Introduction
About
I'm Carl Sorenson,
Staff Software Engineer for the EnCompass product team at Yes Energy (all views expressed here are my own). Left-leaning, church-going, science-loving, climate-watching, metric-promoting, Ukraine-flag-waving, serial-comma-using bidet evangelist.
I live with my family in Charlotte, NC. I'm proud of my accomplished kids and wife. We like to go to the mountains a couple of times a year for hiking. We are active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I recently published my first book, the young adult science fiction novel Nissus.
I am passionate about human rights, human development, civic involvement and democracy, and education, as well as topics around the climate crisis and climate/energy nexus. Politics and policy can be, and often is, life-and-death important.
Anyway, seriously, what kind of barbarian doesn't use a bidet yet?
3
kids
1
wife
2
EVs
About 5
extra kg
Writings, etc.
Works
Literary
Nissus — Young Adult SF Novel
What makes us human, and what might make us not quite human anymore? Nissus is a deep dive into a possible future where the characters are confronted with these questions and more.
Beginnings Anthology — Writing Collaboration
A collaboration where you are invited to submit original fiction or art set in the world of the core story 'Beginnings'. Accepted submissions will be featured alongside my own.
Energy and Environment
Carbon Removal Ratio Calculator
Carbon removal is controversial. Here, I explain why it is worthwhile, and show how calculating your carbon removal ratio - removals divided by emissions - can reframe discussions around climate action. Log your emissions and removal purchases by year, share the result via link or as a badge, and even claim a free kilogram of carbon removal.
Duck Curve Analysis
Analyze real data about electricity use at my house in the context of the duck curve - the shape that net electricity demand can take when significant amounts of solar generation are present. Demonstrating both energy topics as well as some programming skills, this site was built with C#, Angular, and dynamic SVG.
Advocacy and Opinion
Metric Information
Inertia and historical accident - those are the only reasons we have been left behind the larger world, stuck using a hodgepodge of colloquial units of measure. It does not have to be that way, and it won't be that way forever. The transition can and will eventually happen.
Substack — Civics and Policy in Action
Insightful perspectives on political engagement, climate and energy policy, and global affairs - guided by civic values and ethical principles.
Personal History
Memorable Moments
1999
Temp to Dev
Naperville, IL
Fresh off my church mission and before I started college, I got a temp job. On my first day, I transitioned from data entry to programming, since I told the client that I knew of a better way to get the job done. Within three weeks, I had four computers automatically processing entries far faster than I could have done manually. The client was really happy and even threw me a party when it was time for me to leave!
2002
Seeing the world
NYC and Mexico City
After 9/11, while I was in college and learning about the world, I planned a solo trip to NYC and Mexico City, spending ten days in each. I met interesting people in the hostels, saw amazing sights, and felt a lot less provincial afterward.
2003
The only voter
Provo, UT
I was the only person in my precinct to vote in the election (a Provo City Council primary). If no one else will show up to vote, you can expect that I still will.
2009
Muslim Prayer Day
Washington, DC
The Muslim community scheduled a day of prayer at the U.S. Capitol. I knew there would be many protesters, so I decided to protest the protesters and welcome the Muslims. My wife helped me make signs, and I had a great experience talking to people and making them know they were welcome. This was one of the proudest moments in my life.
2010
First children born
Fairfax, VA
My wife was severely ill before and after the twins were born. The babies spent several months in the NICU and required significant care afterward. This was an intense time!
2013
A summer to remember
St Petersburg, FL
I became suddenly deaf in one ear. This was at the tail end of a summer of having a new baby and my wife's related health difficulties, toilet training toddlers, job problems, a house purchase and move, and new responsibilities at church.
2014-2018
Morning adventures with the kids
St Petersburg, FL
For several years, the kids and I had great adventures walking the trail and then taking the PSTA bus to school together in the mornings. We talked and played and had irreplaceable experiences during our morning Daddy time. I later collected the photos and messages I sent my wife during the time and made a book of it all for the family.
2020
Mountains
North Carolina
After being cooped up during Covid, we broke out of our cabin fever by hitting the road four weekends in a row! We drove all over the mountains of western North Carolina and saw amazing sights. We've since done many other trips, and even had a white Christmas on a farm in Tennessee, where the kids snow tubed and played with the farm dog!
2021
Dream job
Charlotte, NC
Dissatisfied with work, I asked myself what I really wanted to do professionally. I decided the answer was "electric utility modeling and planning software". After taking some time to finish my duck curve demo web site, I went and got a job doing exactly that!