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!
This event has reached capacity, and registration is now closed. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].
Gene Rodrigues | former Assistant Secretary of Energy for Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Department of Energy
Gene Rodrigues served in the Biden administration as the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability. Before that, he served as a Vice President in the Energy and Infrastructure practice of ICF International, and as the Senior Director over Southern California Edison’s portfolio of customer clean energy programs. Among other recognition, the California Energy Commission inducted Gene into its California Clean Energy Hall of Fame, the Alliance to Save Energy presented him the Charles H. Percy Award for Public Service, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded him their Climate Leadership Award for Individual Leadership.
Brian Stonerock | Director of Advanced Energy Solutions, Southern California Edison
Derek Okada | Senior Fellow, Energy Solutions
Dom Lempereur | Senior Energy Engineer, Blue Frontier
Curtis Harrington | Director of Engineering, UC Davis Western Cooling Efficiency Center
Akane Karasawa | Principal Engineer, ASK Energy
Kim DiCello | Senior Program Director, CLEAResult
Roch Naleway | Market Development Manager – Utilities, A.O. Smith
Matthew Baker | National Manager – Energy Efficiency and Electrification Programs, Daikin
Meghan Duff | Senior Manager, R&D Projects, AEA
Carey Oster | Associate Director of Emerging Technology, Energy Solutions
Zoe Mies | Project Manager II, Energy Solutions
Gabe Duarte | Senior Project Manager, Energy Solutions
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, Southern California Edison9:15 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, Department of Energy
The energy sector is facing a challenge unlike any in its history: delivering reliable, resilient, secure, and affordable power while meeting unprecedented demands from electrification, economic growth, and evolving climate realities. Nowhere is this challenge more urgent than in California, where the convergence of these forces is driving an imperative innovation unlike any other we have ever seen before.
Drawing on decades of leadership at the highest levels of government, utilities, and the private sector, Gene Rodrigues will share insights on the forces reshaping the energy landscape and the opportunities ahead for building a stronger, more adaptable energy future. Attendees will gain a unique perspective on how industry, government, and communities can work together to meet today’s energy challenges while creating lasting economic and environmental benefits.
9:35 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.
CalNEXT’s Role Bringing Technologies to California’s Customers
Speaker: Derek Okada | Senior Fellow, Energy Solutions
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 MarketSpeakers: Dom Lempereur | Senior Energy Engineer, Blue Frontier
Curtis Harrington | Director of Engineering, UC Davis Western Cooling Efficiency Center
Akane Karasawa | Principal Engineer, ASK EnergyModerator: David Vernon | Director, TRC
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.Speakers: Kim DiCello | Senior Program Director, CLEAResult
Roch Naleway | Market Development Manager – Utilities, A.O. Smith
Matthew Baker | National Manager – Energy Efficiency and Electrification Programs, Daikin
Meghan Duff | Senior Manager of R&D Projects, AEAModerator: Tom Chase | Senior Consultant, VEIC
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 of Emerging Technology, Energy Solutions
Collaborative Workshop1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Real-World Impacts of CalNEXT: Poster Session
Manufactured Housing | Li Ling Young, VEIC
Heat Pump Rooftop Units | Curtis Harrington, UC Davis
Thermal Energy Storage Systems | Akane Karasawa, Franklin Energy/ASK Energy
Commercial Building Automation Systems with Tool Development | David Vernon, TRC
Smart Controls | Eric Noller, ERI
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
Speaker: Zoe Mies | Project Manager II, Energy SolutionsBreakout Session
Expanding Project Impact Through Technology Transfer
Speaker: Gabe Duarte | Senior Project Manager, Energy SolutionsBreakout Session
Energy Education Center Tours
Registration info coming soon3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | 20-person capacity
Heat Pump Water Heater Demand Response Lab
Gain valuable insight into how you can reduce your electricity consumption and help decrease carbon emissions by upgrading your water heater – typically the second-highest source of energy use in residences (after heating and cooling systems).3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | 25-person capacity
Food Technology Center
Discover SCE’s one-of-a-kind demonstration kitchen that showcases the latest energy-efficient commercial foodservice equipment and technologies for restaurants or foodservice facilities.3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. | 20-person capacity
Smart Energy Experience
Get a first-hand look at this full-scale operational demonstration home of tomorrow, and discover how smart grid technologies can help you use energy more efficiently, while also providing smarter, cleaner, more reliable power.
This page will be updated regularly. Additional information will also be communicated via email. Sign up for our mailing list here.
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.