewable energy evolved during your time in the sector?

When I first started, wind energy was one of the stars in the U.S. Then solar became really prominent, and then came batteries, then hydrogen and a mix of a lot of things. It's not just one solution that's going to fix everything.

What motivates you to do your work?

What are your hobbies?

I don't have too much free time, but I like hiking. Loved hiking in Big Bend National Park in Texas. When I was in Kentucky, I learned to horseback ride. I like playing chess, working out, and running.

Do you have any advice for Harris students?

Take one hard class to make sure that, if you can do that, then you can do anything. Don't be afraid of failing or afraid of taking big challenges. Learn from your mistakes, and you're not only helping yourself—you're helping society.