by Mike Bush
HOBBS, N.M. — Discussions at the New Mexico Center for Energy Policy’s 2009 energy conference April 14 will include presentations on renewable energy options, the cost of renewable energy and the concept of carbon cap-and-trade, the next generation of new renewable energy technologies and problems with putting renewable energy on the national energy grid.
The all-day conference, “The Making of Energy Policy: Where Are We Going? Part II,” will begin at 8:45 a.m. at the Lea County Event Center with introductions by Dr. Van Romero, vice president for research and economic development at New Mexico Tech; Dr. Daniel Lopez, New Mexico Tech president; and U.S. Rep. Harry Teague, D-N.M.
The first panel discussion, which begins at 9:15 a.m., will be on “Renewable Energy and Resources: Solar, Wind and Geothermal,” and will feature David Eves, Xcel Energy; Lawrence Flowers, National Renewable Energy Laboratory; and Kraig Higgenson, Raser Technology.
The second panel discussion, “Renewable Energy Crisis, Cost and Carbon,” will start at 10:40 a.m. The panel will include Laura Miller, former mayor of Dallas and currently with Summit Energy, discussing “Options for Coal;” Dr. Daniel Fine of NMCEP and New Mexico Tech, discussing “Carbon Cap and Trade and the Crisis of Credit Investment;” and Nickolas Hodson, principal, McKinsey and Co.
Lunch, which begins at 12:15 p.m., will feature Lopez, New Mexico Lt. Gov. Diane Denish and a keynote address by U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Bingaman will discuss his legislative program: What has been done and what should be done to advance renewable energy.
Panel three will begin its presentation at 1:30 p.m. on “Renewable Energy and the Next Generation Technologies.”
Panelists and their presentations will be Robert Brown, director of vehicle environmental engineering for Ford Motor Co., “Blueprint for a Sustainable Future;” Phillip Harris, founding member of Gridwise, “The Next Generation Smart Electric Grid;” Douglas C. Lynn, Center of Excellence for Hazardous Materials, “Algae — Fuel Source Potential — The Three Legged Stool;” Michael Young, Integrated Environmental Services, “Carbon (CO2) Conversion and Utilization;” and John Cogliandro, Raytheon, “Innovative Technology for Renewable Energy — Initiatives and Raytheon Model.”
The final panel discussion, which begins at 3:40 p.m., will be on “Renewable Energy and Transmision (The Grid)” and will include panelists Rich Lordan, Electric Power Research Institute; Les Dillahunty, Southwest Power Pool; and Joel Bladow, Tri-state G&T.
Romero will present the panel conclusion, “Renewables: Where are We Going?” beginning at 4:50 p.m.
The New Mexico Center for Energy Policy, a part of New Mexico Tech, is located in Hobbs and is the first community-centered response to the challenge of national energy security in the United States. A diversity of energy production takes place in Lea County and the surrounding region of southeastern New Mexico and West Texas, including oil and natural gas, wind, solar, bio-fuels and nuclear energy.
NMCEP provides energy-related research, technical and educational assistance for government, community and business leaders in New Mexico and West Texas in partnership with New Mexico Junior College and the Economic Development Corporation of Lea County.
New Mexico Tech is a state-funded research university in Socorro that is a leading educator of scientists and engineers.
Go to the NMCEP Website http://nmcep.nmt.edu to register for the conference or for more information.