Accelerating the Carbon-Free Energy Transition

July 26 - 28, 2021

Virtual

Utility Transformation Challenge Results at Grid Evolution Summit

Explore findings from the Utility Transformation Challenge on industry progress towards a clean and modern energy future at Grid Evolution Summit.

The industry is aligning on the need to reduce carbon in our energy system, but we’re not progressing fast enough to meet our goals. Get the tools, expertise and innovations you need to accelerate your organization’s carbon reduction efforts.

Participate in Transformative Conversations
You’ll be in the room with the right people talking through the solutions that no other event is addressing
Overcome Obstacles to Carbon-Free
Breaking down barriers to issues standing in the way of meeting carbon reduction targets
Apply Strategic Planning Successes
Utilities and solution providers will share their lessons learned that will prepare you for grid transformation changes when they come to your market

Agenda

All times are shown in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

Monday, July 26

Monday, July 26
Tuesday, July 27
Wednesday, July 28

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Utility Success is Planned. Carbon Reduction is No Different
Utilities with strong carbon reduction commitments report the most progress toward eliminating emissions associated with their total retail energy supply. These utilities are revising commitments, increasing transparency, and setting interim, science-based targets as they accelerate timelines. This session explores the replicability of these efforts for other utilities and how stakeholders, technology companies, and regulators can get engaged and amplify this progress.
- Debra Smith
  
  General Manager and CEO
  
  Seattle City Light
  
  Speaker
- Julia Hamm
  
  President and CEO
  
  Smart Electric Power Alliance
  
  Moderator
- Ralph Cavanagh
  
  Energy Co-Director, Climate and Clean Energy Program
  
  NRDC
  
  Speaker
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
Programs with Intention: Prioritizing LMI Customer Needs and Goals
When it comes to utility planning, what’s reliable and affordable for some customers isn’t for others. Our regulatory systems lack incentives around proactively seeking out the input of under-represented customers who are most likely to be negatively affected by rate increases or infrastructure siting. This session investigates how to address these issues now and speed up efforts toward carbon reduction goals.
- Christina Nichols
  
  Senior Program Director
  
  Groundswell
  
  Moderator
- Emeka Anyanwu
  
  Energy Innovation & Resources Officer
  
  Seattle City Light
  
  Speaker
- Indran Ratnathicam
  
  Chief Marketing Officer
  
  Uplight
  
  Speaker
- Victoria Hackett
  
  Deputy Commissioner for Energy
  
  CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP)
  
  Speaker
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Meeting Tomorrow’s Transportation Demands Through Fleet Electrification
High-profile, last-mile delivery customers, smaller companies, and utilities are tackling the unavoidable rise and challenges of fleet electrification. This panel will discuss the current state of fleet electrification as well as future grid benefits such as vehicle-to-grid (V2G).
- Frank Barton Sidles
  
  EV Fleet Business Development Manager
  
  bp - Future Mobility & Solutions
  
  Speaker
- Molly Elizabeth Middaugh
  
  Director, Business Development
  
  EVgo
  
  Moderator
- Natasha Contreras
  
  EV Customer Program Manager
  
  SDG&E
  
  Speaker
- Andrew Price
  
  Business Development Manager
  
  Clean Power Research
  
  Speaker

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Beyond Consulting: Accelerating Innovation through External Partnerships
Utilities, including those in SEPA’s Utility Transformation Leaderboard, are turning to incubators, academia and ahead-of-the-curve startups to accelerate innovation. This session investigates how utilities, and the technology companies that support them, develop and use these external resources to think, plan, and execute effective solutions to complicated challenges of carbon reduction.
- Adam Sledd
  
  Director
  
  Dominion Energy Innovation Center
  
  Speaker
- Apoorv Bhargava
  
  CEO
  
  WeaveGrid
  
  Speaker
- Arlen Orchard
  
  Strategic Advisor
  
  EnerTech Capital
  
  Speaker
- Sharon Allan
  
  Chief Strategy Officer
  
  Smart Electric Power Alliance
  
  Moderator
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
Testing the Microgrid Waters: A Case Study from Annapolis, Maryland
How can utilities, the customers they serve, and the jurisdictions that regulate them collaborate in the planning phase to ensure maximum value from microgrid projects? This session investigates how Baltimore Gas and Electric partnered with the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis to develop and execute a microgrid pilot that advanced carbon reduction progress, stakeholder engagement, municipal concerns, and grid management issues.
- Jared Leader
  
  Senior Manager, Research and Industry Strategy
  
  Smart Electric Power Alliance
  
  Moderator
- Jennifer Adams
  
  Development Director
  
  Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis
  
  Speaker
- Justin Felt
  
  Manager of Strategic Planning
  
  Baltimore Gas & Electric
  
  Speaker
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Front-Loading Stakeholder Engagement To Accelerate Carbon Reduction
Utilities are increasingly proactive with stakeholders, addressing complicated challenges that affect large swaths of customers; traditionally addressed through regulatory proceedings, find out how stakeholder engagement can advance innovative initiatives and programs rather than just being a step in the process.
- Brenda Chew
  
  Director, Research
  
  Smart Electric Power Alliance
  
  Moderator
- Marc Campbell
  
  Manager, Sustainability Policy and Programs
  
  SRP
  
  Speaker

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
A New Dawn for Electricity Regulation: A PBR Framework from the Aloha State
In December 2020, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved a Performanced-Based Regulation (PBR) Framework that transitions away from cost-of-service regulation to a system rewarding the utility for exemplary performance. The Framework controls costs, improves efficiency, reduces customer rates, drives renewable energy integration, and accelerates achievement of the state’s clean energy goals. This session unpacks key components of the order, the decision-making process that drove its development, and how the Framework will impact different segments of Hawaii’s energy economy.
- James Griffin
  
  Chair
  
  Hawaii Public Utilities Commission
  
  Speaker
- Janet Gail Besser
  
  Vice President
  
  Smart Electric Power Alliance
  
  Moderator
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
Crowdsourcing Carbon Reduction with Demand Flexibility
Changes to existing processes, programs and structures that promote flexibility are necessary for a comprehensive transformation to a modern grid. This session discusses the role that grid interactive efficient buildings, integrated distributed energy resource programs, and other demand flexibility resources play in reaching a carbon-free future.
- Kate Strickland
  
  Manager, Industry Strategy
  
  Smart Electric Power Alliance
  
  Moderator
- Lisa Reed
  
  Energy Programs Manager
  
  Holy Cross Energy
  
  Speaker
- Tyler Rogers
  
  Senior Director of Utility Sales
  
  EnergyHub
  
  Speaker
- Natalie M Frick
  
  Energy Efficiency Program Manager
  
  LBNL
  
  Speaker