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EVENT PROGRAM

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  • Tuesday
  • Wednesday
  • Thursday
Filter by Track: 
  • All
  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Circular Economy
  • Next-Gen Buildings
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement
Tuesday, September 19th, 2017
7:45am to 8:30am
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Breakfast and Registration (Select Passes Only)

Bookend

Participants must be registered for an All-Access, Tutorial-Only or One-Day Tuesday pass to access breakfast. Registration for Conference-Only passholders begins at noon.

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8:15am to 12:15pm
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Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance Summit (by invitation only)

Summit

The last day of an invitation-only, two-day working session to identify opportunities to accelerate renewable energy procurement.

See the REBA Summit page for more information and to request an invitation.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

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Circular Materials Summit (by invitation only)

Summit

The Circular Materials Summit explores a broad range of advanced materials that align with the goals of a closed-loop, zero-waste value chain.

To learn more or request an invitation, please refer to our Circular Materials Summit page. 

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • Circular Economy

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8:30am to 12:15pm
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Capturing CO2, Strengthening Corporate Supply Chains (Select Passes Only)

Tutorial

*Participants must be registered for an All-Access, Tutorial-Only or One-Day Tuesday pass.

Executives are increasingly in search of solutions for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the sky to reduce risks and increase resiliency of their supply chains. However, many barriers remain for corporates to turn carbon “drawdown” ideas into profitable actions. This workshop will help companies hone their vision for turning CO2 from a pollutant into a resource, and begin to design effective supply chain strategies where CO2 is treated as an asset, not a waste.

Tentative agenda for this half-day workshop:

  • Overview: why is harnessing CO2 as a resource important for strong, resilient supply chains in a changing climate? What is the state of leading solutions (across agriculture, forestry, and industrial processes) for turning CO2 from a waste into an asset? How can companies start to strengthen their supply chains with CO2 harnessing solutions today?

  • Panel 1 -- Food, fiber, and healthy soils: imperative of carbon-rich soils for strong and resilient agriculture and forestry supply chains

  • Panel 2 -- Mining the sky: reducing stranded asset exposure via atmospheric CO2 capture and utilization.

  • Concluding exercise: what support do companies need to begin incorporating CO2 harnessing products in their supply chain today (information, policy, markets, etc.)?

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • Circular Economy
  • Grid-Scale Power

Speakers

  • Noah Deich
  • Erin Meezan
  • Miriam Swaffer
  • Mike Biddle
  • Pulakesh Mukherjee

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Power Markets and Innovation 101: How They Work and What's Next (Select Passes Only)

Tutorial

*Participants must be registered for an All-Access, Tutorial-Only or One-Day Tuesday pass.

This four-hour course will explain the fundamentals of how power markets work, the changes that have taken place in the past decade, and the revolutionary change that is about to occur.  We will cover:

  1. the fundamentals of how power is generated and dispatched
  2. who does what in the new world (utilities, regulators, entrepreneurs, and interactive consumers)
  3. factors driving technological change and the critical role of information technology
  4. the key technologies - including wind, solar, and storage and the cost curves 
  5. emerging winners and losers
  6. business models, and global trends, including carbon, financial trends and national economic development policies
  7. regulatory models and experiences worth examining (including New York, California, Texas, Australia, China, and Germany
  8. implications for the future and potential outcomes
  9. the challenge for planners and investors, and options for creating potential no-regrets strategies in an increasingly volatile market

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Peter Kelly-Detwiler

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What's New in Smart Logistics? From California to Washington (Select Passes Only)

Tutorial

*Participants must be registered for an All-Access, Tutorial-Only or One-Day Tuesday pass.

In this workshop, participants will learn how businesses are reducing emissions from goods movement despite expanding freight volumes and increasing demand for quicker delivery. They will explore the latest in tools that allow shippers to share networks, consolidate loads, and assign route/mode in real time; discover how to quantify and project the benefits of collaboration; gain insight into innovative public programs at the state and federal level; consider new and emerging opportunities.

Developed in partnership with Therese Langer, transportation programs director, ACEEE.

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility

Speakers

  • Karl Simon
  • Jason Mathers
  • Therese Langer
  • Ron Guzzi
  • Elizabeth Fretheim

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How Understanding People Can Save Energy and Engage Customers (Select Passes Only)

Tutorial

*Participants must be registered for an All-Access, Tutorial-Only or One-Day Tuesday pass.

This interactive workshop will show businesses, utilities, and building owners that they no longer have to guess which energy-efficient products, services, and offers will work best. Better data and new tools for understanding both consumer behavior and energy use take out much of that guesswork. They also improve the customer experience. Case studies of successful partnerships will provide constructive lessons on leveraging real-time customer data to improve business offerings and enhance customer relationships. 

Developed in partnership with Jennifer Amann, buildings program director, ACEEE.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • David Nemtzow
  • Fatima Crerar
  • Jennifer Amann
  • Anne Arquit Niederberger
  • Marco Pritoni
  • Andrew McAllister
  • Paul Campbell

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Yes, You Can! Streamlining Data Analytics to Scale Energy Savings (Select Passes Only)

Tutorial

*Participants must be registered for an All-Access, Tutorial-Only or One-Day Tuesday pass.

With panel presentations and World Café-style discussion, this workshop will help business leaders overcome barriers to adopting the latest energy-saving technologies. Participants will explore the data analytic techniques for mining information from connected devices and smart meters; learn how to target, track, and measure energy use; identify pathways that make it much easier for them to implement energy efficiency and save money.

Developed in partnership with Ethan Rogers, industry program director, ACEEE.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • Terry Fry
  • Tim Guiterman
  • Ethan Rogers
  • Carmen Best

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Bringing Regenerative Thinking into Business and Your Industry— a Practicum (Select Passes Only)

Tutorial

*Participants must be registered for an All-Access, Tutorial-Only or One-Day Tuesday pass.

Regeneration is a fundamentally different paradigm, but is not practical to most people yet. Experience three perspectives of a Regenerative paradigm and how the paradigm we use, effects how we lead businesses and industries—includes results for business and effects in the world. 

We look at the history of thinking paradigms we use, unconsciously for the most part, making us blind to many of our “choices” over the centuries. Next is engagement in a practical application to business in general and in the world of design and construction in particular.  This four hour practicum will result in a more explicit understanding of what is a thinking paradigm and how it drives our thinking; generally these drivers are outside our awareness. We will explore how alternative worldviews can lead to profoundly different choices and outcomes; in both our ability to effect the world around us and our business outcomes.

We introduce a mix of ideas coupled with frameworks that will allow attendees to test these ideas on their own business. Three interest area groups will break out in the middle of the session (general paradigms; effects of paradigms on businesses of all types; and specifically, businesses addressing the built environment). We will end with an process designed for all attendees to carry the work home and engage others in their organization.

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Circular Economy
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • David McConville
  • Carol Sanford
  • Bill Reed
  • Dawn Danby

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Microgrids: The Big Picture (Select Passes Only)

Tutorial

*Participants must be registered for an All-Access, Tutorial-Only or One-Day Tuesday pass.

An updated reprisal of our interactive workshop led by microgrid experts from all over the country. 

  • Understand the different types and benefits of microgrids
  • Learn about microgrid deployments in the US
  • Learn how to build a microgrid – leveraging two models that support two different classes of microgrid
  • Learn how to leverage tools to design a microgrid
  • Learn about real-life microgrids – design to operation
  • Understand different financing models
  • Get a hands-on view of a real microgrid
  • Network with microgrid experts and other stakeholders interested in microgrids

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Grid-Scale Power

Speakers

  • Julian Spector
  • Mike Murray
  • Laura Vogel
  • Mike Kozlowski
  • Neal Bartek
  • Coleman Adams
  • Jason Abiecunas

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12:00pm to 7:00pm
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VERGE Interconnect Expo

Break

VERGE Interconnect Expo (Day 1)

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12:15pm to 1:30pm
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Lunch (Select Passes Only)

Lunch

Participants must be registered for an All-Access, Tutorial-Only or One-Day Tuesday pass to access lunch on Tuesday.

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1:30pm to 1:45pm
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Welcome

Plenary

GreenBiz welcomes everyone to VERGE 17 and sets the stage for this year's global flagship conference.

Speakers

  • Elaine Hsieh
  • Eric Faurot

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1:45pm to 1:50pm
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Interactive: Why Are You Here?

Plenary

An interactive exercise  — designed to provoke thinking about our respective challenges and what it will take to discover and engage in the solutions necesary to accelerate systemic sustainability.

Speakers

  • Shana Rappaport

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1:50pm to 2:00pm
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VERGE Talk: Technology, the Universe and Everything — A Living Systems View of Spaceship Earth

Plenary
Half a century ago, the first images of Earth from space were broadcast around the world. These catalyzed awareness that, for better or worse, Earth is a dynamic, interconnected system. 
For tech companies pursuing “sustainability,” this awareness presents a paradox of cosmic proportions. On the one hand, we hope that new innovations will improve the quality of life for billions of people. Yet we're accelerating the transformation of ecological commons into expendable commodities. As a result, we’re destabilizing planetary cycles and decreasing Earth’s regenerative ability to sustain life. 
Is there a way out of this conundrum? Dr. David McConville explores how the regenerative paradigm shines new light on these wicked problems.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Circular Economy
  • Next-Gen Buildings
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • David McConville

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2:00pm to 2:10pm
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The Path to a Regenerative Business

Plenary

Not all businesses are created equal. There are numerous approaches on how to run a business. They are all based on one or a mix of five paradigms. They are drawn from and incorporate arcane, discredited beliefs as well as popular modern ideas which are filled with myths. All are invisible to their leaders, as to their source and rationale, but determine the results they get in markets and the effects they have on the world around them. It is difficult, if not impossible, to create change without exposing these underpinnings.  A few very powerful businesses are working with “living systems” as the framework underlying their amazing success and contribution. They are on a journey to a Regenerative Business. This talk will make these five paradigms transparent—using case stories of real practices from first hand experiences in creating them—giving leaders real choices again.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Circular Economy
  • Next-Gen Buildings
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Carol Sanford

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2:10pm to 2:35pm
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Stories from the Pursuit of a Cleaner Energy System

Plenary

Corporate buyers, state regulators and large utilities are increasingly taking a leadership role across the U.S. with significant renewable energy projects. In New York, ConEdison is leading a set of initiatives called Reforming the Energy Vision, or REV, to redefine the way customers participate in the electric power system. In California, Governor Jerry Brown, state legislators and the California Public Utilities Commission are pushing increases in renewable energy procurement. Alongside those state efforts, four leading NGOs have joined with the corporate world to create the Renewable Energy Buyer's Alliance (REBA), with the aim of expanding the renewable energy purchasing power of larger and midsize businesses. This session will explore the direction of the clean energy system from those various perspectives.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Next-Gen Buildings
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Carla Peterman
  • Danny Kennedy
  • Stuart Nachmias
  • Bill Weihl

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2:35pm to 2:40pm
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Special Announcement: Water Conservation Goes High-Tech

Plenary

Intel announces a new initiative and encourages other technology companies to join the effort.

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience

Speakers

  • Ann Kelleher
  • Todd Reeve

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2:40pm to 3:00pm
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Reinventing Infrastructure With Digital Efficiency — Cross-Sector Lessons from Around the World

Plenary

Digital efficiency is a critical differentiator enabling competitiveness and growth in companies and countries. The industrial internet enables efficiency improvements that yield economic gains and environmental benefits beyond the traditional development and introduction of new technology. Leaders from GE, Intel and MWH will share insights and global examples of how embracing digital efficiency has returned costs savings, reduced emissions, and created greater productivity within their own operations and for their customers.

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Grid-Scale Power

Speakers

  • Todd Brady
  • Pete Perciavalle
  • Joel Makower
  • Libby Wayman

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3:00pm to 3:15pm
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VERGE Talk: Can One Highway Drive the Future?

Plenary

The visionary team behind The Ray tells the story behind their revolutionary stretch of IT-embedded roadway in Georgia, "the world's first sustainable highway," and the many innovations and possibilities created on the journey to transform our transportation infrastructure.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility

Speakers

  • Allie Kelly
  • Harriet Langford

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3:15pm to 3:45pm
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Beyond the Messy Truth

Plenary

The CNN political commentator and founder of Dream Corps discusses how to communicate with people with different political and personal world views.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Circular Economy
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • Van Jones
  • Joel Makower

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3:45pm to 4:15pm
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Break

Break

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4:15pm to 4:40pm
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Getting from Here to the Utility of the Future — An Industry View

Plenary

Senior executives from three very different U.S. utilities discuss their respective visions for the future of utilities — specifically, the energy transition issues they are dealing with locally and nationally, and what it will take for corporations and local governments to work collaboratively with utilities to advance a clean energy economy. The conversation will also include a focus on how innovations within the power sector — including technologies and business models — are spurring significant opportunities for all industry stakeholders.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Lisa Frantzis
  • Val Jensen
  • Cris Eugster
  • Penni McLean-Conner

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4:40pm to 4:45pm
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VERGE Talk: Making Solar Sweeter: Pollinator-Friendly Arrays

Plenary

Introduced at VERGE 2015, and highlighted recently in training by the International Society of Sustainability Professionals, the practice of using the land under and around U.S. solar arrays to benefit pollinators is on the cusp of becoming a standard practice — as it is in Europe. Benefitting pollinators at scale, and producing "Solar Honey," are new ways to increase support for large-scale solar.

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Rob Davis

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4:45pm to 5:10pm
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VERGE Accelerate Showcase

Plenary

A pitch competition that provides entrepreneurs in energy, buildings, transportation, supply chains, water, food, and cities the opportunity to present to the diverse VERGE community: executives from the world's largest companies, public officials from progressive cities, venture capitalists, and others.

For more information, please refer to our VERGE Accelerate page.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Circular Economy
  • Next-Gen Buildings
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Shana Rappaport
  • Sheeraz Haji
  • Evelyn Bolden

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5:10pm to 5:30pm
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Special Performance: The Role of Art in Solving Climate Change

Plenary

Art and science intrinsically intersect as DJ Spooky discusses his journeys to Antartica, climate change and demonstrates his "remix" of data and sound taken from the continent.

Speakers

  • Paul Miller

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5:30pm to 7:00pm
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Networking Reception

Bookend

Networking Reception with Emerging Leaders Meet & Greet!

Sponsors

United Airlines

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8:30pm to 12:00am
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VERGE After Dark Party

Bookend

Join us for the After Dark Party -- a VERGE tradition -- for a fun-filled evening featuring music by DJ Spooky, drinks and more opportunities to connect with fellow attendees. Space is limited so plan to come early.

Speakers

  • Paul Miller

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Wednesday, September 20th, 2017
7:45am to 8:30am
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Breakfast and Registration

Bookend

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8:15am to 12:15pm
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Healthy, Adaptive Buildings Summit (by invitation only)

Summit

The Healthy, Adaptive Buildings Summit explores new technologies, policies and business models that optimize for flexible, intelligent building systems and happier, healthier occupants.

For more information, please refer to our Healthy, Adaptive Buildings Summit page.

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Next-Gen Buildings

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8:30am to 9:30am
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Cybersecurity in the Age of Digital Infrastructure

Breakout

The U.S. Department of Energy recently wrote that the electricity system "faces imminent danger" from cyber attacks that could significantly undermine the economy and jeopardize the safety of millions of Americans. This discussion will review the risks, evaluate the investment costs and consider potential strategies across the electric grid, military bases and other potentially vulnerable infrastructure — including behind-the-meter devices inside buildings and homes.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • Grid-Scale Power

Speakers

  • Dave Lewis
  • Lisa Frantzis
  • Richard Kidd
  • John Berdner

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Gearing Up for the Self-Driving Vehicles Race

Breakout

Billions of dollars are being spent to develop and test software, sensors and services for autonomous vehicles — an innovation contest inspiring venerable automakers, technology titans and a wave of ambitious startups. Are our roads ready for this new class of urban transportation? This session of city innovation representatives and policy experts will discuss how communities can start planning now for cars, buses and other vehicles that aren't piloted by human drivers.

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility

Speakers

  • Shireen Santosham
  • Louis Stewart
  • Heather Clancy
  • John Boesel

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Interactive Session: What Does It Really Mean to "Procure" Renewable Energy? (Part 1)

Breakout

The list of companies committing to source 100 percent renewable energy as a means of reducing carbon emissions is growing rapidly, and in 2015, corporate buyers overtook electric utilities in procuring clean power. On the surface, this is an inspiring story, powerful and simple. But the process is anything but simple. The options are many, can be complex and can have varying levels of reported and real carbon reduction. This two-part workshop unpacks what it really means to  “procure” renewable energy as a strategy to help achieve the ultimate goal of reducing the grid's greenhouse gas emissions.

In this session (Part 1 of 2) you will learn from those in-the-trenches about essential aspects of renewable energy procurement including:

  • A history of corporate renewable energy targets and procurement (who is involved, why and how)

  • The basics of power generation, electricity grids and regulated versus deregulated markets

  • The use of renewable energy certificates (RECs) and guarantees of origin (GO) as a mechanism for tracking renewable energy production, “ownership” and the right to make zero carbon claims (compared to carbon offsets)

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Nicola Peill-Moelter
  • Erin Craig
  • Chelsea Mozen

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The Corporate Perspective on Community Solar

Breakout

"Community solar is becoming big business," trumpeted GreenBiz in a 2016 article. But what role can the business community actually play? Policymakers, regulators and utilities are evolving their strategies to accommodate commercial customers and their desire to access new forms of shared solar. This breakout will explore how utility-led community solar efforts at Xcel Energy dovetail with the corporate renewable energy strategy at retailer Target, as well as the role that the National Energy Renewable Laboratory (NREL) has played in structuring policy and technologies needed to scale these efforts.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Grid-Scale Power

Speakers

  • Aakash Chandarana
  • Lori Bird
  • Holly Lahd
  • Rob Davis
  • Matt Leducq

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Doing More With Less: Unlocking Value with the Cascading Materials Vision

Working Session

The Cascading Materials Vision seeks to ignite an evolution in materials development and management to capture the untapped opportunity of an integrated approach to waste management that will extend the life of our natural resources. This interactive workshop invites VERGE attendees to learn more about the Cascading Materials Vision, and join the conversation around creating shared value through increased material recovery. Participants will be encouraged to think differently about their own sustainability goals around materials, packaging design and recovery and will learn how to leverage the newly launched Cascading Materials Vision to do so. The discussion will cover the necessity of collaboration and how to create an integrated approach to waste management that considers the entire system from production to trash. Together, all invitees will have the opportunity to brainstorm and receive feedback on how the principles in the Cascading Materials Vision might be adapted to bring solutions to scale.

 

Tracks

  • Circular Economy

Speakers

  • Erin Simon
  • Keefe Harrison

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Nature Meets Tech: Smart, Green Infrastructure Solutions

Breakout

An investigation and solutions-focused discussion on how technology and ecological processes can interface, including resilience strategies from around the world. This diverse panel will share stories of how restoring ecology in our communities — through technological and natural means — can help accelerate the mitigation of our climate challenges.

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience

Speakers

  • Michael Benedict Yamoah
  • Rebekah Eggers
  • Miranda Ballentine
  • Ariel Schwartz
  • Andrea Corral

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Zero Emissions, Zero Compromise: Demystifying Fuel Cell Vehicles

Breakout

There are now three commercial fuel cell vehicles on the market in California and by the end of 2017, there will be 50 retail hydrogen stations online. This session will discuss the commercial developments of fuel cell vehicles and provide an in-depth exploration on best practices from the initial hydrogen station developments in California, including successful policies, regulatory activities, education and community outreach, and hydrogen station deployment and location engineering.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility

Speakers

  • Morry Markowitz
  • Geri Yoza
  • Nitin Natesan
  • Gia Brazil Vacin

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Designing for the Circular Economy

Breakout

This interactive session is for innovators, design thinkers, entrepreneurs, and intrapreneurs to learn about circular design methods, tools and mindsets. The IDEO team will help you practice putting these tools to use in designing products, services, and resilient organizations for the circular economy. In this workshop, you will learn:

  • Ideation and design tools for workshops and team sessions
  • Methods for organizational buy-in
  • Approaches for building creative confidence

Tracks

  • Circular Economy

Speakers

  • Lauren Yarmuth
  • Judy Guo
  • Rhys Thom

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9:30am to 9:45am
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Transition

Break

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9:45am to 10:45am
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World Cafe Session: Accelerating You (limited seating)

Working Session
Mission City Ballroom

Startups, including the VERGE Accelerate finalists and semi-finalists, Elemental Excelerator portfolio companies, OregonBEST companies, and others from across the Incubatenergy network, will come together to collaboratively explore how to evolve the accelerator model to best support entrepreneurs.

Sponsors

Elemental Excelerator
Oregon BEST

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Cross-Industry Learning: What Circular Fashion Can Teach Other Industries

Breakout

To the fashion and textiles industry, developing a circular system means more than just better recycling. It means creating clean and healthy material inputs designed for post-consumer recovery. It means designing durable clothes and changing consumer behavior to prolong wear and enhance care. And it means developing collection systems in parallel with innovative chemical and mechanical recycling processes that deliver raw materials back to manufacturers for their next phase of use. The fashion industry is already putting circular economy principles to work through material, systems and technology interventions. Hear from leaders in product design and materials recovery about the lessons they've learned and how this knowledge can be applied to other industries.

Tracks

  • Circular Economy

Speakers

  • Maura Dilley
  • Jeff Denby
  • Anne Schauer-Gimenez

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Lessons from Cities Pursuing 100% Renewables

Breakout

Almost 40 US cities have committed to 100% renewables. How much of an impact is actually being made so far, or is there more hype than action? And how are municipalities/ local governments working with others (businesses, communities, utilities) to ensure they achieve their 100% renewables goals? Find out more in this solutions-oriented deep dive exploration from those working on (and critical of) these initiatives around the country.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Sam Brooks
  • Barry Hooper
  • Johanna Partin
  • Diane Moss
  • Noah Goldstein

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Blockchain Panel: Creating the New Energy Web (Part 1)

Breakout

The blockchain, the software used for managing and verifying transactions in digital currencies such as bitcoin, has the potential to disrupt global industries. In the energy market alone there are already at least 100 application experiments under way. This panel discussion will bring together perspectives on where this much-hyped technology can play a significant role in shaping the peer-to-peer and transactive energy markets, Internet of Things (IoT) and beyond. In addition, experts will provide insights from a legal/regulatory background and from the venture capital perspective. 

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience

Speakers

  • Jesse Morris
  • Paul Breslow
  • Anoop Nannra
  • Marianne Wu
  • Heather Curlee

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Invigorating Cities Through Energy Innovation: A Business Case for Becoming a Smart City

Breakout

As the world’s population booms and technology evolves, urbanization is a key theme for local governments, private companies and investors. Urban centers around the world are under increasing pressure to manage their rapid expansion while competing to secure investments, jobs, businesses and talent. Underpinning this transformation are the finite energy and natural resources, driving the need to invest in renewable energy, low-carbon infrastructure and defenses against climate change impacts. The road to becoming a “Smart & Sustainable City” is wrought with massive costs and complex challenges. Is it worth it? Join us as we discuss the business case for a Smart & Sustainable Cities.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience

Speakers

  • Dmitri Sedov
  • Holmes Hummel
  • Mike Ferguson
  • Nicolas Procos
  • Chris Clark
  • Steve Anderson

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Utilities and Energy Choices: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Breakout

Over the next decade, as much as 80 percent of the energy load from the California investor-owned utilities could depart in favor of Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs). Nationally, utilities in the regulated and deregulated markets are looking to improve customer options by creating new offerings. Meanwhile, corporate energy buyers are increasing their large-scale renewable procurement efforts and utilities continue to address their renewable portfolio standard goals. How can policymakers, utilities and customers work together to ensure both grid reliability and clean, affordable energy options?

Tracks

  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Mark Derry
  • Jan Pepper
  • Nancy Pfund
  • Jerry Meek

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Beyond Flint: Solutions for Aging Urban Water Infrastructure and Policy

Breakout

The tragedies in Flint, Michigan only scratch the surface. Join this solutions-focused deep dive into the systemic challenges arising from of our aging urban water infrastructure and outdated policies — including an exploration of "regenerative Infrastructure," which could extend the useful life of existing infrastructure indefinitely without requiring any public investment or upsizing of infrastructure to meet community needs.

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • Josiah Cain
  • Michelle Romero
  • Cynthia Koehler
  • Rebekah Eggers

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Sharing the Road in the Age of Ridesharing: Policy Debate (Part 1)

Breakout

The concept of car ownership is being turned on its head around the world thanks to service providers such as Uber, Lyft and Didi. By the year 2030, some transportation experts envision a scenario in which a majority of the vehicles in the U.S. will be part of fleets rather than owned by individuals — as more people begin to rely on “transportation as a service” models for getting around cities, states and regions. That journey will be lined with plenty of potholes including regulatory roadblocks and safety concerns, especially when it comes to autonomous vehicle technologies; economic considerations, including how to set fair pricing and where to deploy EV charging infrastructure; and whether taxpayer money or private funds should pay for the roads and technology necessary to enable this transition. (Part 1 of 2 related sessions)

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility

Speakers

  • Ben Holland
  • Gil Friend
  • Carter Rubin
  • Tim Frisbie

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Interactive Session: What Does It Really Mean to "Procure" Renewable Energy? (Part 2)

Breakout

The list of companies committing to source 100 percent renewable energy as a means of reducing carbon emissions is growing rapidly, and in 2015, corporate buyers overtook electric utilities in procuring clean power. On the surface, this is an inspiring story, powerful and simple. But the process is anything but simple. The options are many, can be complex and can have varying levels of reported and real carbon reduction. This two-part workshop unpacks what it really means to  “procure” renewable energy as a strategy to help achieve the ultimate goal of reducing the grid's greenhouse gas emissions.

Part 2 of this workshop takes you to the next level of renewable energy procurement with three focused, interactive, round-robin sessions facilitated by experts in corporate clean energy procurement. The primary discussion topics include:

  • Shades of green - Understanding the extent of real greenhouse gas emissions reductions made possible by this strategy

  • Procurement mechanisms - Which procurement options best suit your company's goal and operational model(s) (owned/leased/outsourced facilities; large/centralized or small/distributed loads)

  • International procurement - What choices are available for procurement in Europe and in regions where instruments don’t yet exist?

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Nicola Peill-Moelter
  • Erin Craig
  • Chelsea Mozen
  • Rebecca Sternberg

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10:45am to 11:15am
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Break

Break

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11:15am to 12:15pm
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Financing the Circular Economy

Breakout

The circular economy presents a tremendous opportunity for business, but what is the cost of the transition? Where has capital been deployed? Where is capital going? Where are the gaps, and what could we achieve if we can fill those gaps? Hear from the Closed Loop Fund and finance professionals about the investable opportunities in recycling and circular supply chains and what corporates can do to catalyze more capital.

Tracks

  • Circular Economy

Speakers

  • Ellen Martin
  • Puon Penn
  • Kate Danaher
  • Laura Phillips

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Climate Policies that Work: Data Lessons from Around the World

Breakout

Are carbon taxes actually the fastest way to decarbonize? How do policies work together in positive feedback loops or, alternatively, create unintended consequences? We'll explore the potential outcomes of energy policies such as carbon markets, research and development, renewable energy incentives or fuel standards — using models from the United States, China and Mexico — and discuss what they mean for the rest of us.

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Grid-Scale Power

Speakers

  • Jeffrey Rissman
  • Michael Jansen
  • Michael McCormick
  • Graham Richard
  • Sonia Aggarwal

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The Path to 100% RPS: Electrification of Everything

Breakout

As states adopt and consider 100% Renewable Portfolio Standards, we must consider the feasibility of electrifying everything — including the electric grid, buildings, mass transportation, passenger vehicles and home equipment like heat pumps.This session will explore the need, challenges and opportunities for mass electrification from the perspective of a California state policymaker, car manufacturer, entrepreneur and local government environmental leader.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Next-Gen Buildings
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Danny Kennedy
  • David Hochschild
  • Rob Threlkeld
  • Debbie Raphael
  • Ryan Schuchard

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Interactive Blockchain Session: Overcoming Barriers to Execution (Part 2)

Breakout

While blockchain technology offers significant potential to disrupt the energy market, creating a distributed energy trading platform that secure, accessible and integrated won't be easy. This interactive session will include small-table breakouts dedicated to reviewing the barriers to adoption — such as cybersecurity, regulatory and data sharing with utilities — with a focus on applications for corporate renewables purchasing, peer-to-peer trading, transportation, IoT and venture capital.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience

Speakers

  • Jesse Morris
  • Garrett MacDonald
  • Paul Breslow
  • Anoop Nannra
  • Marianne Wu
  • Heather Curlee

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Cleantech Incubation as Catalyst: Stories of Collaborative Innovation in Cities

Breakout

Cleantech innovators face unique challenges when attempting to bring their technology to scale. Organizations with aggressive climate or other environmental performance targets — including cities, businesses and utilities — are the ones most likely to deploy these innovative solutions broadly. Yet they often face multiple obstacles when working with startups: especially difficulty scouting the right technology and concerns over financial risk.

This session will explore programs that fill the gap between innovation and adoption, affectionately referred to as “the valley of death,” where many startups perish before they have the chance to succeed. A vibrant network of organizations has emerged nationally — as part of the Incubatenergy Network— to help innovators make that leap. These entities also support investors and corporate partners by providing critical de-risking services, and they assist communities by ensuring greater chances of success for entrepreneurs who are creating new jobs. The panelists represent three distinctly different models: Oregon BEST, which funds technology development and validation collaborations between startups and universities; Greentown Labs, which offers a high-tech "makerspace" and coworking environments for cleantech startups in greater Boston area; and Elemental Excelerator, which draws on Department of Defense funds to facilitate startups’ acceleration and demonstration projects with corporate partners in the Pacific Rim. The presenters will discuss the challenges faced by those seeking to deploy disruptive cleantech solutions, and illustrate the various ways they are working to facilitate technology adoption through case studies of companies from their portfolios.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • Heather Clancy
  • David Kenney
  • Dawn Lippert
  • Emily Reichert

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Understanding Utilities: How to Build a Constructive Dialogue

Breakout

At the end of 2015, there were just five "green tariff" programs designed for large-scale electricity buyers in place in the U.S. market. By spring 2017, that number had tripled. Today, both regulated and deregulated utilities are far more customer-centric, especially as commercial and industrial accounts get more creative about their power procurement strategies. This session will center on how to nurture a productive relationship.

Tracks

  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Michael Pariser
  • Letha Tawney
  • Kirk Myers
  • Thomas MacLean

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The Internet of Manufacturing: Shaping the Factory of the Future

Breakout

Throughout the manufacturing space, multinationals as well as scrappier startups are struggling to evolve from mere data collection to smart, self-diagnosing infrastructure operations. Even the biggest industrials are left asking questions: How do we make sense of all the data we're gathering and leverage it to update our business model? This session will address critical quality & operational challenges — from energy management to water conservation — that various companies are using in real-time manufacturing data analysis in an IoT-enabled environment. 

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • Grid-Scale Power

Speakers

  • David Mount
  • Marshall Chase
  • Enrique Herrera
  • Erin Meezan
  • Jim Wetzel

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Sharing the Road in the Age of Ridesharing: Talking Tech (Part 2)

Breakout

Is the ridesharing phenomenon a threat — or a model for integrating a range of public and private services that offer a set of more inclusive options for urban transit? This session will explore the role that wireless infrastructure, sensors and mobile apps could play in laying the groundwork for more inclusive transportation systems and services that bridge urban regions, offering projects from around the United States as potential roadmaps. (Part 2 of 2 related sessions)

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility

Speakers

  • Rahul Kumar
  • Peter Kosak
  • Jascha Franklin-Hodge
  • Kathleen Baireuther

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12:00pm to 7:00pm
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VERGE Interconnect Expo

Break

VERGE Interconnect Expo (Day 2)

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12:15pm to 1:30pm
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Lunch

Lunch

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1:30pm to 1:35pm
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Welcome

Plenary

A quick recap of yesterday's highlights, and a welcome to our second day's plenaries.

Speakers

  • Joel Makower
  • Elaine Hsieh

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1:35pm to 1:45pm
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VERGE Talk: Planet Vision — Changing Sustainability Behavior at Scale

Plenary

The renowned earth systems scientist and executive director of the California Academy of Sciences presents an eye-opening talk on his vision for transforming behavior to accelerate sustainability at scale.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Circular Economy
  • Next-Gen Buildings
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Jonathan Foley

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1:45pm to 2:10pm
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The Circular City: What Is It and How Do We Get There

Plenary

Cities are the engines of modern economic activity — generating 85 percent of today’s GDP. But this comes at a cost: urban communities consume 75 percent of the world’s natural resources, generate half of all global waste, and create two-thirds of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Under today’s linear economic model, there will continue to be an enormous amount of economic value destroyed or lost in cities. The concept of the circular economy offers a framework through which city governments and policymakers, urban planners and designers, businesses and individuals can rethink urban systems — and begin to close the loop on the flow of materials. As cities embark on the transition towards a circular economy, information and digital technology will play a crucial role in helping them address these challenges. Data forms part of the “connective tissue” linking urban systems together — from the movement of traffic, to the health of buildings, to how citizens can produce and consume energy.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Circular Economy
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • Kate Brandt
  • Ashima Sukhdev
  • Joel Makower
  • Kate Daly

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2:10pm to 2:20pm
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VERGE Talk: Building the Future

Plenary

The co-author of the Living Building Challenge and one of the world's most admired thinkers in green building shows how the future of the built environment is manifesting today. 

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • Jason McLennan

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2:20pm to 2:30pm
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Scaling the Movement Toward Future-Proofed Buildings

Plenary

Bridging the gap between a deep green architect and futurist seeking to drive "regenerative buildings" and the Chief Sustainability Officer at Skanska USA, one of the biggest construction companies in the country — What will it take to "future proof" our buildings and businesses in the age of pressing climate challenges?

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Circular Economy
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • Elizabeth Heider
  • Jason McLennan
  • Heather Clancy

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2:30pm to 2:50pm
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Sustainability in the Age of Megacities and On-Demand Consumerism

Plenary

As rapid urbanization collides with on-demand consumerism, the world faces unprecedented sustainability challenges. Across sectors businesses are being tasked with developing solutions to meet consumer expectations, while simultaneously minimizing their environmental impact. Join Mark Wallace, Senior Vice President of Global Engineering and Sustainability, UPS and Matthias Winkenbach, Director MIT Megacities Logistics Lab as they discuss the logistics challenges of large urban city centers and how collaboration, innovation and research are driving new solutions towards a future of sustainable cities.

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Circular Economy

Speakers

  • Mark Wallace
  • Matthias Winkenbach
  • Heather Clancy

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2:50pm to 3:00pm
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VERGE Talk: How Do You Build a "Complete" Product?

Plenary

History’s dustbin is littered with products that began as great concepts yet failed or merely achieved niche status in the market. However, a "complete" product delivers an experience that transcends the product itself, potentially rewriting a category.  Smart-glass entrepreneur Rao Mulpuri of View maps his journey to disrupt the largest industry in the world — real estate — by creating "delightful human environments."

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • Rao Mulpuri

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3:00pm to 3:20pm
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Red State, Blue State: Cross Party Lessons from Energy Commissioners

Plenary

Two very different perspectives — an energy commissioner in Georgia (red state) and the head of the energy commission in California (blue state) discuss their lessons learned as their respective states (and local communities) transition to a cleaner energy future.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Next-Gen Buildings
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Tim Echols
  • Michael Picker
  • Paul Carp

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3:20pm to 3:45pm
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VERGE Accelerate Showcase

Plenary

A pitch competition that provides entrepreneurs in energy, buildings, transportation, supply chains, water, food, and cities the opportunity to present to the diverse VERGE community: executives from the world's largest companies, public officials from progressive cities, venture capitalists, and others.

For more information, please refer to our VERGE Accelerate page.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Circular Economy
  • Next-Gen Buildings
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Shana Rappaport
  • Matt Petersen
  • Marilyn Waite

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3:45pm to 4:15pm
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Break

Break

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4:15pm to 4:40pm
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Moving Energy Equity from the Margins to the Mainstream

Plenary

Community leaders from around the U.S. share solutions that are promoting balanced growth and shared prosperity for low-wealth people and communities of color in their respective work across energy, transportation, land-use and economic inclusion.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Rose McKinney-James
  • Michelle Moore
  • Nathaniel Smith
  • Mark Cayce

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4:40pm to 4:50pm
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VERGE Talk: Public-Private Collaboration for Low Energy Buildings — Lessons from China

Plenary

Rapid urbanization and population growth in China could increase building energy use by as much as 40 percent over the next 15 years. While public-private collaboration shows promise in helping accelerate global policy and technology deployment, significant challenges remain in effectively organizing and managing these partnerships. This presentation will review the current state of very low energy building design and retrofits in China and the lessons learned from six years of collaboration within the US-China Clean Energy Research Center consortium.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • Clay Nesler

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4:50pm to 5:05pm
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VERGE Talk: Hip Hop Architecture — Equitable, Culturally Relevant Development

Plenary

Hip Hop Architecture explores the intersection of Hip Hop culture and the built environment through three interconnected realms; media, professional practice, and academia. The goal of Hip Hop Architecture is to increase the number of underrepresented populations in the practice of architecture while simultaneously creating a new approach to architecture and design, one based on the Hip Hop's founding elements (DJ, Emcee, Graffiti and B-Boy/ B-Girl).

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • Michael Ford

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5:05pm to 5:30pm
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Getting to Scale: How the World’s Biggest Buyers Catalyze Sustainability for the Rest of Us

Plenary

An exploration by the heads of sustainability of the world's biggest buyers — Walmart and Amazon — joined by the former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Air Force (now head of RMI's Business Renewables Center), tackling deployment of clean energy and sustainability solutions at a global scale with a focus on economic prosperity and global impact. How are they transforming markets by making changes across their massive supply chains? And what will it take for other businesses and local governments to collaboratively take advantage of market changes to advance a cleaner, more resilient economy? 

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Circular Economy
  • Next-Gen Buildings
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Kara Hurst
  • Joel Makower
  • Miranda Ballentine
  • Zach Freeze

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5:30pm to 7:00pm
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Networking Reception

Bookend

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7:00pm to 9:00pm
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Dinner Clubs

Bookend
Restaurants at the Hyatt

These are no-host dinners where attendees can connect over topics of interest. Dinners are first come, first serve, so we encourage you to reserve your spot early — visit the registration desk to sign up. 

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Thursday, September 21st, 2017
7:45am to 8:30am
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Breakfast and Registration

Bookend

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8:30am to 9:30am
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The Challenge of Urban Logistics

Breakout

Cities of all sizes are being challenged by overcrowding, increasing pollution and overtaxing of infrastructure. Changes in logistics will be more common in dense urban centers as local communities cope with growing congestion and companies develop new last-mile distribution models. An increasing number of cities around the world are opening up a second front in the war against pollution and congestion – they are looking at urban logistics and looking for innovative new solutions This workshop will present findings from new global research conducted by UPS and GreenBiz that explores the challenges associated with logistics in an urban environment and highlights some of the solutions and strategies that can contribute to better cities and a healthier quality of life.

Tracks

  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility

Speakers

  • John Davies
  • Matthias Winkenbach
  • Tom Madrecki

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Interactive Workshop: Making Deep Green Mainstream in the Building Industry

Working Session

An interactive educational workshop by the co-author of the Living Building Challenge, teaching building owners and operators the specific practical steps that are needed to affordably build "deep green" projects at an integrated systems level.

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • Jason McLennan

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The Road to Low-Carbon Fuels and Fleets

Breakout

Collectively speaking, the global freight system contributes an estimated 7 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, biofuels, renewable diesel, and electricity — most future fleets will include all of these low-carbon alternatives. This session will help companies understand which options are most viable, how to weigh environmental impact and efficiency concerns, and where the regulatory roadmap may lead.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Grid-Scale Power

Speakers

  • Karl Simon
  • Erik Neandross
  • Nate Springer
  • Elizabeth Fretheim

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The Evolution of Power Purchase Agreements

Breakout

It's far easier for corporates to buy electricity from solar and wind farms in deregulated markets than it was just two years ago, but negotiating power purchase agreements (PPAs) is not for the faint of heart. We'll cover the basics, such as how to evaluate contracts; consider subtle regional differences that could make a difference; and explore a fast-emerging model, aggregated deals that include more than one offtaker.

Tracks

  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Jennifer Martin
  • Brian Janous
  • Doug Arent
  • Maxime Lanctot
  • Roxana Popovici

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Clean, Affordable Energy for All

Breakout

As a deeper dive to the main stage session entitled "Energy Equity from the Margins to the Mainstream," this session will explore the intersection of energy affordability, civic engagement and clean energy technologies. We'll share perspectives from a Southern rural utility cooperative leader, an advocate focused on civic engagement in the Southeast and an energy policy leader in the West. The discussion will close with a lightning round focused on ways to engage diverse stakeholders — from rural customers to low-income communities to regulators.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • City and Regional Resilience

Speakers

  • Michelle Moore
  • Nathaniel Smith
  • Rose McKinney-James
  • Mark Cayce

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Scaling Smart, Connected Building Technologies: A Reality Check

Breakout

Smart building technologies can enhance the work environment by responding to the time of day, available daylight and occupancy — even down to a personal workspace. That fosters more comfortable, inspiring, healthful, productive environments. This session will reveal lessons from leading organizations deploying at scale today — engaging a corporate occupant, developer, architect and city perspectives.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • Brandon Tinianov
  • Kirsten Ritchie
  • John Updike
  • Gary Dillabough

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The Value of Grid-Connected and Off-Grid Devices: Global Use Cases

Breakout

A 21st century clean energy economy will rely on both grid-connected and off-grid devices — including solar, storage and LED lighting — to help provide affordable access to clean energy technologies. This session will explore the barriers and opportunities to bringing innovative technology and financing to new markets across Europe, Brazil and East Africa.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Next-Gen Buildings
  • Grid-Scale Power

Speakers

  • Mark Lee
  • Milo Werner
  • Lavinia Hollanda
  • Sandra Trittin

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Smart Approaches to Smart Cities: Overcoming Barriers to Implementation

Breakout

If we all agree that smart and resilient cities, renewable energy, and other climate solutions are goals worth pursuing, why aren't cities deploying the technology solutions companies have on the shelf now? Cities from across the country discuss the ways they are each respectively addressing market challenges and how they are taking action. Come learn from cutting edge cities on how they rallied the internal troops and external partners to develop a strategic vision for incorporating new technology tools and big data in to their day to day work.  Specific strategics for success as well as pitfalls to avoid will be discussed.

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • Melanie Nutter
  • Britt Harter
  • John Simmins
  • Jeanne Holm
  • Dolan Beckel
  • Kelly Kline

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9:30am to 10:00am
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Break

Break

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10:00am to 10:05am
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Welcome

Plenary

GreenBiz welcomes everyone to the last day's plenaries — with some special announcements.

Speakers

  • Joel Makower
  • Elaine Hsieh
  • Rob Threlkeld

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10:05am to 10:15am
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VERGE Talk: Inclusive Financing for Clean Energy — Paving the Way with EVs

Plenary
For years, utilities have resisted the distributed energy revolution already underway. Yet, electrification of the transportation sector presents a historic opportunity for growth, and it is a critical path for climate stabilization. What's new?  In the last year, plummeting battery costs have helped the some vehicles -- specifically, long-range electric transit buses -- finally approach cost parity on a lifecycle basis when compared to diesel buses.  At the same time, an innovative finance mechanism is gaining traction in the utility sector that would allow utilities to invest and recover costs for the on-board batteries.  With these developments, utilities could drop the upfront cost of all-electric vehicles, set off a surge in sales, and rapidly capture the prize of market share for transportation fuels.  But will they? 

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Holmes Hummel

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10:15am to 10:40am
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How the Grid Powers Innovation

Plenary

Traditionally entrenched electricity stakeholders are undergoing massive transitions. How are they working to transform the way our power grids function and collaborate with a market that is increasingly invested in distributed energy resources like onsite solar and storage? And how are utilities seeking to collaborate with technology innovators to accelerate a cleaner energy system for all? 

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Next-Gen Buildings
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Steve Malnight
  • Dennis McGinn
  • Dawn Lippert
  • Karen Wayland

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10:40am to 11:00am
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Transforming Urban Deliveries

Plenary

Economic growth and the expansion of e-commerce means there is a growing number of commercial vehicles on city streets contributing to congestion and air pollution. Several new technologies and business models have the potential to mitigate these negative effects while also making urban deliveries more affordable. The attractiveness of these technologies will vary by city and be heavily influenced by population density and economic conditions. We explore the potential of some of these technologies, how to accelerate their adoption, and the implications for businesses, cities and citizens.

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility

Speakers

  • Stefan Knupfer
  • Jascha Franklin-Hodge
  • Heather Clancy

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11:00am to 11:10am
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VERGE Talk: How Automakers are Driving the Future of Net-Zero Buildings

Plenary

The path forward for net-zero buildings will come from the road in the form of electric vehicles. Yet EVs still comprise less than one percent of the global market. This is about to change as automakers boost volume in the next few years. Daimler, for one, is unveiling the EQ brand and committing to ten all-EV models by 2025. For context, Bloomberg New Energy Finance estimates that one in four vehicles sold globally will be EVs by 2030. So providing an entire EV ecosystem is critical, with solutions that bring together vehicles alongside charging, storage, solar, and energy management technology, opening the market beyond early adopters. This will transform the design and operation of future buildings, which will accommodate personal EVs and entire electric fleets. Learn how automakers are uniquely positioned to provide a full suite of energy solutions and make net-zero buildings a widespread reality.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • Boris von Bormann

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11:10am to 11:20am
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VERGE Talk: Human + Machine: Engineering Sustainable Environmental Outcomes

Plenary

How is technology helping societies like China address environmental challenges produced by rapid economic development and urbanization? Energy and water are core ingredients for economic development and urbanization yet their nexus, supply and use must be managed carefully to produce sustainable environmental outcomes. The ability to understand these interactions and associated impacts though trusted information, monitoring, analytical insights and shared knowledge can aid in supporting sustainable environmental outcomes.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Next-Gen Buildings
  • Grid-Scale Power

Speakers

  • Brad Gammons

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11:20am to 11:45am
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The Power of Business Advocacy to Accelerate a Clean Economy

Plenary

How does public policy determine clean economy business outcomes?  Why is it imperative for business leaders to leverage their market power to truly accelerate clean energy, climate and sustainability innovations at the policymaking level — especially under this challenging federal administration? A Congressman, Google’s head of energy policy and market development, and a former White House Chief Sustainability Officer turned renewable energy finance entrepreneur share their stories and insights on the way forward.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Next-Gen Buildings
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Nicole Lederer
  • Michael Terrell
  • Jon Powers
  • Jared Huffman

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11:45am to 11:50am
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Closing Thoughts

Plenary

Co-founder and executive editor Joel Makower provides some closing thoughts before his interview with Apple's Lisa Jackson.

Speakers

  • Joel Makower

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11:50am to 12:15pm
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Leveraging Leadership and Transforming Markets

Plenary

A conversation with Apple's visionary sustainability executive on the company's commitments on renewable energy, circular materials and other topics.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Circular Economy
  • Next-Gen Buildings
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Lisa Jackson
  • Joel Makower

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12:00pm to 2:00pm
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VERGE Interconnect Expo

Break

VERGE Interconnect Expo (Day 3)

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12:15pm to 1:30pm
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Lunch

Lunch

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12:15pm to 4:30pm
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Urban Mobility Summit (by invitation only)

Summit

The Urban Mobility Summit explores what it will take to reduce congestion and pollution in the urban environment whle making clean, efficient mobility, of both people and goods, accessible to all.

For more information, please refer to our Urban Mobility Summit page. 

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility

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1:30pm to 2:30pm
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From High Performance to Net Zero: Charting a Path Forward

Breakout

Under the Paris Agreement, all new buildings must meet net-zero specifications by 2030, and existing buildings by 2050. The private sector, NGOs, and governments must define policies and support the necessary investments to achieve these significant goals. Recent research shows significant growth net zero energy buildings in North America, across building types and climate zones.  Come learn how real estate developers are approaching the this challenge and what property owners have already achieved through value-enhancing investments into more efficient operations and advanced technologies. 

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • Ralph DiNola
  • Grant Stevens
  • Micah Brill
  • David Kaneda
  • Bruce Stewart

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The Business Case for Using Buildings as a Battery

Breakout

Energy management systems and demand response programs have long offered the ability to optimize the performance of buildings while smoothing system peaks. Advanced energy storage technologies and software analytics platforms now promise to turn a fleet of buildings into a set of dynamic batteries. This session will explore the implications for commercial enterprises and real estate developers, as well as the challenges associated with investing in large-scale energy storage installations.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • Sara Neff
  • Janice Lin
  • Rich Bluth
  • Marianne Wu

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Advocating for a Clean Economy: Tools and Techniques

Breakout

This in-depth discussion will expand on a main stage keynote session, addressing the "why," "what" and "how" of business advocacy for clean economy policies at the state and federal levels. We'll explore the need and opportunities for clean economy businesses to show up at the policy table, the bills coming up at the federal level that can determine markets for clean energy, climate and sustainability products, and the platforms for efficient and effective policy advocacy.  A Congressman, Google’s head of energy policy and market development, a former White House Chief Sustainability Officer turned renewable energy finance entrepreneur, and the founder of a business-based policy advocacy organization share their perspectives and real time information on how to engage.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Next-Gen Buildings
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Nicole Lederer
  • Michael Terrell
  • Jared Huffman
  • Jon Powers

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Real-time Revelations About Buying Renewable Energy

Breakout

Making a substantial corporate commitment to sourcing renewable energy is the easy part — the process of procuring solar, wind, biofuels and other clean power resources is complicated by myriad political, economic and financial factors, both internal and external. This panel will present and consider brand-new findings from joint research about renewable energy procurement fielded by Apex Clean Energy/GreenBiz. Among the data considered: Which types of clean power are most widely used? What role are on-site installations playing? Who is the most important figure influencing purchasing decisions? What are the biggest barriers delaying contracts? Which methods of renewable energy financing are most widely used? How might changes to federal tax incentives affect renewable energy procurement strategies? And, finally, how important are C-suite pledges to buy renewable energy when it comes to sealing deals?

 

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Paul Carp
  • Steve Vavrik
  • Harry Singh
  • Vince Digneo

Sponsors

Apex Clean Energy

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The Path to Community-Based Distributed Energy

Breakout

As the economics of distributed energy resources such as energy storage technologies continue to improve, large corporate energy buyers, utilities and wholesale market providers are serving as a grid resource. At the same time, the needs of the electric grid are shifting towards more localized, dispatchable resources rather than at the system level. This session will explore what this evolution means for utilities, systems operators and corporates, and why it's critically important to engage communities in the planning and development process.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • Grid-Scale Power

Speakers

  • Peter Kelly-Detwiler
  • Griffin Reilly
  • Holmes Hummel
  • Richard Aslin

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The Circularity Lab: A Call for Circular Thinking in the Built Environment

Breakout

Google, Arup and Ellen MacArthur Foundation are taking circular principles to the built environment with the Circularity Lab, a new, bi-coastal demonstration project in New York and the Bay Area. This full scale prototypical building will illustrate the opportunities and challenges circular design brings to buildings and cities. The Circularity Lab will demonstrate new economic models for valuation of real estate assets and showcase technical solutions for the building industry focusing on design for disassembly, materials innovation and technical/digital solutions for circular economy. This session will share what the building industry is learning about circularity and the opportunities in the emergent circular economy.

Tracks

  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Circular Economy
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • Robin Bass
  • Tiffany Broyles Yost
  • Darien Sturges
  • Elaine Hsieh

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Smart Infrastructure for Underserved Communities

Breakout

How can smarter, tech-enabled infrastructure (energy, water, transportation, etc) promote equity across typically disenfranchised communities? What are the opportunities in a digital infrastructure transition, and how can corporates and community leaders enable more equitable pathways?

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience

Speakers

  • JP Leous
  • Scott Bryan
  • Kate Gordon
  • Kit Batten
  • Alvaro Sanchez

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2:30pm to 3:00pm
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Break

Break

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3:00pm to 4:00pm
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How Microgrids Can Boost Clean Energy and Community Resilience

Breakout

According to Navigant, there are nearly 1,700 microgrid deployments worldwide and the growth curve for both grid-tied and remote microgrids remains strong. This session will consider innovative installations by a university, a municipal utility and a major healthcare company. The discussion will explore the potential to scale microgrid deployments beyond military bases and campuses to other corporate customers for both resiliency and economic purposes. A major theme: how corporates thinking about microgrid deployments can learn from existing deployments and how to deploy a variety of microgrid technologies to boost resiliency. 

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Rachna Handa
  • Albert Saenz
  • Seth Baruch
  • William Torre

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Where Solar, Fuel Cells and Onsite Power Alternatives Make Sense

Breakout

There is still plenty of action in rooftop solar — according to data from the Solar Energy Industries Association, the top 10 corporate solar users have installed panels at nearly 2,000 individual installations nationwide. This breakout will focus on why many companies are still prioritizing on-site energy projects, and why solar isn't the only game in town.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Next-Gen Buildings
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Matt Leducq
  • Marty Sedler
  • Heather Clancy
  • Peter Rumsey

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Unleashing the Potential of the Distributed Grid

Breakout

Plummeting prices and new technology innovations have enabled customers to scale distributed energy resources including renewables and electric vehicles. This market evolution creates the need for more frequent and faster interaction between utilities and customers. This session will explore perspectives from a Southeastern Public Service Commissioner, West Coast utility executive and the leader of an advanced technology platform in ways to create new markets and scale innovative technologies with a focus on a diverse set of customers.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Next-Gen Buildings
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Tim Echols
  • Arthur "Bud" Vos
  • Colleen Regan
  • Michael Backstrom
  • Clay Collier

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Setting the Foundation for Future-Grid Buildings with IoT

Breakout

There is no shortage of headlines around IoT and the connectivity of any device, but what do facility managers, building owners, and electric utilities really need to do to develop a IoT strategy? This panel discussion will explore why it is worth investing in IoT and next-generation building technologies, the processes that lead to successful investment, and the business impacts of connectivity, real-time analytics and operational insight.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • Casey Talon
  • Zorba Manolopoulos
  • Clay Nesler
  • Eric Cohen

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Scaling Healthy, Adaptive Buildings: Stories from the Field

Breakout

Building off our Healthy, Adaptive Buildings Summit the day before, stories and lessons will be shared by building owners, developers, practitioners and innovators who are seeking to scale healthier, more adaptive buildings across various markets.

Tracks

  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Next-Gen Buildings

Speakers

  • Warren Neilson
  • Amanda Von Almen
  • Lindsay Baker
  • Lee Chestnut

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The Untapped Sustainability Potential of Artificial Intelligence

Breakout

Daily headlines abound with gushing predictions and cautionary tales about the potential of artificial intelligence to automate — and disrupt — a broad range of industries from health care to manufacturing. While applications related to corporate sustainability strategy are far more nascent, their potential impact could be profound. From automating energy efficiency processes to re-engineering product design to keeping far closer tabs on supply chain processes, systems infused with machine learning abilities and other AI characteristics could become one of your sustainability team's most important technological allies. Who stands to gain the most? And what are the potential downsides, especially when it comes to preparing today's workforce to collaborate with these cyber co-workers? This panel will debate potential applications, and how to prepare for the AI age.

Tracks

  • Distributed Energy Systems
  • Smart Infrastructure
  • City and Regional Resilience
  • Connected Transportation and Mobility
  • Next-Gen Buildings
  • Grid-Scale Power
  • Renewable Energy Procurement

Speakers

  • Dawn Danby
  • Susan Gladwin
  • Neil Gerber
  • Josh Henretig

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4:00pm to 5:30pm
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Networking Reception

Bookend

Join us for our closing reception!

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