Madison, WI – RENEW Wisconsin’s 10th Annual Renewable Energy Summit will be hosted virtually from Tuesday, January 12th through Thursday, January 14th. “Building the Clean Energy Mosaic,” will highlight the diversity of technologies, people, and scale needed to shape our clean energy future.
RENEW Wisconsin and Presenting Sponsors Arch Electric, Greenpenny, and Invenergy LLC will bring together renewable energy industry professionals, policymakers, utility leaders, government officials, students, and advocates to celebrate 2020 accomplishments and discuss the pieces and players needed to continue advancing renewable energy in Wisconsin.
Renewable energy is emerging as a force in Wisconsin, driving our economy and improving air quality. More than 50 expert speakers will discuss Wisconsin’s renewable energy success and opportunities, and how diversity and collaboration can accelerate Wisconsin’s transition to 100% clean energy.
“Wisconsin’s renewable energy industry has grown by leaps and bounds in just the last two years. The Summit will explore strategies to reach new markets and serve even more Wisconsinites with solar, wind, biogas, geothermal, energy storage and electric vehicles in 2021.” said Heather Allen, Executive Director. “The January virtual Summit is the place to be for renewable energy practitioners, decision makers, and those looking for a clean energy future for the Badger State.”
Kicking off the 2021 Summit, Tuesday’s subtheme, “Designing Rules for Emerging Markets,” will begin with a keynote address from Kelly Speakes-Backman, CEO of the Energy Storage Association. Throughout the day, Wisconsin’s energy policy makers and renewable energy industry professionals will discuss clean energy projects in the pipeline, emerging technologies, and places where the policy/technology interface holds the key to achieving Wisconsin’s goal of becoming carbon-free by 2050.
Sandra Henry, Senior Director of Energy and Sustainability at Elevate Energy, will kick off our second day of programming. Wednesday’s subtheme, “Creating Clean Energy Communities” will highlight the people who are imagining, planning, and building Wisconsin’s clean energy future. Panels will include renewable energy professionals, community leaders, health professionals, educators, and farmers as they discuss their efforts to maximize the value of renewable energy for their communities.
CEO of Solar Energy Industries Association, Abigail Ross-Hopper, will give a keynote address to begin Thursday’s programming: “Making Room for Renewables.” The Summit’s final day of programming will underscore an “all of the above” approach to renewable energy, and ways that we can work to identify and align pathways for expanding its contribution to the state. Industry experts will discuss the challenges, opportunities, and goals to advance renewable energy in Wisconsin.
Other programming will include panels, breakout sessions, lunchtime 101 sessions, and engaging Industry Conversations. Attendees can connect and network via a virtual exhibitor space, 1:1 video meetings, and live chat.
Attendees can register for one day, all three, or opt to only attend the lunchtime 101 Sessions. Students and healthcare workers can receive a discounted rate and a limited number of scholarships are available to anyone who cannot afford registration.
This year’s Summit will offer inspiration and momentum for 2021 as Wisconsin continues to advance renewable energy.
Learn more and register at renewwisconsin.org/renewable-energy-summit
_______
SUMMIT AGENDA
TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021 • Designing Rules for Emerging Markets
- 9:00 AM – 9:50 AM (CST) • Keynote Address – Kelly Speakes-Backman – Energy Storage Association
- 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (CST) • Laying the Foundation for Renewable Energy Growth in Wisconsin
o Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes – State of Wisconsin
o Joel Brennan – State of Wisconsin Department of Administration
o Dan Ebert – Midwest Energy Research Consortium
o Tyler Huebner – Public Service of Commission of Wisconsin
- 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM (CST) • PSC 101: How Does Utility Regulation Work?
o Cynthia Smith – Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
- 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (CST) • Policies and Progress in Minnesota and Wisconsin
o Mike Barnett – HGA Architects and Engineers
o Aditya Ranade – Minnesota Department of Commerce
o Maria Redmond – Wisconsin Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy
- 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (CST) • Microgrid Technology: Engineering and Modeling Breakthroughs
o Amy Simpkins – muGrid Analytics
o Ashray Manur – University of Wisconsin-Madison
o Don Wingate – Schneider Electric
o Deb Erwin – Xcel Energy
- 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (CST) • Electric Vehicle Market Expansion and Infrastructure Growth
o Jane McCurry – Clean Fuels Michigan
o Shelley Francis – EVNoire
o Brendan Jordan – Great Plains Institute
- 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (CST) • Industry Conversations
o Community Solar for Low Income Assistance
o Solar Land Stewardship
o Bifacial Is Better
o Technical Education to meet the Workforce Needs of Renewable Energy Employers
o Project Finance for Renewables in 2021 and Beyond
o Ask a Solar Installer
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2021 • Creating Clean Energy Communities
- 9:00 AM – 9:50 AM (CST) • Keynote Address – Sandra Henry – Elevate Energy
- 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (CST) • Local Government and Community Leadership on Renewable Energy
o Kathy Kuntz – Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change
o Ned Noel – City of Eau Claire
o Daniel Wiggins Jr. – Bad River Natural Resource Department
- 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM (CST) • Energy Literacy 101: How Energy Shapes our Lives
o Samara Hamze – UW-Stevens Point
- 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (CST) • The Renewable Energy Workforce: An Economic Engine in Wisconsin
o Ellen Barlas – Midwest Renewable Energy Association
o Gilbert Campbell – Volt Energy, LLC
o William McMahon – City of Madison
- 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (CST) • Clean Energy: Good for Land, Farmers, and Rural Communities
o Stanley Minnick – Arch Electric
o Corrine Daniels – Applied Ecological Services: Taylor Creek Restoration Nurseries
o Bob Bishop – C.R. Bishop & Sons, Inc.
o Darcy Shiber-Knowles – Dr. Bronner’s
- 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (CST) • Renewable Energy and Health
o Claire Gervais – University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
o Ali Wolf – Aspirus, Inc.
o Jeff Thompson – Healthcare Without Harm
- 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (CST) • Industry Conversations
o Energizing Rural Electric Coops
o A Proven Model for Significant Clean Energy Adoption in a Community
o Meet the Wisconsin Health Professionals for Climate Change
o Ask a Solar Installer
THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021 • Making Room for Renewables
- 9:00 AM – 9:50 AM (CST) • Keynote Address – Abigail Ross Hopper – Solar Energy Industries
- 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (CST) • Wisconsin – All in on Renewable Energy
o Samantha Williams – Natural Resources Defense Council
o Nick Smith – Alliant Energy
o Kenneth Walz – Center for Renewable Energy Advanced Technological Education
- 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM (CST) • Emerging Technologies 101: Reshaping the Energy Landscape
o Robin Lisowski – Slipstream
- 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (CST) • Scaling Up: Wind and Solar Farms in Wisconsin
o Eric Udelhofen – OneEnergy Renewables
o Elizabeth Katt Reinders – Sierra Club
o Dan Litchfield – Invenergy LLC
o Cari Anne Renlund – Madison Gas and Electric
- 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (CST) • Biogas: Putting the Pieces Together
o Jessica Niekrasz – Clean Fuel Partners
o Maureen Walsh – American Biogas Council
o Shiba Kar – University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
- 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (CST) •Distributed Generation in Wisconsin: Residential and Commercial Solar
o Amy Heart – Sunrun
o Josh Stolzenburg – Northwind Solar
o Jesse Michalski – Eland Electric Corporation
- 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (CST) • Industry Conversations
o Ensuring Access to Capital and Financing for Solar Energy Investments
o Supporting Innovation in the Wisconsin Clean Energy Plan
o Ask a Solar Installer
