Influenced by consumer and investor preference, policy and corporate action are driving a transition toward lower-carbon energy systems. Innovation, policy, commercial considerations and the principle of comparative advantage will be instrumental in determining the pace of the transition, and it will look different across different regions.
Enabling energy transitions requires connecting, attracting and growing relationships among corporations, innovators, capital providers and the workforce to establish the supply chain depths needed to achieve the scale required. Houston’s reputation as the energy capital of the world is the result of its deep legacy in the oil and gas industry. But the factors that contributed to this moniker are not simply oil and gas resources. They are rooted in a deep human capital endowment that reflects an entrepreneurial spirit and expertise in engineering and supply chain logistics, as well as a business-friendly environment, a lot of land and robust ports. Today, Houston’s leadership is looking to ways to transition to a carbon-neutral energy future that leverages all of the region’s advantages.
During this conference, we heard from corporate, national and local leadership across supply chains for different forms of energy to better understand how Houston is seeking to leverage its comparative advantages to lead in energy transitions.
This event was co-sponsored by the Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies and the Renewable Energy Alliance Houston (REAL Houston), a Houston-based 501(c)(6) organization which works to empower Houston’s leadership in the energy transition by increasing the visibility of the renewable energy industry, connecting thought leaders, growing the network of renewable energy industry professionals and promoting innovation.
Follow the Center for Energy Studies and REAL Houston on LinkedIn and join the conversation online with #BakerEnergy.
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Agenda
8:00 am
Welcome and Introduction
Kenneth B. Medlock III, Ph.D.
James A. Baker, III, and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics; Senior Director, Center for Energy Studies, Baker Institute
William J. (John) Berger
Chairman, President and CEO, Sunnova Energy International Inc.
8:15 am
Panel I: The Role of Renewables in Energy Transitions: Growth, Stability, Resilience and Sustainability in Energy Systems
Moderated by: Kenneth B. Medlock III, Ph.D., James A. Baker, III, and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics; Senior Director, Center for Energy Studies, Baker Institute
Joshua Bryant
Director, Wind Turbine Engineering and Analytics, Consolidated Asset Management Services (CAMS) Inc.
Kirsty McCormack, Ph.D.
Vice President, Special Projects, BP plc
Kishore Sundararajan
Senior Vice President, Integrity Management and Digital Solutions, Oceaneering International, Inc.
Mike Weich
Vice President, M&A & Business Development, Omega Energia
9:30 am
Coffee Break
9:45 am
Panel II: Challenges and Opportunities in Meeting Greater Electrification — Transmission, Storage, Workforce, and Policy Needed to Support Utility-scale Solutions
Moderated by: Abigail Hopper, President and CEO, Solar Energy Industries Association
Kristofer Cheney
Executive Vice President, West, Central and Environmental Affairs, EDP Renewables
Cary Kottler
Senior Vice President of North American Development, Pattern Energy
Michael Skelly
Founder and CEO, Grid United LLC
11:00 am
Panel III: Hydrogen, Carbon Capture and Industrial-scale Decarbonization
Moderated by: David Daley, Regional Practice Manager, Power Generation, Burns & McDonnell
Zachary Scott
Head, Americas Environmental, Mercuria Energy America
Jane Stricker
Executive Director, Houston Energy Transition Initiative and Senior Vice President, Energy Transition, Greater Houston Partnership
Pradeep Venkataraman, Ph.D.
Senior Manager, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
12:15 pm
Lunch Armchair Discussion: The Role of Texas Policy, Technology and Innovation
Moderated by: Kenneth B. Medlock III, Ph.D., James A. Baker, III, and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics; Senior Director, Center for Energy Studies, Baker Institute
Mary Anne Brelinksy
President, EDF Energy North America
Jimmy Glotfelty
Commissioner, Public Utility Commission of Texas
1:15 pm
Closing Remarks
Kay McCall
Executive Director, Renewable Energy Alliance Houston