Microgrid Summit

Wednesday, October 17 | 8am - 12:15pm

Wednesday, October 17, 8:00am - 12:15pm | Washington Inn, Oakland, CA

We are at an inflection point in the growth of the microgrid market, due in large part to the growing demand for resilient and clean energy systems. The decreasing cost of technology is making microgrids more affordable, and a growing corps of both big and small companies are offering microgrid components, as well as plug-and-play systems at corporate, city, military and universities.

There are barriers to the mainstreaming of clean microgrids, but they’re not insurmountable. For example, we need to standardize terminology, improve interoperability, remove policy barriers, engage communities, and work with utilities and grid operators. The goal: to ensure the safety, security and sustainability of microgrids in both grid-connected and grid-independent modes.

 

VERGE 18 Microgrid Summit

Past Summit Participants

VERGE 18 Microgrid Summit

Agenda

The Summit begins with an opening breakfast to establish the focus and frame for the session. Participants will then engage in a series of facilitated discussions focused on what it will take to accelerate the deployment of clean microgrids. The Summit is designed to be an interactive, roll-up-your-sleeves experience, with a limited number of speeches and slide presentations.

What You Can Expect

  • Deep learning about what technologies and new models are on the cutting edge of advancing clean microgrids, and what’s needed to scale them

  • Focused networking with a diverse group of leaders who can be powerful and effective allies and potential partners

  • Collaborative investigation of key actions you can take, individually and through your organization, that can move the needle

Who Should Attend

Participants include leaders in:

  • Energy utilities
  • Energy planning and procurement
  • Facility management
  • Corporate real estate
  • Municipal government
  • Military, university and hospital campus management
  • Regional resilience and emergency response
  • Technology deployment

Topics We Will Address

During the primary working session, we will explore pathways to key solutions, including:

 

  1. Aligning the interests of utilities with microgrid customers

  2. Accelerating the equitable deployment of microgrids at the neighborhood scale

  3. Creating accessible, streamlined capital structures to finance microgrid projects

  4. Aligning standards to drive interoperability of microgrid controls

  5. Scaling business models that reduce upfront capital costs

  6. Measuring and communicating the value of microgrids to stakeholders

  7. Generating internal buy-in to invest in microgrid development and deployment

  8. Ensuring an adequate, equitable, inclusive and trained workforce for microgrids