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Each month, the Energy Exchange rounds up a list of top clean energy conferences around the country. Our list includes conferences at which experts from the EDF Clean Energy Program will be speaking, plus additional events that we think our readers may benefit from marking on their calendars.
Top clean energy conferences featuring EDF experts in September:
Sept 4-5: Energy Policy Research Conference, San Francisco, CA
Speaker: Jamie Fine, Senior Economist
- Energy Policy Institute’s (EPI) 4th Annual Energy Policy Research Conference (EPRC) is the premier energy policy research conference held in the Western United States. EPI is thrilled to welcome Dr. Steven Chu as the Keynote Speaker for the event! This conference is for you if you are seeking to present or discuss energy policy research with participants and panelists from academia, think-tanks and research institutes, NGOs, national laboratories, industry, and government.
Sept 9: There’ll Be Some Changes Made: Power System Realignment or Death Spiral?, Brooklyn, NY
Speaker: Elizabeth Stein, Attorney
- Today, we are witnessing the realignment of NY’s and the nation’s energy system and its regulatory framework for a carbon-constrained world in the face of disruptive technologies, new financial practices, and novel user demands at the grid edge. This conference, part of NYC’s Climate Week, brings together top experts and thought leaders who will use the 2013 Con Edison rate case settlement and New York’s 2014 Reforming the Energy Vision policy report for understanding the dynamics that are profoundly altering the power supply landscape and as a launch point for what people need to be thinking about now.
Sept 16-17: Clean Energy Education & Empowerment (C3E) Women in Clean Energy Symposium: Urban Strategies for a New Energy Future, Cambridge, MA
Speaker: Mary Barber, New Jersey Director, Clean Energy
- The 2014 C3E Symposium will provide women in clean energy with a range of perspectives and expertise on clean energy challenges and opportunities. Hosted by MIT, this year’s event has the theme “Urban Strategies for a New Energy Future.” Symposium sessions will focus on four topics: Making Wise Energy Investments in an Era of Constraints; The Future Grid: Increased Clean Energy Integration and Reliability; Energy, Mobility, and the Shape of Future Cities; and The Future Talent Pipeline.
Sept 19: Forum: EPA’s Clean Power Plan, Chapel Hill, NC
Speaker: Greg Andeck, North Carolina Senior Manager, Clean Energy
- The UNC Institute for the Environment and the UNC School of Law’s Center for Law, Environment, Adaptation, and Resources are offering this forum for students, faculty, and the public. A panel of experts from the energy industry, environmental non-profits, and academia will speak about and discuss the EPA’s new carbon rules followed by time for audience participation. This event is free and open to the public.
Sept 19-21: The Texas Tribune Festival, Austin, TX
Speaker: Jim Marston, Vice President, US Climate and Energy
- Over three days on the University of Texas at Austin campus, more than 200 speakers will dive into the state’s and nation’s most pressing issues: public and higher ed, immigration, health care, transportation, energy, the environment, criminal justice and – new this year – government transparency. The list of confirmed participants is the best yet, including Gov. Rick Perry; U.S. Sens Ted Cruzand John Cornyn; state Sens. Wendy Davis, Leticia Van de Putte and Dan Patrick; and more.
Sept 22-25: Great Lakes Symposium on Smart Grid and the New Energy Economy, Chicago, IL
Speaker: Peter Sopher, Energy Policy Analyst
- The Great Lakes Symposium will feature keynote and plenary sessions, technical presentations, and tutorials by international experts on smart grid applications. The symposium is a one-of-a-kind event that breaks new ground in smart grid design and development and showcases smart grid best practices from around the country along with new technologies and ideas that are spurring innovation, growing state economies, reducing emissions, and empowering consumers to conserve and save. Participants will have the opportunity to engage thought leaders on key policy questions, identify investment and job creation opportunities, and learn about projects already underway.
Other top clean energy conferences across the U.S. in September:
Sept 3-4: Society of Environmental Journalists’ 24th Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA
- New Orleans and south Louisiana are the poster children for both risk and resilience in the 21st Century. Thus, it’s no surprise that SEJ has chosen risk and resiliency as the theme for this year’s conference in the Crescent City. The lessons learned here from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have rewritten the rule books for how to reduce risk from disasters and how to respond in their aftermath. Participants will leave this conference motivated, empowered, and well-connected with story leads, political context, new insights, contacts, research data, experiences, and enhanced skills for effective storytelling. Relevant issues to be covered include storm surge risk reduction, storm water management, climate change and hurricane science, and rebuilding after disasters.
Sept 4: National Clean Energy Summit 7.0, Las Vegas, NV
- The seventh annual National Clean Energy Summit will bring together clean energy visionaries and leaders, public officials, business executives, energy policy experts, entrepreneurs, investors, citizens, and students to discuss empowering Americans to develop our massive clean energy supplies, secure greater energy independence, and create jobs. The day-long clean energy summit will be cosponsored by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), the Center for American Progress, the Clean Energy Project, MGM Resorts International, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Sept 10-11: The Soft Grid, Menlo Park, CA
- Although the foundations of most tech industries are built upon advanced hardware, it is software that provides the tools for industry advancement, maturation and product differentiation. The electric grid industry is no different in this regard. The amount of data being generated on both sides of the meter is staggering and solutions are being put in place to analyze that data and take meaningful action. Now in its third year, The Soft Grid: Data, Analytics and Software-Defined Utility provides a two-day forum to understand the software layers of the grid modernization and how consumer evolution trends will shape the electric utility industry in the years to come.
Sept 16: VERGE Salon NY, New York City, NY
- VERGE Salon NY shines a light on new technologies, business models,data analytics, software, and integrated design strategies that are transforming how buildings and cities are built and managed. The growth of smart buildings and smart cities is being enabled by these innovative technologies, along with new models for stakeholder engagement and an evolving understanding of how the pieces fit together. But innovation, technology disruption and data ubiquity can be both a blessing and a curse. How do they impact urban water, waste, energy, transportation, and communication systems?And what frameworks are needed to stay ahead while also mitigating risks in a changing market? In this day-long event, a group of influential building and public-sector stakeholders, innovators and disruptors will explore the future of our cities and buildings, and how to achieve results that bring economic and social value to owners, occupants and cities.
Sept 23: Energy 2030 Summit, Washington, DC
- The Alliance to Save Energy’s summit brings the community of Energy 2030 endorsers to Washington, D.C. for a discussion on what the federal government can do to help spur activity at the state and local level to achieve the goal of doubling U.S. energy productivity by 2030. Taking place on Capitol Hill, the Energy 2030 Summit will feature keynote addresses from congressional members and timely discussions from leading voices in energy efficiency about the work being done at the state, local, and federal level and highlight the support that has been generated across the nation for the Energy 2030 goal.
Sept 29 – Oct 2: E Source Forum, Denver, CO
- The Forum brings together more than 400 representatives from utilities and other energy service providers as well as government representatives and others involved in improving and redefining how energy is delivered, purchased, and used. In addition to offering insights on advancing the use and adoption of energy-efficiency programs, we’ll provide practical information aimed at helping utilities improve and enhance their customer relationships. Forum doesn’t just keep you current on today’s trends, best practices, and critical issues. It’s also known for creating a unique atmosphere that fosters collaboration and peer networking in a friendly, collegial environment.
Plus, a sneak peek of what’s to come in October:
Oct 6-8: SXSW Eco, Austin, TX
- SXSW Eco attracts a global community to explore, engage and co-create solutions for a sustainable world. A uniquely inclusive platform for professionals, SXSW Eco examines the critical challenges of our times through a kaleidoscopic lens of design innovation, policy tipping points, technological breakthroughs, conservation practice, entrepreneurial spirit, and a culture of creativity to transform inspiration into action.
Oct 27-30: VERGE, San Francisco, CA
- Sustainability’s next tipping point. Interconnected technologies for energy, buildings and transportation enable radical efficiencies and huge opportunities. VERGE reveals these opportunities, bringing together corporations, entrepreneurs, and public officials for practical, scalable, solutions-oriented conversations.