GridTECH Connect Forum announces host utilities, host developer, and partnerships for Northeast event
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GridTECH Connect Forum announces host utilities, host developer, and partnerships for Northeast event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

Contact: Sophia Fasano 

Email: [email protected] 

GridTECH Connect Forum® Announces Keynote and Partnerships with National Grid, Rhode Island Energy, Nexamp and U.S. Department of Energy 

June 28, 2023 – Clarion Energy’s GridTECH Connect Forum® scheduled to take place in Newport, Rhode Island from October 23-25, announced its two Host Utilities for the 2023 Northeast Event: National Grid and Rhode Island Energy. The event also announced Host Developer Nexamp and a partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy.  

GridTECH Connect Forum® brings together regional stakeholders from utilities, developers, regulators, and solutions providers to take on the critical issue of DER interconnection. The Northeast edition of this event will cover the unique challenges facing New York and New England.  

The event also revealed an impressive lineup of keynote speakers featuring Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee, Rhode Island PUC Commissioner Abigail Anthony, New York State Energy and Research Authority (NYSERDA) President & CEO Doreen Harris, National Grid COO, Electric for New England, Nicola Medlova, and Nexamp CEO Zaid Ashai.  

Register to attend here.

“As Rhode Island continues to enhance its renewable energy production to meet the goals outlined in the landmark Act on Climate legislation, I am proud that we have partners like the GridTECH Connect Forum to ensure that our objective of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is met,“ Governor McKee said. 

Interconnection is one of the chief pain points facing the energy transition today. It ties utilities, developers, and regulators together unlike any other issue. High costs and prolonged timelines threaten state and federal climate goals while stunting economic activity. 

“Interconnection is one of the most challenging issues facing the distributed generation industry today, and the only way to overcome these obstacles is to gather all the stakeholders for an honest, thoughtful discussion about how we work together to get more renewable energy onto the grid,” said Zaid Ashai, CEO of Nexamp. “This is one of the reasons we are honored to be the Host Developer for the inaugural GridTECH Connect Forum Northeast in October. With a national portfolio of projects, we have seen the benefits of integrated planning and communication. This event will help improve grid modernization efforts in the Northeast.” 

Brian Schuster, head of external affairs for Rhode Island Energy, which is serving as the co-host utility for the event alongside National Grid, echoed the excitement surrounding this unique opportunity to bring together key stakeholders.

“The energy landscape, especially here in the Northeast, is rapidly evolving,” Schuster said. “As a host utility for this year’s GridTECH Connect Forum in Newport, Rhode Island we see this as a unique opportunity to bring together key stakeholders from across the region to collaborate with one another and identify new pathways and partnerships to help modernize our electric grid and expedite the clean energy transition. Time is of the essence and utilities, policymakers, regulators, and private sector players can all benefit from hearing and sharing different perspectives at this event.” 

The U.S. Department of Energy kicks off the GridTECH Connect Forum – Northeast event with a full-day, technical boot camp. Rarely engaging in a proactive and collaborative environment, utilities and developers will work together to find efficiencies and improve DER interconnection. Participants are invited to attend an opening reception following the boot camp.  

“By bringing together key stakeholders who will help create our clean-energy future, the GridTECH Connect Forum creates a unique platform to discuss critical grid technologies,” said New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris. “I look forward to sharing how New York is harnessing distributed solar and other resources to reach 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040—and it will be great to connect with partners from other states and sectors about how we are moving toward our collective climate goals.” 

Efficiently integrating clean, distributed energy resources is a key challenge for regulators.

“Distributed generation stands as one of the fastest growing sectors of Rhode Island’s economy, but developers face the daunting challenges of siting pressure, supply chain obstacles, and higher borrowing costs,” said Rhode Island PUC Commissioner Abigail Anthony, who will participate in the event’s keynote. “Although these challenges are beyond the control of state utility regulators, our crucial role lies in ensuring that retail electricity markets send price signals that optimize the power system’s efficiency and support sustainable growth for distributed generation. The collective voices within the GridTECH Connect Forum are instrumental in striking the right balance between market efficiency and the industry’s imperative for smooth, predictable price signals for interconnection.”

Stephanie Kolodziej, Vice President of Clarion Energy added, “Making interconnection easier is the key to meeting our nation’s clean energy goals. If interconnection reform does not happen, increased costs and slower development will persist. Together, we can drive innovation, foster collaboration, and make a lasting impact on the grid transformation in Rhode Island and beyond.” 

For more information and to register for GridTECH Connect Forum, visit gridtechconnect.com. 

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About Clarion Energy 

Clarion Energy is part of Clarion Events. With over 30 events in addition to media properties that cover the oil, gas, power and energy sectors, Clarion Energy is one of Clarion’s largest portfolios. Learn more here: us.clarionevents.com.