2017 Conference Exposition Information:
View the Conference Program
View the Presentations
RTO Insider Article on The Future of Energy Here.
For Full October 24th RTO Insider Issue, Click Here.
CPES Hosts The Future of Energy: What’s the Deal? Conference and Exposition On October 17, 2017, the Connecticut Power and Energy Society (CPES) hosted its 18th Annual “What’s the Deal?” Conference and Exposition under the new signature heading — The Future of Energy.
Panel 1: Utility Executive Views
The day began with a panel of utility executives sharing their views on the future of electric distribution companies. Panelists included Penni McLean-Conner, Chief Customer Officer and Senior Vice President of Customer Group for Eversource Energy; Anthony Marone III, President and Chief Executive Officer of UIL Holdings Corporation; and Mike Calviou, Senior Vice President of Regulation and Pricing for National Grid. Robert Yardley, Senior Vice President of Concentric Energy Advisors, moderated the panel.
The panelists discussed how their businesses are shifting to cater to changing customer preferences with regard to information and energy management while continuing to deliver reliable service. The panelists noted that the regulation of distribution utilities will likely need refining as the utilities shift to provide different services to their customers. The utilities are exploring new technologies and services through robotics and metering, which improve their distribution system management. All three executives appreciated Connecticut’s willingness to test new programs as pilots before rolling out large system-wide changes.
Panel 2: End User Perspectives
The second panel showcased the perspectives of large end users, including Christopher Dupuis, Director of Capital Projects for Connecticut State Colleges and Universities; Gavin Watson, Vice President of Watson Inc., a Connecticut food manufacturing company; and David Ohayon, Associate Director of Power Plants and Energy for Pratt & Whitney’s Connecticut Operations. Patrick McDonnell, Senior Director of Conservation and Load Management for UIL Holdings Corporation, moderated the panel.
The panelists discussed the use of load management and energy efficiency measures to control costs within their operations. They emphasized the importance of metering and measuring energy savings to increase the knowledge base and influence human behavior. All three end users endorsed both a top-down and bottom-up approach to achieving energy savings. Support from the top and engagement from the bottom are key to the success of any program or initiative, the panelists stated.
New Energy Professionals (NEP) “Rising Star” Award Presentation
Weezie Nuara, External Affairs Representative for ISO New England and member of the Connecticut Power and Energy Society’s New Energy Professionals (NEP) Committee, presented the organization’s first-ever NEP “Rising Star” Award to Starion Energy’s Kristin Corbett. 
Kristin has worked as Starion’s Compliance Manager since February 2016 where she ensures thorough review and thoughtful resolution of customer disputes in compliance with all laws and regulations applicable to competitive suppliers. She came to the energy world with more than a decade of experience working in customer service, retention administration, and crisis management within the telecommunications industry. She attended her first Connecticut Power and Energy Society meeting at the end of last year, and has since become an active member of the organization.
The NEP Committee was formed last year to guide and assist recently joined CPES members and those new to the industry as they become acclimated and involved in the Connecticut Power and Energy Society. The purpose of the NEP “Rising Star” Award is to recognize a New Energy Professional who is already making valuable contributions to the industry.
Lunch Keynote Speakers
During lunch, attendees heard from Commissioner Robert Klee and Deputy Commissioner for Energy Mary Sotos on the work the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is doing to bring cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable power to Connecticut’s families and businesses. Deputy Commissioner Sotos provided information on the draft 2017 Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES) and some of the comments DEEP received on the draft report. Sotos outlined the strategy’s two goals for the electric power sector: (1) align existing programs supporting renewable and zero carbon resources with renewable portfolio standards and global warming solutions act goals, and (2) continue to support regional and state reliability and resiliency efforts. To achieve the first goal, DEEP seeks to expand the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to 30% by 2030 for Class I resources. DEEP also seeks to achieve a sustainable balance between behind-the-meter programs and grid-scale procurements supporting Class I renewables to expand clean energy at the least cost for ratepayers.
Sotos explained that the issue of Millstone Nuclear Power Station and its economic viability going forward is the subject of a joint DEEP and Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) proceeding, as directed by Governor Malloy through Executive Order No. 59, and, as such, is not addressed at length in the draft CES. Sotos stated that the final CES will likely be issued by the end of the year, but certainly by the start of next year’s legislative session.
Panel 3: Power Supply Outlook
The day ended with an outlook from representatives of various power supply resources, including Dean Ellis, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for Dynegy Inc.; Elisabeth Treseder, Senior Regulatory Advisor for DONG Energy North America; and Stephen Molodetz, Vice President of Business Development for Hydro-Québec US. Katie Scharf Dykes, Chair of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, moderated the panel.
The panelists discussed the evolving resource mix in New England and the policies shaping the power supply resources of the future. Dean Ellis cautioned that state-level policies subsidizing certain resource types will eventually undermine the competitive wholesale electricity markets in New England. He stated that, by 2025, potentially 25% of the New England fleet will be made up of subsidized generation, which could have a negative impact on competitive power producers like Dynegy. Elisabeth Treseder provided information on DONG Energy and its efforts to tap into the North American electricity markets. DONG, headquartered in Denmark, is the world’s largest offshore wind developer and has three major projects under development in the United States. Stephen Molodetz discussed the role of large-scale hydropower in New England and the need for an additional 21 terawatt-hours of clean energy resources by 2025 to meet state public policy goals. He stressed the importance of balance in achieving these goals by utilizing state procurement processes while preserving competition in the wholesale electricity markets and maintaining reliability on the grid.
Promotion:
On October 17, 2017, the Connecticut Power and Energy Society (CPES) will host its 18th annual signature conference and exposition for business and energy professionals. This year’s event, titled: “The Future of Energy: What’s the Deal?” will build upon nearly two decades of dialogue about the electricity marketplace, but with an eye toward the future. The event will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Cromwell, Connecticut.
State and Utility Leaders to Headline The Future of Energy Conference
The conference will feature a keynote address from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and a plenary panel with perspectives from leading executives of major utilities serving customers in Connecticut and the broader New England and Northeast markets.
Keynote Speakers:
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7:00 – 8:00 AM
Registration / Exhibitor Showcase / Networking Breakfast
8:00 – 9:30 AM
Welcome and Introduction
Panel 1: Utility Executive Views
9:30 – 10:30 AM
Panel 2: End User Perspectives
10:30 – 11:15 AM
Exhibitor Showcase / Networking
11:15 AM – 1:00 PM
Luncheon Buffet
NEP Rising Star Award Presentation
Keynote Presentation
Robert Klee, Commissioner
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Mary Sotos, Deputy Commissioner for Energy
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Panel 3: Power Supply Outlook
2:00 – 2:30 PM
Exhibitor Showcase / Dessert Reception
Please plan to join CPES on October 17 for The Future of Energy: What’s the Deal? Check back here (www.ctpower.org) for information on Exhibitor and Sponsorship opportunities. Please also follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook for the latest conference info.
Thank You to Our Current Future of Energy Sponsors!
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Thank You to Our Current Future of Energy Exhibitors!
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Did You Know?
- CPES launched the first What’s the Deal? conference in 2000. The conference was created to help commercial and industrial businesses understand opportunities in the restructured wholesale and retail electricity markets that were taking shape at the time. The annual What’s the Deal? conference has continued every year since 2000 and has become the premier one-day energy event in Connecticut.
- Five years ago this fall, on October 5, 2012, Governor Dannel Malloy unveiled Connecticut’s first-ever Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES) at the 21st Century Energy: What’s the Deal? event hosted by CBIA and CPES.