Energizing the Valley: Summit will offer glimpse region’s energy resources
HOLTVILLE — The wide range of renewable energy resources the Imperial Valley has to offer will be the focus of the 11th annual Renewable Energy Summit.
On Wednesday, Tim Kelley, president and chief executive officer for the Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation, which organized the summit, gave a preview of this year’s conference.
One of the main points of emphasis for this year is the added focus on some of the least-known resources in the region such as biomass and biofuels.
Kelley said an important announcement regarding biofuels in the valley is expected to be made today, while additional news on the biomass side is expected in the near future.
Another topic that will be part of the afternoon session of the summit is the recent settlement between the IID and the California Independent System Operator.
This resulted in a commitment to invest in the IID’s S-Line to allow the export of renewable energy from the Valley to the rest of the state.
The litigation between IID and CAISO and the uncertainty surrounding the exporting capabilities were an important hurdle for the continued development of energy in the region, particularly geothermal.
“As you’re going to hear tomorrow, IID has steadily been working to free up the impediment that has kept some of this renewable energy development from happening,” said IID spokeswoman Marion Champion.
IVEDC started the energy summit more than a decade ago with the intent of bringing more attention to an emerging industry.
“We had renewable energy in this county at the time and we thought there was going to be a lot of opportunities in Imperial County and felt people were not totally aware of it. We wanted to prepare the community for what was coming,” Kelley said.
California Ethanol and Power, which has been a partner since the event’s conception, is currently in the process of developing an ethanol plant in the Valley that Kelley said could break ground this year.
Key topics to be discussed in the panels include the renewed interest and investments in geothermal energy from Controlled Thermal Resources and GeoGenCo, in addition to the discussion of new technologies. Energy storage will be another point of emphasis in the conversation.
Jonathan Weisgall the vice president of the Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company will deliver the opening speech of the summit. He will talk about the latest developments in federal regulations in the energy industry.
Throughout the summit, developers will also have the opportunity to network with contractors and others who can help them move their projects and ideas forward.
“A big part of our goal during this conference is not only to help educate people but also to help businesses connect with businesses,” Kelley said.
The summit is being held at the Imperial Palms Hotel and Resort at Barbara Worth here.