SOUTHFIELD – More than 700 energy experts and contractors are gathering today, May 5, for the 18th annual Energy Conference and Exhibition, hosted by DTE Energy and The Engineering Society of Detroit.
The event begins with breakfast and networking at 7:30 a.m. An exhibit hall featuring nearly 60 exhibitors opens at 8 a.m., and educational programs, keynotes and panel discussions run from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The venue is the Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi.
The event will focus on energy efficiency and the latest in energy technologies for building owners and managers in the private and public sectors, as well as owners of small businesses and institutions.
Five tracks of informative half-hour presentations will be offered – on advanced energy efficiency technology; energy efficiency in industrial applications; energy efficiency in commercial building applications; financing energy efficiency technology; and energy efficiency in construction. Featured will be information on the latest emerging energy efficiency technologies, including controller systems, and case studies on real-world projects.
Also a key event at the conference is the presentation of the DTE Energy Efficiency Awards. These awards will be presented in four categories: Education, Impact, Innovation and Leadership. These awards recognize companies that have made the most effective contribution toward energy efficiency initiatives. The Education Award focuses on educating others about energy efficiency. The Impact Award recognizes a company that has reduced energy use by implementing a significant project. The Innovation Award will be presented for developing or implementing a new and innovative program, idea or product. And the Leadership Award is presented to an organization for championing energy efficiency at their company.
Also at the event, General Motors will offer a fleet of vehicles for attendees in a ride and drive. Included will be the range-extended electric Chevrolet Volt and classics like the Chevrolet Camaro. Other Buick, Cadillac, GMC and Chevrolet models will be available to drive.
The luncheon keynote speaker at the event is Christopher B. McGill, vice president for policy analysis at the American Gas Association in Washington, D.C. He will speak on “Finding Energy Efficiency in Today’s Natural Gas Market.” The presentation will touch on winter heating season performance by local gas utilities, examining the U.S. natural gas supply and consumption balance, understanding production trends and the growth in domestic reserves, as well as the expectation for natural gas consumption growth.
The cost to attend the event is $85 for Engineering Society of Detroit members and $100 for non-members. Non-members can join ESD for a year and attend the event for $159. (This offer is available to first-time members only.) There is also a student rate of $25.