The bankruptcy of Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires in California is changing long held beliefs in the utility sector. Taking action on this and other challenges demand vision and leadership. The Hawaii Energy Conference, March 27 & 28 on Maui, will host energy leaders who are responding to these challenges and will explore how other states with ambitious renewable energy targets like Colorado, California, and Hawai’i are adapting.
Jeffrey Ackerman, Chairman of Colorado PUC
Those who attend the conference will hear from experienced leaders in energy with a wealth of experience and key positions in government and the private sector. These will include public utility commissioners from throughout the U.S. who are thought leaders on policy, including:
Jeffrey Ackerman, Chair, Colorado Public Utilities Commission, who led the commission’s efforts to “establish requirements for a coordinated electric planning process that is to be conducted on a comprehensive, transparent, statewide basis”, laying the groundwork for rules to include battery storage when supply-side resources are acquired.
Abigail Anthony, Commissioner, Rhode Island, Public Utilities Commission, who is designing and implementing energy solutions that help modernize the state’s grid infrastructure while achieving equity and fairness in the rate structure.
Abigail Anthony, Commissioner of Rhode Island PUC
Jay Griffin, Chair, Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, who was recently elevated to that position after serving as a member of the commission. He now leads Hawaii’s efforts at achieving a 100% RPS by 2045 and the commission’s efforts in clean transportation as a “natural evolution to our clean energy and climate policies.”
Michael Picker, President, California Public Utilities Commission, who is leading California’s charge to implement a 60% Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) by 2030 and the mandate that all the state’s electricity come from carbon-free resources by 2045.
Jennifer Potter, Commissioner, Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, who is committed to Hawaii’s ambitious renewable energy goals, bringing to bear her wealth of experience as a senior scientific engineering associate at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and energy specialist at the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute.
Jennifer Potter, Commissioner, Hawaii PUC
“Anyone involved in thinking about or transforming the energy evolution should attend the Hawaii Energy Conference,” Commissioner Potter asserted. She added, “This includes policymakers, utility practitioners, academics, technology vendors, and third-party energy market players. Hawaii continues to be a leader in DER integration and is positioned to be a leader in utility scale renewable projects in the next five years. We are working on regulatory reform, DR markets, microgrid initiatives, integrated grid planning (T & D & BTM), resilience, and climate change initiatives (across local and state governments). The Hawaii Energy Conference is a place for innovation and collaboration.”
The Hawaii Energy Conference, presented by the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) and supported by the County of Maui Office of Economic Development, consistently attracts energy industry leaders from Hawaii, the Mainland, Japan and Europe to exchange ideas on how to better serve customers in today’s rapidly changing energy environment. Held at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, the conference program features invited Keynote speakers, panel sessions, case studies, exhibits and ample time for networking.
The 2019 Sponsors are: Carbon Lighthouse, Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, Johnson Controls, Ulupono Initiative, Innergex, Hawaii Electric Companies, Hawaii Energy, PXiSE Energy Solutions, Powin Energy, Ameresco, Burns & McDonnell, Eaton, Gridworks, UH Hawaii Energy Policy Forum, Ohm Energy Techologies and Pika Energy.
For information on how to register and other details, visit: www.hawaiienergyconference.com.