Registration Opens for Maui Energy Conference

The 2016 Maui Energy Conference, scheduled for March 16–18, will bring together some of the best minds in the energy sector from Maui County, the state and the nation.

“The focus of discussion will be Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative’s 100% Renewable Portfolio Standard and it implications for Hawai‘i’s energy future,” said Frank De Rego Jr., director of business development projects at MEDB and a member of the conference program committee. “The strengths of the conference over the years have been the high quality of its speakers and panelists, the ample time to network, and the availability of the videotaped panel sessions to the general public at the conclusion of the conference on the conference website.”

“We are talking about ‘everything but when,” said Program Committee Chair Doug McLeod, DKK Energy Services LLC. “Hawaii’s Renewable Portfolio Standard tells us when to achieve 100% renewables—by 2045. This conference looks at all the other questions: how, where, why and who pays are just a few of the obvious issues. Within ‘how’ and ‘why’ are important sub-questions about fairness and respect for Hawaiian culture and the environment.

“We have all benefitted from having Mark Glick, Hawai‘i State Energy Office administrator, on the program committee this year,” McLeod continued. “He joins returning members Bash Nola, Colton Ching, Jay Griffin, Jonathan Koehn, Holly Benz and Frank De Rego as we work on a thought provoking discussion for March. Finally, the County of Maui’s energy consultant, Guernsey, has been invited to present their recommendation with regard to ownership of the electric utility on Maui.”

Utility Dive will also participate in the conference planning this year. The Utility Dive panel will look at lessons that utilities on the Mainland can draw from the Hawai‘i experience with perspectives from a Hawai‘i PUC commissioner, Hawai‘i’s State Energy Office and Hawaiian Electric Company.

The three-day professional conference may especially important to professionals in the energy industry as well as individuals with an interest in energy.

The conference program highlights include eight sessions with topics including: Defining 100% Renewables; Community Acceptance of 100% Renewables; The Social Impacts of Pursuing a 100% Renewable Future; Educating Toward 100% Renewable Energy; Investing in Hawai‘i; The Hawai‘i Renewable Experience—What Can Be Replicated; Integration of Distributed Energy Resources; and Maui: A Case Study—Is This Where We’re All Headed?

The exhibition piece of the conference gives networking opportunities to participants who want to generate business, or connect and collaborate to address common issues and concerns.

The conference’s third day will move outdoors with two optional Maui Sustainability Mobile Workshops.

A discounted registration rate—a savings of $100—is available for the month of January only. For information on how to register and other details, visit mauienergyconference.com.