2013 Business of Clean Energy in Alaska
The 2013 Business of Clean Energy in Alaska conference has come to an end and we are happy to report that this year’s event was a great success! Leaders from across Alaska gathered in Anchorage for two days to hear about the growing economic opportunities related to renewable energy and energy efficiency in Alaska. Top energy experts traveled from around the country and the world to participate in facilitated discussions on topics like international clean energy markets, the role of Alaska’s Native corporations in the clean energy development space, Alaska’s regulatory environment and building the workforce of the future. Additionally, Keynote speakers included:
– Jennifer Granholm, Former two-term Governor of Michigan
– Dr. Dan Arvizu, Director, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
– Richard Heinberg, Senior Fellow-In-Residence, Post Carbon Institute
Many thanks to all of our sponsors, speakers and volunteers who helped us pull off such a great event. We couldn’t have done it without you!
2013 Business of Clean Energy in Alaska Conference from Renewable Energy Alaska Project on Vimeo.
May 2nd Keynote – Jennifer Granholm, Former Governor of Michigan
May 2nd Keynote – Richard Heinberg, Post Carbon Institute
May 3rd Keynote – Dr. Dan Arvizu, Director, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Panel 1 – The World Around Us: International Clean Energy Markets
Many countries have aggressive clean energy policies that are putting them at the forefront of this growing industry. Nations like China and Germany are leaders in investment and deployment of renewables. This moderated discussion will feature experts on Asia and Europe with a focus on how Alaska can develop a policy that will catalyze greater clean energy development across the state.
Dr. Melanie Hart, Senior Policy Analyst, China Energy and Climate Policy, Center for American Progress, Washington DC
Andrew DeWit, Professor, School of Policy Studies, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan
Thomas Sauer, CEO, Exxergy GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany
Mead Treadwell, Lt. Governor of Alaska, Anchorage, AK
2013 BCEA Panel 1 – The World Around Us: International Clean Energy Markets from Renewable Energy Alaska Project on Vimeo.
Panel 2 – Energy Efficiency: Alaska’s “First Fuel”
Buildings account for nearly 40% of all energy use in the United States. In Alaska, heating and lighting bills are steadily increasing, with potentially severe consequences for our economy. Though Alaska has developed numerous programs to make buildings more energy efficient, the state has barely begun to tap the huge cost savings and job creation potential that exists. These panelists will take a look at some of the innovative construction techniques already being deployed in Alaska, and discuss what other leaders in the built environment are doing around the world to save energy and keep money in local economies.
Jack Hebert, President, Cold Climate Housing Research Center, Fairbanks, AK
Thorsten Chlupp, President & Owner, Reina Properties LLC, Fairbanks, AK
Cathy Higgins, Research Director, New Buildings Institute, Vancouver, WA
Kathleen O’Brien, Founder, O’Brien & Company, Seattle, WA
2013 BCEA Panel 2 – Energy Efficiency: Alaska’s “First Fuel” from Renewable Energy Alaska Project on Vimeo.
Panel 3 – Bringing Renewables into the Grid: How Utilities and Independent Power Producers Can Work Together
The Railbelt and Southeast Alaska have been served for decades by public utility companies on grids owned by both the State of Alaska and the companies themselves. Today, an increasing number of independent power producers (IPPs) are proposing to develop renewable energy for sale into these grids. Questions remain on what kind of market rules and transmission access will allow this development. This moderated discussion will include perspectives from the State of Alaska, IPPs and Railbelt utilities.
Roger Hamilton, Director, Western Grid Group, Eugene, OR
Gene Therriault, Deputy Director for Statewide Energy Policy Development, Alaska Energy Authority, Anchorage, AK
Duff Mitchell, Executive Director, Alaska Independent Power Producers Association, Juneau, AK
Janet Reiser, Board Chair, Alaska Railbelt Cooperative Transmission & Electric Company (ARCTEC), Anchorage, AK
2013 BCEA Panel 3 – Bringing Renewables to the Grid: How Utilities and Independent Power Producers Can Work Together from Renewable Energy Alaska Project on Vimeo.
Panel 4 – Alaska Native Corporations: Engines For Clean Energy Investment
Alaskan Native corporations are some of the largest and most successful businesses in the state. Several have recently begun investing in renewable energy development. This moderated discussion will feature representatives from regional corporations and non-profits discussing why clean energy is an attractive investment, and how future projects might be financed.
Sonny Adams, Projects Manager, Natural Resources – Energy, NANA Regional Corporation, Anchorage, AK
Suzanne Gibson, Senior Director, Energy Development, Cook Inlet Regional Corporation, Anchorage, AK
Matt Ferguson, Principal, CohnReznik, Washington DC
Dave Pelunis-Messier, Rural Energy Coordinator, Tanana Chiefs Conference, Fairbanks, AK
2013 BCEA Panel 4 – Alaska Native Corporations: Engines for Clean Energy Investment from Renewable Energy Alaska Project on Vimeo.
Panel 5 – Bringing Private Investment Dollars to Alaska
Alaska has vast renewable energy resources, yet Alaskans pay some of the highest energy costs in the nation. Clean energy projects can produce an excellent return on investment, but how can Alaskans attract private investors to the state? This moderated discussion will examine ways that projects across the state and the country are being financed.
Hugh Short, CEO, Platinum Capital Advisors, LLC, Anchorage, AK
Doug Johnson, Director of Business Development, Ocean Renewable Power Company, Anchorage, AK
Dan Scripps, Vice President, Capital Innovation, Advanced Energy Economy, Grand Rapids, MI
Kerry Cebul, Engagement Manager, Cleantech Group, San Francisco, CA
2013 BCEA Panel 5 – Bringing Private Investment Dollars to Alaska from Renewable Energy Alaska Project on Vimeo.
Panel 6 – Building the Workforce of the Future
An educated populace and skilled workforce are essential to support the growth of any industry. This moderated panel will bring together labor and education experts to discuss innovative programs and policies being used in Alaska and across the country, and what Alaska needs to do to ensure Alaskans know where their energy comes from and are prepared for the clean energy jobs of the future.
Barry Scott, State Program Coordinator, The NEED Project, Stockton, CA
Steve Gilbert, Manager, Energy Projects Development and Key Accounts, Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Anchorage, AK
Fred Villa, Associate Vice President for Workforce Programs, University of Alaska Statewide, Fairbanks, AK
Wanetta Ayers, Employer Outreach Coordinator, Alaska Workforce Development Board, Alaska Department of Labor, Anchorage, AK
2013 BCEA Panel 6 – Building the Workforce of the Future from Renewable Energy Alaska Project on Vimeo.
Panel 7 – Alaska’s Clean Energy Market Opportunities
Due to Alaska’s small population and lack of connection to Canada or the Lower 48, our supply of clean energy far outweighs our domestic demand. This moderated panel will discuss some of the ways Alaskans could utilize the State’s vast supply of stranded renewable energy resources, optimize our small-scale distributed energy systems, and create jobs and strengthen the State’s economy in the process.
Dr. Cheryl Martin, Deputy Director, Advanced Research Project Agency – Energy, US Department of Energy, Washington DC
Brian Hirsch, Senior Project Leader – Alaska, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Anchorage, AK
Guoni A Johannesson, Director General, National Energy Authority, Reykjavik, Iceland
Bruce Wright, Senior Scientist, Aleutian-Pribilof Islands Association, Anchorage, AK
2013 BCEA Panel 7 – Alaska’s Clean Energy Market Opportunities from Renewable Energy Alaska Project on Vimeo.
