Monday, October 18
7:00 amto 6:00 pm
12:30 pmto 2:00 pm
Multiple technologies are being incorporated into today's microgrids, as end-users search for better ways to manage and ensure their energy supply, as well as control costs. This session will look at case studies of various microgrid configurations, the factors that led to their design and development, and the benefits for their end-users.
2:30 pmto 4:00 pm
Businesses are turning to distributed energy to make their operations more sustainable. Producing some if not all of their own power offers cost savings, and also charts a path for companies that have set ESG (environmental, social, and governance) goals. This session will discuss the importance of distributed generation in the move toward sustainable business practices.
4:30 pmto 5:30 pm
5:30 pmto 7:00 pm
Tuesday, October 19
7:00 amto 6:00 pm
8:00 amto 8:45 am
9:00 amto 9:45 am
Business districts and college campuses are increasingly looking at district energy projects to increase the efficiency, reliability, and resiliency of their power supply. This session looks at case studies of some noteworthy projects driving growth in the district energy sector.
Presentations
10:00 amto 11:45 am
2020 set a new US record for billion-dollar, extreme weather events at 22. In fact, the frequency of such events has increased for the past several decades. This new normal brings an increase in extended power outages resulting in business disruption. As a result, forward-thinking organizations are leveraging resiliency microgrids to prevent outages and ensure business resiliency. Microgrids offer a resiliency solution that ensures safe, reliable, and uninterrupted operations to keep the community safe in the event of a crisis. This is especially true in the Gulf Coast region, which is no stranger to such events, including hurricanes, sudden severe storms, and the recent winter storm of 2021. In this session, our Texas-based panel will discuss first-hand experiences during recent extreme weather events from the perspective of an operator, a utility, and microgrid technology provider. This discussion will cover key business considerations, lessons learned, and the value of selecting the right technologies for your business objectives.
11:00 amto 6:00 pm
12:00 pmto 1:00 pm
1:00 pmto 1:30 pm
Virtual power plants (VPPs) are offering support to the traditional power grid, using distributed generation assets. Unlike microgrids, which are usually in off-grid settings, VPPs can cover a wide area, using available generation managed by aggregation software to provide the same services as a traditional power plant--but without the need to build that physical plant. This session will discuss the design, development, and growing adoption of VPPs, as well as other efforts to integrate distributed energy resources (DERs) into the grid.
2:00 pmto 3:15 pm
The first step toward development of any distributed energy project is securing financial support. Experts in financing clean energy and distributed generation installations will discuss the best practices when it comes to identifying investors, and investment opportunities, for utilities and others seeking to deploy microgrids, cogeneration, and more.
Presentations
3:30 pmto 5:00 pm
Nuclear energy's importance as a zero-emissions generation source has accelerated the research and development of new reactor technologies, with microreactors at the forefront. Microreactors can bring electricity to remote communities that are without access to power, and provide electricity for field operations in several industries, including mining and oil and gas exploration. Experts in the design and deployment of small reactors provide their insight and expertise on the state of the industry.
5:00 pmto 6:30 pm
Wednesday, October 20
7:00 amto 6:00 pm
8:00 amto 8:45 am
• The global energy transition and forces of disruption • Resourcing a clean and resilient power system • Next-generation power networks and the role of digital grid orchestration • Lessons learned from Microsoft's own DG Journey
9:00 amto 10:15 am
Energy storage could be the most important power system technology of the moment, as it helps balance the addition of renewable energy to the grid, and furthers advancement of the move toward electrification. This session offers insight into how battery technology is evolving, how storage supports renewables, and why utilities are adding storage to their generation portfolios.
10:30 amto 12:00 pm
More businesses are taking control of their energy needs by installing distributed generation to power their offices. This session looks at how the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) into building energy systems facilitates increased energy efficiency for commercial and industrial enterprises--and why it should be part of any C&I development discussion.
11:00 amto 6:00 pm
12:00 pmto 1:00 pm
1:00 pmto 2:45 pm
Microgrids and mini-grids are being developed worldwide to provide reliable, resilient power, both for business operations and entire communities. Remote areas without access to electricity are using the technology to obtain power and enable economic growth; field operations for a variety of industries are receiving power from microgrids. Regions prone to blackouts, and at increased risk from natural disasters, are embracing micro- and mini-grids as a way to ensure a reliable electricity supply. This session looks at several successful installations.
3:00 pmto 4:30 pm
The transportation sector is a key driver of the trend toward electrification. What does that mean for utilities and power generators, who must account for the increased demand for electricity as more drivers buy electric vehicles, and more cities and businesses adopt electric vehicle fleets? This session looks at what some businesses are doing now, and how they're planning for future growth.
4:30 pmto 6:00 pm
Thursday, October 21
7:00 amto 10:30 am
9:30 amto 10:30 am
A variety of technologies, both software and hardware, are involved in distributed power generation. This session looks at a variety of these technologies, with information about their use and their benefits.
