EVENT AGENDA
Increased demand from electrification will require grid capacity expansion, and make grid operations and planning more challenging. However, there is a risk that a bottleneck in transmission line infrastructure development will restrict progress in the North American energy transition.
The first webinar in Environment Analyst’s series will explore how to plot the roadmap for delivering renewable energy generation and ensure that future grid planning delivers equitable and affordable outcomes.
Get insights on:
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Plotting the roadmap for enabling the grid to deliver renewable generation, electrification and CCS at scale and the policies, permitting reforms, innovations, and funding required to support this
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Evaluating the implications of transportation and building electrification for the electricity grid infrastructure, operations, and capacity planning, and identifying the changes required:
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how will different renewable technologies impact grid demand?
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incorporating changing consumption profiles and uncontrolled fluctuations in demand into transmission planning
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exploring strategies to improve grid efficiency: the role of distributed energy resources (DERs)
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Exploring the use of large-scale energy storage for reducing peak demand
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Strategies for improved resilience and managing the impact of climate change and severe weather events on grid efficiency and capability
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Ensuring future grid planning delivers equitable and affordable outcomes
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Exploring the growth and development of micro grids, smart grids and AI-powered systems
Moderator:
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Jennifer Obertino, Senior Vice President & Global Energy Practice Leader, AECOM
Panelists:
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Michael Case, Senior Vice President & Energy National Business Line Executive, WSP USA
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Ryan Gibbons, Senior Manager Business Development, Avangrid, part of the Iberdrola Group
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Craig Lewis, Executive Director, Clean Coalition
MEET THE PANELISTS
Michael Case
Senior Vice President & Energy National Business Line Executive
WSP USA
Michael is the National Business Line Executive Leader for Energy, which provides professional services related to the energy transition in key markets that include renewable energy, electrification, hydrogen and underground storage and disposal, in addition to conventional power generation and transmission and distribution. Mike joined WSP in 2005.
In his most recent role as Senior Vice President, National Markets Director/Power, Mike leveraged his extensive experience to support continued growth across all end markets and geographies. He has provided overall management of business and technical operations for power and thermal generation, transmission and distribution, renewable energy, and energy management, with responsibility for delivering high-profile projects and programs involving multiple engineering disciplines and cross-sector collaboration.
Jennifer Obertino, PE is the Global Energy Practice Leader for AECOM. In this pivotal role she leads a team of energy practitioners across the globe, guiding clients through development and delivery of transformative energy projects and programs. Jennifer's commitment to providing the best service to clients aligns perfectly with AECOM's goal of delivering a better world through sustainability and resilience. Her accountability for technical excellence and professional development ensures that her team is equipped to address the challenges of grid modernization, decarbonization, and renewable energy integration.
Having advised a diverse portfolio of clients, including utilities, oil and gas companies, industrial firms, and state departments, Jennifer possesses a broad perspective on the energy transition landscape. This breadth of experience enables her to facilitate meaningful discussions and insights during the panel, drawing from real-world examples and best practices.
Jennifer Obertino
Senior Vice President & Global Energy Practice Leader
AECOM
Ryan Gibbons is a Senior Manager, Business Development at Avangrid. In this role, Mr. Gibbons evaluates economic, policy, and market factors to identify growth opportunities for Avangrid’s transmission business. Mr. Gibbons works with a broad array of stakeholders to develop transmission projects that advance corporate, state, and local policy and reliability goals and contribute to the clean energy transition. Prior to joining Avangrid in 2019, Mr. Gibbons worked in business development, policy development, and cybersecurity for various private and federal entities. Mr. Gibbons earned an MBA from the George Washington School of Business and a BA from Wake Forest University.
Ryan Gibbons
Senior Manager Business Development
Avangrid, part of the Iberdrola Group
Craig Lewis
Executive Director
Clean Coalition
Craig founded the Clean Coalition in 2009 and has over 30 years of experience in policy and technology innovation, including the proliferation of Solar Microgrids and Community Microgrids. Prior to founding the Clean Coalition, Craig held numerous positions in the wireless, semiconductor, banking, and renewable energy industries.
Previously VP of Government Relations at GreenVolts, he was the first to successfully navigate a solar project through California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard solicitation process. Craig was energy policy lead on Steve Westly’s 2006 California gubernatorial campaign. His resume includes senior government relations, corporate development, and marketing positions at leading wireless, semiconductor, and banking companies such as Qualcomm, Ericsson, and Barclays Bank.
If you'd like to discuss speaking at or sponsoring any of the events in the Energy Transition series please get in touch with simon.king@environment-analyst.com.