2018 BAE Q2: Smart Buildings & Grid Modernization

2018 BAE Q2: Smart Buildings & Grid Modernization

Boston’s Q2 series on Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization this past June brought together a diverse crowd of energized and engaged stakeholders to discuss the city’s future energy system. The series entailed a variety of events that provided attendees the opportunity to establish and reinforce relationships, to exchange diverse perspectives, and to take leadership roles within the local energy stakeholder community.

2018 WAE Q2: Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization

2018 WAE Q2: Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization

The Washington Advanced Energy (WAE) Q2 Stakeholder Breakfast started with a call to urgency, HG Chissell - Founder and CEO of AEG - emphasized the importance of finding grid modernization solutions that were meaningful, effective, and would truly address the challenges facing D.C.’s energy sector in the long run. The risk stakeholders face is providing a well-meaning solution that is ultimately an unhelpful, quick fix.

2018 CAE Q2 Recap: Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization

2018 CAE Q2 Recap: Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization

On May 31, 2018, Chicago Advanced Energy held its Stakeholder Breakfast on the topic of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization. Once the room was at capacity and coffee was on the table, H.G. Chissell – CEO of Advanced Energy Group – kicked off the meeting. The group then heard five presentations from discussion leaders, who offered their takes on smart buildings and grid modernization:

2018 NYAE Q2 Recap: Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization

2018 NYAE Q2 Recap: Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization

NYAE hosted its Q2 event keeping with the theme of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization, on 24th of May 2018. The event brought together discussion leaders and participants to collectively take on the most pressing challenges faced by the urban energy ecosystem in New York, which includes modernizing the grid, retrofitting existing buildings, developing incentives and value propositions for building owners, and recent policy implications.

Maintaining Boston’s Momentum with Smart Buildings & Grid Modernization (BAE Q2 2018)

Maintaining Boston’s Momentum with Smart Buildings & Grid Modernization (BAE Q2 2018)

The overarching problem and opportunity in Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization is that building operations account for 75% of the nation’s energy consumption, and 70% of the grid is over 25 years old. In cities like Boston, the working towards development includes energy efficient buildings that possess Distributed Energy Resources (DERs).

DERs and Alternative Infrastructure Solutions in Washington DC (WAE Q2 2018)

DERs and Alternative Infrastructure Solutions in Washington DC (WAE Q2 2018)

DC has been paying more attention to the modernization of the electric grid. Cost reductions and improved performance of DERs are creating opportunities for the grid to operate more efficiently and at lower costs. Over the past few years, the city has been exploring how buildings and facilities that were primarily end-users of electricity can assist in power management and delivery across the District.

OneNYC's 80x50 Must Include Electric Grid Modernization & Improvements to Buildings (NYAE Q2 2018)

OneNYC's 80x50 Must Include Electric Grid Modernization & Improvements to Buildings (NYAE Q2 2018)

Set forth by Mayor De Blasio, OneNYC aims to reduce citywide greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 2005 levels by 2050. Reaching this target relies on a variety of energy efficiency efforts. Currently, 80% of NYC emissions come from buildings. Taking into account the pace of current developments, 90% of existing buildings are expected to remain standing in 2050.

2018 CAE Q1 Recap: Resiliency, Critical Infrastructure, and Microgrids

2018 CAE Q1 Recap: Resiliency, Critical Infrastructure, and Microgrids

On March 1, 2018, Chicago Advanced Energy held its Stakeholder Breakfast on the topic of Resiliency, Critical Infrastructure, and Microgrids. The packed room was sold out almost two weeks prior to the event thanks to the high calibre of discussion leaders that sparked a lot of anticipation. 

2018 BAE Q1 Recap: Resiliency, Critical Infrastructure, and Microgrids

2018 BAE Q1 Recap: Resiliency, Critical Infrastructure, and Microgrids

Prior to the Boston Stakeholder Series, Massachusetts endured three Nor’easters within two weeks, resulting in a peak of 360,000+ customers without power. Infrastructure repairs were still in progress, and another storm was already brewing, making the days’ conversation very relevant.

2018 WAE Q1 Recap: Resiliency, Critical Infrastructure & Microgrids

2018 WAE Q1 Recap: Resiliency, Critical Infrastructure & Microgrids

On February 22, Advanced Energy Group held its first Stakeholder Breakfast of the year in Washington, DC. The topic this time: Resiliency, Critical Infrastructure, and Microgrids. After the significant damage wrought by last year’s hurricane season, the subjects were more relevant than ever. The event’s large attendance reflected the importance of the subject matter, as the room was filled to capacity.

New York Resiliency, Critical Infrastructure and Microgrids (NYAE Q1 2018)

New York Resiliency, Critical Infrastructure and Microgrids (NYAE Q1 2018)

As a coastal city, New York faces multifaceted levels of risks from extreme weather events. Some parts of the city are still recovering from Superstorm Sandy in 2012, which highlighted the massive financial and social cost of these types of disasters, as well as the city’s under-preparedness for such events. With recent hurricanes causing extreme flooding, these critical infrastructure risks apply across the country and the globe.

Washington DC: A Member of 100 Resilient Cities (2018 WAE Q1)

Washington DC: A Member of 100 Resilient Cities (2018 WAE Q1)

In 2016, Washington, DC became a member of 100 Resilient Cities, joining a network of over 1,000 metropolises around the world dedicated to improving the resiliency of systems and infrastructure. A Resilience Strategy to prepare the District for future threats is being developed through a collaborative effort that will incorporate input from all stakeholders, in hopes of creating a comprehensive strategy for addressing a spectrum of threats.

2017 NYAE Q4: Mobility and Transportation

2017 NYAE Q4: Mobility and Transportation

New York Advanced Energy Group’s Q4 2017 Stakeholder Breakfast on the topic of Mobility and Transportation, co-hosted by Duane Morris, highlighted challenges and success stories of the city’s transportation sector. Speakers at the forefront of mobility and transportation, including John Markowitz of New York Power Authority, Thomas Abdallah and Nora Ostrovskaya of MTA, Mark Simon of NYC DOT, Tim Kruekniet of EVBox, and Nick Hill of ReachNow car sharing by BMW, led the discussion on policies, goals, and new technologies for the city of New York. The stakeholder member discussion tapped into collective thought, solutions, and innovative ideas for a more effective and sustainable transportation sector for New York City.

2017 BAE Q4: Mobility & Transportation

2017 BAE Q4: Mobility & Transportation

We closed out our inaugural season in Boston with a great line-up, bringing multiple perspectives to a challenge that requires an enormous amount of coordination. Speakers at the breakfast covered a wide range of related topics from how to get more ridership on public transit and address their needs, to how we decarbonize transportation, to how do we deal with the specific issues concerning EV deployments and charging infrastructure?

2017 CAE Q4: Mobility and Transportation

2017 CAE Q4: Mobility and Transportation

To kick off the breakfast and prepare everyone to think through the problems together, H.G. Chissell reminded us, with a very personal story, of the importance and urgency of tackling these pressing energy issues. This is an important reminder that these are not disconnected issues that are somewhere else to be solved when we can, but are here, connected to the way we live and affect us on a personal level.

Mobility and Transportation in the Big Apple - 2017 NYAE Q4

Mobility and Transportation in the Big Apple - 2017 NYAE Q4

The US burns about 19 million barrels of oil a day; roughly 70% of those barrels accommodate the transportation system. The consequences—such as environmental degradation and economic volatility, as well as contributing to the negative effects of climate change—pose a massive threat to different aspects of the country’s well-being.

New York's Internet of Things, Technology & Innovation - 2017 NYAE Q3

New York's Internet of Things, Technology & Innovation - 2017 NYAE Q3

The speed of change taking place in renewable energy generation, storage, and the technologies is closely associated with the internet of things (IoT). In New York, it has provided a space for smaller, yet positively disruptive technologies such as actively-monitored workstations and lighting fixtures to be paired with elevator and ventilation systems to reduce overall building energy consumption.