Speakers and Presentations for Breakout Session 1 / 9:30- 10:15 AM
Ralph Muehleisen
Room Connect C-1 Recent and Coming Advances in Heat Pumps
As part of building and industrial electrification, electric heat pumps are replacing gas driven furnaces and boilers for hot water, space, and low-temperature processing heating. While the current generation of heat pumps are able to replace residential furnaces and low temperature radiant heating boilers, replacement of higher temperature furnaces and boilers has been problematic. Research and development of new technologies at the DOE National Laboratories and in industry are creating a new generation of high temperature and wide temperature range heat pumps capable of replacing larger gas driven furnaces and boilers. This presentation will review the current state of the art in heat pumps and give a sneak peek at what is in the research labs and will be coming to market soon.
BIO
Dr. Ralph T. Muehleisen is the Chief Building Scientist and Buildings and Industrial Technologies Group Leader in the Energy Systems and Infrastructure Analysis Division at Argonne National Lab. At Argonne, Dr. Muehleisen leads research to increase the energy efficiency, sustainability, and resiliency of the built environment while improving the quality of life and return on investment for citizens. His current project portfolio includes R&D related to building energy modeling, future weather data, tools and technologies for decarbonizing the built environment, and decarbonization strategy development and analysis for cities, countries, and continents.
Alan Eber
Room Connect C-3 Energy Efficiency and the Mission of Healthcare
Eneration, the team behind Gundersen's achievement of energy independence, will present on the evolving landscape of healthcare and the growing alignment of energy efficiency and renewable energy with healthcare's mission. Using Gundersen and other health systems as examples, we will explore readily implementable efficiency measures in healthcare that incur minimal costs. We will highlight renewable energy projects that not only enhance financial performance but also reduce reliance on fossil fuels and foster local partnerships. Additionally, we will discuss newly constructed health facilities designed, built, and operated to be all-electric and achieve net-zero energy consumption. These case studies will delve into the processes, technologies, and challenges involved in these pioneering projects.
BIO
Alan Eber is responsible for overall operational leadership and strategy development for Eneration. Eneration’s mission is to reduce the cost of health care and improving community health by providing sustainable energy management to healthcare system around the US. Before accepting this position, Alan was the Director of Facility Operations for the Gundersen Health System. In this role he had overall leadership for execution and strategy development responsibilities for the Facility Maintenance, Energy & Engineering, Facility Planning & Construction, Security, Environmental Compliance, and Environment of Care departments. Prior to that role Alan was the Engineering & Energy Manager for Gundersen Health System where he played a significant role in helping Gundersen achieve energy independence. Before joining Gundersen in 2010, Alan was employed by Trane as Product Engineering Manager. Alan holds a BSME from the University of Wisconsin Madison, an MBA from Viterbo University, and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.
Daniel Steinhardt
Room Collaborate A Demystifying Solar Integration: Understanding Benefits, Proposals, Battery Integration, and Regulatory Landscape
The integration of solar energy into the grid presents an invaluable opportunity for organizations to manage their energy costs both in the present and future. However, pervasive misconceptions and a lack of understanding often hinders adoption or leads to ineffective solutions. Our presentation will demystify solar offerings with 3 key objectives.
1.Explain in concrete terms how to start navigating through the intricate details of feasibility assessments, cost projections, and system designs.
2. More importantly, we will focus on the pivotal and changing role of battery technology within solar infrastructure and the current regulatory landscape.
3. Address emerging considerations such as the new interconnection process and the challenges posed by distribution congestion on the grid.
By simplifying these complexities, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency experts will be able to evaluate solar integration with the most effective and up to date information possible.
BIO
Dan Steinhardt began his career as a project developer with Arch in 2017. He is a Master Electrician in WI and IL and a NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional. Dan enjoys working in project development because he enjoys seeing our customer’s commitment to renewable energy in Wisconsin. Dan is an active member of the Plymouth Community and is involved in coaching youth soccer, football, and baseball. He is also currently serving as the Vice President of the Plymouth School District Board. When Dan isn’t working, he enjoys camping, fishing, and attending sporting events with his wife and five sons.
Todd Stuart
Room Collaborate B Wisconsin’s Political & Regulatory Energy Trends
This presentation provides an overview of Wisconsin’s rapidly changing generation mix and reliability. There is a tremendous amount of baseload generation retired recently and in the next several years. At the same time, we have expected huge new load growth from data centers and economic development. Wisconsin’s utilities all have record levels of capital expenditures from renewable generation, natural gas and transmission projects. Regulators are facing an increased workload with difficult decisions regarding the pace and rising cost of the energy transition.
BIO
Todd Stuart is executive director of the Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group, Inc. (WIEG). WIEG is a non-profit association of large energy consumers that advocates for policies that drive affordable and reliable energy. WIEG testifies before the Legislature, the Public Service Commission and the Department of Natural Resources in order to control costs for large ratepayers. Stuart has coordinated intervention testimony for utility rate cases, fuel cost plan applications, construction applications and policy dockets before the PSC on behalf of large customers since 2006. Stuart has been appointed by governors of both parties to state government task forces/work groups related to generation, CHP, renewables, low income, conservation and energy efficiency.
Loy E. Sneary
Steven Schrage
Room Collaborate C Making Power from Wasted Heat
Gulf Coast Green Energy, Bay City, Texas will make a presentation on their fuel and emissions free waste heat-to-power industry solutions.
Solutions discussed will be making power from anaerobic digesters, additional fuel efficiencies for large engines, process fluid cooling and using flare gas for a beneficial use (making power). All three applications use wasted heat to produce on-site power which can dramatically reduce emissions and power costs.
The presentation will highlight waste water treatment plant on-site power generation, the successful Dept. of Defense funded project to reduce emissions through reduced fuel consumption for large engines. Highlighted will be the successful flare reduction solution developed in partnership with Hess Corp, Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), Texas A&M and the U.S. Dept. of Energy. Also included will be an overview of power generation from produced water and processed fluids. The presentation will be made by Gulf Coast Green Energy’s CEO Loy Sneary and will include an overview of the projects from design to installation/commissioning, and through the successful sustained operations.
BIO
Loy E. Sneary, CEO of Gulf Coast Green Energy was so impressed with the commercial/environmental promise of the ElectraTherm Power+ GeneratorTM and the opportunity to help companies convert waste heat to electricity, that he left his successful business development consulting practice to lead GCGE. A life-long rancher and successful businessman, Loy has always been an early adopter of innovative technologies. He has spent much of his career at the nexus of industry and government, promoting economic development and improving dialogue between community groups, business organizations, and government. He’s had a distinguished history of public service serving as County Judge, running for Congress and a committee appointee for the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. “What we are doing at GCGE is exciting because we are making it possible for our clients to reduce their Carbon Footprint, enhance their ESG and environmental stewardship objectives while generating low-cost fuel and emission free on-site power”
Steven Schrage is the Sustainability and Resiliency Manager for the City of Appleton, where he leads the city's conservation and climate initiatives. With over 25 years of experience in engineering, project management, energy management, and sustainability, Steven is a recognized expert in his field.
He holds multiple prestigious certifications, including Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Certified Renewable Energy Professional (REP), and Certified Sustainable Development Professional (CSDP). Steven is also actively involved with the Wisconsin Association of Energy Engineers (WAEE) and serves as a board member for the Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition.
In his role with the City of Appleton, Steven drives efforts to enhance environmental sustainability and build community resilience against climate change. His extensive background and leadership in sustainability make him a sought-after speaker, dedicated to advancing best practices and innovative solutions for energy efficiency and climate action.
WISCONSIN ASSOCATION OF ENERGY ENGINEERS
2021 - Wisconsin Association of Energy Engineers - All rights reserved
