What’s new, what’s coming, what’s changing was the theme when the Colorado Rural Electric Association hosted its 9th annual Energy Innovations Summit October 29 in downtown Denver.
More than 350 people from all parts of the electric industry attended the one-day event that opened with industry leaders talking about today’s turbulent times and what affect the changes in the industry are having on their companies. CREA Executive Director Kent Singer directed the opening conversation among Alice Jackson, president of Xcel Energy; Jason Frisbie, CEO of Platte River Power Authority; and Mike McInnis, CEO of Tri-State Generations and Transmission Association.
Breakout sessions followed, with panels discussing energy efficiency and demand response, forecasting renewable energy, alternatives to lithium ion storage technology, how blockchains might assist the power industry; electric vehicle charging technology; and co-op battery storage projects. Steve Collier, director of smart grid strategies for Milsoft Utility Solutions spoke to the group about changes, threats and opportunities in the electric industry.
The day closed out with a panel of experts from California talking about community choice aggregation in California and how it might translate to Colorado. The event also included vendors displaying new products and time for various industry leaders to meet and share information.