An initiative of Clean Energy NH
2021
The Local Energy Solutions Conference is the event of the year for local energy champions, policymakers, municipal officials, town staff, regulators, and industry representatives. The event is hosted by Clean Energy NH and the LES Workgroup.
October 8th, 2021 at the Grappone Center in Concord, NH
Thank you for coming!
Recorded Sessions are Available to All Attendees
About
Hosted by Clean Energy NH & the Local Energy Solutions Workgroup, the LES Conference is the only event of its kind that delivers the latest topics and knowledge from leading experts, innovative ideas and best practices, and best-of-the best networking opportunities.
The LES Conference has been hailed as the "go-to event of the year" and is known as the premiere conference for energy in NH, selling out each year.
The LES Conference delivers knowledge far beyond that of traditional renewable energy generation. Topics include clean energy & energy efficiency policies and technologies, cutting-edge technologies and case-studies such as energy storage, micro grids, & beneficial electrification, building infrastructure & housing, clean tech and emerging sectors, electric vehicles and sustainable transportation, planning, zoning, & community best practices, and beyond!
The LES Conference will feature a hybrid model this year, with virtual attendee options!
Have an Electric Vehicle you would like to show off at the conference?
We are offering owners of electric vehicles preferred parking next to the entrance of the conference center - if you want to bring, and show off your vehicle, please contact us for more information!
Worried about Covid? (We are too)
We at CENH are committed to providing a safe conference experience to anyone who hopes to attend. That is why we have committed to providing an option to attend the conference digitally or in-person.
Digital attendees will have the opportunity to watch our keynote and a curated selection of the panels live throughout the day.
All attendees will have access to recorded versions of all of the panels after the fact.
In addition, for the safety of in person attendees, the LES Conference will be following best practice COVID-19 safety measures for the 2021 conference:
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We ask that all in-person attendees be fully vaccinated.
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All attendees must wear masks when at the event, with the exception of when eating or drinking, or when outdoors and at a distance.
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Lunch will be provided "on-the-go" so you can eat in a manner that feels safe to you, such as outdoors while enjoying the EV expo.
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All attendees will be required to fill out the CDC Self Check at registration.
Additionally, the Grappone Conference Center has improved their COVID safety measures as well:
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Increased deep cleaning, Including our UV sanitizing robot, Mr. Belvedere.
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17-foot ceilings with increased air handling and state of the art air filters that filtrate fresh air every 3 minutes.
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Limited room capacity where applicable.
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Hand sanitizer stations.
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COVID safe catering.
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Masks are required by all Grappone staff.
Clean Energy NH will stay abreast of all local health guidance, and will make modifications to our event plan as needed.
Stats
The LES Conference hosts 350+ attendees from across the Northeast, over 50 expert speakers & presenters, and dozens of top-notch sponsors & exhibitors.
Local Students, Local Energy Solutions
Webinar. October 7th, 11am.
Students at Hanover High School have developed a climate action plan: a roadmap for how to reduce their school's admissions greenhouse gas emissions by 77 percent by 2050.
This was a student-led initiative, and is the first of its kind for a high school in the entire United States. In this session, the students and their advisors will discuss how the plan was imagined and brought to fruition, and how it continues to evolve today. Attendees will come away with practical lessons for how to replicate Hanover's success at their own school.
Attendance to this session and virtual attendance to the entire Local Energy Solutions conference is free to current High School Students.
Recordings Available On our Events Page!
Agenda
Tracks and Sessions
Keynote Speaker:
Elizabeth Wilson of the Irving Institute for Energy and Society
Dr. Elizabeth J. Wilson is a Professor of Environmental Studies and the inaugural Director of the Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society. She studies how energy systems are changing in the face of new technologies and new societal pressures. Her work focuses on the implementation of energy and environmental policies and laws in practice. She studies how institutions support and thwart energy system transitions and focuses on the interplays between technology innovation, policy creation, and institutional decision making. Recent research has examined how energy policy stakeholders view the opportunities and challenges of creating smart grids and decision making within Regional Transmission Organizations, which manage the transmission planning, electricity markets and grid operations of over 70 percent of North America. Her research has also examined how stakeholders in different U.S. states view emerging energy technologies like wind power and carbon-capture and sequestration and the electric power transmission system. Her recent books include Energy Law and Policy and Smart Grid (R)evolution: Electric Power Struggles. Wilson's research group is working on two NSF supported grants on media and stakeholder perceptions of Smart Grid technologies and on decision making in Regional Transmission Organizations.
Community Leadership
Community Power Panel 10:30 - 11:45am
Community Power was the hot topic of 2020 and 2021, but what does that mean for New Hampshire, and who is facilitating it? Hear from the top 3 Community Power Providers in the state in a Community Power Panel! Including a chance to ask questions live.
Location: Ballroom
Moderator: Amanda Gokee
Speakers: Henry Herndon (Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire), Bart Fromuth (Freedom Energy Logistics), Bob Hayden (Standard Power)
Local Clean Energy Success Stories 1:15-2:30pm
Communities around NH are investing in a clean energy future, from solar arrays to efficient housing projects, learn about how NH is moving towards a more effiecient, cost effective future!
Location: Concord Room
Moderators: Melissa Elander (Clean Energy NH) & Sarah Brock (Vital Communities)
Speakers: David Van Houten (Chair of The Bethlehem Energy Commission), Ray Danforth (Shelburne Energy Committee), Andrea Hodson (Harrisville Energy Aggregation Committee), Jim Norse (Sustainable Lyme), Emily Manns (Peterborough Energy Committee)
Local Energy Action! 3:00 - 4:15pm
This session will provide a roadmap for municipalities to succeed in local energy efforts. Presentations will be given by representatives from The Monadnock Sustainability Hub, Vital Communities, Clean Energy NH, and ReVision Energy.
Location: Concord Room
Speakers: Annie Henry (Monadnock Sustainability Hub), Sarah Brock (Vital Communities), Josh Singer (Clean Energy NH) , Melissa Elander (Clean Energy NH), Dan Weeks ( ReVision Energy)
Infrastructure and Transportation
Clean Transportation Infrastructure Investments: Paving the Way for Transportation Electrification
10:30 - 11:45am
Transportation emissions continue to be the largest source of greenhouse gases. Electrification is the available and affordable technology to significantly reduce emissions from this sector. Municipalities can help pave the way by electrifying their own fleets and establishing practices and policies that will encourage local charging infrastructure and enable the use of EVs in your communities by both residents and businesses. Hosted by the Granite State Clean Cities Coalition, this session will highlight concrete steps municipalities can take to lead the charge, and end with an EV Showcase and Ride-and-Drive event in the parking lot.
Location: Pierce
Moderators: Jessica Wilcox (Granite State Clean Cities Coalition)
Speakers: Barry Woods (ReVision Energy), Bruce Clendenning (The Nature Conservancy), Jessica Wilcox (Granite State Clean Cities Coalition) , Brian Morris (Eversource), Jackson Kaspari (Dover), Timothy White (NHDES)
Grid of the Future 1:15 - 2:30pm
The US electrical grid has been described as the world's largest machine, one which historically generated, transmitted, and distributed power to meet immediate need for lighting, pumps, motors, and other equipment, with limited capacity to store energy. How can we smoothly transform this 100+ year-old infrastructure in the timeframe necessary to address climate change while equitably meeting the needs of residents, business, and manufacturers? Topics will include interconnection of clean renewable energy,
storage integration, and providing energy for electrified building and transportation sectors.
Location: Ballroom
Moderator: Matt Siska (GDS Associates)
Speakers: Dr. Elizabeth Mettetal (Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc. (E3), Brian Callnan (NH Electric Cooperative)
BYOS and More - Storage Developments in the Granite State 3:00 - 4:15pm
Energy storage adoption is growing steadily around the country, but what is New Hampshire doing to support the adoption of storage that often pairs so well with renewable energy generation and a more modern, resilient grid? This session features updates on the behind the meter storage programs, utility scale storage, and demand response programs actively serving the region's electric grid. Join to learn where New Hampshire stands and where we may be going with energy storage and demand response!
Location: Ballroom
Moderator: Kelly Buchanan (Clean Energy NH)
Speakers: Heather Tebbets (Liberty Utilities), Brian Callanan (NH Electric Co-op), Alex Tang (TRC), Rachel Goldwasser (Key Capture Energy)
Pathways to Efficient and Affordable Housing
The Role of High Performance Homes in NH's Clean Energy Future 10:30 - 11:45am
Buildings need to be a major area of focus for a successful energy transition. As the housing boom in New Hampshire continues, it’s critical that all new homes are designed and constructed in a manner that is consistent with NH’s long term energy, carbon, and resiliency goals. This session will talk through the design principles and strategies, as well as the key technologies that can be utilized in order to develop high performance, resilient homes that are well equipped for a fossil fuel free future. We’ll also discuss non-energy benefits and cover case studies from real-world projects. Attendees will leave with a series of key principles that can be implemented at the policy level or in practice.
Location: Webster
Moderators: Jamie Bemis (Verdani Partners)
Speakers: Andrew Dey (Unity Homes) , Bryan Felice (Undustrial Timber Frames), Laura Samoisette (Resilient Buildings Group), Jake Gehrung (LEED For Homes AP) Jamie Bemis (Verdani Partners)
NHSaves: Serving Low and Moderate Income Granite Staters 1:15 - 2:30pm
Reducing the energy bills of low to moderat income granite staters is not always straightforward. Landlords and property owners don't always pay heating and electricity bills of their tenants, and don't necessarily have the incentive to engage with NH Saves. How do we bridge that gap, and how can ensure that our efficieny programs reach more NH residents of modest means.
Location: Webster
Moderator: Sam Evans Brown (Clean Energy NH)
Speakers: Frank Melanson (Eversource), Chris Vought (Belknap/Merrimack Community Action Program), Dana Nute (Resilient Buildings Group)
Next Generation Efficiency Regulation Design
3:00 - 4:15pm
How much energy will a given energy efficiency upgrade save? It's a question that's surprisingly difficult to answer. However, program designs can incorporate innovative features to try to give us more data to inform better policy. Hear from a program administrator, a regulator and an academic how to incorporate actual randomized, controlled experiments to reveal how much bang we're truly getting for our bucks.
Location: Webster
Moderator: Sam Evans Brown (Clean Energy NH)
Speakers: Chris Knittel (MIT), Tracey Dyke-Redmond (Eversource), Brian Buckley (NH Dept. of Energy)
Policy
Legislative and Regulatory Roundup 10:30 - 11:45am
2021 flashed by in a blur. Are you curious about what happened at the New Hampshire State House and Public Utilities Commission this year? This session will help you catch up on all things energy policy, including the expansion of net metering for municipal projects, the creation of a Department of Energy in NH, the statewide energy efficiency plan, and what to expect in 2022.
Location: Merrimack
Moderators: Sam Evans Brown (Clean Energy NH)
Speakers: Jim Monahan (The Dupont Group), Heidi Kroll (Gallagher, Callahan, Gartrell), Huck Montgomery (Liberty Utilities), Madeleine Mineau (Essex Hydro)
The Federal Infrastructure Plan 1:15 - 2:30pm
The entire energy policy world is holding its breath to see what comes out of Washington D.C. this fall. A panel of congressional staffers will bring us the latest of what we might expect from the Biden administration's big push on the clean energy transition
Location: Merrimack
Moderator: Eli Emerson (Primmer)
Speakers: Charlotte Harris (Staff for Rep. Kuster), Kerry Holmes (Staff for Sen. Hassan)
Data Informed Energy Policy 3:00 - 4:15pm
In today’s technology and data driven world, most Granite Staters still have difficulty accessing their energy use data. The settlement achieved in NH Public Utilities Commission docket DE 19-197 established a sound foundation for the creation of a statewide, multi-use online energy data platform. Join this session and learn about how readily accessible energy data can help individuals, businesses, and communities unlock innovation, energy efficiency, and new clean energy technologies.
Location: Merrimack
Moderator: Henry Herndon (Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire)
Speakers: Don Kreis (Office of the Consumer Advocate), Ethan Goldman (Resilient Edge Inc.), Rep. Kat McGhee (House Science, Technology and Energy), Justin Eisfeller (Unitil)
Local Energy Solutions and Clean Energy NH would like to thank our generous Sponsors for supporting the conference!
Platinum Level Sponsors
Energy efficiency is a vital part of keeping New Hampshire’s residents, businesses and towns economically successful, now and in the future. NHSaves provides New Hampshire customers with information, incentives and support designed to save energy, reduce costs, and protect our environment statewide.
ReVision Energy is a local, employee-owned solar company on a mission to transition New Hampshire from fossil fuels to solar energy combined with battery storage, heat pumps, and electric vehicle charging. As a Certified B Corporation, ReVision is part of a global movement using business as a force for good to solve social and environmental issues. ReVision Energy is the region's most experienced solar company and is ranked #1 Rooftop Installer in New England by Solar Power World Magazine. ReVision Energy was voted a Best in Business by NH Business Review in 2021, and was named a "Best for the World" company by B Labs. Learn more at revisionenergy.com.
Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC is a New England-based law firm focused on meeting the legal needs of businesses, institutions, organizations and high net worth individuals throughout the region and across state or national borders. The firm offers deep expertise in a wide range of legal services, providing clients with a convenient, single source of legal counsel across disciplines. The firm’s many practice areas offer a broad base of knowledge and insight to assist clients.
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Calpine Energy Solutions, LLC, is a licensed retail energy provider in every deregulated state and one of the largest energy suppliers in North America. The company is also a leading provider of back office and customer support services to community choice aggregators, including retail data management and billing services, big data analytics, grid-edge insights, call center and retail customer solutions. t
Gold Level Sponsors
Silver Level Sponsors
Bronze Level Sponsors
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SPONSOR
Are you interested in sponsoring the 2022 LES Conference?
Contact us for sponsorship levels, information, and early bird pricing!