Author Archives: Kathryn Dube

The Future of Energy Conference and Exposition 2019

OCTOBER 30, 2019 – Aqua Turf Club, Southington, CT

HBJ Article New PURA leader Gillett reckons with CT’s energy prices |

PowerGrid International Article Connecticut’s modern grid framework emphasizes energy storage, AMI and more

Sponsor and Exhibitor Flier
Conference Program
PRESS RELEASE

Connecticut Power and Energy Society (CPES) will host its 20th annual The Future of Energy: What’s the Deal? Conference and Exposition on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington, Connecticut. This full-day event will include panel discussions, two keynotes, and time for industry networking.

AGENDA:

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Registration / Exhibitor Showcase / Networking Breakfast
8:30 AM – 9:15 AM
Welcome and Introduction
Morning Keynote: Marissa Paslick Gillett, PURA Chair
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM
Panel 1: Competitive Markets – Leaders in Advancing Renewable Energy Goals
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Break: Exhibitor Showcase/Networking
10:45 AM – 11:45 PM
Panel 2: Clean Energy – Made in Connecticut
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Networking Lunch
New Energy Professionals Rising Star Award Presentation: Jennifer Galiette
Afternoon Keynote: Alex Klaessig, Research Director, IHS Markit
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Panel 3: Financing Renewable Energy Projects in New England
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Exhibitor Showcase/Networking Reception

KEYNOTES:

MORNING KEYNOTE: Marissa Paslick Gillett, PURA
Marissa Paslick Gillett is Chairman of Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). Governor Ned Lamont nominated Gillett to begin serving on the three member regulatory authority on April 26, 2019, and her appointment was confirmed by both the House of Representatives and State Senate in the 2019 session of the Connecticut General Assembly.

AFTERNOON KEYNOTE: Alex Klaessig, IHS Markit
Alex is a Research Director for the IHS Markit Gas, Power, and Energy Futures team, specializing in understanding how environmental regulation, technology, and innovation drive changes in North American electric power markets. In addition to co-chairing IHS Markit’s Energy Innovation Pioneers program, he has been instrumental in several IHS Markit studies, including “Hydrogen in the Golden State,” a examination of the hydrogen could play in a deeply decarbonized California.

Alex Klaessig will be speaking about:
Exploring Faster Electrification and Decarbonization Possibilities
Low-carbon ambitions manifest in many jurisdictions across North America. The current mantra of policymakers is to electrify energy uses while powering the electric grid with an increasing proportion of renewable generation. To assess the plausibility of achieving these goals, the IHS Markit “fast-transition” analysis examines the power sector changes necessary to reduce that sector’s carbon emissions by 90% by 2050 while electrifying transportation. Alex will present the narrative of decarbonization and then discuss the implied challenges and investment opportunities.

PANELS:

The goal of this panel is to discuss how restructured markets are achieving renewable policy goals based on an increased awareness of available options. The marketplace has shown us that commercial and industrial customers are making business decisions with renewable objectives in mind. How is the competitors approach to renewable different than utilities? Are there unique products/services? How are competitors making a more informed, more environmentally conscious consumer?

Connecticut’s energy future consists of clean and durable energy systems that contribute to sustainable and reliable service. When these systems are made in Connecticut they contribute to high quality job creation and economic development valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars with thousands of jobs.

These Connecticut manufacturers stand ready to meet the challenge to compete in the global market for clean energy technology:

US Hybrid, South Windsor, CT, makes advanced alternative “Zero Emission Vehicles” including buses, trucks, and ground support equipment. Speaker: Abas Goodarzi President and CEO.

Nel, Wallingford, CT, produces the electrolysis equipment that makes hydrogen as a clean energy carrier and can source power from intermittent renewable wind and solar. Speaker Steve Szymanski, Director of Business Development.

R&D Dynamics, Bloomfield, CT, makes an Organic Rankin Cycle engine with an oil free foil bearing and turbo expander that can extract energy from low quality waste heat without additional fuel and emissions. Speaker: Giri Agrawal, President and CEO.

Each of these three companies demonstrate the ingenuity of the Connecticut workforce to compete in a global market with energy technology that meets the need for clean and reliable power, and provides local jobs and economic development for Connecticut.

This panel will explore financing renewable energy projects in New England from the perspective of lenders and developers. What do private lenders look for when investing in a portfolio of renewable projects? From the perspective of the Connecticut Green Bank, what programs are available and what are the criteria to participate? As a developer, what are the benefits to constructing projects in the Northeast? What are some of the challenges and how are these being addressed through regulatory changes? Panelists will explore these questions and more, provide case studies and reflect on lessons learned and next steps to develop renewable projects in New England.

RISING STAR AWARDEE! Jennifer Galiette

Jennifer Galiette is Senior Counsel at Eversource Energy where her practice focuses on Connecticut state regulatory matters. She has over 11 years of experience assisting electric and natural gas clients in the energy industry in a wide range of regulatory and transactional matters at the state and federal levels. At Eversource, Jen advises and represents electric, natural gas, and water clients in state regulatory matters, including active representation of the Company in proceedings before the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and in regulatory appeals before the Connecticut state courts.

Prior to joining Eversource, Jen was Counsel in the Energy and Utilities practice group at Day Pitney LLP. At Day Pitney, Jen represented clients in proceedings and litigation before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and state regulatory commissions in New England and New York and she advised clients across the country on energy compliance matters.

Jen is the immediate past Chair of the Energy, Public Utility and Communications Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association where she continues to serve as a member of the Executive Committee. She is also an active member of the Connecticut Power and Energy Society, the Yale Alumni in Energy organization, and Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity. Jen earned her law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 2008 and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Yale University in 2005.

Sponsor the event! Printable Flier

Make Time to See Our Exhibitors!

Thank you to Our Sponsors

Thank you to Our Media Partner

CPES Policy Committee Update: July 9, 2019

This update features policy, regulatory, legislative, and regional developments in Connecticut and New England. The policy updates are compiled by the CPES New Energy Professionals Team. If you are interested in learning more about the New Energy Professionals, the Policy Committee, or if you have ideas for future policy updates, we would welcome your input and feedback. Please send comments to Kathryn Dube, CPES Executive Director, via email: kdube@ctpower.org.

In this Update:

Commission of Environmental Standards: Offshore Wind
Governor Lamont and DEEP Commissioner Dykes Comment on Affordable Clean Energy Rule
FERC expands cycbersecurity reporting standards

CONNECTICUT

Commission of Environmental Standards: Offshore Wind
Pursuant to Section 1 of Substitute for House Bill No. 7156, An Act Concerning the Procurement of Energy Derived From Offshore Wind, DEEP is convening a Commission of Environmental Standards for each offshore wind solicitation pursuant to the Act to review the best available research and data on environmental and commercial fisheries mitigation during offshore wind construction and operation and to make recommendations on what a sufficient environmental mitigation plan should include. MORE

Governor Lamont and DEEP Commissioner Dykes Comment on Affordable Clean Energy Rule Statement released regarding Trump Administration announcement

INDUSTRY

FERC expands cycbersecurity reporting standards
At its open meeting June 20, FERC approved an order to expand reporting requirements for cyber events that involve attempts to compromise operation of the grid. See FERC’s press release, staff presentation and order for more information.

2019 New CPES Board Members

PRINTABLE PRESS RELEASE

Connecticut Power and Energy Society (CPES) welcomed Brian Farnen, Tom Guerra, and Kent McCord to the CPES Board at the meeting prior to the Annual Legislative Update today at the offices of Day Pitney, LLC in Hartford.

“We are thrilled to bring on such talented and experienced energy professionals to help us fulfill our mission of generating information, sharing ideas and educating Connecticut about energy,” said Eric Johnson, CPES President and Director of External Affairs at ISO-NE.

Brian Farnen, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, Connecticut Green Bank

“I am excited to join the CPES Board and look forward to furthering its energy mission in Connecticut. As a director, my primary focus is reducing the energy burden on Connecticut’s residents and businesses through the sustained growth of our clean energy economy. This impact will continue to grow thanks to CPES’ commitment to idea sharing, timely events and education.” – Brian Farnen

Brian Farnen brings a breadth of policy and business development experience in the clean energy marketplace through his pioneering work at Connecticut’s – and the nation’s – first “green bank.” Brian distinguished himself as a 2018 recipient of the CPES Excellence in Energy Award and we are pleased to bring him on board as a director.

As General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer for the Connecticut Green Bank, the nation’s first green bank, Brian directs all legal, legislative and regulatory affairs. Brian was an attorney with the AmLaw 100 law firm Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge before accepting a position with Sikorsky Aircraft as a senior attorney. Here, Brian provided legal counsel for the majority of Sikorsky’s strategic international sales campaigns and oversaw all global environmental, health and safety legal matters. Brian’s past state government experience includes time spent as a regional director for the Department of Economic and Community Development and a judicial clerkship for the Honorable Barry Schaller of the Connecticut Appellate Court.

Brian was named a “New Leader in the Law” by the Connecticut Law Tribune in 2013. Brian taught “Law and Society” as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Law, is a board member of the Renewable Energy and Efficiency Business Association and he is a former member of the CT Judicial Review Counsel.

Brian obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Connecticut. He went on to earn both his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from the University of Connecticut School of Law and School of Business, respectively.

Tom Guerra, Director of Products and Services, CBIA Service Corp.

“I’m honored to join the CPES board and look forward to helping voice the impact of energy sector changes on Connecticut’s businesses and marketplace. As our state’s leading energy association, CPES is not only a critical source of information for those of us who work in the energy field, but also those impacted by our ever-changing energy climate – and that’s everybody!” – Tom Guerra

As a director, Tom Guerra will continue our organization’s longstanding partnership with the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA). Tom’s many years of experience advising customers in the insurance and energy sectors will be an asset to CPES as we work to improve the business conditions of the energy industry in Connecticut.

Since 2000, Tom has worked to develop and manage products designed to help CBIA members run their businesses in a more efficient and effective manner. He leads the CBIA Energy Connections staff and is involved in all aspects of providing member companies with procurement solutions designed to meet their electricity and natural gas needs.

Prior to joining CBIA, Tom spent 15 years as an internal consultant in the insurance and financial services industries, focusing specifically on quality improvement, process re-engineering, and workflow management.

Kent McCord, Distributed Energy Professional, Kinsley Energy Systems

“I have participated in, and benefited from, CPES event programming for over a decade. I am excited to contribute directly to this wonderful organization that helps Connecticut tackle the big energy problems of today and tomorrow.” – Kent McCord

Kent McCord’s engineering and business development experience will help strengthen our knowledge of distributed generation and co-generation systems and the needs of end-use customers for on-site power supply. Kent has long been engaged with CPES and we look forward to having him step into a director role to help guide the organization going forward.

Kent is a renewable and alternative energy industry professional with over 18 years of experience developing successful projects for commercial, industrial and municipal building owners. Kent is currently responsible for business development for Kinsley Energy Systems, with a focus on project development and engineering for high-efficiency combined heat and power (CHP) systems. Kent’s project development expertise includes all types of CHP solutions (fuel cells, microturbines, and engine-based systems), organic Rankine cycle (ORC) waste-heat-to-electricity systems, and commercial solar solutions. Kent is a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering, and holds a master’s degree in Energy Management from New York Institute of Technology. Kent is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and has been trained in carbon accounting.

CPES Policy Committee Update: June 11, 2019

In this Update:

Legislation Establishes CT’s First Offshore-Wind Mandate
Connecticut regulators approve siting for gas-fired Killingly Energy Center
ISO-NE Integration of Renewable Resources in Day-Head Energy Market
FERC Announces Technical Conference on New England’s Energy Security Challenges

Legislation Establishes CT’s First Offshore-Wind Mandate
Last week, the Legislature advanced H.B. 7156, requiring the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to procure 2,000 MW of offshore wind by 2030 and to issue a solicitation within two week from when the bill is signed into law. Hartford Business Journal: “CT makes historic offshore wind commitment”

Power Engineering: “Connecticut regulators approve siting for gas-fired Killingly Energy Center”

INDUSTRY

ISO-NE Integration of Renewable Resources in Day-Head Energy Market
Effective June 1, 2019, wind and hydro resources are incorporated into ISO-NE’s Day-Ahead Energy Market in the second phase of ISO’s Do Not Exceed Dispatch project. Learn more at ISO’s Newswire.

FERC Announces Technical Conference on New England’s Energy Security Challenges
FERC has scheduled a day-long technical conference for July 15 at the Commission’s offices in Washington, DC. In its announcement, FERC noted “This staff-led public meeting will consist of three, 90-minute presentations by ISO-NE, NEPOOL stakeholders, and representatives from New England states with time for questions and answers reserved at the end of the meeting.” The meeting will be webcast – for more information see meeting notice.