Experience & Qualifications


Avalon Consulting was established in 1996. Since then, we have been providing consulting services primarily in the following two focused areas:

We also have experience in providing services in other energy technology areas, including natural gas-fired cooling technologies, coal gasification and energy technologies outreach.

We are experienced in providing services to a wide spectrum of clients, including, commercial, industrial and institutional facility owners, energy service companies, design and engineering contractors, and equipment manufacturers, and other consulting companies.

The scope of our services includes various levels of technical and economic analyses of alternative technologies, system optimization, developing bid specifications, evaluating bids, technical support for detailed design, construction and commissioning and performance test evaluation.

We are located in Chicago, IL area (Naperville) and have experience in executing projects not only in the U.S. but also overseas. Our present international experience includes projects in Australia, Canada, India, Korea, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

Our principal consultant is our founder and president, Dharam V. Punwani, who have over 45 years of energy technology experience.

Prior to founding Avalon Consulting, he was Vice President of Technology Development at the Institute of Gas Technology (now known as the Gas Technology Institute), where he worked for thirty years.

He has authored/co-authored over 100 publications, presentations, books and technical guide books. Lists of these publications and presentations are available the following categories:

Photo of Dharam V. Punwani

He received his MBA degree from Loyola University (Chicago, IL) in 1974, an MS degree in chemical engineering in from the Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago, IL) in 1967, and a BS degree in chemical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (Mumbai, India) in 1965.

He is an active member of the Turbine Inlet Cooling Association (TICA), Turbine Inlet Cooling and Cogeneration /CHP Committees of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and the Midwest Cogeneration Association.

The list of his professional activities and awards includes:

  • ASHRAE George B. Hightower Award for Technical Achievements (2010)
  • Board Member, Midwest Cogeneration Association (2010-Present)
  • Chairman, Combustion Turbine Inlet Cooling Subcommittee of ASHRAE (2000-2009)
  • Chairman, Turbine Inlet Cooling Association (2002)
  • President, Turbine Inlet Cooling Association (2001)