Additional Sessions Available On-Demand Now
What to Expect in 2020
Register for on-demand recordings of the only event in the electric power industry dedicated to building a game plan to reach a carbon-free energy system by 2050. Access powerful discussions with industry leaders.
- Tuesday, July 28
- Wednesday, July 29
- Thursday, July 30
- Wednesday, August 12
-
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM Welcome and Opening General Session: Setting the Tone at the Top: Carbon-free by 2050
This 2020 Grid Evolution Summit opens with a welcome address followed by a panel featuring utility executives discussing the opportunities and realities their organizations are experiencing in the industry’s transition to a clean and modern grid. These leaders will investigate how the lessons they are learning today will inform and influence how we achieve a carbon-free energy future by 2050.
-
Jacqueline SargentGeneral ManagerAustin EnergySpeaker
-
Jeff GuldnerCEOArizona Public ServiceSpeaker
-
Julia HammPresident & CEOSmart Electric Power AllianceSpeaker
-
-
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM Improving EV Charging Infrastructure to Maintain Grid Reliability and Accelerate a Carbon-Free Energy SystemTrack: Electrification of TransportationManaged charging can be a powerful tool to better align and balance a power supply that is increasingly diverse, decentralized, renewable and intermittent with a flexible demand. With the proper systems in place, could EVs become key resources for utilities in the transition to a carbon-free future? This session will investigate how the development of novel EV technologies and programs can accelerate this transition to a cleaner grid.
-
Chris KingSVPSiemens eMobilityModerator
-
Erika MyersPrincipal of Transportation ElectrificationSEPASpeaker
-
Gary SmithDirector of ProgramsSagewell, IncSpeaker
-
Hitesh SonejiManager, Solutions EngineeringOlivine, Inc.Speaker
-
Jigar J. ShahManager, Distributed Energy and Grid ServicesElectrify AmericaSpeaker
-
-
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM Mapping a Path to a Smart Energy Future with Performance-Based RegulationTrack: Regulatory Innovation
Nationwide, changes including technology advances, flat or declining load, customer desires for information and a greater role in determining their electric service, distributed generation that feeds power back to the grid, and pressure to reduce environmental impacts are forcing a reevaluation of the traditional cost-of-service utility business model. Multiple states are exploring whether various regulatory reforms could better align electric utility compensation to customer and public policy goals, including greater customer choice, lower or more stable costs, and reduced environmental impacts. This session will discuss lessons learned from a SEPA Renovate Initiative case study on Minnesota, which established a unique 7-step process for performance-based regulation and best practices from the PBR process in Hawaii.
-
Bridget DockterManager, Policy and OutreachXcel EnergySpeaker
-
Doug ScottVice President of Electricity and EfficiencyGreat Plains InstituteSpeaker
-
Jennifer PotterCommissionerHawaii Public Utilities CommissionSpeaker
-
Richard FarinasManager of ResearchSEPASpeaker
-
-
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM General Session: Why Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Strategies are EssentialThe practical application of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies can benefit utilities beyond an investment performance indicator. Organizations that embrace transparent stakeholder disclosure have achievable long-term sustainability goals, and diverse, durable supply chains. Furthermore, companies that focus on protecting and investing in human capital are more likely to drive top-line revenues and bottom-line profitability. ESG strategies are assets when seeking maximum access to capital and the need to prepare for, and respond to fast-moving and unexpected crises and market disruptions. This session will investigate these ESG principles, their value to our industry, and how to implement them.
-
Christine MartinVice President of Public Affairs and SustainabilityPPLSpeaker
-
Jeff KotkinVice President of Investor RelationsEversource EnergySpeaker
-
Ken AdamsManaging Director, Group Head of IG ResearchTIAA InvestmentsSpeaker
-
Richard McMahonSenior Vice President of Energy Supply and FinanceEdison Electric InstituteModerator
-
Susan GrayGlobal Head of Sustainable Finance Business and InnovationS&P GlobalSpeaker
-
-
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM The Integrated Distribution Planning PuzzleTrack: Grid IntegrationIn a growing number of states, utilities and stakeholders are beginning to explore the transition from traditional distribution planning to integrated distribution planning. Each state is facing unique customer needs, system conditions, and implementation challenges. This session explores a recent IDP study conducted by SEPA and discusses key elements and phased approaches to integrated distribution planning. Speakers will also tackle the challenges of successfully transitioning to the IDP model.
-
Brenda ChewSenior Manager of ResearchSEPASpeaker
-
Dana CabbellDirector, Integrated System StrategySCESpeaker
-
Danielle Sass ByrnettDirector, Center for Partnerships & InnovationNARUCSpeaker
-
Joe PaladinoSenior AdvisorDOESpeaker
-
Samir SuccarDirector of Distributed Energy ResourcesICFModerator
-
-
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM Maximizing Microgrids: Building Community Resiliency with MicrogridsIn response to emergency conditions, microgrids can provide resilience within a community’s critical infrastructure to assure essential services to the public as well as business continuity. The session will include a discussion of best practices for developing microgrid deployment plans within a community. Experts will also discuss analytical methods for the development and deployment of microgrids complimented by case studies of projects at different levels (single premise resiliency, campus, community) to highlight the importance of collaboration amongst individual end-use customers, utilities and local governments.
-
Chris JohnsonCEOBlue Planet EnergySpeaker
-
Eva GardowPrincipal Technical LeadEPRIModerator
-
Gary OppedahlVice President of Emerging TechnologiesEmeraSpeaker
-
Jared LeaderManager of Industry StrategySEPASpeaker
-
John VernacchiaRenewable Energy Segment ManagerEatonSpeaker
-
-
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM General Session - Getting the Final Mile to 100% Clean
The SEPA Utility Carbon Reduction Tracker identifies 65% of electricity customer accounts nationwide are served by a utility with a carbon or emission reduction goal and while much progress has been made, there remains uncertainty around what going from 80% to 100% carbon-free energy will require across the energy sector. This session will investigate different pathways to 100% carbon-free energy, including existing technologies and future innovations, and the collaborative efforts the energy industry must consider to cross the finish line by 2050.
-
Anne-Laure ChassaniteVP, Power SupplyENGIE North AmericaSpeaker
-
Maria KorsnickPresident and Chief Executive OfficerNuclear Energy InstituteSpeaker
-
Mike NiggliChairman of the BoardESS, Inc.Speaker
-
Sharon AllanChief Strategy OfficerSmart Electric Power AllianceModerator
-
-
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM The Common Good: A Pathway to 100% Carbon-Free EnergyTrack: Utility Business ModelsCalifornia aims to achieve a 100 percent carbon-free energy system and statewide carbon neutrality by 2045. Earlier this year, California celebrated one million rooftops with solar panels in the state, representing huge growth in distributed energy deployment. This is an important step in achieving a carbon-free energy system, but what's next? How does California's shift to a clean energy system, aggressive greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, and a stable, sustainable, market-based approach to paying for power amplify deployment of distributed energy resources? How can the state accelerate distributed solar and additional clean generation technologies using incentives such as net energy metering (NEM)? This panel will feature leaders who will dive deeply into this challenge, propose recommendations, and investigate opportunities for collaboration to achieve a carbon-free energy system.
-
Kevin LucasDirector of Rate DesignSEIASpeaker
-
Michael BackstromManaging Director, Energy and Environmental PolicySouthern California EdisonSpeaker
-
Michael DuckerVP, Renewable Fuels & Western RegionMitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Americas, Inc.Speaker
-
Natalia MathuraPrincipal of Utility Business ModelsSEPAModerator
-
-
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM Closing General Session: - The Last Word: Challenging Assumptions
This Grid Evolution Summit session features a fast-paced panel discussion between energy executives and regulators (in case of our moderator, both) who will leverage their extensive experience to challenge assumptions that might limit our smart transition to a carbon-free energy future.
-
Janet Gail BesserManaging DirectorSmart Electric Power AllianceModerator
-
Lorraine AkibaCEOLHA Ventures, Former Hawaii PUC CommissionerSpeaker
-
Mary PowellCo-FounderSpot the Dog, Former CEO, Green Mountain PowerSpeaker
-
Peter Kelly-DetwilerCo-FounderNorthBridge Energy Partners, LLCSpeaker
-
-
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM On Demand: Optimizing Energy Storage - Behind-the-Meter Solutions for High-Penetration Renewable Energy MarketsTrack: Grid IntegrationContinued integration of distributed energy resources (DERs), such as solar PV, into the grid contributes to the famous Duck Curve and creates opportunities for behind-the-meter energy storage. This session will investigate two case studies: an “island nano grid”, which uses solar PV with battery storage and thermal hot water storage for homes and buildings in Hawaii and a process for determining the optimal energy storage schedules for load leveling and ramp rate control in distribution systems.
-
Andrew IoanElectrical EngineerSouthern California EdisonSpeaker
-
John BorlandPresidentJ.O.B TechnologiesSpeaker
-
Robert TuckerDirector of Industry StrategySEPAModerator
-
-
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM On Demand: Load Flexibility: Yoga for the Power GridTrack: Grid IntegrationLoad flexibility is important for the power grid. It provides the agility necessary to integrate intermittent renewables and new loads from transportation electrification and electric heating. According to a recent study by The Brattle Group, by 2030, the cost-effective potential for load flexibility could nearly triple the capacity of the existing demand response resource in the US. The associated benefits are worth more than $15 billion annually. However, achieving this potential depends on a significant market transformation, including smart metering deployment, adoption of smart technologies, and redefining the services traditionally provided by demand response. It also requires a closer look at how existing regulatory and market structures incentivize utilities and third party service providers to offer robust load flexibility programs that customers can understand and embrace.
-
Ben EaleyPrincipal of Grid IntegrationSEPASpeaker
-
Jason Salmi KlotzManager of Regulatory and Policy Strategy of Grid Architecture of Integration and System OperationsPortland General ElectricSpeaker
-
Jessica ShipleySenior AssociateRegulatory Assistance ProjectSpeaker
-
Patty CookSenior Vice PresidentICFModerator
-
Ryan HledikPrincipalThe Brattle GroupSpeaker
-
-
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM On Demand: Application of the SEPA Grid OntologyTrack: Grid IntegrationThis panel will discuss the SEPA Grid Architecture Working Group grid ontology outcomes and their application to utility problems.
-
David ForfiaSenior ConsultantUtilicastSpeaker
-
Gerard RendellLead Business and Technical ConsultantDuke EnergySpeaker
-
Joep van GenuchtenAlliander
-
Ron CunninghamIT Enterprise ArchitectAEPSpeaker
-
Ron MeltonAdministrator of GridWise Architecture CouncilPNNLModerator
-
-
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM On Demand: Trends in Behind-the-Meter Distributed Energy ResourcesTrack: Utility Business ModelsIndustry experts including Distributed Energy Resource (DER) providers, grid operators, Virtual Power Plant (VPP) operators, and utilities will discuss trends in managing DERs at the microgrid, VPP, and aggregation levels. Speakers will also explore how these trends affect value streams, market opportunities, and grid services across applications and approaches.
-
Aaron SmallwoodVice President, Industry SolutionsSEPAModerator
-
Brett FeldmanResearch DirectorGuidehouseSpeaker
-
Bud VosPresident and CEOEnbalaSpeaker
-
Kristy Fleischmann GronckiManager, Strategic ProgramsBaltimore Gas & ElectricSpeaker
-
Seth Frader-ThompsonPresidentEnergyHubSpeaker
-
-
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM On Demand: Harnessing Energy Innovation Through Utility-Startup PartnershipsTrack: Utility Business ModelsIn the age of a rapidly evolving energy system, knowledge gaps exists for both utilities and startups around how to structure and manage the pipeline of innovative solutions. This session will demonstrate best practices to bridge the gap between utilities and startups and streamline the process of integrating cutting-edge innovation into the utility business model.
-
Becca Jones-AlbertusDirector, Solar Energy Technologies OfficeU.S. Department of EnergySpeaker
-
Josh GouldDirector of InnovationDuquesne LightSpeaker
-
Kimberly BrittonCEOEPIcenterSpeaker
-
Whitman FultonFounder and CEOConnectDERModerator
-
-
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM On Demand: Sharing Data to Unlock Value: Utility and Industry CollaborationTrack: Grid IntegrationThe process of accessing meter and billing data can be costly and time intensive for customers and authorized DER providers. Unfettered authorized access to energy usage data unlocks expansive participation in known use cases such as storage, solar, energy efficiency and electric vehicle adoption. This session will discuss case studies such as the Silicon Valley Clean Energy Data Hive and other platforms that extract the value of utility data sharing.
-
Barbara O'NeillManager, Grid IntegrationNRELModerator
-
Devin HamptonCEOUtility APISpeaker
-
Letha TawneyCommissionerOregon Public Utility CommissionSpeaker
-
Manoj KumarCEOPowerleySpeaker
-
-
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM On Demand: Maximizing Sustainability Benefits of Transportation ElectrificationTrack: Electrification of Transportation
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) have zero tailpipe emissions but what is the total well-to-wheel impact of these vehicles? The sustainability of transport rests on having a clean power generation source, and managing the time of day people charge. How are utilities, auto OEMs, fleet owners and others building a sustainable EV charging infrastructure? What additional local policies and subsidies are needed to scale this market? Lithium-ion batteries have dominated the EV market, but does room exist for hydrogen and other alternative fuels? How is the EV ecosphere planning to address the challenges of battery recycling?
-
April BolducPresidentS Curve StrategiesModerator
-
Bill ElrickExecutive DirectorCalifornia Fuel Cell PartnershipSpeaker
-
Brittany SyzDirector of Environmental Services and SustainabilitySDG&ESpeaker
-
Drew MurphySenior Vice President. Strategy and Corporate DevelopmentEdison InternationalSpeaker
-
-
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM On Demand: Integrating Renewables, Storage, and Electric VehiclesTrack: Electrification of TransportationThis session will explore the potential benefits of vehicle to grid integration (VGI), managed charging and other opportunities. Panelists will also discuss ways to create programs to incentivize residential & commercial customers to charge at times that increase the value of renewable energy assets and correspond to the needs of the grid.
-
Meredith AlexanderPolicy DirectorCalstartSpeaker
-
Noel CrisostomoAir Pollution SpecialistCalifornia Energy CommissionSpeaker
-
Sara RafalsonSenior Director of Market DevelopmentEVGoSpeaker
-
Stephen S. KallandExecutive DirectorNC Clean Energy Technology CenterModerator
-
-
12:00 PM - 11:59 AM On Demand: Smart Home vs Grid Edge Platforms: What’s the Best Way for Utilities to Control Behind the Meter Assets?Track: Utility Business ModelsAs utilities look to incorporate technologies to meet both customer and grid needs, they should understand the distinctions and value propositions of smart home and grid edge platforms. This session will provide an overview of that value, as well as insights from existing programs.
-
Candice TsaySr. Planning Analyst, REV Demonstration ProjectsCon EdisonSpeaker
-
David MeisegeierVice President and Senior Technical DirectorICFModerator
-
Patrick LeePresident and CEOPXiSE Energy SolutionsSpeaker
-
William EllisSr. Portfolio Manager, Energy EfficiencyPepco HoldingsSpeaker
-