10:45am

Room N340/344: The Future of Climate Investment

As we strive to transition to a low-carbon economy, funding the technologies that can enable this transition is critical. This panel will bring together leading experts focused on different areas of the climate capital stack (e.g., venture, grants, project financing) to explore the latest trends, opportunities, and challenges in deploying and unlocking access to capital for climate tech companies.

10:45am

Spieker Forum: AI in The Energy Transition

Explore the dynamic role of AI in expediting the energy transition. Our panel will delve into cutting-edge AI strategies that enhance renewable integration, optimize efficiency, and spearhead sustainable solutions. Join us to unlock AI's potential in propelling us towards a cleaner, more resilient energy future

11:45am

Keynote Fireside Chat

Spieker Forum: Audrey Lee in Conversation with Laura D. Tyson

Audrey Lee is Senior Director of Energy Strategy at Microsoft, where she works at the intersection of policy, technology, and commercial opportunities on the Microsoft data center energy and sustainability team. Previously, she was Vice President, Energy Services at Sunrun. Audrey also worked at Advanced Microgrid Solutions, the California Public Utilities Commission, the DOE, and the International Energy Agency. She serves on the Board of Redaptive Inc., a company deploying energy efficiency-as-a-service across large commercial real estate portfolios. She volunteers as a board member of Gridworks and the educational fund of Clean Energy for America.

Laura D. Tyson is a Distinguished Professor of the Graduate School at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley and she chairs the Blum Center for Developing Economies Board of Trustees at UC Berkeley. She is the co-chair California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Council of Economic Advisors. From July 2018 to December 2018, she served as Interim Dean of Berkeley Haas. Previously, she was the Dean of London Business School (2002-2006) and the Dean of the Berkeley Haas (1998-2001). Tyson was a member of the US Department of State Foreign Affairs Policy Board and a member of President Obama’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness and the President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board. She served in the Clinton Administration as the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers (1993-1995) and as Director of the National Economic Council (1995 – 1996). She is a member of the Board of Directors of Stem Inc., Lexmark International Inc., and Apex Swiss Holdings SARL. She is the co-author of Leave No One Behind, a report for the United Nation’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment.

12:30pm

Lunch: Grégoire Restaurant

1:15pm

Spieker Forum: Nuclear Energy: Now or Never

This panel will explore the intersection of cutting-edge nuclear technology, its economic implications, and the vital security considerations. It will delve into the latest advancements in reactor designs, safety measures, and the economic viability of nuclear energy, including its role in addressing climate change. Furthermore, we'll tackle the security concerns related to nuclear materials and non-proliferation efforts, as well as the role of governments in shaping the nuclear energy landscape.

1:15pm

Room N340/344: Tackling “Hard to Abate Emissions” in Steel and Cement

Steel and Cement are two of the sectors that account for a significant portion of the global CO2 emission, and there is not a sole clear path to decarbonize them. The challenge arouse even higher in emerging markets, where the construction sector is clearly the driver for growth. The panel will go deeper into the new technologies that are required to decarbonize these sectors.

2:15pm

Room N340/344: How to Build a Diverse Climate Workforce

Tackling the climate crisis at the necessary speed and scale will create many new jobs, but clean energy has suffered from a lack of diversity. What can the industry do to ensure this workforce is diverse? How can we ensure accessible, high-quality, and stable jobs that will make it both possible and worthwhile for historically excluded communities to fully participate? And how can the industry bring along communities that have traditionally relied on fossil fuel production for their livelihoods?

2:15pm

Spieker Forum: Creating a Balance Between People, Places and Profit

In this session, we will examine the intricate relationship between aggressive growth targets, community rights, and the principles of climate justice. Our discussion will focus on the challenges and opportunities inherent in scaling up the clean energy transition, alongside the dynamics of clean energy demand and supply. We will delve into the historical red-lining of indigenous communities in environmental contexts and explore environmental movements.

3:15pm

Room N340/344: Making a Market: How to Reduce the Cost of Hydrogen

Hydrogen is a key component of many national Net Zero strategies. However, today, hydrogen is too expensive to be economically viable. The Biden Administration plans to cut the cost of hydrogen by developing multiple regional hydrogen hubs across the country. In this session, you will hear from the change-makers who are implementing the California Hydrogen Hub and learn why hydrogen is the fuel of the future.

3:15pm

Spieker Forum: Transmission, Distribution & Storage

If we can generate renewable energy, can we deliver it? Transmission, distribution and storage are “key” to a future powered by affordable and abundant clean energy – but right now, they’re not growing fast enough. If transmission continues to grow at its historical rate, as much as 80% of the IRA’s potential emissions reductions will be lost. How will we fix this problem?

4:00pm

Virtual Closing Keynote: Amory Lovins on Integrative Design for Radical Energy Efficiency

Physicist Amory Lovins, RMI's cofounder and Chairman Emeritus, is a vanguard in energy innovation. From 2007 to 2019, he led RMI as its Chief Scientist and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford. With a career spanning over four decades, Lovins has been instrumental as an energy strategist, advising top firms and governments in over 70 countries. His prolific authorship includes 31 seminal books and upwards of 880 papers. He is renowned for pioneering the concept of integrative design, an innovative approach that leverages traditional engineering methods to significantly enhance energy efficiency through a shift in design principles. Recognized globally for his impactful work, Lovins has been named one of the world’s 100 most influential people by Time, and one of the top global thinkers by Foreign Policy.

4:45pm

Networking Event: Food & Drinks

Event hosted by BERC to meet and network with fellow Energy professionals, researchers, faculty, and students.