WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition begins in Houston

WINDPOWER 2019, the largest wind energy conference in the Western Hemisphere, began Monday in Houston.

“We’re here in Houston, Energy Capital of the World, to showcase what makes wind power America’s most competitive source of new electricity generation and to set the table for business deals that will keep U.S. energy workers busy for years to come,” AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan said.

The WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition includes four days of education sessions and business meetings that identify priority issues for the wind industry. Attendees include innovators, business people, policy experts, technicians, and students.

The theme of this year’s show, WIND+, highlights the growing network of partners working with the wind industry, including those working in solar, energy storage, and transmission.

“Wind power is leading the transformation to a cleaner, stronger U.S. economy, but no energy technology can go it alone,” Kiernan said. “Our WIND+ theme this year embraces the trend toward multi-technology companies and projects in the utility-scale power sector that pair wind with solar, storage and other clean technologies.”

One the first day of the conference, AWEA leadership elected new members of the association’s Board of Directors. Rob Caldwell, president of Duke Energy Renewables, will serve as board chair. AWEA’s outgoing board chair, Steve Lockard, president and CEO of TPI Composites, will move to the past chair position as an officer of AWEA.

AWEA also elected Laura Beane, president and CEO of Avangrid Renewables, as chair-elect, Jose Antonio Miranda, CEO Americas Onshore Turbines for Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, as secretary and Susan Nickey, managing director at Hannon Armstrong, as treasurer and elected 10 new directors the board.

Neha Palmer, Director of Operations and Head of Energy Strategy, Google and Suedeen Kelly, Partner, Jenner & Block LLP were appointed to the Board as Advisors.