7:30am CDT
7:30am CDT
8:30am CDT
Welcome to Solar Storage Fest
Speakers 
Lead Analyst, Zpryme
Erin Hardick is a Research Analyst at Zpryme Research and Consulting, whose areas of research include smart grid, smart transportation, microgrid, renewable and distributed energy resources, electric vehicles, and information and communication technology. Erin is a recent graduate...
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Sr. Director of Content and Research, Zpryme Research
Chris has been writing about and working at the nexus of energy, the future of cities, clean energy, analytics, public policy, and customer engagement for nearly fifteen years. As a researcher and analyst, he brings industry experience from the UK, EU, and North America to the Zpryme...
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8:40am CDT
The Renewable Future of Energy Now
Speakers 
Professor of Law/Fmr. Asst. U.S. Attorney General, Harvard University
Frank Almaraz oversees CPS Energy’s Compliance & Ethics, People & Culture, Business & Economic Development, Supply Chain and Facilities functions. Previously, he has held the positions of Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations, Interim Group Executive Vice President, Treasurer...
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9:10am CDT
Financing the Green Revolution: How Do We Pay for the Future of Solar and Storage?
Speakers 
President and Co-Founder, Generate Capital
Jigar Shah is the President and Co-Founder of Generate Capital. Jigar was the founder and CEO of SunEdison (NASDAQ: SUNE), where he pioneered “no money down solar” and unlocked a multi-billion-dollar solar market, creating the largest solar services company worldwide. After SunEdison...
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Sr. Director of Content and Research, Zpryme Research
Chris has been writing about and working at the nexus of energy, the future of cities, clean energy, analytics, public policy, and customer engagement for nearly fifteen years. As a researcher and analyst, he brings industry experience from the UK, EU, and North America to the Zpryme...
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10:00am CDT
10:30am CDT
Sustainability Partnerships: Improving Coordination Between Public and Private Stakeholders
Speakers 
Managing Director and Partner, Climate Impact Capital
Alex founded Climate Impact Capital to help fill the market gap for early stage companies and investors seeking to make an impact on climate change. With 20 years of energy and innovation experience, Alex has worked extensively internationally as an entrepreneur, angel investor...
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Chief Executive Officer, EPIcenter
Kimberly M. Britton is the Chief Executive Officer of EPIcenter, a nonprofit created by CPS Energy, OCI Solar, Silver Spring Networks and Lyndis+Gyr to focus on innovation in new energy. EPIcenter’s mission is to transform the historic Mission Road Power Plant into a world-class...
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Executive Director, Build San Antonio Green
Anita has been working for the community of San Antonio as the Executive Director of Build San Antonio Green for 14 years, where she has worked to build San Antonio's nationally recognized affordable green building program and is a champion for the equitable distribution of solar...
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CXO, New Energy Nexus & California Clean Energy Fund
Jon Bonanno serves as the CXO of the New Energy Nexus (Nexus) and California Clean Energy Fund (CalCEF). His responsibilities are in capacity expansion and financial innovation to support diverse entrepreneurs solving the Climate Crisis. At Nexus/CalCEF, Jon is focusing on educating...
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11:25am CDT
Building a Business Case for Solar + Storage
Speakers 
Vice President, Origination, 8minute Solar Energy
Kurtz has over 20 years of experience in marketing and origination of energy commodities. He has led origination teams in WECC, ERCOT, SPP, FRCC and SERC. Kurtz has negotiated complex power purchase agreements with utilities and independent power producers alike. He has executed physical...
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Director, Research Programs, Zpryme
As Director of Research Programs, Erin Autin manages Zpryme’s research & content team and serves as a client liaison for all research efforts. She also helps develop event and webinar content focused on emerging technologies for utilities and vendors. Prior to joining Zpryme in...
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VP, Origination, RES
Shalini Ramanathan is the Senior VP of Origination for Renewable Energy Systems, a leading developer/constructor of wind, solar, and energy storage projects and constructor of transmission and distribution lines. Shalini and her team have closed deals with more than $2B in transaction...
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CEO, Fractal Energy Storage Consultants
Judy is CEO of Fractal Energy Storage Consultants (Fractal), a leading international energy storage consultant firm, providing technical design and financial analysis and owner’s engineering of energy storage projects. McElroy is a chemist by trade with energy consultation services...
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12:00pm CDT
12:00pm CDT
1:15pm CDT
Electric Vehicles and the Connected Energy Future
Speakers
Director, Research Programs, Zpryme
As Director of Research Programs, Erin Autin manages Zpryme’s research & content team and serves as a client liaison for all research efforts. She also helps develop event and webinar content focused on emerging technologies for utilities and vendors. Prior to joining Zpryme in...
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EV and Emerging Tech Manager, Austin Energy
Karl Popham is a frequent speaker, research contributor, and book co-author of “Smart Cities: Applications, Technologies, Standards & Driving Factors”. Currently, he is the Manager of Electric Vehicles & Emerging Technologies at Austin Energy and is the Principal Investigator...
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Lead Analyst, Zpryme
Erin Hardick is a Research Analyst at Zpryme Research and Consulting, whose areas of research include smart grid, smart transportation, microgrid, renewable and distributed energy resources, electric vehicles, and information and communication technology. Erin is a recent graduate...
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1:50pm CDT
DERs, Data, and the Future Grid
Speakers 
Principal and Senior Consultant, CMG
Tom is a governmental policy and regulatory affairs expert with over 40 years of experience in the power industry, having served 33 years in various staff, management and executive roles for TXU Corporation. This included leading TXU’s Governmental Policy and Advocacy Campaign from...
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Sr. Director of Content and Research, Zpryme Research
Chris has been writing about and working at the nexus of energy, the future of cities, clean energy, analytics, public policy, and customer engagement for nearly fifteen years. As a researcher and analyst, he brings industry experience from the UK, EU, and North America to the Zpryme...
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Co-Founder and COO, Vrinda
Navneet co-founded Vrinda Inc. leveraging more than 26+ years of international Energy and Utility sector experience of working with 100+ utilities in 7 countries (North America, Latin America and Asia) across the value chain of utility industry. Navneet holds a master’s degree in...
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Manager for Green Building and Sustainability, Austin Energy
Kurt Stogdill is the Manager for Green Building and Sustainability for Austin Energy. His current responsibilities include running a workgroup comprised of the nation’s oldest green building program as well as an electric vehicle and emerging technologies program. Current areas...
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2:40pm CDT
3:10pm CDT
Incentivizing Solar + Storage: Whose job is it?
Speakers 
Tesla - New Energy Homes, Tesla
Chris O’Bannon manages the eastward expansion of Tesla’s new homes energy business from Texas to Florida and the Northeast, providing solar energy generation and home battery storage. Chris attended the University of Florida before beginning his investment career with Merrill...
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CEO, New Braunfels Utilities
Ian Taylor was appointed Chief Executive Officer of
New Braunfels Utilities in 2016. He joined the NBU team in 2005 as the Manager of Water Operations and Maintenance, and in 2009 he was named Chief Engineer of Water Systems, where he was in charge of water and wastewater planning, design, and program management. Prior to joining NBU, Taylor was a Senior...
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Lead Analyst, Zpryme
Erin Hardick is a Research Analyst at Zpryme Research and Consulting, whose areas of research include smart grid, smart transportation, microgrid, renewable and distributed energy resources, electric vehicles, and information and communication technology. Erin is a recent graduate...
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GM & CEO, GVEC
Darren Schauer is the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of GVEC. He held several positions at the Cooperative prior to being named chief executive officer in 2003. As part of his responsibilities as CEO, Mr. Schauer also leads the Cooperative’s subsidiary companies. Mr...
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President, Solar Ranch Development
Sol Bobst is the founder and President of Solar Ranch Development Company, based in Houston, Texas. He has an MBA and Masters Degree in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship from the University of Houston-Victoria. Sol travels all over Texas to find and represent landowners...
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4:05pm CDT
Clean Energy Trends Across the U.S.
Speakers 
Founder & CEO, IncentiFind
Natalie Campos Goodman is founder of IncentiFind, the nation’s go-to database for green incentives. Her real estate technology startup is radically increasing green building by quickly connecting residential and commercial projects to incentives when they incorporate green practices...
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4:30pm CDT
7:30am CDT
7:30am CDT
9:00am CDT
Is Solar the New Fire?
Speakers 
CEO, 17TeraWatts
Scott Nguyen is co-founder and CEO of 17TeraWatts, a clean-energy software company ushering in the next wave of wide-scale solar adoption. He has spent his career inventing technology and business models to accelerate our transformation to a cleaner more, efficient energy economy...
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9:25am CDT
Customer Choice Driving Change: Trends in Residential Solar and Storage
Speakers 
Content Editor, Zpryme
As Zpryme's Online Content Editor, Dylan manages online articles, blog posts, and social media. He also edits, produces, and hosts 'Zpryme on the Grid', Zpryme's industry-focused podcast.
Executive Director, TEPRI
Dana Harmon has 13 years of leadership and management experience in the energy and consumer products industries. As Executive Director of TEPRI, Ms. Harmon has overall strategic and operational responsibility for execution of TEPRI’s mission to collect actionable data that industry...
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CEO, Demand IQ
Austin Rosenbaum is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Demand IQ, a digital marketing agency and software provider specializing in customer acquisition services and data analytics. Prior to founding Demand IQ, Austin worked for SunShare in the development of over 80 MW of...
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Principal, Clean Power Marketing Group
Nancy Edwards, principal of Clean Power Marketing Group, likes nothing better than a giant-sized marketing challenge. She built a career in entertainment and technology marketing working for such brands as IBM, Applied Materials and Frank Zappa before moving into clean energy in 2010...
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9:45am CDT
10:05am CDT
10:35am CDT
Sun Spots: Leading Solar and Storage Projects Around the Country
Speakers 
Vice President, Strategy and Business Innovation, Quanta Technology
Dr. Julio Romero Agüero is Vice President, Strategy and Business Innovation at Quanta Technology. He provides leadership to Quanta Technology in the areas of technology and business strategy, innovation, grid modernization, distribution systems analysis, planning and engineering...
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Lead Analyst, Zpryme
Erin Hardick is a Research Analyst at Zpryme Research and Consulting, whose areas of research include smart grid, smart transportation, microgrid, renewable and distributed energy resources, electric vehicles, and information and communication technology. Erin is a recent graduate...
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CEO, Bandera Electric Cooperative
Bill Hetherington has over 35 years of experience in the electric utility and renewable energy technology industries, including 6 years working internationally for SGC Energia, based in Lisbon, Portugal on renewable energy projects. He joined Bandera Electric Cooperative in Bandera...
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VP, Market Development, 7x Energy
Dan is VP, Market Development for the solar development company 7X Energy Inc. Dan leads business development for 7X power projects involving new technological permutations and market participation models. Dan was previously a private practice consultant providing market research...
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Sr. Manager of Emerging Technology, Smart Grid and Innovation, ComEd
Dr. Liuxi (Calvin) Zhang is Sr. Manager of Emerging Technology, Smart Grid and Innovation at ComEd, the electric utility that serves 4 million customers in Northern Illinois and Chicago. He leads efforts to evaluate emerging technologies and business models for ComEd's smart grid...
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11:30am CDT
The Role of Solar + Storage in Microgrids
Speakers 
Chief Technology Officer, Pecan Street Inc.
Scott leads activities and electrical research at the Pecan Street Lab. He worked at a thin film CIGS solar module manufacturer where he led module packaging, performance, certification and reliability efforts. Prior efforts include work in the military, medical, consumer and oil...
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11:55am CDT
Microgrids for Energy Security
Speakers 
Professor, University of Minnesota
Dr. Massoud Amin, IEEE and ASME Fellow, is a professor of electrical & computer engineering (
ECE), and a University Distinguished Teaching Professor at the
University of Minnesota. He is on leave from the Technological Leadership Institute (
TLI.umn.edu), where he served as the Director and the Honeywell/H.W. Sweatt Chair in Technological Leadership since March 2003. In part, to complete his forthcoming book on “Powering Progress and Fueling Prosperity: Resilience & Sensitivity in Face of Chaos,” to continue his R&D in this...
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12:20pm CDT
1:30pm CDT
The Future of ERCOT Reliability
Speakers 
CEO, ERCOT
Bill Magness joined ERCOT in 2010, and became ERCOT’s president and chief executive officer in January 2016. Before becoming CEO, Mr. Magness served as ERCOT’s general counsel.Mr. Magness has been active in the utility business for over 25 years, working with electric and telecommunications...
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Sr. Director of Content and Research, Zpryme Research
Chris has been writing about and working at the nexus of energy, the future of cities, clean energy, analytics, public policy, and customer engagement for nearly fifteen years. As a researcher and analyst, he brings industry experience from the UK, EU, and North America to the Zpryme...
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2:05pm CDT
Clean Energy Policy in the Era of Hyper Innovation
Speakers 
Managing Director, Bridgewater Consulting Group, Inc
David has over 30 years of experience in corporate and customer strategy matters, with expertise in growth and innovation, strategic planning, IT strategy, retail energy supply, risk management and administration andimplementation of energy efficiency & renewable energy programs...
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Principal, Klein Energy LLC
Ms. Klein is Principal of Klein Energy, LLC, an energy consulting company based in Austin, Texas. Over the last 25 years she has worked in Washington, DC and in Texas in the energy, telecommunications and national security arenas. Ms. Klein’s professional experience also includes...
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CEO, LHA Ventures
Lorraine H. Akiba is President/CEO of LHA Ventures. She is a recognized thought leader with technical expertise and knowledge in the development of Hawaii’s renewable and clean energy policy and regulatory framework. She served from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2018, as a commissioner...
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Press assistant, UTSA
Peter joined the UTSA: SBDC: International Trade Center in 2017 as a Sr. International Business Advisor. Prior to that, he spent 15 years living and working on five different continents. Working with private companies, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations as well...
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2:45pm CDT
3:15pm CDT
How Do We Integrate? A Vision for Solar and Storage
Speakers
Director, Research Programs, Zpryme
As Director of Research Programs, Erin Autin manages Zpryme’s research & content team and serves as a client liaison for all research efforts. She also helps develop event and webinar content focused on emerging technologies for utilities and vendors. Prior to joining Zpryme in...
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CEO, GoSmart Solar
Robert co-founded Go Smart Solar to be a part of the future of energy. He believes moving to more renewable energy is not just the right thing to do, but it also creates opportunities, jobs and growth. Prior to founding GO Smart, he spent 15 years in senior executive roles at high-growth...
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Group Manager III - Data Science, NREL
Debbie Brodt-Giles is the D.A.T.A. Group Manager in the Strategic Energy Analysis Center. For more than 20 years, Debbie has been leading web-based data management and visualization projects with the goal of making open data accessible and reusable for the benefit of the energy community...
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Co-founder and CEO, Yotta Solar
Omeed Badkoobeh is the Co-founder CEO of Yotta Solar. Prior to founding Yotta, Omeed has 10 years ofexperience in the solar PV industry and has developed over 10M in revenue of new energy technologies from home batteries to electric vehicles.
Interim Director, Technology and Product Innovation, CPS Energy
Rick Luna is Interim Director, Technology and Product Innovation for CPS Energy. Rick manages a product portfolio that includes energy efficiency, demand response, distributed solar, and electric vehicles. He has 20 years of experience in the electric utility industry in account management...
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4:10pm CDT
