CalNEXT Innovation Nexus - August 26 in Irwindale

The CalNEXT Innovation Nexus is our inaugural in-person event. The event will create a space to explore how emerging technologies and utility programs can contribute to California’s energy efficiency goals. We will present CalNEXT project findings and connect research to potential outcomes for developing and utilizing new technologies.

Join us to share big ideas for California’s energy future!

There is no cost to register for this event.

Keynote Speaker

Gene Rodrigues
former Assistant Secretary of Energy for Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability at the Department of Energy

Speakers

Brian Stonerock
Director of Advanced Energy Solutions at Southern California Edison

Derek Okada
Senior Fellow with CalNEXT

Carey Oster
Associate Director for CalNEXT

Agenda

8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Welcome and Networking

9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
CalNEXT’s Big Ideas for California’s Energy Future

9:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
The Future We’re Building: Towards California’s Clean Energy Future
Speaker: Brian Stonerock, Director of Advanced Energy Solutions at Southern California Edison

9:15 a.m. to 9:35 a.m.
KEYNOTE | Our Energy Future: Opportunity, Innovation, and Scale
Speaker: Gene Rodrigues, former Assistant Secretary of Energy for Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability at the Department of Energy

9:35 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.
CalNEXT’s Role Bringing Technologies to California’s Customers
Speaker: Derek Okada, Senior Fellow with CalNEXT

10:00 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.
Break

10:20 a.m.  to 12:00 noon
Panel Session

10:20 a.m. to 11:10 a.m.
Panel 1: Moving Emerging Technologies into the Market
Speaker information coming soon

11:10 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Panel 2: Bridging the Gap Between Product Innovation and Program Adoption
A conversation between manufacturers and program implementers. Speaker information coming soon

12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.
Break for lunch

1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Emerging Technologies and Pathways to Impact

1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
The Emerging Technologies Roadmap: CalNEXT Outlook and Building Together
Speaker: Carey Oster, Associate Director for CalNEXT
Collaborative Workshop

1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Real-World Impacts of CalNEXT: Poster Session
Project details coming soon

2:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Break

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The CalNEXT Road from Ideas to Implementation

Breakout Session
Suggestions on Scoring High with your Emerging Technologies Project Proposal

Breakout Session
Designing Tech Transfer Plans that Expand Project Impact

This page will be updated regularly. Additional information will also be communicated via email. Sign up for our mailing list here.

Wednesday

August

26

2026

8:30 A.M. – 5:00 p.m. PT

In-person event

Join CalNEXT this summer at our in-person event at the Energy Education Center in Irwindale, California. Registration is free, reserve your spot now.