Clean energy enthusiasts, professionals, and researchers, mark your calendars! The highly anticipated 2024 State Energy Conference (SEC) of North Carolina is set to take place on April 23 and 24, 2024, at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh. Hosted by NC State University’s Office of Professional Development and the NC Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC), this annual two-day extravaganza promises to be a pivotal event for the energy industry.

Now in its 22nd year, the SEC has established itself as the premier forum for exploring and discussing energy issues not only within North Carolina but also on a national scale. With over 800 clean energy professionals expected to attend, this conference is a melting pot of innovative ideas, industry insights, and unparalleled networking opportunities.

Matt Abele, Executive Director of the NC Sustainable Energy Association, shared, “I’m especially looking forward to this year’s State Energy Conference, given the transformative period we’re currently in as it relates to energy. Now’s the time where the rubber meets the road on our path to decarbonizing energy generation. I’m anticipating some great conversations about the future of our electricity generation mix and the role that customers play in meeting increased demand moving forward. All in all, this year is a great year to attend if you’re interested in new generation technologies, federal funding, economic development and private investment, and the role that public policy plays in shaping the electricity sector.”

Why should you attend?

Sessions at the SEC will examine the impacts of energy technologies, policy and finance on customers at all levels of the energy marketplace:

• Commercial & Multi-family Buildings
• Clean Transportation
• Governmental & Institutional Buildings
• Innovative Technology & Deployment
• Residential Homes
• Renewable Energy
• Utilities & Infrastructure
• Industrial Buildings

With over 30 different sessions spread across six tracks, attendees will have the opportunity to tailor their experience to their specific interests and expertise. From keynote speakers to concurrent sessions and specialized tracks, the SEC offers a comprehensive agenda designed to provide actionable insights and foster collaboration on a myriad of topics crucial to the energy landscape.

“Personally, I find tremendous value each year attending the State Energy Conference, given the depth and breadth of content, speakers, and attendees. The SEC is unlike any other conference attend, given that as an attendee you have the opportunity to meet policy professionals, utilities, clean energy developers, building and fleet managers, and government representatives to name a few,” said Abele. “It’s not often that you’re getting all of these different perspectives in the room to talk about the future of our energy landscape.”

Key Themes

Delving into key themes such as renewable energy pathways, clean transportation solutions, and cutting-edge technology deployments, the conference will explore the transformative impact of clean energy across various sectors. Discussions will range from energy efficiency best practices to infrastructure development and the crucial role of policy frameworks in driving sustainable change.

The topics covered in several conference sessions will build on the collaborative efforts of states, utilities, policymakers and industry stakeholders driving profound transformations in the clean energy landscape. Attendees will explore roadmaps aimed at meeting escalating electricity demand while simultaneously achieving decarbonization targets, laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and resilient future. Moreover, the conference will shed light on the burgeoning opportunity for distributed energy resource aggregation and the integration of microgrids, which promise to decentralize energy resources and revolutionize energy management practices.

“As we gear up for the 2024 State Energy Conference, I’m thrilled to see the focus on decarbonization taking center stage,” shared Steve Kalland, Executive Director of NCCETC. “Decarbonization by 2050 is a monumental goal, and this year’s conference will play a pivotal role in charting our course towards achieving it. Virtual power plants, distributed energy resources, offshore wind, and nuclear energy are all integral pieces of this puzzle. Our conference sessions will delve into how we can seamlessly integrate these technologies into our electrical grid, ensuring they coexist harmoniously to build a resilient and robust energy infrastructure for the future.”

Engage with Industry Leaders

Whether you’re interested in the latest advancements in microgrids and virtual power plants or seeking to navigate the evolving landscape of clean energy financing and business models, the SEC provides a dynamic platform to engage with industry leaders and innovators. It’s an opportunity to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and contribute to the collective effort toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Attendees will be able to explore the exhibit hall during networking breaks at SEC. Some of the exhibitors for the 2024 conference include Dominion Energy, FlexGen, BlueRidge Power, ElectriCities, NC Electric Cooperatives, Sun Tribe Development, Itron, HDR Inc., NC Department of Environmental Quality State Energy Office, SolarEquity, Center for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering, Pike Electric, LLC, Dewberry, Duke Energy, NextEra Energy Resources, and more. Visit this link to see the exhibit hall layout with all of this year’s exhibitors.

Matt Abele also shared why the NC Sustainable Energy Association participates in the conference each year. “The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association prioritizes the State Energy Conference each year as a way to stay on top of the latest energy trends in the state, gather ideas for new innovative clean energy policies and programs, and network with the leading influencers across the electricity, buildings, and transportation sectors,” he said.

On Tuesday, April 23, there will be a networking reception in the exhibit hall from 5:00-6:30pm for all conference attendees sponsored by the Women’s Energy Network Carolina Chapter. The SEC is dedicated to fostering meaningful connections among all members of the clean energy industry, including underserved and underrepresented communities. Through strategic partnerships with organizations like the Women’s Energy Network, we aim to enhance engagement with these vital stakeholders. 

Continuing Education Credits

For professionals such as engineers, architects, energy managers, auditors, planners, and others, attending sessions in person offers the added benefit of earning continuing education credits. Learn more about continuing education credits offered by the 2024 State Energy Conference of NC online. 

What’s on the agenda?

Embedded within the fabric of SEC is a robust planning committee, comprising non-profit organizations, academic institutions, companies and utilities. This diverse committee sets the foundation for the conference, ensuring the agenda and conference theme is constructed with input from stakeholders representing various facets of the energy marketplace.

Meeting at least 2-3 times a year, the committee engages in brainstorming sessions to craft the conference’s overarching theme, tracks and general outline of topics that can be covered based on what’s up and coming in the industry.  Additionally, they review submissions from the call for topics (typically submissions are requested during September through mid-November), identifying pertinent subjects for conference sessions that resonate with the evolving needs of the industry. Finally, the committee suggests and brainstorms keynote topics and potential keynote speakers. 

The NC Clean Energy Technology Center would like to recognize and thank the participating organizations  of the planning committee that helped organize the 2024 conference: Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster, NC Sustainable Energy Association, Schneider Electric, Duke Energy, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperative, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy, Southeastern Wind Coalition, ElectriCities, Advanced Energy, North Carolina Justice Center, Western Carolina University, Appalachian Energy Center, NC State University FREEDM Systems Center, East Carolina University, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC).

Interested in being a part of the planning committee for 2025? Contact Shannon Helm at shannon_helm@ncsu.edu for more information.   

The conference features an impressive lineup of keynote speakers and plenaries, covering topics such as the future of clean energy generation, clean energy manufacturing, innovative utility programs, and distributed resources. Additionally, attendees can choose from a wide array of sessions across various tracks, including Residential Homes, Clean Transportation, Commercial & Multi-Family Buildings, Governmental & Institutional Buildings, Renewable Energy, Utilities & Infrastructure, and Innovative Technology and Deployment.

Keynote Speakers & Plenaries

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Morning Keynote Plenary: The Future of North Carolina Utility Scale Clean energy generation – Can customer needs and carbon goals be met?

Luncheon Keynote: How Clean Energy Manufacturing is Set to Transform North Carolina

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Morning Keynote Plenary: The Intersection of Insurance and Clean Energy: Risk Reductions to Facilitate Decarbonization

Luncheon Keynote: Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast — The Current and Future State of Distributed Resources in North Carolina

You can find more information about all of the keynote speakers featured in conference plenaries on the website.

Conference Tracks & Sessions

Track: Residential Homes/Clean Transportation

Weatherization Woes; Speed Dating for Solutions

The State of Affordable Housing and LMI Landscapes

Demystifying Solar for All: Understanding the Contracting Process

Expanding Access to Electric Transportation Throughout North Carolina

Innovative Financing of Clean Transportation Projects

Track: Commercial & Industrial Buildings

Commercial Energy Code Review

EV Charging Retrofits for Multifamily and Commercial Buildings

Energy Efficiency & Best Practices in Multi-Family Development: Case Studies

The Future of the Commercial Office Environment: Best Practices for Design in a Work-from-Home World

Technology Innovations in Commercial Buildings and Multifamily Housing

Track: Governmental & Institutional Buildings

Executive Order 80 Update – 5 Year Check-In: How Have Agencies Progressed Toward Their Goals?

Solar Funding Models for the Public Sector

Bi-Directional EVSE Technology

Virtual Energy Auditing: How far can you get without taking a step?

Empowering Energy-Efficient Design: Long-Term Energy Efficiency in New Construction

Track: Renewable Energy

Pathways to Carbon Compliance: Progress & Necessary Actions

The Boomerang Effect: How to Re-accelerate NC’s Clean Energy Leadership

Perceptions and Experiences of Clean Energy in Rural and Urban Communities – Fact v. Fiction

Reliably Meeting our Growing Electricity Demand

Meeting Customer Needs – The Necessary Programs, Regulatory Structures, and Business Models

Track: Utilities & Infrastructure

Virtual Power Plants: The Opportunity for Distributed Energy Resource Aggregation

Market Structures for the Energy Transition

North Carolina’s Generation Mix: What Do We Need to Meet the Demands of a Next-Generation Power System?

The Role of Electric Cooperatives and Municipal Utilities in Power Decarbonization

Connecting to the Grid: How Do We Build Out North Carolina’s Transmission System?

Track: Innovative Technology and Deployment

Microgrids: The Future of Energy Management

Energy Innovations and Their Role in Shaping Tomorrow’s Landscape

DC Fast Charging: Lessons Learned and Opportunities for Collaboration

Decarbonizing Industry: Exploring Strategies and Solutions

Innovative Business Models in Clean Energy

View the entire conference agenda online for more information about session times and descriptions. The website is updated continuously with new speakers and revised content, so check back often! If you do not currently receive conference emails, sign up here in order to stay updated! 

Don’t miss out!

Join us at the 2024 State Energy Conference of North Carolina to learn about new energy solutions and best practices helping to drive a diverse energy mix in our state. With more than 800 attendees expected, this is your opportunity to engage with industry experts, explore innovative technologies, and share the future of energy in North Carolina.

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the energy discussion in North Carolina. Learn about new energy solutions and best practices helping to drive a diverse energy mix in our state. Advanced registration closes on April 17 for a reduced price. Walk-in registration is allowed. Full details can be found on the conference website.