REBA Energy Buyers Summit Program

SUNDAY

Welcome reception - 5:30-7:30 pm

MONDAY

7:30 Breakfast and registration

7:45-8:15 REBA pre-session: (101 on REBA) What is REBA and what resources does it provide to members through its four initiatives?

8:30 Opening sessions

• Urs Hölzle, Senior Vice President for Technical Infrastructure at Google on Seizing the Moment
• State of the Market Overview: Renewable Energy Procurement Trends
• Pat Reiten, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Berkshire Hathaway Energy on Driving Momentum & Scale: Accelerating Solutions for Customers

Tracks

The REBA Summit will have 4 content tracks for break-out sessions

1. Wholesale markets
2. Regulated markets
3. Cross-market issues
4. International markets

Break-out sessions

There will be two sets of interactive, collaborative break-out sessions on Monday exploring each of the content tracks listed above. Each topic will be repeated twice so attendees can select two sessions to participate for each set of topics, except for the session on “What’s next after additionality”, “Harnessing the renewable thermal opportunity,” and “New buyers: market basics” which will only run once.

Monday morning break-outs will focus on introductory or foundational issues to build on the rest of the event. Monday afternoon deep dive sessions focus on hot topics and known challenges to large-buyer procurement of renewable energy.

Monday morning kick starter break-outs

Wholesale markets track

1. Aggregation for all - how all types of aggregation can quickly scale?
   
   Buyers are seeking to share the burden of negotiating PPAs, while benefiting from economies of scale. Many different aggregation products and arrangements exist, which differ significantly in pros and cons, including transaction costs, risk allocation and benefits. Through a guided exercise, this session will discuss how these solutions should be priced, and what tools can be developed to best inform buyer and seller towards the right aggregation project. Suggested pre-reading: BRC webinars on aggregation products.
   
   
2. How to select the “right” locations for projects?
   
   Wholesale market prices in Texas are in the $20/MWh range, in Maine in the $70/MWh range. Where is it more attractive to sign a PPA? How can buyers and sellers figure this out? This session will discuss the importance of project location from the buyer and seller perspective and what each group considers when developing a transaction.
   
   
3. What is needed to build a buyer’s business case for transactions?
   
   Securing the internal mandate to act is a critical step for every non-utility buyer. This session will discuss what components are needed to build a business case for buyers and how the NGO community can support.

Regulated markets track

1. Latest and greatest in transactions with utilities
   
   In the past year, the number and types of renewable energy products offered by utilities in regulated markets and markets with retail choice has grown. This session will provide an overview of new and emerging renewable energy product offerings across the country and outline key elements of success in bringing these products to market.
   
   
2. Using policy to unlock renewable options: it’s not all dark money and contract lobbyists
   
   Why is policy critical to achieving your renewable energy goals? Policy can be a major barrier but also a primary enabler to expanded options for renewables procurement. Learn about the range of options for large buyers to weigh into important policy discussions that have a direct impact on renewables procurement.


3. Renewable energy in the US Southeast
   
   Join us for a discussion on the opportunities and market dynamics of the US Southeast region. And a Q&A on the City of Atlanta’s move to renewables.

Cross-market issues track

1. What’s next after additionality: defining impact and leadership (will only run once)
   
   Additionality can be difficult to assess or prove for a given project as it relates to carbon accounting and reporting, and telling a story about impact. This session will introduce a framework that can be used to assess consumers’ influence and impact on a case-by-case basis.
   
   
2. How to scale a renewable-powered internet
   
   The technology industry has made great strides in using renewables to power energy intensive data centers, but having a green digital carbon footprint is becoming more relevant and essential for all sectors, be it financial services, hospitality, retail or healthcare. As companies increasingly move to web-based business operations, they are many opportunities to seek clean energy sources to support internet-reliant activities.
   
   
3. New buyers: market basics (will only run once, for two hours)
   
   This session is a buyers-only time to walk through a broad overview of the renewable energy procurement landscape, different procurement options, and the major players in this space. Intended to provide new buyers with an overview of the space, and provide a base of information for the afternoon sessions.


4. Renewables as energy security
   
   From wildfires to hurricanes, we all know Mother Nature is a fierce adversary to our power grid. But what about cyber attacks, or good old fashioned guns and wire cutters? We will share insights about the state of grid security, vulnerability, and resiliency, and what it may mean for REBA members/participants. Come learn how the U.S. military sees renewable energy as a key part of the solution, not just to our climate challenges, but also for our nation's energy security challenges.

International markets track

For the International Markets track there will be four sessions each focused on a specific geography or national market: (1) Mexico and Latin America, (2) India, (3) China, and (4) Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Mexico/Latin America and India will run twice in the morning:

1. Vietnam and Southeast Asia: challenges, opportunities and next steps for working together
   
   This session will focus on the unique challenges and opportunities in Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on Vietnam. Participants will share their experiences as well as the current challenges they face in this market, while also having the opportunity to learn what the REBA partners are doing and to identify specific entry-points for greater collaboration.
   
   
2. India: challenges, opportunities and next steps for working together
   
   This session will focus on the unique challenges and opportunities in India. Participants will share their experiences as well as the current challenges they face in this market, while also having the opportunity to learn what the REBA partners are doing and to identify specific entry-points for greater collaboration.

Monday afternoon deep dives

Wholesale markets track

1. What is needed to build a buyer’s business case for transactions
   
   Building on the morning session, this session will continue the conversation regarding specific requirements needed to build the business case to act.
   
   
2. Exchange-traded renewables instruments — does it make sense and how to structure?
   
   This session will discuss if exchange traded contracts would be attractive to buyers and sellers, the challenges and opportunities, and how these contracts might be structured.
   
   
3. Translating renewable energy procurement into carbon and sustainability impact — what do buyers want?
   
   This session will discuss if buyers are interested in a tool to simplify carbon accounting - translating renewable energy into meeting carbon goals. How could the creation of a new carbon accounting platform deliver better data and insight in real time? And what would that look like?
   
   
4. Mapping post-close management best practices
   
   A PPA contract builds a long-term partnership between all actors involved. Being ready for the management requirements is key for buyers and sellers. This session will discuss buyer needs post-transaction close and how the REBA community can support buyers prepare for operational-period contract management.

Regulated markets track

1. Creating integrated utility solutions that trade value between utility and customer
   
   More utilities are starting to value capabilities that large-scale energy buyers can deliver to the grid. This session will explore how utilities are integrating other services and revenue streams to create attractive renewable energy offerings for customers, and what innovations customers can expect to see.
   
   
2. Why are buyers exiting utilities?
   
   There have been a number of buyers recently who have left their regulated utility to be able to procure renewable energy. This session will discuss the factors contributing to the exits, what the REBA community can do to support other buyers considering a similar move.
   
   
3. Policy to unlock renewable energy options: case studies on companies successfully engaging regulators and legislators
   
   Large buyers have seen a number of recent successes in helping to shape the renewables landscape at the local and state level by directly engaging in the policy process. Led by corporate buyers engaged in policy, this session will explore what steps can be taken to engage in the policy process, and what success and ongoing engagement can look like.
   
   
4. Latest in green tariffs: Q&A with utilities offering unique programs
   
   This session will bring together representatives from utilities that have introduced a variety of green tariff products with buyers, including subscriber programs and access to market-based renewable energy rates. This is a great opportunity to have your questions answered about the considerations that went into designing these tariffs, as well as regulatory and financial hurdles. If you are not currently in the service territory of one of these utilities, helpful lessons can be gleaned that can be brought back to your local utility.
   
   
5. Making avoided costs transparent in regulated territories
   
   The economic attractiveness of corporate renewable procurement in regulated territories typically hinges on a utility-defined avoided cost estimate and analytical process which are often not publicly visible or transparent. This session will discuss the barriers this presents to corporate procurement market, and several possible solutions to increasing the transparency of this process for buyers and developers.

Cross-market issues track

1. Meeting 100% renewable energy goals as the grid gets greener
   
   As the percentage of renewable energy on the grid continues to increase, so does the complexity of evaluating the impact of each additional project. For organizations with 100% renewable energy goals, this makes each step of the way toward that goal slightly more difficult. This session will attempt to pull back the curtain on what it means to procure 100% renewable energy on an ever-greening grid, how to meet the needs of rapidly growing sectors such as data centers, and how to tell the story of your organization’s ambition and impact.
   
   
2. Can storage help eliminate congestion?
   
   Congestion is increasingly impacting all market actors. This session will discuss if storage can be employed to manage congestion risk, and what tools the market needs to recognize the opportunity from storage.
   
   
3. Developing simplified accounting/reporting on renewable energy claims
   
   Given the complexities of certain renewable energy purchases, it can be challenging to tell a clear and consistent story that accurately addresses both the quantitative metrics of a company’s renewable energy profile and explains the nuances of complex energy markets and business operation scenarios. This session will explore how companies can have a consistent narrative on renewables that avoids “greenwashing” and accurately highlights progress made towards ambitious renewable energy commitments.
   
   
4. Pros/cons of being a tax equity investor for corporate buyers
   
   Buyers can achieve renewable energy additionality by entering into new PPAs with wind and solar projects, but they can also do so by investing tax equity in these same projects. This session will address both the case for buyer tax equity investment, as well as the implications and risks for being a tax flow investor.
   
   
5. Harnessing the renewable thermal opportunity: putting energy back in renewable energy goals (will run only once)
   
   Buyers are increasingly looking to source low carbon energy for heating and cooling loads in addition to electricity. But options are limited and questions abound about the true sustainability of bio-based alternatives. This session will explore the formation of a new REBA initiative called the Renewable Thermal Collaborative to address core barriers to renewable options for thermal loads.
   
   
6. Addressing sector-specific needs of data center providers and users
   
   Given the move to web-based business, many companies are finding that their supply chain activity is growing more at data centers rather than in traditional “brick and mortar” operations. For sectors that are less familiar with internet-based operations, it can be challenging to take that first step in understanding how their data center energy profile can be managed efficiently and powered with renewable energy sources. This session will explore sector specific interests and opportunities for companies to address their digital carbon footprint.
   
   
7. Infrastructure projects as new options for corporate buyers
   
   Non-utility renewable procurement using traditional instruments (e.g. RECs, VPPAs) supports additional projects, but may soon face limits to scaling the broader renewable market as infrastructure supporting renewable integration begins to saturate around the country. This session will discuss the market-scaling value of new grid infrastructure (e.g. transmission) in both regulated and deregulated territories, and if and how the REBA community can participate in bringing these projects to success.

International markets track

For the International Markets track there will be four sessions each focused on a specific geography or national market: (1) Mexico and Latin America, (2) India, (3) China, and (4) Southeast Asia. China and Mexico sessions will each run twice in the afternoon:

1. China: challenges, opportunities and next steps for working together
   
   This session will focus on the unique challenges and opportunities in the China. Participants will share their experiences as well as the current challenges they face in this market, while also having the opportunity to learn what the REBA partners are doing and to identify specific entry-points for greater collaboration.
   
   
2. Mexico and Latin America: challenges, opportunities and next steps for working together
   
   This session will focus on the unique challenges and opportunities in Mexico and Latin America. Participants will share their experiences as well as the current challenges they face in this market, while also having the opportunity to learn what the REBA partners are doing and to identify specific entry-points for greater collaboration.

5:45 - 7:15 Reception: We’ve Got the Power! Sponsored by Sempra

TUESDAY

7:30 Breakfast and registration open

8:30 Opening Session: welcome back and REBA strategy update

9:00 Solution Sessions

Solution sessions will follow the topic tracks, and focus on action-oriented next steps for addressing ongoing challenges, expand options and accelerate progress. Solution sessions will include:

• Advancing policy solutions
• Advancing utility conversations
• International supply chain engagement
• Five additional solution sessions focused on content that was identified as priority areas from Monday’s deep dive sessions, as voted on by attendees.

11:20 Closing panel: reflections from large energy buyers

12:00 End of plenaries and close

12:00 pm Lunch & VERGE Interconnect Expo opens (your REBA Summit pass includes access)