The annual Kansas Governor’s Energy Conference took place at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan, Kansas, in October. The event featured more than 20 speakers and panel participants over the course of two days.
Participants from all corners of the state, and beyond, gathered to speak with and listen to the leading minds in energy. There were lectures on topics ranging from wind energy, energy storage, solar power, and many more.
In addition to the panel discussions and lectures, several area energy representatives set up exhibits outside the rooms where the presentations were held. These groups included Westar Energy, NextEra Energy, and the Mid-America Manufacturing Technology Center (MAMTC).
“It’s a great conference,” said Phil Brown, Marketing and Communications Manager for MAMTC. “It lets us learn what’s going on in the energy industry, so that we can take that back and apply it for our manufacturers in the state of Kansas.”
The Kansas Corporations Commission had an exhibit showcasing the different energy levels required to power different kinds of lightbulbs, as well as handing out information on their online programs designed to teach children the importance of conserving energy.
The crank powered the two light bulbs to the right, with the conventional bulb taking much more effort to power than the LED light bulb.
Just a few of the most notable sessions throughout the two-day conference included a discussion on energy from a corporate perspective, featuring Jamie Dingley and Robert-Jan de Voogd, from the chemical company Corbion, Inc.
In addition, there was a panel discussion on energy storage, featuring representatives from Tradewind Energy, ITC, Southwest Power Pool, and Burns & McDonell.
Finally, the two-day event concluded with a lecture on the future of renewable power in the energy industry, delivered by Tim Unruh, Executive Director of the National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO).
The atmosphere of the conference was consistently positive, with several participants indicating their appreciation for the event, hoping to return next year.
- kansascentral.com
