Non-profit RENEW Wisconsin hosts their ninth Annual Renewable Energy Summit January 16 in Madison, Wisconsin (WI), where more than 400 renewable energy sector experts and attendees will address this year’s theme for the state, “2020 Vision: The Path to 100% Clean Energy,” at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.
Held from 7:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. on Thursday, the summit will focus on the state’s future in renewable energy, and the steps required to make that vision a reality. Attendees—a mix of industry experts, government officials, utility professionals, advocates, and students—can participate in workshops, panels, and networking opportunities.
This year’s presenting sponsors are Arch Electric, Invenergy LLC, and Zerology. The eco-friendly Monona Terrace venue is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certified structure first designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
This year’s keynote speaker is Katherine Hamilton, Chair of 38 North Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in business development and policy services for companies and organizations in the renewable energy industry.
Hamilton’s speech will focus on the global renewable energy industry, before explaining how Wisconsin can accelerate its progression in clean energy.
The summit will commence with brief “101” courses on renewable energy technologies and the electrical grid, before moving on to policy initiatives and explanations of successful renewable energy initiatives in Wisconsin.
These will include presentations from Antonio Butts, Executive Director of the community development-focused Walnut Way Conservation Corp., and Scott Anderson, an engineer-turned-elementary-school-teacher who engages his students in real-life green energy projects to encourage stewardship.
Other summit panels will focus on alternatives to the current petroleum-focused energy industry, such as biogas, wind, and solar energy, as well as the changes in education, energy storage, and energy distribution systems that Wisconsin will need in order to make 100% renewable energy a reality.
Some of the summit’s many enlightening speakers include WI state senator Robert L. Cowles, Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and Lincoln Lande, the Senior Director of Business Development at EDF Renewables.
A variety of forward-thinking businesses and organizations will attend the summit, including such entities as Sunrun, ENGIE North America, and SC Johnson.
The full, detailed schedule can be seen here.
A full list of speakers can be found here.
A list of organization attendees can be found here.
Registration can be found here.
Written by Dilawar Naqvi