Each 90-minute track session receives 1.5 continuing education units from the following professional organizations: AIA, BPI, GBCI, InterNACHI, NAHB, and NARI. To receive your credits, you must sign in at the beginning of each session
Track co-chairs: Bill Stillinger, PV Squared; Rob Meyers, South Mountain Company
Renewable Energy Markets in the Region and Beyond
Session 1: Wednesday, March 6, 11:00am-12:30pm
Session Chair: Bill Stillinger, PV Squared
Session Speakers: Bill Stillinger, PV Squared; Jessica Lillian, Solar Industry Magazine; Laurence Mackler, Solaire Generation
Description: In 1974, when NESEA was first organized, solar PV and wind were fringe novelties not seriously considered by energy professionals. Today renewable resources are promoted and developed through a mainstream global infrastructure. This session examines the state of renewable markets, demonstrating the interdependence among regional and national policies, equipment manufacturers and distributors, and how “clean energy” meets customer demand today and in the likely future.
Maintaining a Secure and Resilient Electric Grid
Session 2: Wednesday, March 6, 2:00pm-3:30pm
Session Chair: Joel Gordes, Environmental Energy Solutions
Session Speakers: Joel Gordes, Environmental Energy Solutions; Chris Lotspeich, Celtic Energy; Guy Warner, Pareto Energy Ltd.; Carl Frattini, Northeast Utilities
Description: This session reviews the drivers behind the need for grid resilience such as climate disruption, possible cyberattacks, the growing complexity of the electric system and other issues around grid reliability. Microgrids hold the promise to improve grid performance by integrating distributed demand and supply options with “smart grid” technologies. Systematic design is needed to overcome conflicting business interests and incentives in order to produce high-performance buildings integrated with efficient microgrids.
The Frontiers of Renewable Resource Technology
Session 3: Wednesday, March 6, 4:00pm-5:30pm
Session Chair: Rob Meyers, South Mountain Company
Session Speakers: Frank van Mierlo, 1366 Technologies; Stanley Kowalski III, Flo Design Inc.
Description: Refinements in our use of the all-important solar energy resource continue today in ways that improve its efficient conversion and storage, moving us closer to a clean energy future. This session presents innovators focused on new designs for solar and wind energy technologies and advanced battery and other storage. Rather than survey “what’s cooking in the laboratory”, the speakers are leading technological solutions that are advanced enough to attract serious commercial interest.
REC Markets Across the Northeast
Session 4: Thursday, March 7, 8:30am-10:00am
Session Chairs: Rob Meyers, South Mountain Company
Session Speakers: Rob Meyers, South Mountain Company; Jason Gifford, Sustainable Energy Advantage; Steven Kaufman, Clean Asset Partners; Kevin Quilliam, SREC Trade
Description: The creation and trading of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) are essential to the financing, development, and operation of clean energy projects today. Exactly how they function varies according to a state’s policies and regulations. This session will present an overview of REC activity today. Speakers actively involved in REC aggregating and trading will address the strengths and weaknesses of the several REC markets that have emerged in the northeast.
Interconnections, Net Metering and Caps
Session 5: Thursday, March 7, 10:30am-12:00pm
Session Chair: Paul Gromer, Peregrine Energy Group
Session Speakers: Paul Gromer, Peregrine Energy Group; Carrie Cullen Hitt, SEIA; Timothy Roughan, National Grid
Description: Differing perspectives claim that regulated utilities are either enablers of grid-connected renewable energy or obstructionists to its orderly deployment. This session discusses three current issues: reliably interconnecting solar generators to the existing distribution (or transmission) system; the ability of hosts to obtain retail credit for their kWhs irrespective of local demand; and the rationale behind establishing a ‘cap’ on the total amount of non-dispatchable generation that can be safely accommodated on the grid.
Stand-Alone vs. Grid-Connected PV Systems
Session 6: Thursday, March 7, 2:00pm-3:30pm
Session Chair: Joel Gordes, Environmental Energy Solutions
Session Speakers: Joel Gordes, Environmental Energy Solutions; Adam Thurrell, PV Squared; James Dunn, Future Solar Systems LLC
Description: With increasing frequency, severe weather events have been disrupting conventional electric service. How did actual PV systems perform during such events? We discuss the merits of PV systems operating when tied to the grid or independent of it; options for backup generators and energy storage; wiring schematics acceptable to electrical inspectors and the utility; and a summary of the current costs of alternative configurations.
Closing Forum: What will be the hot topics at BE25?
Session 7: Thursday March 7, 4:00pm-5:30pm
Session Chair: Paul Eldrenkamp
Session Speakers: TBA
Description: The final session of the day will wrap up everything we learned at BE13 by forcing us to think out loud about where all our new-gained knowledge is taking us. The format: Six NESEA thought leaders will work within the pecha kucha framework to offer their predictions regarding what we’ll be grappling with in the sessions and workshops at Building Energy in March, 2025. This will followed by a period of quick-paced audience discussion. The 90 minutes will then wrap with a compelling preview of NESEA, 12 years hence. This closing session will offer an engaged response to the too-rarely asked question: “Just where are we going with all of this?“
