Virtual Energy Forum Speakers:
The Honorable Gary LockeU.S. Secretary of Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce
Clean Energy Business Development
Energy Efficiency Forum Keynote Speaker - Gary Locke was appointed by President Obama as the 36th Secretary of Commerce and sworn into office on March 26, 2009.
At the Department of Commerce, Locke is charged with helping implement President Obama's ambitious agenda to turn around the economy and put people back to work.
As the first Chinese-American to hold this post in a president's cabinet, Locke has a distinctly American story. His grandfather emigrated from China to Washington state, initially finding employment as a servant, working in exchange for English lessons. Locke's father, also born in China, was a small business owner, operating a grocery store where Locke worked while receiving his education from Seattle's public school system. His strong work ethic and determination eventually took him to the highest office in the state of Washington.
Prior to his appointment, Locke helped U.S. companies break into international markets as a partner in the Seattle office of the international law firm, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. There, he co-chaired the firm's China practice and was active in its governmental relations practice.
As the popular two-term governor of Washington, the nation's most trade-dependent state, Locke broke down trade barriers around the world to advance American products. He helped open doors for Washington State businesses by leading 10 productive trade missions to Asia, Mexico and Europe, significantly expanding the sale of Washington products and services. He also successfully strengthened economic ties between China and Washington State. His visits are credited with introducing Washington companies to China and helping more than double the state's exports to China to over $5 billion per year.
As part of his considerable trade and economic development efforts, Locke
launched Washington's Competitiveness Council with business, labor and
civic leaders working together to effectively position Washington State for
success at home and around the world. During the eight years of the Locke
Administration, the state gained 280,000 jobs.
The Honorable Jennifer GranholmGovernor, State of Michigan
Investing in Energy
Energy Efficiency Forum Speaker - Jennifer M. Granholm was elected governor in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. She began her career in public service as a judicial clerk for Michigan's 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. She became a federal prosecutor in Detroit in 1990, and in 1994, she was appointed Wayne County Corporation Counsel. Granholm was elected Michigan's first female attorney general in 1998.
Since becoming governor, she has worked to transform and grow Michigan's economy through diversification, create jobs, ensure world-class educational opportunities for every Michigan student, create universal access to affordable health care, and stand up for Michigan workers and families during tough economic times. While aggressively pursuing her top priority of putting Michigan families first, she has also worked to ensure that state government spends every penny efficiently and has successfully resolved more than $9 billion in budget deficits.
Granholm's comprehensive economic agenda includes growing a new
alternative energy sector that will transform Michigan's rustbelt image
to a greenbelt reality, help end our nation's dependence on foreign oil,
and help train unemployed and under-employed citizens for high-demand
jobs through the No Worker Left Behind initiative, which has enrolled
more than 100,000 people since its launch in 2007.
The Honorable Steve IsraelCongressman, U.S. House of Representatives
America's Energy Future
Energy Efficiency Forum Guest Speaker - Congressman Steve Israel represents New York's 2nd Congressional District, including the Long Island communities of Huntington, Babylon, Islip, Smithtown and Oyster Bay. He was first sworn into Congress in 2001.
Israel is a member of the House Appropriations Committee. He serves on the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds the Department of Energy and Army Corps of Engineers; the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds all U.S. military bases and the Veterans Administration; and the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds the U.S. State Department and all U.S. foreign policy activities.
Israel was
appointed to the Select Intelligence Oversight Panel, which consists of only 13
Members who review budgets and programs by the US intelligence community. The
panel was a key recommendation of the 9-11 Commission.
Israel previously
served on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Financial Services
Committee.
Energy Policy
Israel is considered a leader on U.S. energy security, reducing
dependence on foreign oil, lowering energy costs, and creating an innovative
clean technology economy. His key energy accomplishments include proposing and
helping to pass the successful "Cash for Clunkers" program; successfully leading
opposition to the former Bush Administration's budget cuts for energy efficiency
and renewable energy; and passing legislation to restore Obama Administration
reductions for hydrogen fuel research and development. "Congressional Quarterly"
called Israel's comprehensive energy security proposals "an ambitious blueprint
for energy issues."
In 2009, Israel proposed and passed the "Solar
Villages Initiative," which will spread U.S. solar energy technologies in
villages throughout the developing world.
He also passed legislation
that will lower utility bills by making it easier for families and small
businesses to finance the installation energy-efficient and renewable energy
technologies.
Ira MagazinerChairman, Clinton Climate Initiative, The William J. Clinton Foundation
Advances in Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy Generation
Ira C. Magaziner currently serves as the Chairman of the Clinton Climate Initiative and the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative. He is also on the board of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the Clinton Hunter Development Initiative.
From 1993 through 1998, he served as Senior Advisor to President Clinton for Policy Development at the White House. In this capacity, he supervised the development and implementation of the administration's policy for commercialization of the Internet and worked with First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton on the development of the President's Health Reform Initiative. Mr. Magaziner also chaired a joint National Economic Council/National Security Council Initiative to increase US exports and served as a member of the National Domestic Policy Council.
Prior to his White House appointment, Mr. Magaziner earned respect as one of America's most successful corporate strategists, building two successful corporate strategy consulting firms and assisting major corporations in developing their business strategies. Prior to forming his own companies, he worked in Boston, London and Tokyo for the Boston Consulting Group.
He also served as co-chairman of the National Commission on Skills of the American Workforce with former Labor Secretaries Bill Brock and Ray Marshall, co-authoring the landmark report "America's Choice - High Skills or Low Wages." Mr. Magaziner graduated in 1969 as valedictorian from Brown University and attended Balliol College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He has received honorary doctorate degrees from Brown University, the University of Rhode Island, the University of Maryland and the New England Institute of Technology.
Mr. Magaziner has served on the boards of numerous charitable and educational organizations nationally and in his home state of Rhode Island.
Mason EmnettAssociate Director, Office of Energy Policy and Innovation, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Building a Smart Electricity Network
Energy Efficiency Forum Speaker - Mason Emnett is Associate Director of the Office of Energy Policy and Innovation at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The Office provides leadership in the development and formulation of policies and regulations to address emerging issues affecting wholesale and interstate energy markets.
Mr. Emnett joined the Commission in 2006, serving as Senior Legal Advisor in the Commission's Office of General Counsel. There he advised the Commission on legal and policy matters related to electric transmission service, wholesale power sales, electric system reliability, corporate regulation of public utilities, and enforcement proceedings. Prior to joining the Commission, Mr. Emnett was in private practice with the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom LLP in Washington, D.C, where he represented public utilities appearing before the Commission on matters related to market design, wholesale rates, mergers and acquisitions, and regulatory compliance.
Mr. Emnett is a graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center and of the University of Texas at Arlington.
Michael T. EckhartPresident, American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE)
Opportunities in Renewable Energy
Michael Eckhart is President of the American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE), co-chairman of the World Council for Renewable Energy (WCRE), and a member of the Steering Committee of the REN 21 global policy network. Since its formation in 2001, ACORE has grown to have over 400 organizational members; producing three major national conferences per year on renewable energy business, finance and policy; and participating in international renewable energy policy affairs.
Mr. Eckhart is a member of the Clinton Global Initiative. He also works through Solar International Management, Inc. on the financing of solar energy (SolarBank), and on the development of a new international debt security called Global Development Bonds (GDB) for the financing of sustainable development in the developing countries. He has over 25 years of experience in renewable energy, power generation, high technology, and finance. Previously, he was CEO of the IPP development firm United Power Systems, Inc.; Vice President of the venture capital firm Areté Ventures, Inc.; Manager of Strategic Planning for the Power Systems Sector of General Electric Company; and a Principal of Booz, Allen & Hamilton's energy practice. He served in the US Navy Submarine Service. He received a BS in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Mark GinsbergSenior Executive, The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy USDOE
Global Green Cities & Summary of Day 1 Sessions
Mark Ginsberg was appointed by the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) to serve on a newly created EERE Board of Directors. In that capacity, Mr. Ginsberg and the Board direct EERE policy, strategies and budgets and serve as "ambassadors" for EERE. As a senior executive advisor to the Assistant Secretary, his portfolio includes energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate change technologies. Previously in December, 1991, until July 1997, Mark directed the Federal Energy Management Program, where he provided leadership for Federal agencies to reduce energy consumption $1 billion in their 500,000 buildings. Prior to joining DOE in 1991, Mr. Ginsberg served as Director of the Arizona Energy Office, which was a division of the Department of Commerce, where Mr. Ginsberg oversaw energy and solar programs and helped make the connection between energy efficiency and economic development.
He has received many honors, including most recently, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alliance to Save Energy. To recognize his lifetime contributions, the U.S. Green Building Council established a permanent Ginsberg Fellowship in 2003.
Heather HenriksenDirector of the Office for Sustainability, Harvard University
Sustainability at Harvard University
Energy Efficiency Forum Speaker - Heather Henriksen is the Director of the Office for Sustainability at Harvard University. She recently completed a mid-career Masters in Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) with a focus on energy and environment. While a student at HKS, Heather was a member of the Harvard University Task Force on Greenhouse Gas Emissions, commissioned by President Drew Faust to recommend a GHG reduction goal for the University. Heather is also a partner of Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), a national community of business people lobbying for environmental policies which protect the environment while building economic prosperity. Heather's work with E2, since 2002, has brought her into closer partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council. Before graduate school, Heather was Director of Corporate Marketing & Business Development at Time Warner.
Allan SchurrVice President of Strategy and Development, Global Energy and Utility Industry, IBM
The Promise of a Smart Grid
Allan Schurr is responsible for IBM's market strategy, regulatory policy, and partner management for the global electric, gas, and water industries. IBM's solutions include offerings in customer management, advanced metering infrastructure, and work & asset management that integrate the breadth of IBM hardware, software, and service offerings.
In addition, Schurr leads IBM's utility initiatives for emerging solutions targeting the role of energy in a Smarter Planet, supported by a broad ecosystem. In this role, Schurr is working with utility companies to accelerate the development of Smart Grid and the integration of renewable energy sources and distributed energy assets like plug-in vehicles.
Schurr is a frequent speaker and has testified before the US Congress regarding the benefits of smart grid technology and impediments to its development. In 2010 he was named to earth2tech's Top 15 Connected Car Influencers, and he holds a patent for System and Method for Energy Usage Curtailment and received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of California Davis and a masters in business administration from St. Mary's College in California. He is a registered engineer in the State of California.
Presentation Abstract: Allan Schurr, IBM VP of Strategy and Development for Energy & Utilities will discuss the real state of the US smart grid market. This presentation will address the customer value associated with smart grid implementation, investments being made, and the effect of stimulus funding on the market.
Tim WirthPresident, United Nations Foundation
Challenges and Prospects of Climate Change
Energy Efficiency Forum Speaker - Timothy Wirth is the President of the United Nations Foundation and the Better World Fund. Both organizations were founded in 1998 through a major financial commitment from Ted Turner to support and strengthen the work of the United Nations.
Wirth began his political career as a White House Fellow under President Lyndon Johnson and was Deputy Assistant Secretary for Education in the Nixon Administration. In 1970, Wirth returned to his home state and ran successfully for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1974. He represented Denver suburbs in Congress from 1975-1987. As a first term Congressman, Wirth organized the "Freshman Revolt" in 1975, and with colleagues Norman Mineta, Leon Panetta and Dick Gephardt, he was part of "The Gang of Four" challenging the budget process and developing a high technology and alternative budget in 1982. As Chair of the Communications Subcommittee, he was the lead legislator in restructuring the cable television and telephone industries. Wirth also authored the Indian Peaks Wilderness Act of 1978.
Wirth was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986 where he focused on environmental issues, particularly global climate change and population stabilization. In 1988, he organized the historic Hansen hearings on climate change. With his close friend, the late Senator John Heinz (R-PA), he authored "Project 88", outlining the groundbreaking "Cap and Trade" idea which became law in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. He authored the far-reaching Colorado Wilderness Bill which became law in 1993, and with Senator Alan Simpson (R-WY) he authored major legislation focused on population stabilization. Wirth also organized the Senate Task Force on the Expansion of Major League Baseball, which became a major factor in the awarding of a new expansion franchise to Denver. He chose not to run for re-election in 1992, citing in a front page cover story in the Sunday New York Times Magazine (August 9, 1992), frustration with the ever increasing role of money in politics to the exclusion of focus on public policy.
Rob BernardChief Environmental Strategist, Microsoft
Innovative Solutions at the Intersection of Technology and Efficiency
Energy Efficiency Forum Speaker - Rob Bernard is Microsoft Corp.'s first chief environmental strategist. Microsoft, like most companies with cafes and lunchrooms, used to generate enormous piles of waste by throwing out napkins, cups, plates - and plastic forks, spoons, and knives. But in July 2008, in response to interest from employees to adopt less wasteful ways, Microsoft switched to compostable kitchenware and started composting food waste. These moves have slashed the company's waste stream from its cafes and break rooms nearly in half. "It"s made a significant improvement," says Bernard, standing in line in one of the company's cafes - compostable plate and utensils in hand. "It really shows what you can do when you empower people to figure out how to create change."
Bernard's work is aimed at benefitting the environment both inside the company and through partners and customers. Since taking on the new post of chief environmental strategist in November 2007, Bernard has helped organize and focus what had been Microsoft's sincere but somewhat fragmented approach to environmental sustainability. His goal: drive innovations for a sustainable planet.
Richard LechnerVice President Energy and Efficiency, IBM Corporation
Innovative Solutions at the Intersection of Technology and Efficiency
Energy Efficiency Forum Speaker - Rich Lechner was named vice president, Energy & Environment in September 2008. In this role, he leads IBM's efforts in helping clients address the issues and opportunities around energy, the environment, and sustainability. He is responsible for defining strategy and managing the broad portfolio of capabilities and offerings that leverage IBM's technology innovation, deep industry insight, and business process strategy.
Mr. Lechner has a strong track record for driving key cross IBM initiatives that deliver value to clients of all sizes including virtualization, Project Big Green, and IBM's New Enterprise Data Center Strategy. Previously, he was vice president for Enterprise Systems addressing IBM's large enterprise customer base and market opportunity by bringing to market a unified set of systems, software and services designed to optimize large-scale IT infrastructures. He has held a number of other senior leadership positions at IBM across the hardware, software, and services organizations including: IT Optimization, Storage Systems, Mainframes, Software Strategy, and Systems Management. Mr. Lechner spent ten years as a programmer for IBM and began his career as a micro-code programmer in the Financial Services Industry.
Mary Ann WrightVice President and Managing Director, Johnson Controls
Taking Charge of the Clean Transportation Industry
Energy Efficiency Forum Speaker - Mary Ann Wright is responsible for establishing the business model, product and process technology plan, market shaping and sourcing strategies to accelerate the growth of advanced energy storage systems. She is leading a dedicated global project team that will oversee the Department Of Energy economic stimulus grant program, including launch of the first U.S. manufacturing facility in Holland, MI. She and the team will also address the key challenges the industry must resolve to achieve mass commercialization of advanced battery systems for hybrid, plug-in and electric vehicles.
Ms. Wright most recently served as Vice President and General Manager for Johnson Controls Hybrid Systems business, and CEO of Johnson Controls-Saft. She played a key role in establishing Johnson Controls-Saft as a leading independent global provider of hybrid battery systems.
Prior to joining the company, Ms. Wright was Executive Vice President Engineering, Product Development, Commercial and Program Management for Collins & Aikman Corporation. Prior to joining Collins & Aikman, she served as Director, Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs at Ford Motor Company. In this capacity she was responsible for all hybrid, fuel cell and alternative fuel technology development. She also served as Chief Engineer of the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid, the industry's first full hybrid SUV. In 2005, she led the launch of Ford's first hydrogen-powered fuel cell fleet program. She began her career at Ford in 1988, holding a variety of positions in finance, product and business planning, and engineering.
Awards and Recognition
Ms. Wright has been recognized by Automotive News as one of the "Leading 100 Women in the Automotive Industry." In 2010, she received a Distinguished Service Citation from the Automotive Hall of Fame. She was named as one of the "Top 50 Women to Watch" by the Wall Street Journal in 2008.
Dr. Chuck KutscherPrincipal Engineer and Manager, Thermal Systems Group, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Climate Change: Addressing the Growing Crisis with Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Dr. Chuck Kutscher is a Principal Engineer and Manager of the Thermal Systems Group at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado. He also leads the research on parabolic trough solar collector systems and was the co-author of a recent report to Congress on the water use of concentrating solar power plants. He is a Past Chair and a Fellow of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) and was General Chair of the SOLAR 2006 national solar energy conference, which focused on energy solutions to climate change. He is editor of the 200-page ASES report, Tackling Climate Change in the U.S., which details how energy efficiency and six renewable technologies can greatly reduce U.S carbon emissions by 2030. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder (UCB) and a Founding Fellow of the UCB Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute. Dr. Kutscher writes a regular column about addressing climate change for SOLAR TODAY magazine, and he gives frequent presentations on climate change and renewable energy.
Presentation Abstract: The recent furor over emails and minor errors in a three-thousand page report by international scientists have lulled the American public into complacency regarding climate change. But the rapid acceleration of ice loss at both poles and in mountain glaciers around the world underscores the seriousness of this growing and unprecedented environmental crisis. Numerous studies have concluded that widespread damage from climate change will incur enormous costs to our economy unless we rapidly adopt energy efficiency and carbon-free energy solutions. These technologies are already proving profitable, and their benefits will multiply as we place an inevitable price on carbon dioxide emissions commensurate with the damage they cause. This presentation will review the latest scientific evidence for global warming, explain what targets we must aim for, and show how we both the environment and the economy can benefit from a transition to energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Sean CastenPresident and CEO, Recycled Energy Development
Capturing Waste Energy to Generate Clean Power
Sean Casten is an executive and thought leader committed to the efficient generation of energy. Before taking the helm of Recycled Energy Development (RED), he served for seven years as president and CEO of Turbosteam Corporation, a company that helps manufacturers turn their waste energy into clean power and steam. He was also a manager in Arthur D. Little's energy practice, where he specialized in technology and strategic issues surrounding alternative fuels and emerging approaches to producing power.
Sean's advocacy work has been extensive. He served as chairman of the U.S. Clean Heat and Power Association (USCHPA) in 2007 and founding chairman of the Northeast Combined Heat and Power Initiative in 2005. He has authored numerous papers, testified before the U.S. Senate, and given talks and interviews across the country on the topic of on-site power generation, particularly on the business opportunities it presents and the technological, regulatory, and financial barriers it faces. Sean blogs regularly at the leading environmental website Grist and has penned articles for a variety of publications including the Chicago Tribune, New Republic Online, Spark, Electricity Journal, and Public Utilities Fortnightly, among others.
Sean was recognized by the USCHPA as a "CHP Champion" for his leadership in promoting the clean, efficient, and reliable generation of power. He is also a participant in the Emerging Leader's Program at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Thanks in part to Sean's work, RED has been featured by Forbes, National Public Radio, Nature, U.S. News, and The New Republic, among many other media outlets.
Presentation Abstract: Energy waste is pervasive, creating a massive opportunity for US industrials to lower their energy costs AND reduce their CO2 footprint. US DOE and EPA studies show that just by recovering presently wasted energy, the US could slash power costs and reduce our total CO2 emissions by over 10%. In spite of this opportunity, our economic and environmental policies are largely in conflict with each other, framing a win for one as a loss for the other, and preferentially directing scarce resources towards more expensive environmental controls. This presentation will provide an overview of fundamentals that are placing upward pressure on US electricity costs, provide select case studies of industrials who have recovered waste energy to take control of their own energy future and conclude with an overview of the broader industrial opportunity and how to capture it.
Vatsal BhattCoordinator: USDOE’s US-India-China Cities Partnerships for Energy and Environment, Brookhaven National Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE)
Integrated Planning for Net-Zero Energy Cities
Vatsal works on energy and environment policy analysis and international collaboration at the Brookhaven National Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE). On various national and international assignments, he helps USDOE, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Foundations and international Governments for evaluating long-term impacts of advanced energy solutions and climate change mitigation. He assisted USDOE analysis on energy for the President’s State of the Union Address 2006. Mr. Bhatt is the coordinator of USDOE’s US-India-China Cities Partnership for sharing best practices and technologies and supporting US-China EcoPartnerships. He is a lead author of the U.S. Global Change Research Program's first-ever assessment of the "Effects of Climate Change on Energy Production and Use in the United States".
Presentation Abstract: Vatsal will highlight integrated energy and environment planning methodology for supporting effective long-term decision making for moving towards net-zero energy communities. The presentation will discuss this methodology with respect to recently implemented case studies of New York City and Hong Kong, to exemplify its usefulness in the cities of emerging economies, which can leapfrog to advanced, efficient and low-carbon energy technologies at lower costs in their quest towards sustainable development.
Robert CialdiniAuthor, Chief Science Officer, OPOWER
Persuading People to Save Power
Energy Efficiency Forum Speaker - Dr. Robert Cialdini has spent his entire career researching the science of influence earning him an international reputation as an expert in the fields of persuasion, compliance, and negotiation.
His books including, Influence: Science & Practice, are
the results of years of study into the reasons why people comply with
requests in business settings. Worldwide, Influence has sold
over 2 million copies. Influence has been published in
twenty-five languages. His most recent co-authored book, Yes! 50
Scientifically Proven Ways to be Persuasive, has been on
the New York Times, USA Today & Wall Street Journal Best Seller
Lists.
In the field of influence and persuasion, Dr. Cialdini is the most
cited living social psychologist in the world today.
Patrick DavisVehicle Technologies Program Manager, The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - USDOE
The State of Green Vehicles
Mr. Davis' department supports over $270 million in annual research funding for hybrid drivetrains, advanced batteries, lightweight materials, advanced combustion and fuels, vehicle systems integration, and deployment activities. He is responsible for two major government industry partnerships, the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership and the 21st Century Truck Partnership.
Robbie DiamondFounder and President, Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE)
Taking Charge of the Clean Transportation Industry
Energy Efficiency Forum Speaker - Robbie Diamond is the Founder and President of Securing America's Future
Energy (SAFE), a nonpartisan,
not-for-profit organization committed to reducing America's dependence on oil
and improving U.S. energy security in order to bolster national security and
strengthen the economy.
Since founding SAFE, Mr. Diamond has worked to find new ways to influence the
energy security debate. In 2006, he came together with Frederick W. Smith,
Chairman, President, and CEO of FedEx Corporation, and General P.X. Kelley, USMC
(Ret.), 28th Commandant of the Marine Corps, to form SAFE's Energy
Security Leadership Council, a group of prominent business leaders and retired
senior military officers dedicated to addressing the economic and security
aspects of oil dependence. In December 2006, the Council released a
comprehensive report entitled Recommendations to the Nation on Reducing U.S.
Oil Dependence; a year later, Congress passed and the President signed into
law groundbreaking legislation that closely mirrors major elements of the Recommendations.
In 2008, the ESLC released A National Strategy for Energy Security,
a new, comprehensive plan that offers the public and policymakers specific
solutions to the very real threats posed by our nation's dependence on oil. The National Strategy lays out the pathway toward a long-term goal of an
electrified transportation system that is no longer dependent on oil, along with
the interim policies needed to reach that goal while keeping our economy and our
nation strong and secure.
Prior to founding SAFE, Mr. Diamond served as Deputy Director of Community
Outreach on Senator Joe Lieberman's 2004 presidential campaign. Before that, Mr.
Diamond was a Director at the Washington firm Fontheim International LLC,
working in all practice areas of the firm. Prior to coming to Washington, he
worked with senior executives at Seagram Spirits and Wine Group on special
projects.
Mark S. DuvallDirector, Electric Transportation
Taking Charge of the Clean Transportation Industry
Energy Efficiency Forum Speaker - Mark Duvall is the Director of Electric Transportation at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), an independent, non-profit center for public interest energy and environmental collaborative research. He is responsible for EPRI's research and development program for electric transportation, including electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell vehicle programs and related advanced infrastructure. He oversees a number of partnerships and collaborations between EPRI and electric utilities, automotive companies, local, state, and federal agencies, national laboratories, and academic research institutions.
Mark's work is currently focused on: (1) plug-in hybrid electric vehicle research, development, and demonstrations in collaboration with major automotive manufacturers like the EPRI-DaimlerChrysler PHEV Sprinter Van Program; (2) advanced battery system development and testing; (3) electric charging infrastructure; and (4) environmental analysis of the air quality and greenhouse gas emissions characteristics of plug-in hybrids and other electric transportation technologies.
Prior to joining EPRI, Mark held the position of Principal Development
Engineer at the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Center of the University of California,
Davis. He has worked in the field of advanced transportation since 1990 and has
led the development of several prototype advanced vehicles. He holds B.S and M.S
degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Davis and a
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University.
Larry EisenbergDirector for Facilities Planning and Development, the Los Angeles Community College District
Design for the Future: Zero Energy / Renewable Energy
Larry Eisenberg is Executive Director for Facilities Planning and Development for the Los Angeles Community College District. LACCD is the largest community college district in the
Prior to his appointment as Executive Director, Larry held the position of Facilities Manager in the Washington County, Oregon Department of Support Services for nearly ten years. Prior to his work at
Larry currently serves on the sustainability advisory committees of several national organizations including the
Presentation Abstract: This presentation will present the need for a holistic design process incorporating a team based process and cutting edge technology to create sophisticated and beautiful buildings that need only as much energy as they produce from renewable energy sources. The presentation will review design concepts, design technology, renewable energy generation technologies, and energy storage technologies necessary to create and support zero energy buildings. The presentation highlights technologies being used at the Los Angeles Community College District today for this purpose.
Scott T. HarrisonChief Executive Officer, Azure Dynamics
Taking Charge of the Clean Transportation Industry
Energy Efficiency Forum Speaker - Mr. Harrison comes to Azure Dynamics from Hayes Lemmerz, a two billion US dollar per annum Tier 1 auto supplier, where he was Group President responsible for two global businesses. Before joining Hayes Lemmerz in 2001, Mr. Harrison worked for Fisher Scientific Inc., where he was Vice President and General Manager of the Lab Equipment Group. Mr. Harrison began his automotive career with General Motors where he spent seven years in various positions of increasing responsibility at the Delco Chassis Division. During this time he participated in GM's Supervisor Exchange Program with Toyota Motor Corporation. With 17 years of direct experience in the automotive industry, Mr. Harrison has a strong record of sales growth, lean implementation, new product introduction as well as operations and supply chain experience.
Steve HauserVP, Grid Integration, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Building Grid 3.0
Steve Hauser is Vice President of Grid Integration for National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and is responsible for creating new programs and partnerships to lead national efforts to create a smarter grid. He has been nationally recognized for more than 25 years as a leader in clean energy technology development efforts. He has been featured in numerous conferences and popular articles describing the concepts and benefits of a Smart Grid.
Mr. Hauser was the driving force behind the creation of the GridWise Alliance. Since 2000, he has brought together more than 200 companies to create a broad industry vision to transform energy systems, markets and technologies. Mr. Hauser has also led the creation of new national brands like GridWise and GridWeekTM significantly raising the visibility of these issues with federal and state policy makers.
Previously, Mr. Hauser has held various senior management positions at GridPoint, Battelle and SAIC. During his career he has served as an advisor to numerous clean energy organizations and is former Chairman of the World Renewable Energy Congress. Mr. Hauser holds an M.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Washington and a B.S. in engineering physics from Oregon State University.
Presentation Abstract: For over a century we've systematically built a complex infrastructure of power plants, regionally connected with transmission lines to load centers where distribution lines crisscross roads and neighborhoods to provide power to every home and business. This power grid ensures not only our safety and security, but is vital to our continued growth in productivity and prosperity. This "public good", an infrastructure built and maintained on our behalf, is aging and overstressed. While it has served us remarkably well, it is now incumbent upon us to upgrade it to meet the changing demands of our 21st Century economy and society.
We must now build GRID 3.0; a cleaner, more efficient grid; one that meets the needs of a digital and highly interactive economy; and one that maintains affordability, reliability, safety and security for every consumer.
Building a smart grid is the first critical step of many; bringing new tools, techniques and technologies in a network of devices aligned for supreme performance.
Richard KolodziejPresident, Natural Gas Vehicles for America
The Case for Natural Gas Vehicles
Mr. Kolodziej is president of the NGVAmerica (formerly the Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition) -- a national organization dedicated to the development of a growing, sustainable and profitable market for vehicles powered by natural gas and biomethane. NGVAmerica represents more than 100 engine, vehicle and equipment manufacturers; fleet operators and service providers, natural gas companies, and environmental groups and government organizations interested in the promotion and use of natural gas and biomethane as transportation fuels.
Prior to joining the NGVAmerica in 1996, Mr. Kolodziej was group vice president of the American Gas Association where he held a number of senior positions including vice president of planning, vice president of communications, and senior vice president of marketing and communications.
Mr. Kolodziej serves on committees of a number of energy and alternative fuel vehicle organizations. He is the President of the International Association of Natural Gas Vehicles, president of the American Biogas Alliance and a member of the Alternative Fuels Committee of the Transportation Research Board. He also serves on the Board of Governors of the National Energy Foundation, and the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Kolodziej holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Rutgers University and a master's degree in urban and regional planning from the University of California at Los Angeles.
Richard LowenthalFounder and CEO, Coulomb Technologies
Taking Charge of the Clean Transportation Industry
Energy Efficiency Forum Speaker - Richard Lowenthal is the CEO of Coulomb Technologies, which he co-founded in
2007. From 1998 until 2007 he was instrumental in starting several companies,
including Lightera, Pipal Systems and Procket Networks. From 1996 to 1997, Mr.
Lowenthal was vice president and general manager of Cisco's WAN Access Products
Division. From 1990 through 1995, Mr. Lowenthal was vice president of research
and development for StrataCom, a telecommunications equipment company. Prior to
StrataCom, Mr. Lowenthal was co-founder and vice president of engineering for
Stardent Computers, and vice president of engineering for Convergent
Technologies.
Mr. Lowenthal is also a former Mayor of Cupertino, California, and has been
heavily involved in the non-profit world. He has a BS degree in Electrical
Engineering from UC Berkeley.
Tim McDougalAssociate Partner, CRM Energy & Utilities, IBM Global Business Services
Customer Expectations in a Smart Grid World
Timothy E. McDougal is an Associate Partner in the Energy and Utilities Strategy and Transformation Practice of IBM Global Business Services. Mr. McDougal has more than fifteen years of experience as a CRM subject matter professional and has worked with several major utilities to develop strategies for responding to evolving customer expectations in the era of Smart Grid.
Presentation Abstract: The evolution of the relationship between the customer and the utility will present new challenges to the status quo. Two prominent factors present themselves as different sides of the same troublesome (or opportunistic) equation: the rise of an engaged customer, and how the utility will be transformed by using new technologies. This transformation will draw most utility concerns into areas where they have less experience and comfort than they have had in the past. Utility leaders should be asking themselves:
- How can we maximize the capabilities provided by Smart Grid to change our relationships with customers at the lowest operational cost?
- Which customers are most likely to adopt and use these capabilities and how can we best reach them?
- How do we better understand our customers and deliver upon their expectations?
Neil McPhailSVP and General Manager, Best Buy Company, Inc.
Innovative Solutions at the Intersection of Technology and Efficiency
Energy Efficiency Forum Speaker
The Honorable Jeff MerkleyU.S. Senator, Oregon
Energy Legislation in Congress
Energy Efficiency Forum Speaker - Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley has spent his lifetime in public service and his entire career has been grounded in a simple philosophy - that each of us has a responsibility to make the community, the nation, and the planet a better place. In 2008, Oregonians took note of his thoughtful, solutions-oriented, policy-making style and elected him the first Oregonian to defeat an incumbent U.S. Senator in over 40 years. Previously, Senator Merkley served in the U.S. House of Representatives, winning his first campaign in 1998. He was elected Democratic Leader in 2003 and Speaker in 2007. As the first Democratic Speaker in 16 years and with only a two-seat majority, he brought Democrats, Republicans and citizens together to make real progress addressing Oregon's challenges. His session as Speaker was described by the Oregonian as "Oregon's most productive in a generation." As a U.S. Senator today, he is working to create green collar jobs, curb greenhouse gases that cause global warming and help preserve our planet for generations to come. Senator Merkley earned a graduate degree in Public Policy at Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
Eric MillerSenior Vice President, Solutions, Trilliant
A Secure and Cost-Effective Smart Grid
Eric Miller's career in the energy industry spans more than twenty-five years, combining entrepreneurial, strategic, marketing, and product leadership in the areas of enterprise software, energy efficiency, customer data collection, renewable energy development, and wholesale power marketing. Prior to joining Trilliant, Mr. Miller was Vice President of Software for Itron and Vice President of Strategy for Silicon Energy. He holds a MS in Resource Systems from the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College and a BA in Physics from Colorado College.
Presentation Abstract: To achieve the long term promise and full benefits of the Smart Grid for consumers and utility operators, it will be critical to go beyond basic meter reading and focus as well on additional applications such as consumer energy efficiency solutions, electric vehicle integration and grid automation. Trilliant will focus on the critical elements of architecture, standards, and enterprise integration necessary to support these wide ranging applications securely, cost effectively, and with the ability to adapt to evolving needs and standards into the future.
Sanjib MishraSpecial Officer, Housing & Urban Development Department of the Government of Orissa
Co-Benefits of Energy and Climate Change Policies in Bhubaneswar
Sanjib Mishra, is a Special Officer in Urban Reform Cell in Housing & Urban Development Department of the Government of Orissa. Mr. Mishra, a 1981 batch Orissa Administrative Service (OAS) officer, has experience of serving in Khurda (Bhubaneswar) District Administration and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, for more than seven years.
Ananta Narayan JenaMayor, Bhubaneswar
Co-Benefits of Energy and Climate Change Policies in Bhubaneswar
Ananta Narayan Jena, Mayor of Bhubaneswar, is a lawyer by profession. For the second consecutive term, he is striving to take the city of Bhubaneswar, India towards sustainability. Along with his colleagues, Mr. Jena will outline a climate neutral approach in providing all city services.
Piyush Ranjan RoutExecutive Director, City Managers' Association Orissa
Co-Benefits of Energy and Climate Change Policies in Bhubaneswar
Piyush Ranjan Rout, Ph.D, is the Executive Director of City Managers' Association Orissa and co founder of the Local Governance Network. His major contribution to cities in recent days includes promoting Low Carbon strategies for Indian Cities and knowledge dissemination on Climate Neutral Decision Making process in Local Governments.
Tom Reddoch, Ph.D.Executive Director of Energy Efficiency, Electric Power Research Institute
Taking Charge of the Clean Energy Industry
Energy Efficiency Forum Speaker - Dr. Thomas Reddoch is Manager of the Energy Utilization Research area of the Power Delivery & Markets Sector. His program management responsibilities include the Energy Efficiency Initiative, Electric Transportation, and Distributed Generation and Storage programs.
Before joining EPRI in 2007, Dr. Reddoch had a 30-year career specializing in the development and deployment of new methodology and technology to solve electric utility industry problems. He served as an executive officer at several early-stage and developmental technology companies. Prior to that, he was co-founder and Executive Vice President of Electrotek Concepts, Inc., a high tech engineering firm focused on applications in the electric utility industry for load management, distribution automation, renewable energy resources, power quality, and pricing systems technology.
In 1985, Dr. Reddoch was a member of the team that established EPRI's Power Electronics Applications Center (PEAC) in conjunction with the Tennessee Center for Research and Development. Before that, he was a Program Director at Oak Ridge National Laboratory where he directed and managed a major national R&D program for the U.S. Department of Energy in electric power systems research.
Dr. Reddoch received a BS degree in electrical engineering and an MES degree in engineering science from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. He holds a PhD in electrical engineering from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.
David SandalowAssistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy
On the Road to a Clean Energy Future
Energy Efficiency Forum Speaker - David Sandalow serves as Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs with the U.S. Department of Energy. Most recently, he was an Energy & Environment Scholar and a Senior Fellow in the Foreign Policy Studies Program of the Brookings Institution. He also served as the Energy & Climate Change Working Group Chair of the Clinton Global Initiative. He is the editor of Plug-In Electric Vehicles: What Role for Washington? (Brookings Press, 2009), author of Freedom from Oil (McGraw-Hill, 2008) and has written widely on energy and environmental policy.
Previously, Mr. Sandalow served as Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, Environment and Science; Senior Director for Environmental Affairs, National Security Council; Associate Director for the Global Environment, White House Council on Environmental Quality, and Executive Vice President, World Wildlife Fund-US. He has a B.A. in Philosophy from Yale College and a J.D. degree from the University of Michigan Law School.
Stephen StokesVice President of Research, AMR Research
Innovative Solutions at the Intersection of Technology and Efficiency
Energy Efficiency Forum Speaker - Dr. Stephen Stokes brings over 20 years of experience working at the interface of climate change, research, teaching, and consultancy to AMR Research. His primary responsibility is guiding companies in understanding risks and exploring opportunities presented by the challenges of climate change and sustainability. Stephen additionally contributes to aspects of research and advisory services in the mining and industrial chemicals sectors.
Before joining AMR Research, Stephen worked as a Resources and Environmental Manager at Perry Resources Ltd. He also served as CEO and Executive Director at Andrew.Stewart Holdings Ltd, which provides advisory, IT solutions, planning, and carbon management services to business interests and local government in Australasia.
Stephen earned his MSc in Earth Sciences from the University of Waikato, his MBA from the University of Auckland, and his Doctorate in Climate Change and Applied Physics from the University of Oxford. Stephen remained at Oxford for much of the earlier portions of his career where he researched, consulted, and taught on the Environment Change and Management program and other interdisciplinary programs.
Andrew ThomasSenior Vice President, Operation, World Energy Solutions
Demand More from Demand Response: How to Get Higher Payments with Online Auctions
Energy Efficiency Forum Speaker - Andrew Thomas is responsible for leading operations for the company's growing renewable energy, environmental and wholesale power lines of business. He brings a breadth of experience to this role, having served as vice president across retail operations and business development capacities throughout World Energy's growth. Andrew is a veteran manager in the deregulated energy industry and has been involved in the competitive electricity markets since the first state opened in 1996. Prior to joining World Energy in 2002, Andrew was with XENERGY (now KEMA Consulting), where he was a key team member in contracting the first competitively sold kWh in the country. Andrew holds an MBA with a focus on eBusiness from Cornell University and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Union College.
