Panels

Investing in Clean Technology

Cleantech has been hailed as a solution to some of the world's most challenging problems and consequently, investment in the sector is increasing at a rapid pace. The "Investing in Cleantech" panel will examine important issues facing early-stage investors in cleantech, including the challenges surrounding the relative infancy of the sector and the funding requirements to achieve scalability. Drawing upon their experience, panelists will focus on key issues such as comparison of cleantech with IT; dynamics of the investor-entrepreneur relationship; the impact of regulation; exit opportunities; and cleantech trends within the US and in emerging economies.

Opportunities in the Global Power Industry

The "Opportunities in the Global Power Industry" panel will focus on leading industry executives identifying problems they see within the current power markets and discussing how their companies are trying to turn these challenges into business opportunities. While geared to an audience with a basic understanding of how a utility functions, the focus will be the analysis of opportunities, positioning, and strategic planning rather than technical aspects of G&T operations or electricity markets. Key issues for discussion include: integrating alternative energy generation into current infrastructure; updating aging and outmoded infrastructure; deploying nuclear energy and low-carbon generation; capitalizing on market pricing and transmission information; and electrifying developing nations.

Dissecting the NIMBY Problem

There is general agreement in the US that the country needs to make strides toward energy independence, but when the time comes to locate a windfarm, power plant, oil refinery or nuclear facility there is often strong local opposition that derails promising projects. The "Not In My Backyard" (NIMBY) panel will explore the increasingly important issue of infrastructure placement and the manifestations of NIMBY opposition. Utilizing an audience response system, conference participants will be transformed into a voting public that must consider industry engagement efforts & messages, their own personal values & concerns and the "greater good" before ultimately voting on the fate of real-life project proposals.