Holistic Transmission and Renewable Energy Planning for Southeast Renewable Energy Projects (1:25pm-2:30 pm)

It is no secret that much of the growth of renewables in the Southeast has come as a result of unused transmission capacity in many cases making interconnections relatively cheap to implement. However, the introduction of massive amounts of renewables is rapidly exhausting that surplus, much as it has across other regions. In response FERC has launched a NOPR proceeding investigating how to establish a more holistic planning process for transmission that incorporates prospective regional renewable energy development. While primarily focused on RTO and ISO markets, many of the principles proposed are being investigated by regulators and transmission owners across the Southeast. This panel will discuss the possible solutions for building regional transmission that better meets the needs of renewable energy deployment.

• What innovative ways to plan and study transmission options have been proposed?
• Could a more holistic approach better optimize where transmission and renewable energy is built?
• Could adding load such as a battery obviate some of the need for additional line capacity when there is high demand in load centers?
• Could making the energy supply conversation more inclusive of consumers such as cyber miners help in peak load situations?
• What is being learned in the first queue reform studies being conducted in NC & SC?

Moderator: Benjamin L. Snowden, Partner, Fox Rothschild LLP

Panelists:
Kenneth Jennings, General Manager, Renewable Integration and Operations, Duke Energy
Tyler H. Norris, Vice President of Development, Cypress Creek Renewables
Waheed Oyekanmi, Manager, Transmission & Interconnection, Total Energies
Corey Sellers, General Manager of Transmission Policy & Services / Energy Policy, Southern Company and Operating Committee, Seem

Dealing with Heightened Cost and Market Risks in Corporate Procurements (3:00pm-3:55pm)

Corporate procurements of renewable energy are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Cost, schedule and energy price risks are increasing in sometimes unpredictable ways due to both supply chain issues and runups in natural gas fuel and REC prices. Offtakers are realizing that price curves are changing, and that certain risks might need to be taken to moderate the energy cost impacts of projected rate increases. How are developers and corporate energy managers approaching these risks? This panel will explore the development strategies, contracting methods and risk allocations being used in today’s market.

• What is going on with merchant vs long-term vs short-term PPA pricing?
• What is causing already awarded or executed PPAs to be jeopardized?
• How are existing PPAs being renegotiated?
• What types of approaches are being taken in contracts to limit risk exposure and deal with cost and schedule uncertainties?
• How is the growing sophistication of many energy buyers affecting policy and procurement landscapes?
• What will managers and investors and boards need to see to put hundreds of millions in new development projects?

Moderator: M. Gray Styers Jr., Partner, Fox Rothschild LLP

Panelists:
Alain Brisebois, President, CWP Energy Solutions
Matt Cox, President, Powder Day Capital LLC
Erik Ejups, Associate Director, Origination & Power Marketing, EDF Renewables
Laura Teske, Renewable Energy Manager, Meta
Chris Thurston, Director, Field Finance, Lineage Logistics

Please note there is a cost to attend.