2024 State Energy Conference of North Carolina: 2024 State Energy Conference of North Carolina:

Schedule-At-A-Glance


 

Keynotes



8:30 - 10 a.m.   TUESDAY MORNING KEYNOTE PLENARY

The Future of North Carolina Utility Scale Clean energy generation – Can customer needs and carbon goals be met?

  • John F. Zino, PhD, Chief Consulting Engineer, Advanced Plant Technology, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
  • Deb Carlisle, Chief of Staff, Kimbro Companies | Executive Director, Southeast Hydrogen Energy Alliance
  • Sylvain Riba, Managing Director, TotalEnergies
  • Blan Holman, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Pine Gate Renewables
  • Clint Lloyd, General Counsel, Blue Ridge Power
  • Moderator: Betsy McCorkle, Managing Director, Kairos Government Affairs

Noon - 1:15 p.m.   TUESDAY LUNCHEON KEYNOTE

How Clean Energy Manufacturing is Set to Transform the North Carolina Landscape

  • Brian Maragno, Vice President of Large Generator Product Line and head of the Siemens Energy Charlotte Hub
  • Jed Routh, Vice President of Products and Markets, Kempower North America
  • Caleb Strother, General Manager and Commercial Director, Nucor Plate Group
  • Moderator: Susan Fleetwood, Executive Director of Economic Development, NC Dept. of Commerce

8:30-10 a.m.   WEDNESDAY MORNING KEYNOTE PLENARY

The Intersection of Insurance and Clean Energy: Risk Reductions to Facilitate Decarbonization

  • Michael DeLio, Account Executive, Power and Renewables, Aon
  • Jim Bowen, Executive Managing Director, Energetic Capital
  • Josh Brooks, Partner, WayBright, LLC
  • Carolyn Davidson, Senior Consultant, Dept. of Energy Loan Programs Office
  • Moderator: Anita Bahe, Principal, Evolution SE, LLC.

Noon - 1:15 p.m.   WEDNESDAY LUNCHEON KEYNOTE

Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast — The Current and Future State of Distributed Resources in North Carolina

  • Caitlin Vincent, Sr. Manager, Southeast Region, Solar Energy Industries Association
  • Shelley Robbins, Decarbonization Senior Manager, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
  • Hannah Elliott, Senior Director of Operations at Renu Energy Solutions
  • Moderator: Matt Abele, Executive Director, NC Sustainable Energy Association

Tuesday, April 23, 2024



7:30 - 8:30 a.m.   Registration

8:30-10 a.m.   MORNING KEYNOTE

The Future of North Carolina Utility Scale Clean energy generation – Can customer needs and carbon goals be met?


10 - 10:30 a.m.   Break and Exhibit Hall

10:30 a.m. - Noon   CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Track: Residential Homes

Weatherization Woes; Speed Dating for Solutions

Panelists will provide a brief explanation of their largest roadblock to completing Weatherization, or the solutions they bring to keep Weatherization moving along. Connections made should lead to solutions for utilities, contractors and Weatherization Assistance Providers.

  • Jodi Fargis, Member Services Representative, Piedmont Electric Membership Cooperation
  • Kevin Scott, Weatherization Specialist, Piedmont Triad Regional Council
  • Juanita Ward, Weatherization Program Manager, Duke Energy
  • Girija Mahajan, Special Assistant to the President, Self-Help Credit Union
  • Onte' Johnson, Project Manager, Advanced Energy
  • Matthew Davis, Weatherization Supervisor, NC Dept. of Environmental Quality
  • Tiffany Breindel, Student, Central Carolina Community College (Moderator)

Track: Commercial & Industrial Buildings

Commercial Energy Code Review

There have been significant changes in the energy conservation code over the last several years, and many new technologies have been proven to meet the new, demanding standards. This session will provide practitioners with a detailed review of the changes in the North Carolina Commercial Energy Code. Leading representatives from across the state will provide a deep dive into the code, and participants will walk away with a deeper knowledge of how to approach design with the new code.

  • Tom Phoenix, PE, Chair of National Institute of Building Sciences, Principal, T Phoenix Consulting
  • Kim Wooten, PE, Chair, NC Building Code Council, Energy Ad Hoc Committee, Senior Engineer, Facility Strategies Group
  • Ben Edwards, NC Building Code Council, Energy Ad Hoc Committee, Senior Energy Analyst, Noresco

Track: Governmental & Institutional Buildings

Executive Order 80 Update - 5 Year Check-In: How Have Agencies Progressed Toward Their Goals?

It's been over five years since Executive Order 80 was signed by Governor Cooper. In this session, we will review the agencies' progress towards achieving these goals and what strategies have been most effective.

  • Paul Braese, Sustainability, Efficiency & Resilience Program Manager, NC Dept. of Adult Correction
  • Reid Conway, Director, Energy & Utilities, Western Carolina University
  • Brittany Quinn, Sustainability Specialist, NC Dept. of Administration
  • Natalie Narron, Program Analyst II, State Energy Office (Moderator)

Track: Renewable Energy

Pathways to Carbon Compliance: Progress & Necessary Actions

In this session, panelists will explore North Carolina's current progress toward carbon emissions reductions and what's needed to meet the statutory requirements in HB951. This panel may cover aspects of the Carbon Plan proceedings but will focus on the technical and policy needs (even outside of CPIRP proceedings) to accelerate emissions reductions in the electricity sector.

  • Elizabeth Bennett, Stakeholder Engagement Leader for Renewable Energy, TotalEnergies
  • Mike Abraczinkskas, Director, Division of Air Quality, NC Dept. of Environmental Quality
  • Vincent Potter, Senior Policy Analyst, NC Clean Energy Technology Center
  • Jack Jirak, General Counsel, Duke Energy
  • Sherri White-Williamson, Director of Environmental Justice Strategy, NC Conservation Network
  • Susannah Tuttle, Director, Interfaith Power & Light (Moderator)

Track: Utilities & Infrastructure

Virtual Power Plants: The Opportunity for Distributed Energy Resource Aggregation

"Virtual power plant" is one of the biggest buzz words in the energy sector, typically referring to the controlled aggregation of distributed energy resources at a scale that can provide substantial generating capacity or load reduction. This session will discuss different models for virtual power plants, active efforts in North Carolina, and what the potential opportunity for virtual power plants is in the state.

  • Brian Lusher, Manager - Residential Demand Response, Duke Energy
  • Shawn Jacobson, Head of Project Development, Swell
  • Kirsten Millar, Director of Policy and Solutions Partnerships, Virtual Peaker
  • Lakin Garth, Director, Research & Industry Strategy, Emerging Technologies, Smart Electric Power Alliance
  • Autumn Proudlove, Associate Director - Policy & Markets, NC Clean Energy Technology Center (Moderator)

 

Track: Innovative Technology and Deployment

Microgrids: The Future of Energy Management

From electric vehicle (EV) chargers to solar power, the proliferation of distributed energy resources in North Carolina is increasing. While this is an important step to reaching our decarbonization goals, this also presents new challenges for how to manage these increasing energy sources. Microgrids serve as an effective solution to incorporate decentralized energy resources and revolutionize energy management. This panel will feature companies leading the way in innovative microgrid deployments that are helping meet the energy needs of communities across the nation.

  • Ken Dulaney, Director of Industry and Innovation, FREEDM Systems Center
  • Mark Martyak, Chief Sales Officer, PowerSecure
  • Erik Hall, Director, Energy Services & Technology, NC Electric Cooperatives
  • Isaac Panzarella, Associate Director for Technology Research and Deployment, NC Clean Energy Technology Center
  • Haroon Inam, CEO, DG Matrix
  • Srdjan Lukic, Ph.D., Deputy Director, FREEDM Systems Center (Moderator)

Noon - 1:15 p.m.   Lunch & KEYNOTE SESSION

How Clean Energy Manufacturing is Set to Transform the North Carolina Landscape


1:15 - 1:30 p.m.   Break and Exhibit Hall

1:30 - 3 p.m   CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Track: Residential Homes

The State of Affordable Housing and LMI Landscapes

This session will discuss the roadblocks for Affordable Housing developers and the lessons learned with increasing interest in the Inflation Reduction Act and what is upcoming for North Carolina.

  • Robin Reese, Housing Programs Manager, City of Raleigh
  • Helen Hossley, Executive Operations Leader, NC Dept. of Environmental Quality
  • Jamie Pennington, Construction Administrative Manager, Wake Johnston Habitat for Humanity
  • Farrah Newman, Programs Director, Sandhills Habitat for Humanity
  • Aaron Kienow, Field Manager, SystemVision (Moderator)

Track: Commercial & Industrial Buildings

EV Charging Retrofits for Multifamily and Commercial Buildings

Most EV charging is expected to happen at slow rates using Level 2 chargers. Many of these chargers will be installed at homes and businesses. Multifamily housing poses a significant challenge because landlords and owners will need to install chargers for tenants. This poses a risk for the long-term adoption of EVs. Additionally, many workers are coming to expect charging opportunities at the office, but owners need to understand the value and develop ways to adopt charging technology without significant expense. This session will investigate methods for retrofitting EV charging into existing facilities, and will examine solutions for adopting the technology.

  • Jamie Cleveland, Sr. Product Developer, Duke Energy
  • Ryan Kennedy, Co-Founder and Chief Evangelist, Atom Power
  • Erin Shanley, Senior Channel Marketing Manager, Atom Power
  • Chris Vargas, Executive Vice President of Business Development, Chargie
  • Craig Weber, Director of Business Development, Prime Retail Services
  • Robert Cox, Acting Director, Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (Moderator)

Track: Governmental & Institutional Buildings

Solar Funding Models for the Public Sector

Interested in getting solar for your governmental entity? We will review all of the following financial options to help you decide which is best for your specific case: leasing, performance contracting, bonds, utility ownership/partnership, federal incentives & the investment tax credit.

  • David Mason, Project Manager, NC Dept. of Adult Correction
  • Jeremiah Leroy, Sustainability Officer, Buncombe County
  • Bridget Parrish, Engineer II, State Energy Office
  • Laura Combs, Senior Sales Associate, Eagle Solar & Light (Moderator)

Track: Renewable Energy

The Boomerang Effect: How to Re-accelerate NC's Clean Energy Leadership

Up until 2017, North Carolina was #2 in the nation for solar largely attributed to utility-scale development after 2007. Since that time, we've seen a slowdown in solar growth, while other states like Texas and Florida have surpassed our place on the leaderboard. How do we reinvigorate our clean energy economy through policy and innovation to maintain our place on the leaderboard?

  • Maura Farver, Distributed Energy Technology Strategy and Policy Director, Duke Energy
  • Tyler Norris, James B. Duke Fellow & Ph.D. Student, Duke University
  • Anthara Wyatt, Program Manager, Equitable Clean Energy Advancement Initiative and Black Owners of Solar Services
  • Sophie Loeb, Policy Analyst, Center for Progressive Reform
  • Nicole Miller, Associate Director of Development, Cypress Creek Renewables
  • Maggie Sasser, Vice President, Government & External Affairs, Pine Gate Renewables (Moderator)

Track: Utilities & Infrastructure

Market Structures for the Energy Transition

In this session, panelists will discuss electricity market structures and their impacts on the energy transition. Topics of discussion will include the Southeast Energy Exchange Market (SEEM), regional transmission organizations, and competitive resource procurement, as well as South Carolina's recent study of energy market reforms. Panelists will explore the benefits and drawbacks to market structures and whether potential reforms could facilitate North Carolina's energy transition.

  • Chris Carmody, Executive Director, Carolinas Clean Energy Business Association
  • Nelson Peeler, SEEM Board Chair and SVP -Transmission & Fuels Strategy, Duke Energy
  • Kevin Martin, Executive Director, Carolina Utility Customers Association
  • Tim Ponseti, Vice President, Operations, SERC Reliability Corporation
  • Sarah Fitzpatrick, Senior Technical and Policy Advisor, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (Moderator)

Track: Innovative Technology and Deployment

Energy Innovations and Their Role in Shaping Tomorrow's Landscape

Emerging energy technologies, including hydrogen, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES), hold significant potential in shaping the future energy landscape. The crucial need for ongoing advancements and innovations in these technologies raises questions about their integration, functionality alongside near-term technologies, and their role within initiatives like North Carolina’s Carbon Plan. This panel aims to explore the opportunities, challenges and the current status of these long-term energy solutions, shedding light on their potential place within the evolving energy framework.

  • Christine King, Director, Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear
  • Clift Pompee, Managing Director, Duke Energy
  • Neil Kern, Program Manager, Low-Carbon Resources Initiative, EPRI
  • Vikram Rao, Senior Advisor, Innovation & Commercialization, RTI International
  • Paul Quinlan, Clean Tech Manager, ScottMadden (Moderator)

3:00 - 3:30 p.m.   Break and Exhibit Hall

3:30 - 5 p.m   CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Track: Residential Homes

Demystifying Solar for All

To assist in providing access to LMI communities, the Solar for All program has been created to close the gap. This session will provide details on the What, the Why, and the How around this landmark program.

  • Claudia Cooper, Business Developer, Advanced Energy
  • Melissa Malkin-Weber, Co-Director, Clean Energy Fund
  • Vincent Potter, Senior Policy Analyst, NC Clean Energy Technology Center
  • Julie Woosely, Director, State Energy Office at NC Dept. of Environmental Quality
  • Olivia Bretzius, Sustainability Consultant (Moderator)
  • Stephen Kalland, Executive Director, NC Clean Energy Technology Center (Moderator)

Track: Commercial & Industrial Buildings

Technology Innovations in Commercial Buildings and Multifamily Housing

Many new technologies are being deployed in both multifamily housing and commercial offices. This session will focus on some specific case studies showing how specific technologies have been deployed and used. Those in the practice will walk away from this session with a deeper understanding of how specific technologies have been deployed in practice.

  • Tom Phoenix, PE, Chair of National Institute of Building Sciences, Principal, T Phoenix Consulting
  • Natalie McDonald, PE, Associate, Buro Happold
  • Kim Wooten, P.E., Chair, NC Building Code Council, Energy Ad Hoc Committee, Senior Engineer, Facility Strategies Group

Track: Governmental & Institutional Buildings

Bi-Directional EVSE Technology

Want to unlock the resilience benefits of EV batteries to support your infrastructure? Bi-Directional EVSE Technology can help you provide Vehicle to Building (V2B) and Vehicle to Grid (V2G) charging, often in conjunction with Distributed Energy Resources and Microgrids.

  • Ronan De Larminat, Head of Offer Management, eMobility, Schneider Electric
  • Loyd Graves, Manager, Program Delivery, Transportation Electrification, Duke Energy
  • Jerry Marshall, Energy Manager, SfL+a (Moderator)

Track: Renewable Energy

Perceptions and Experiences of Clean Energy in Rural and Urban Communities - Fact v. Fiction

In this session, panelists will examine some of the new challenges, along with local opposition that clean energy projects are increasingly facing in communities across the state. Attendees will learn about the benefits clean energy projects bring to rural communities and address issues around the urban/rural divide.

  • Michele Querry, SE Regional Director, Chambers for Innovation
  • Mozine Lowe, Executive Director, Center for Energy Education
  • Erik Hall, Director, Energy Services & Technology, NC Electric Cooperatives
  • Susan Munroe, Community Engagement Manager, TotalEnergies
  • Angella Dunston, Coordinator of Public Relations and Engagement, Roanoke Cooperative (Moderator)

Track: Utilities & Infrastructure

North Carolina's Generation Mix: What Do We Need to Meet the Demands of a Next-Generation Power System?

While reliability, affordability, and safety have historically been the primary goals for the electricity system, customers are increasingly demanding more from their energy providers, including decarbonization, resilience, and community benefits. This session will explore the relative role of different power generation resources and the appropriate generation mix to meet the goals of North Carolina's next-generation electric system.

  • Dave Rogers, Beyond Coal Campaign Deputy Director, Sierra Club
  • Ben Smith, Counsel, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
  • Venu Ghanta, VP - Regulatory Affairs & Policy, Duke Energy
  • David McGowan, Southeast Regional Director, American Petroleum Institute
  • Nadia Luhr, Staff Attorney, NC Utilities Commission Public Staff
  • Elizabeth Ouzts, Energy News Network (Moderator)

Track: Innovative Technology and Deployment

DC Fast Charging: Lessons Learned and Opportunities for Collaboration

While much of the technology and infrastructure behind EV Fast Charging is largely established, there is still much to learn about the impacts EV Fast Charging will have on the grid. Between pilot programs and existing EV charging vendors, there have been many lessons learned. Join us as we explore these lessons and discuss how utilities, EV charging vendors, electric infrastructure companies, and real estate developers can better collaborate to plan and deploy EV infrastructure.

  • Mark McIntire, Director, Government Affairs, Energy, the Environment and Stakeholder Engagement, Duke Energy
  • Jason Wager, Centralina Regional Planning Director, Centralina Regional Council
  • Jed Routh, Vice President of Markets and Products, North America, Kempower
  • Jonathan Hou, Consulting Director, Hitachi Energy
  • Mike Mazzola, Project Manager for CLEANcarolinas (Moderator)

5 - 6:30 p.m.   Networking Reception in Exhibit hall

Wednesday, April 24, 2024



7:30 - 8:30 a.m.   Registration

8:30-10 a.m.   MORNING KEYNOTE

The Intersection of Insurance and Clean Energy: Risk Reductions to Facilitate Decarbonization


10 - 10:30 a.m.   Break and Exhibit Hall

10:30 a.m. - Noon   CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Track: Clean Transportation

Expanding Access to Electric Transportation Throughout North Carolina

The distribution of privately owned electric vehicles is uneven throughout North Carolina and is currently concentrated in urban areas and higher-income households. This session will discuss efforts to increase access to electric transportation for everyone in North Carolina.

  • Paula Hemmer, Statewide Initiatives Senior Engineer, Transportation Planning Division, NC Dept. of Transportation
  • Tom DelViscio, Senior Manager of Customer Fleet Electrification, Duke Energy
  • Katie Tiger, Air Quality Program Manager, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

Track: Commercial & Industrial Buildings

The Future of the Commercial Office Environment: Best Practices for Design in a Work-from-Home World

Even before the pandemic, the office environment was changing. Work/life balance, wellness, and other issues were already leading to changes in the office environment. Those changes are only accelerating post pandemic. Today, many offices remain vacant. This session will address how companies are changing their approach to the office environment. The session will cover best practices for the modern office, including case studies showing how leading companies are looking to modernize and make facilities more attractive to customers.

  • Diane Coleman, Community Leader, Market Transformation and Development, US Green Building Council
  • Lindsey Pierson, Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG) Strategist, Lincoln Properties
  • Paul Cattieu, Director of Sustainability, Northwood Office
  • John Thigpen, Vice President, Sustainability Services, JLL
  • Robert Cox, Acting Director, EPIC, UNC Charlotte (Moderator)

Track: Governmental & Institutional Buildings

Virtual Energy Auditing: How Far Can You Get Without Taking a Step?

Can energy savings opportunities in buildings be identified merely from readily available data? The City of Durham and Durham Public Schools collaborated with Enpira to put the idea to the test and consolidated all available energy data on their facilities. Enpira leveraged the results from ASHRAE Level 1 audits of the facilities to create a set of metrics that predict how much energy savings are available in each building through recommissioning. This panel will address the sources of energy savings identified in the facilities and schools, and the extent to which readily available data and advanced analytics can be leveraged for virtual energy auditing and savings opportunity identification.

  • David Crum, Energy Manager, City of Durham
  • Aaron Hope, Energy Manager, Durham Public Schools
  • Haley Williamson, Renewable Energy Project Manager, Durham County Government
  • Daniel Kauffman, President, Enpira Inc. (Moderator)

Track: Renewable Energy

Reliably Meeting our Growing Electricity Demand

In this panel, we'll discuss load growth projections for North Carolina, given the increasing population, new manufacturing, and increased electric devices, and how this will shape the future of our electric grid. At the same time, we'll also cover the need to maintain reliability considering increased demand and how utilities are planning to balance those needs.

  • Justin Somelofske, Regulatory Counsel, NC Sustainable Energy Association
  • Miriam Makhyoun, CEO, EQ Research
  • PJ Klein, Business Continuity Program Manager, Optical Fiber and Cable, Corning, Inc.
  • Sam Holeman, Vice President, Transmission Planning & Operations, Duke Energy
  • La’Meshia Whittington, President & CEO, The WSC Group
  • Will Scott, Director, Climate and Clean Energy SE, Environmental Defense Fund (Moderator)

Track: Utilities & Infrastructure

The Role of Electric Cooperatives and Municipal Utilities in Power Decarbonization

Electric cooperatives and municipal utilities serve over 3 million customers in the state of North Carolina. This session will discuss how these utilities are working toward decarbonizing their systems, including the unique opportunities and challenges faced by electric cooperatives and municipal utilities.

  • Travis Bode, Manager - Economic Development, Surry-Yadkin EMC
  • Ed Miller, Former General Manager, New River Light and Power
  • Keith Dennis, President, Beneficial Electrification League
  • Janelle Rockett, Marketing Manager, Fayetteville PWC
  • Greg Hallford, VP - National Accounts, Scale Microgrids
  • Josh Brooks, Partner, WayBright (Moderator)

Track: Innovative Technology and Deployment

Decarbonizing Industry: Exploring Strategies and Solutions

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, industrial emissions represent 30 percent of carbon dioxide produced in the United States. The adoption of energy technologies in industrial facilities is crucial for reaching our nation’s carbon reduction goals. Not only will this transition significantly reduce carbon emissions for facilitates but can also boost productivity and reduce operating costs. Many companies have developed innovative technologies and management tools to help industry take steps towards decarbonization. Hear from these leaders and directly from the manufacturing industry about the options that are available, the benefits and how companies of any size can start their decarbonization journeys.

  • Joe Stevens, Vice President of Product, Ndustrial
  • Michael Stowe, Senior Energy Engineer, Advanced Energy
  • Savannah Carroll, Corporate Environmental Manager, ARAUCO
  • Paula Leverett Cobb, Senior Southeast Regional Policy Manager, Clean Air Task Force (Moderator)

Noon - 1:15 p.m.   Lunch & KEYNOTE SESSION

Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast — The Current and Future State of Distributed Resources in North Carolina


1:15 - 1:30 p.m.   Break and Exhibit Hall

1:30 - 3 p.m   CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Track: Clean Transportation

Innovative Financing of Clean Transportation Projects

This session will discuss different options for financing clean transportation projects. Topics will include leasing of equipment, the use of tax credits, and how to combine tax credits and other sources of funding.

  • Candyce Marsh, Manager, Program Management Transportation Electrification, Duke Energy
  • Leah Brams, Market Development Manager, Highland
  • Jennifer Weiss, Co-Director, NC Clean Energy Fund
  • Heather Brutz, Transportation Program Director, NC Clean Energy Technology Center (Moderator)

Track: Commercial & Industrial Buildings

Energy Efficiency & Best Practices in Multi-Family Development: Case Studies

Multifamily housing has been growing significantly in recent years. Investment in this sector nearly doubled between 2015 and 2021, and new apartment units in 2024 are expected to reach levels not seen since the early 1970s. This session will focus on best practices for energy conservation in these projects. The session will use a case-study based format designed to provide practitioners and owners with strategies and examples that can be used in new and upcoming projects.

  • Matt Pesce, PE, Principal, Facility Strategies Group
  • Madhav Kashinath, Director of VRV Product Marketing, Daikin Comfort
  • Colin Walker, Sustainability Manager, Grubb Properties
  • Kim Wooten, PE, Chair, NC Building Code Council, Energy Ad Hoc Committee, Senior Engineer, Facility Strategies Group (Moderator)

Track: Governmental & Institutional Buildings

Empowering Energy-Efficient Design: Long-Term Energy Efficiency in New Construction

In the realm of new construction, the journey toward energy efficiency begins long before groundbreaking. This presentation delves into the critical early-stage design analysis where pivotal decisions are made. The focus will be on how these initial choices not only influence the immediate build but yield long-term enduring benefits in energy efficiency. Drawing from real-world case studies, this presentation will explore the symbiotic relationship between design choices and the subsequent performance of 100+ buildings. Attendees will be taken through the new construction process, spanning from early-stage design analysis to post-occupancy outcomes.

  • Gary Andrews, Lead Energy Efficiency Engineer, Duke Energy
  • John Majernik, Wake Technical Community College, Director of Energy, Sustainability & Transportation
  • Yash Pinapati, Program Manager, Wildan (Moderator)

Track: Renewable Energy

Meeting Customer Needs - The Necessary Programs, Regulatory Structures, and Business Models

Many large customers in North Carolina are driven by carbon emissions and sustainability goals. How do we ensure programs or structures are in place to help these customers meet their goals? How do we ensure residential customers can increasingly offset their electricity use with renewable energy? In this panel, speakers will dive into the innovative programs and structures that enable residential and non-residential customers to deploy clean energy projects behind the meter or procure clean electrons. Panelists will also talk about programs recently approved by the NC Utilities Commission like PowerPair.

  • Casey Collins, Director, Utility & Energy Services, Duke University
  • Evan Becka, President, Pisgah Energy
  • Dr. William Munn, Regional Director of the Carolinas, Vote Solar
  • Richard Harkrader, Owner, Carolina Solar Energy
  • Laura Combs, Director of Energy Equity, Eagle Solar & Light
  • Ajulo Othow, Founder and CEO, EnerWealth Solutions, LLC (Moderator)

Track: Utilities & Infrastructure

Connecting to the Grid: How Do We Build Out North Carolina's Transmission System?

Many suggest that in order to meet growing electricity demand, as well as the state's decarbonization and offshore wind development goals, significant investments in transmission are needed. This session will examine the state's transmission needs, the path to building out transmission infrastructure, as well as innovative approaches to transmission development.

  • Jesse Schneider, Policy Advisor, Transmission Planning, U.S. Department of Energy
  • John Burns, General Counsel, Carolinas Clean Energy Business Association
  • Ted Kelly, Senior Attorney, Environmental Defense Fund
  • Sammy Roberts, General Manager - Transmission Planning and Operations Strategy, Duke Energy
  • Waheed Oyekanmi, Manager, Transmission & Interconnection, TotalEnergies
  • Catherine Reed, Senior Program Director, Electricity, National Association of State Energy Officials (Moderator)

Track: Innovative Technology and Deployment

Innovative Business Models in Clean Energy

North Carolina is a leader in the development of innovative clean energy technologies, but many in our state are developing innovative business models to help accelerate the clean energy transition. From utilities to industry, North Carolina has deployed technologies and programs that are assisting homeowners and companies simultaneously reach their decarbonization goals and reduce energy costs. Join us as we learn about projects helping North Carolina make clean energy and energy savings a reality.

  • Daniel Kauffman, Founder and President, Enpira
  • Jeremiah LeRoy, Director of Office of Sustainability, Buncombe County
  • Tony Olivo, Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, FlexGen
  • Kara Gravinese, Innovation and Business Development Analyst, NC Electric Cooperatives
  • Emmit Owens, Senior Manager, Membership and Engagement, Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster (Moderator)

3:30 p.m.   Conference Adjourns