Preliminary Full Conference Program

The RETECH 2011 Pre-Conference Workshops are in-depth sessions where you can learn about the latest issues relating to renewable energy. Industry leaders will keep you up-to-date on the poignant industry topics affecting our industry. A customized certificate of completion will be provided to each attendee. Choose one of the following three Pre-Conference Workshops as an upgrade to your RETECH 2011 registration! The cost to attend a Pre-Conference Workshop is $295. All three workshops run concurrently on Monday, September 19, 2011 from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Register by August 5th to save $100 on your Full Conference Registration and don't forget to upgrade your registration with a Pre-Conference Workshop for $295. For information on Group Plan pricing, please contact Jill Dean at JillD@tradefairgroup.com or 713-343-1880.

As we began 2011, the opportunities and challenges for renewable energy in America were tremendous. Stimulus appending came into the market in full force. Government initiatives were a significant factor in renewable energy finance. Venture-backed companies and major corporations were vying for market share. Global markets were expanding, and international competition was fierce, raising the question of U.S. competitiveness. RETECH keynote speakers set the context for the conference and pointed the wand forward for success in renewable energy in the United States.

The Strategic Issues Track will analyze key challenges faced by the renewable energy industry both in the United States and abroad. Session topics will include domestic and global energy outlook; global markets and competition; business opportunities in developing countries; the potential for a strategic collaboration between natural gas and renewables; the importance of operational excellence, and strategies for the adoption of renewable energy.

The combination of federal, state and local policies and programs is a major U.S. renewable energy market driver. U.S. renewable energy policy is at a critical juncture due to significant fiscal challenges at all levels of government. At the same time, existing policies have been successful as the U.S. market has grown dramatically and product costs have been reduced. This track will feature perspectives from key federal and state officials and market players.

This track will feature assessments of current cost and performance characteristics of renewable generation technologies and opportunities for future improvement. Speakers will also provide their views on the market outlook for their technology, environmental ramifications, research needs, and the barriers they see to future development.

This track will examine the development of a sustainable infrastructure through the advancements in next generation fuels, enhanced materials, transportation technology, data management and energy efficiency.

Transmission and grid integration are key ingredients for the continued growth of the U.S. renewable energy market. U.S transmission infrastructure needs to be updated and expanded to accommodate increased use if the nation’s abundant renewable energy resources as well as service existing generation. Grid integration of renewable energy can enhance grid reliability, optimize needed system investment, and support greater consumer choice. This track will explore the relevant issues associated with the need to ensure the nation’s transmission infrastructure is able to accommodate renewable energy resources and to reliably and cost effectively support the nation’s economic growth and consumer needs.

Renewable energy project finance in the US reached a level over $10 billion in 2008, hit a wall in the financial crisis of 2008-2009, and now is deeply affected by government incentives and loan guarantees. This track will review the state of project investments and financing in renewable energy, and present new initiatives like the U.S. Partnership for Renewable Energy Finance (US PREF).

Many countries are moving renewable energy development into the mainstream through national, sub-national, economic, political or trade mechanisms. This session will cover issues like foreign investor trends and drivers, facilitating international investment and project development and benefiting from globalization.