October 23-25, 2017
Omni Interlocken Resort
Denver, CO

Conference Program

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Monday, October 23

Start Time End Time Information
7:30 AM 8:45 AM
Sponsored By:

Registration Open, Breakfast/Networking

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8:45 AM 10:00 AM
Managing Change in the Western Power Market
Responsible for delivering electricity safely and reliably to 1 million customers in Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming Mrs. Crane is the perfect keynote for our Western Power Summit. She will bring insight into Western power issues such as the Energy Imbalance Market, PacifiCorp’s plan to repower wind and add transmission, and ongoing efforts to manage changing load profiles as more renewables come into the system. Ms. Crane also oversees thermal generation, mining and resource development for the company, and will add significant context to the event’s conversations on water/energy, renewable generation, transmission, market structures, and evolving business models. Her work as a board member on the Wyoming Energy Resources Council in addition to the National Mining Association and the Utah Mining Association will allow for a dynamic conversation about challenges facing the power industry in the West.

Keynote:
Cindy Crane, President & CEO,

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10:00 AM 10:30 AM
Sponsored By:

Networking Break

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10:30 AM 12:00 PM
Roundtable: Western Electric Policy Priorities
Policy makers from the state, provincial and federal levels share ideas in this moderated roundtable that will consider topics including renewable portfolio standards, transmission infrastructure improvements, market development issues, federal policy, and cross-border trade. This session is particularly timely given the new administration in Washington, D.C., and the relatively new premiership of Justin Trudeau. And the panel will be unique for bringing together state, federal, and provincial leaders to discuss western electric power issues.

Moderator:
David Wagman, Program Chairman,
Panelist:
Barbara Walz, Sr. Vice President, Policy and Compliance,
 
Amy Oliver Cooke, Executive Vice President,
 
Scott Brockett, Director, Regulatory Administration and Compliance,
 
Jeff Lyng, Sr. Policy Analyst, Center for the New Energy Economy,

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12:00 PM 1:00 PM
‘Colorado Country’ Luncheon
Enjoy a scrumptious lunch with your peers while overlooking the beautiful Colorado landscape from the outdoor terrace. Then strike up some friendly competition with a game of billiards, foosball, or cornhole. Better use this time to practice…the inaugural Cornhole Tournament begins at 5:00 p.m. at the Opening Reception!

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1:00 PM 2:30 PM
Big Data, Big Headache or Big Opportunity?
Consumers willingly give up lots of personal data and insights, but what gaps exist between what electric power providers can collect and use as they make investment decisions and work to advance energy efficiency goals? How is Big Data being used across the West to inform investment decisions and work toward distributed generation alternatives?

Moderator:
Darrell Proctor, Associate Editor,
Speaker: How to Measure Hard to Measure Impacts: NEBs and Their Use in State Cost-Effectiveness Tests
Abstract
Lisa Skumatz, Principal,
  NREL's Use of Big Data Sets
Abstract
  My Digital Twin Doesn’t Look Anything Like Me! How Can It Possibly Make Me Better?!
Abstract
Mr. Jon Towslee, Advanced Services Leader, Americas Industrial Automation, Energy Industries (IAEN),

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2:30 PM 2:45 PM
Sponsored By:

Networking Break

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2:45 PM 4:15 PM
New Life for Coal in the Western Power Mix?
This session will examine the first six months of the Trump Administration to suggest whether policy initiatives and regulatory shifts are opening new opportunities for coal-fired electric power generation. To what extent will coal-producing states such as Wyoming benefit from these policies? What are the implications for renewable portfolio standards and emission reduction goals across the region?

Moderator:
David Wagman, Program Chairman,
Panelist:
Jason Begger, Executive Director,
 
Colin Marshall, Chief Executive Officer,
 
Stan Dempsey, Jr., President,

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4:30 PM 6:30 PM
Opening Night Reception Featuring Inaugural Cornhole Tournament & Craft Beer Tasting Tour (Spouses Welcome)
After a long conference day, it is time to turn off your brain and turn on the fun! Get a taste of the local brews, including Nighthawk Brewery, Big Choice Brewing, and 4 Noses Brewing Company. Then with beer in hand, go head to head at the Cornhole Board for the Inaugural Cornhole Tournament. Will you take home the trophy?

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Tuesday, October 24

Start Time End Time Information
8:00 AM 9:00 AM
Sponsored By:

Registration Open, Breakfast/Networking

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9:00 AM 10:00 AM
Colorado’s Balancing Act
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper will be invited to present keynote remarks on the state’s landmark clean power plan, as well as ongoing efforts to balance renewable energy expansion with continued fossil fuel development. Does Colorado’s approach offer a blueprint for the West or did the state’s resource mix and political climate make it a one-off example?

Keynote:
John Hickenlooper, Governor,

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10:00 AM 10:30 AM
Sponsored By:

Networking Break

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10:30 AM 12:00 PM
Energy Storage: From EVs to Pumped Storage and Beyond
The West offers vast potential for energy storage deployment. Electric vehicle adoption takes the technology to the consumer level. Meanwhile, large-scale batteries, pumped storage and even a few novel storage concepts are emerging.

Moderator:
Darrell Proctor, Associate Editor,
Speaker: Gordon Butte Pumped Storage Project - Best In Class Ternary Equipment
Abstract
Carl Borgquist, President & CEO,
  Distributed Energy Storage as a Virtual Power Plant – Results from the Field
Abstract
Matt Owens, Director Business Development,
  Experiences from an innovative DERMS production journey with a leading power utility
Abstract
John Roeser, Regional Vice President, NA,

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12:00 PM 1:00 PM
‘Networking at Noon’ Luncheon

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1:00 PM 2:30 PM
Putting Western Innovation to Work
The West leads the country with innovative approaches to energy generation, deployment, and use. This session highlights innovations in microgrid development, distributed and community solar finance, and approaches to regional transmission.

Moderator:
David Wagman, Program Chairman,
Speaker: Regional Integration and a Cleaner, More Efficient Grid
Abstract
Carl Zichella, Director of Western Renewable Transmission,
  Regional Market Structure
Abstract
Dan Walter, Senior Manager, Energy Markets,
  Smart City Future in a Mile-High Microgrid
Abstract
Matthew Crosby, Director, Policy,

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2:30 PM 2:45 PM
Networking Break

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2:45 PM 4:15 PM
Water/Energy Conflicts in a Rapidly Growing West
Water is of vital importance across the West and impacts almost every decision related to electric power production. This session examines the water resource issue and considers efforts at regional cooperation to ease conflicts.

Moderator:
David Wagman, Program Chairman,
Panelists:
Stacy Tellinghuisen, Senior Energy/Water Policy Analyst,
 
John Aronson, President,
 
David Yates, Scientist in the Research Applications Laboratory,

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Wednesday, October 25

Start Time End Time Information
7:30 AM 11:30 AM
NREL Energy Systems Integration Facility Tour (additional fee may apply)
Plan to tour NREL's Energy Systems Integration Facility where world-class research is under way into techniques to effectively integrate emerging energy technologies into today's environment.

Denver is home to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and attendees will be able to tour the visit the laboratory's Golden campus and get a close-up look at its Energy Systems Integration Facility. The ESIF provides a unique platform on which researchers and partners from industry can identify and resolve the technical, operational, and financial risks of integrating emerging energy technologies into today’s environment. The facility includes laboratories that focus on energy storage, hydrogen infrastructure, systems performance, high-performance computing and more.

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