The Montana Renewable Energy Association is excited to host Exploring Energy – a monthly series of virtual, lunch-time presentations exploring energy issues impacting Montana. Join MREA and our guest speakers as we explore topics related to renewable energy technology, tackle the latest trends in energy development, and connect with experts from across the industries and fields working on the future of our energy system.
Each presentation will be hosted on the first Wednesday of the month at 12:00 pm MT when we will explore energy here in the Big Sky and beyond!
>> Please Register in Advance <<
UP NEXT:
June 5, 2024
MREA's Exploring Energy SERIES
Monthly (First Wednesdays) @ 12:00 PM MT
Past Presentations and Recordings
2024
May 1 – Learn Before you Buy: EV Facts and Fiction
Is purchasing an electric vehicle (EV) in your near-term plans? This session covers the evolution of EVs, the difference between hybrid and full electric, and EV facts and fiction you should know before your next vehicle purchase. Understand range, battery life, vehicle manufacturers, charging infrastructure, and solar co-location. Whether you're a first-time EV buyer or curious about how the technology fits with renewable energy, this webinar will provide you with the insights you need to make a smart choice. View slide deck.
April 3 – Organized Energy Markets in the West
Regional electricity markets are independent platforms that facilitate buying, selling, and trading electricity across different geographic areas. Their purpose is to meet electricity demand efficiently and reliably by optimizing existing energy resources. While most the U.S. is organized into regional electric power markets (e.g. MISO, PJM, SPP), most of the Western U.S. is not. Here, we rely on 38 separate balancing authorities.
So why are electricity markets such a hot topic? Multiple studies (and common sense) show that one integrated market footprint in the West can improve energy reliability, significantly reduce costs to utilities and consumers, and integrate more renewable energy resources. At this Exploring Energy Series session, we are joined by the NW Energy Coalition to discuss a cutting-edge markets proposal for our region called the Westwide Governance Pathways Initiative. Learn about the proposal, what it means for renewable energy development, and the role of public interest voices and public involvement. View slide deck.
Guest Speakers: Diego Rivas, Regulatory Counsel, NW Energy Coalition. Ben Otto, Energy Consultant, NW Energy Coalition.
March 6 – The Landscape for EVs and Electric School Buses
As of 2023, Montana had ~4,900 registered EVs on our roads (led by Flathead, Gallatin, Missoula, and Yellowstone counties). But what does the road ahead look like for the future of EVs in Montana? Join Neal Ullman as we cover current trends for light and heavy-duty electric vehicles; highlight expanding access to EV charging station infrastructure; and learn why school districts, fleet managers, and everyday households are making the fuel switch and going electric with their transportation needs. View slide deck.
Guest Speakers: Neal Ullman, Energy Resource Professional, Montana Department of Environmental Quality
February 7 – Accessing Direct Pay for Nonprofits, Churches, and Local Government
Glean hands on guidance for Direct Pay (also referred to as Elective Pay), a federal level mechanism for non-taxable entities (i.e. schools, churches, local and tribal governments, and other nonprofits) to monetize specific clean energy tax credits through the Inflation Reduction Act. If you are part of a non-taxed entity considering a clean energy project, this webinar is for you! View slide deck.
Guest Speakers: Rachel Chang, Center for American Progress
Jaron Goddard, Energy & Climate Solutions Associate, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
2023
December 6 – Clean Energy Neighbors: State of Solar in South Dakota
In this session, we connect with our easterly solar neighbors in South Dakota. Guest Rick Bell shares the results of a recently published Solar Economic Impact Study, conducted by Crossborder Energy. We cover the state of distributed solar generation in South Dakota compared to other neighbor states, the value of solar DG, regulatory analysis, and quantifiable costs and benefits.View the study.
Guest Speakers:
Rick Bell, Sustainable Environmental Energy Engineering, LLC
November 1 – Registered Apprenticeships in Clean Energy
Designing and expanding access to registered apprenticeships across the clean energy sector will position the US economy to realize energy transition benefits and chart a path toward a sustainable future enriched by diverse skills and backgrounds. Learn about how the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) is approaching registered apprenticeships in clean energy, and the pivotal role apprenticeships play in shaping a talented workforce ready to lead. View slide deck.
Guest Speakers:
Richard Lawrence, Program Director, Interstate Renewable Energy Council
October 4 – Solar Permitting
Learn about solar permitting and the development and implementation of SolarApp+, an automated platform designed to streamline residential solar safety and design standards for authorities with jurisdiction. With experts from UL and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), this Exploring Energy presentation covers SolarApp+ functionality and design, applicable case studies, adoption and impact, and practical considerations for the program in the context of Montana's residential solar industry. View slide deck.
Guest Speakers:
Michal Hofkin, Lead Regulatory Engineer for Codes and Regulatory Services, UL Solutions
Katie Nissen, PhD candidate in Political Science and Scientific Computing at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, NREL's Markets and Policy group and AHJ SolarApp+ adoption and onboarding. Emily Dalecki, Renewable Energy Market & Policy Analyst, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
September 6 – Weatherization and Electrification
Improving the shell of your home or business is a must before you electrify. Learn some of the key principles of weatherization, the type of work completed through weatherization, efficiency considerations and choosing the right applicances, and more with educators from the Montana Weatherization Training Center located in Bozeman, MT. No matter your income level, Montana families can achieve cleaner, more efficient energy practices through weatherizing - starting right at home! View slide deck.
Guest Speakers:
Aaron Mugaas, Program Director, Montana Weatherization Training Center
Brian Nickisch, Weatherization Instructor, Montana Weatherization Training Center
August 2 – Reaping Energy Benefits in Ag Country
Farms, ranches, and rural businesses can save money and transform their operations with a shift to renewable resources and efficiency measures. But getting started is often a challenge. Join MREA and USDA-Rural Development Montana Office experts to hear how farmers and ranchers are rising to the occasion, using cleaner power sources, and building a thriving small business environment in ag country. This talk focuses on Rural Energy for America Program Loan Guarantees & Grants (REAP), and *new* program changes designed to make renewable energy and efficiency solutions more accessible to rural Montanans. View slide deck.
Guest Speakers:
Lad Barney, Business & Cooperative Programs Director, USDA-Rural Development (Montana) Daniel Layton, Business Programs Specialist, USDA-Rural Development (Montana)
July 5 – Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X)
As major weather events across the US strain grid reliability, Americans are increasingly interested in the resilience of backup power and the shift toward distributed generation. As EV adoption increases, the question of EV battery to home power and battery to grid capabilities comes to mind. Some EV manufacturers and EV charging port providers boast bidirectional charging capabilities. But what will it actually take for EVs to rev our ride AND power our homes? Join the conversation and stay up to date with this cutting edge EV topic.
Guest Speakers:
Jay Warmke, Author/Educator, SolarPV Training.com
Tony Frisone, Co-founder/CEO CZAR-Power
2022
January 5 – Third Party Financing
Across the country, Americans are using third-party financing to help pay for solar and other distributed generation projects. Third-party financing, like solar leases and power purchase agreements, offers new ways for homes, businesses, schools, libraries, and governments to cover the up-front cost of an installation. For various reasons, third-party financing hasn't taken off in Montana – until now. Join MREA and our guest speakers as we explore the basics of third-party financing, the success other states have had, and how the Missoula County Jail project has demonstrated how this model could work here in Montana.
Guest Speakers:
Jenny Heeter, Senior Energy Analyst, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Diana Maneta, Sustainability Program Manager, Missoula County
February 2 – Nuclear Energy
In Montana, and in states around the U.S., energy experts and decision makers are discussing what role, if any, nuclear energy should play in a clean energy future. Nuclear energy facilities can provide consistent and emissions-free power, but come with a heavy price-tag, including a waste stream that takes thousands of years to become safe. Should nuclear be part of a clean energy future? Can nuclear even be considered ‘clean’? In this month’s webinar, our presenters will discuss the benefits and challenges of nuclear energy in the market today, and how that may impact nuclear development in the coming years.
Guest Speakers:
Don Hyndman, Professor Emeritus of the University of Montana
Scott Williams, former Executive Director of Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah (HEAL Utah)
March 2 – Storage and Batteries
Discussions of renewable energy have increasingly focused on the role of storage, and batteries in particular. If you have your own renewable energy system, or are considering installing one, you also may be wondering how battery storage fits into the picture. What are the options for battery storage? Can battery storage help with resilience in grid outages? How can it enhance the benefits of renewable energy generation? In this month’s webinar, we address these questions and more as we explore the role that storage and batteries can play in small scale renewable energy systems.
Guest Speakers:
Dan Brandborg, Co-Owner of SBS Solar
April 6 – Microgrids
Our current energy system is based on a large, national and regional grid that spans our entire country. However, microgrids – which can provide independent power for a small number of energy customers during outages – are becoming more common as communities seek ways to increase their own grid resilience and security. But what are microgrids? How do they work? And what are their benefits? This month’s presentation discusses the basics of microgrids, the practical aspects of how to fund and finance these projects, and how they fit into our energy future.
Guest Speakers:
Kelsey Jones, Program Manager, Electricity and Energy Security, National Association of State Energy Officials
Alex Pina, Director, Converge Strategies, LLC
Kiera Zitelman, Technical Manager, Center for Partnerships & Innovation, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
May 4 – Commercial-Property Assessed Capital Enhancements (C-PACE)
Commercial – Property Assessed Capital Enhancements (C-PACE) is a new financing option for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Counties across the state are going through the simple process of establishing their participation in the program, which was recently enabled in the 2021 legislative session, and we are excited to focus this month on exploring what that can mean for commercial property owners and the contractors that will be executing their projects. Tune in to learn more about how your community can participate, what commercial properties qualify, and how to become a registered contractor.
Guest Speakers:
Seth Lutter, Associate Director of Montana Facility Finance Authority
Adam Gill, Executive Director of Montana Facility Finance Authority
June 1 – Energy Subsidies
Whether its solar, wind, oil & gas, or coal, financing incentives such as tax breaks and tax credits greatly impact whether an energy project comes to fruition. Financing incentives can also be a tool for our local, state, and federal governments to drive growth in specific industries to create jobs, serve policy goals, and more. These 'subsidies' can be controversial, especially in the political arena, with advocates of their favorite type of energy source complaining that others are unfairly or unnecessarily subsidized. Join us as we identify, discuss, and measure some of the different types of subsidies that various types of energy projects have available to them.
Guest Speakers:
Robin Arnold, Renewable Northwest Project
Dr. Richard Ready, Ph.D., Montana State University
September 7 – Renewable Energy Development on Tribal Lands
Indigenous communities in Montana and across the country are using renewable energy as a means to diminish poverty, mitigate climate change, and promote a self-determined restoration of sovereignty. Join us to hear from our guest speaker, Chéri Smith who is Co-Creator and Managing Director of Indigenized Energy Initiative (IEI). IEI works side-by-side with Native communities to design strategies and projects that help tribal nations move away from fossil fuels and towards clean, modern, and regenerative energy systems.
Guest Speakers:
Chéri Smith, Indigenized Energy Initiative
October 5 – Meet and Greet with the Executive Director
This month we will meet with Makenna Sellers, MREA's new executive director, for a conversation on the role of MREA in Montana's renewable energy future. Whether your interest is legislative action, industry networking, or community education, this is a great space to share, celebrate, and grow. Can't make the October 5 meeting? Send your ideas or other input about MREA to Makenna at makenna@montanarenewables.org.
Speaker:
Makenna Sellers, Executive Director, Montana Renewable Energy Association
November 2 – How the Inflation Reduction Act Impacts Labor
Long before the major federal investments through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), labor unions have been gearing up to meet the needs of a changing renewable energy industry. But how does recent federal policy incentivizing the transition to renewables relate to labor unions? Guest speaker Kate French from the BlueGreen Alliance offers perspective on how the IRA relates to job creation, and will highlight key provisions that maximize benefits for workers and a clean energy economy. This presentation includes space to hear considerations from a labor and climate-driven point of view, as well time for our own questions and challenges therein. View slide deck.
Guest Speakers:
Kate French, Rocky Mountain Field Organizer, BlueGreen Alliance
December 7 – How the Inflation Reduction Act Impacts Your Home
There's lots of buzz about the Inflation Reduction Act, one of the most significant climate bills in the history of the U.S. Along with the buzz comes a slough a questions about rollout and applicability. Many Montanans are asking: how will these rebates and tax incentives affect my home and family, and when should I plan my home energy upgrades? Cora Wyent, Research Associate at Rewiring America, joins us this December with answers. This Exploring Energy Series is a deep dive on home electrification incentives, home improvements and appliance rebates, and qualification criteria that exists within the IRA. View slide deck.
Guest Speakers:
Cora Wyent, Research Associate, Rewiring America
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