The Think Microgrid Policy Summit brings together the microgrid policy community and industry for updates, interactive discussions, and facilitated conversations to develop practical strategies to commercialize microgrids. Co-located with the Microgrid 2023 Conference, the summit focuses on creating a call to action for communities that see microgrids as solutions to their pressing resilience, climate and equity challenges. Summit participants work collaboratively to develop solutions that policymakers can implement. In addition, the summit features distinguished speakers, updates on current challenges and practical strategies that can be employed to move microgrids forward. 

Registration for the Think Microgrid 2023 Policy Summit is separate from the conference registration.  Click here to register.  

Learn how the energy world is recasting itself in a way that makes microgrids the logical answer to the problems and promises of electric power’s next era. Join industry leaders for a glimpse into the latest innovations in microgrid technology, business models, financing and government policy.

Moderator: Mark Feasel - FuelCell Energy

Learn how to better understand the current state, challenges and opportunities in distribution capacity planning and use of data — and what the latest research shows us about microgrid growth.

Moderator: Nishant Sharma - CellCube Inc.

In the energy arena, regulatory and market growth are inextricably intertwined. California is a leader in forging new microgrid policies. What will its efforts to date produce and what’s next on the horizon?

Moderator: Allie Detrio - Microgrid Resources Coalition & Reimagine Power

What is a microgrid exactly? Is it right for your facility? How do you get started? Who can help? What will it cost? Get answers to the basic questions every microgrid beginner asks and learn from model projects.

Moderator: Cameron Brooks - Think Microgrid

What role will microgrids play on the road to 2050 in fulfilling the exponential push for reliable and resilient power across market segments? This panel will address renewable energy challenges and provide an up-to-date overview of primary power generation. We will also explore how natural gas engines act as a bridge to a zero-emission future where hydrogen plays a key role.  Finally, we will offer a case study demonstrating how integrated power conditioning technology orchestrates grid-tied or island microgrid performance where scalable primary power generation and renewable energy are deployed. 

What are the current financing conditions and challenges for microgrid projects? What is the lender’s perspective? How can you properly balance risk and reward for your project? Hear from three financial experts with deep insight into energy markets and finance.

As legend has it, 23 inventors devised the electric light bulb before Thomas Edison. But it’s Edison’s name we remember because he created a business model for electricity. What models are emerging for microgrids? Here are two exciting possibilities.

Microgrids offer a way to guarantee electricity to charge electric vehicles as the central grid becomes increasingly burdened. What’s needed in terms of software, equipment and know-how to capture the full value of microgrids as we electrify transportation?

Moderator: Peter Asmus - Alaska Microgrid Group

The Army plans to equip all of its bases with microgrids by 2035 and other branches of the US military have similar goals. What will it take to achieve these goals, what opportunities do they present for microgrid companies and how will they influence broader climate goals?

Moderator: Adib Naslé - Xendee

Learn how communities overcome technical, financial and social hurdles to build microgrids. The panel will present case studies for communities in wildfire zones and remote regions.

Moderator: Ben Parvey - Blue Sky Power

It’s not enough for today’s microgrids to be resilient. Customers also expect them to offer clean power, whether it’s renewable energy or improvements in traditional fuels. Here are two approaches to creating a more sustainable microgrid.

This session is for energy providers, utilities, asset owners, local government, facility managers, fleet managers and corporate sustainability leaders who want to scale their zero-emission efforts by leveraging the new federal law.

Moderator: Erik Svanholm - LightEdison

Some industries and services simply cannot lose power, among them airports and data centers. Learn how a major US airport and a crucial Silicon Valley data center plan to microgrid their facilities.

Sometimes it’s the smallest overlooked detail that puts the biggest wrench in the plan, adding delays and cost to your microgrid project. Often these small details aren’t with the new sophisticated technology but rather integration of existing infrastructure and lapses in communication with key stakeholders. During this presentation, strategies for anticipating and overcoming this “small stuff” will be showcased by reviewing several case studies from federal and utility microgrid projects.

Utilities that lead in microgrid innovation describe their projects, programs and achievements, and offer a vision of the future for utility microgrids.

Moderator: Arnela Smajlovic Djedovic - Siemens Ag

Pilot programs across the country are demonstrating that transactive energy tariffs can improve on traditional demand response tariffs in terms of supporting grid requirements during times of high demand and system disruptions.  What is a transactive energy tariff and how does it work? And what are the revenue opportunities for microgrids?

Moderator: Trudie Wang - Heila Technologies

A community in Wimauma, FL didn’t lose their power even when the feeder to the neighborhood was lost due to strong winds. How? The community was equipped with a sophisticated microgrid. Meanwhile, in Detroit, a community is seeking a similar resiliency through the creation of a resilience hub. Discover how these models can keep the lights on even under the worst circumstances.

Moderator: Bill Becker - ComAp