Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

2012 Midwest Energy Solutions Conference
January 11-13, 2012
Fairmont Hotel Chicago

AGENDA 2012 MIDWEST ENERGY SOLUTIONS CONFERENCE

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

SPECIAL EVENT: Register Separately to attend the Midwest Industrial Energy Efficiency Summit. Sponsored by the Midwestern Governors Association, the World Resources Institute, MEEA, and the Great Plains Institute. This free summit will run from 8:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m. on Wed., Jan. 11, preceding the MES Conference.

1:00-1:15pm Welcome and Opening Remarks – Greg Lovett, Ameren Missouri, MEEA Board Chair
1:15-2:00pm Keynote

Dr. Kathleen Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, U.S Department of Energy Dr. Hogan Image

2:00-3:30pm Plenary Session

Topic: Outlook for Energy Efficiency Policy
With ARRA funding over and a challenging economic and political environment, what impact will national, state and local policies have on current and future efficiency programs.

3:30-4:00pm Break
4:00-5:15pm Break-out Sessions

Topic: Promoting Industrial Efficiency
Industrial firms are quite varied in their approaches to energy efficiency and there is no single approach that fits all. This session will show how engagement of industrial partners can lead to increased participation in utility efficiency programs.

Topic: Claiming Savings from Behavior Change
Expanding upon last year’s highly rated behavioral change breakout, this session will examine the critical need for utilities to claim energy savings from behavior-based programs that increase industry and consumer adoption of energy efficient practices.

5:30-6:00pm Reception – MEEA Members only
6:00-7:30pm Reception – All Attendees

Thursday, January 12th, 2012
8:00-8:30am Breakfast
8:30-8:45am Opening Remarks – Jay Wrobel, MEEA Executive Director
8:45-9:15am Opening Keynote – Steve Nadel, Executive Director, ACEEE
9:15-10:30am Plenary Session

Topic: Utility Business Case for Energy Efficiency
In today’s business and regulatory climate, with a increasing requirements for energy efficiency, utilities are being asked to sell less power or gas. Panelists will address the business case behind this new paradigm that focuses on energy efficiency and meeting customer needs.

10:30-11:00am Break
11:00am-12:15pm Break-out Sessions

Topic: More Savings from HVAC
What are the emerging program areas that can expand the potential energy savings from HVAC? Ductless heat pumps, geothermal systems and HVAC systems performance programs will be discussed from the investor-owned utility and cooperative program perspective.

Topic: Emerging Programs and Technologies
The efficiency community is on a constant search for new program concepts that may present opportunities for energy savings in untapped areas. This session will provide an overview of several emerging programs and technologies for those seeking to bring new savings opportunities to their efficiency portfolio.

12:30-2:00pm Lunch
2:00-3:15pm Break-out Sessions

Topic: Commercial and Public Building Retrofits
While ARRA stimulus funding has led many buildings to complete lighting and mechanical system retrofits, there are lots of energy savings remaining in the commercial market. This session will focus on ways to identify and promote efficiency upgrades in commercial and public buildings.

Topic: Achieving Scale in Home Energy Upgrades
Utility programs are using software tools, homeowner and contractor incentives, targeted outreach, and full press marketing to increase the uptake of whole home retrofits. This session will weigh the variety of approaches, and tease out lessons applicable to all whole home programs.

3:15-3:45pm Break – Sponsored by Resource Solutions Group
3:45-5:00pm Plenary Session

Topic: Delivering Programs in Challenging Economic Times
The slow economic recovery and stagnating housing market issue has an impact on the uptake of energy efficiency measures. This session will look at the new strategies and techniques used to create consumer demand and meet the growing program targets.

6:00-7:00pm MEEA Member-Only Reception
7:00-9:00pm 2012 Inspiring Efficiency Awards Dinner & Gala – Sponsored by JACO Environmental

Friday, January 13th, 2012
7:30-8:15am Breakfast
8:15-8:30am Welcome and Conference Recap – Stacey Paradis, MEEA Deputy Director
8:30-9:00am Opening Keynote – Bruce Schlein, Vice President of Corporate Sustainability, Citibank
9:00-10:15am Plenary Session

Topic: Overcoming the Financing Hurdle
One of the most significant barriers for residential, commercial, and industrial customers to overcome when considering investments in energy efficiency are the upfront costs. This panel will review the barriers and strategies to overcome them to support the investment in energy efficiency.

10:15 – 10:45am Break
10:45 – 12:00pm Break-out Sessions

Topic: Building Energy Codes
Energy efficiency requirements continue to increase and the U.S. DOE is requiring states to demonstrate 90% compliance with the IECC 2009 and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 by 2017. Panelists will review programs that will allow claimed savings for utilities and verify energy savings.

Topic: Successfully Marketing Energy Efficiency in the Midwest
In the last ten years energy efficiency has taken a giant leap forward in the social consciousness of Midwest consumers and businesses. This panel will address how the marketing of efficiency in the current economy to both the consumer and B2B will shape the success of future program and policy initiatives in the Midwest.

12:00pm Close of Conference

(Topics subject to change.)