Plenary sessions announced for Ohio's Statewide Advanced Energy B2B Conference & Expo®

Expert panelists to discuss major advanced energy projects being deployed across Ohio, supply chain issues, shale gas challenges and opportunities, and public policy implications 

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NorTech and Advanced Energy Economy Ohio today announced the plenary sessions for the first statewide Advanced Energy B2B Conference & Expo^®, being held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus on October 30-31, 2012.

The conference will provide a statewide forum for addressing topics such as energy efficiency, advanced energy supply chain opportunities, the shale gas boom, downstream benefits for the state's chemical and polymer companies, and public policy issues – all designed to highlight and accelerate the new energy economy in Ohio. The Advanced Energy B2B program also includes an industry track (waste & biomass to energy, energy storage, fuel cells, smart grid, and solar), and a Technology Showcase with dozens of presentations featuring entrepreneurs, companies and researchers seeking collaborators, partners and funding.

"Ohio's Significant Advanced Energy Deployment Projects," one of the plenary sessions, will discuss some of the most significant wind, solar, waste-to-energy and waste heat recovery project in Ohio. Developers will share their unique business and financing models, challenges and successes as well as what is on the horizon for future projects across the state. Panelists will include: Sean Casten, Recycled Energy Development, LLC; Mel Kurtz, quasar energy group; Dan Litchfield, Iberdrola Renewables; David Wilhelm, Woodland Venture Management/Turning Point Solar; and the session will be moderated by: Rebecca Bagley, NorTech.

"In Ohio, we are at a critical point in the growth and evolution of our advanced energy economy," said Dave Karpinski, vice president of NorTech. "The Advanced Energy B2B Conference & Expo is a key platform to share ideas for developing new advanced energy technologies, network with industry decision-makers and capitalize on synergies for future business opportunities."

"We have assembled industry-leading experts from across Ohio and the nation to share their insight and knowledge with conference attendees as they formulate their own business strategies for the advanced energy market," said Michelle Murcia, president and interim executive director of Advanced Energy Economy Ohio. "We expect this event to spur growth, innovation and collaboration within and for Ohio's growing advanced energy sector."

The conference and expo will draw companies, researchers, and supply chain manufacturers from across the state of Ohio and the surrounding region. The exhibition hall will feature innovative companies, research institutions and supply chain providers showcasing their advanced energy technologies and products. Advanced registration ends October 30. An additional $100 fee will be charged for registration at the door. The deadline to secure exhibit space is October 10. An exclusive online social networking tool, called "B2B Connections," will be used to facilitate networking among conference participants. This online tool provides attendees, exhibitors, sponsors and speakers the opportunity to connect based on matching interests, enabling them to communicate and schedule one-on-one business meetings with targeted prospective individuals and companies.

In addition to project deployment session, other plenary sessions will include:

How Business Is Driving the New Energy Economy
The leaders and founders of Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) and Advanced Energy Economy Ohio (AEE Ohio) will discuss the business and political drivers for the new energy economy.  Panelists will discuss the importance of creating these statewide and national networks, and their progress in helping to advance the industry and drive technology innovation. 

Panelists: Michelle Murcia, President and Interim Executive Director, Advanced Energy Economy Ohio (AEE Ohio)Ohio;  Graham Richards, Chief Executive Officer, Advanced Energy Economy Institute; Dave Karpinski, Vice President, NorTech                

Sizing up Opportunities in Ohio's Energy Efficiency Manufacturing Industry
Organizers and participants of the state-wide "roadmap" for the energy efficiency sector will discuss the energy efficiency products and services currently being manufactured by Ohio companies. The session will also explore additional ideas for leveraging the energy efficiency sector to spur greater economic growth and impact.

Panelists: Steve Caminati, Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) Ohio; Andy Holzhauser, Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance; and Dave Karpinski, NorTech; and the session will be moderated by: Nick Bush, Bush Consulting Group.

Energy Policy and Ohio's Future

State and national advanced energy policy leaders will preview what is on the horizon for innovative state policy approaches, the short- and long-term scenarios for federal initiatives, and the opportunities for the Buckeye State. This panel will provide a basic framework for the policies that are needed to continue to build Ohio's advanced energy industry.

Panelists: Craig Butler, Office of the Governor of Ohio; Malcolm Woolf, Maryland Energy Administration; Tim Greeff, Advanced Energy Economy (AEE); Moderated by: Steve Caminati, Advanced Energy Economy Ohio (AEE Ohio)

Shale Gas – Significance of Ohio's Downstream Opportunities
Ohio's chemical and polymer industry leaders will examine the significance of the state's downstream opportunities in shale gas. Panelists will discuss global economic issues, lessons learned from Pennsylvania, Ohio's strategy to prepare the supply chain and work force, and the evolutionary vs revolutionary nature of this opportunity as a whole. 

Panelists: Jon Laughner, Penn State Extension; David Mustine, JobsOhio; Brendan O'Neil, IHS Consulting; Anil W. Saraf, Director, PolyOne Corporation; Moderated by: Wayne Earley, PolymerOhio, Inc.

For more information about Advanced Energy B2B Conference & Expo and to register as a sponsor, exhibitor or attendee, visit: http://www.advancedenergyexpo.com/

Produced by:
NorTech is a regional nonprofit technology-based economic development organization serving 21 counties in Northeast Ohio.  As a catalyst for growing Northeast Ohio's emerging technology industries, NorTech is leading efforts to develop regional innovation clusters that create jobs, attract capital and have a long-term, positive economic impact on the region. www.nortech.org

Presented by:
Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) Ohio seeks to drive the development of advanced energy to boost the state's economy and competitiveness. AEE Ohio works to establish private and public partnerships, remove policy barriers while encouraging market driven policies and serve as a voice for the state's advanced energy industry. http://advancedenergyohio.org/

Media Contact:
Kelly South
Sr. Director, Communications
(216) 241-8458
[email protected]

SOURCE NorTech