Indiana wind power conference expands to other renewable tech
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - An annual wind power conference in July is expanding this year to include other renewable energies, including solar and alternative fuels, and educational workshops to help homeowners and small businesses use the technologies.
WIndiana/Indiana Renewable Energy Conference, July 20-21 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, will bring together experts from industry, academia and government to address key issues in wind power. The conference is organized by the Indiana Office of Energy Development and the Energy Center at Purdue University's Discovery Park.
The conference kicks off with an update on the "state of the renewable energy industry" from both an Indiana and national perspective, with a keynote address by Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman.
The conference, which is in its fourth year, has expanded to include four tracks focusing on wind and solar power, biomass for power generation, and alternative fuels for vehicles.
"This year WIndiana is more accessible to all Hoosiers who are interested in including renewable and alternative energy technologies in their lives, at home and in business," said Brandon Seitz, director of the Indiana Office of Energy Development.
Actor and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr. is scheduled to speak about his own experiences with renewable energy during an afternoon session on the conference's first day.
The program includes sessions on alternative fuels and electric vehicles, with discussion by industry experts about future trends; power transmission and where to locate wind turbines in the state; the solar industry supply chain in Indiana; the use of biomass technologies in large-scale operations; small-scale use of photovoltaic cells, including installation tips; solar hot water heaters; small-scale wind power; and geothermal heat pumps.
"These workshops are designed to help people make the leap from thinking about renewable energy to including it in their home or business," said John Schneider, Purdue's assistant vice president for industry research. "These are common issues facing all aspects of renewable energy in Indiana. They include policy, legislation, economics and infrastructure.
National, state and local wind industry leaders will appear at the conference, which also includes three tours of the Horizon Wind Meadow Lake wind farm in White County, the 100 kilowatt solar array at the Johnson Melloh facility in Indianapolis; and a landfill where methane is recovered and provides heat and power for a commercial flower nursery.
The cost to access all events is $100 if purchased before July 1. A workshop-only pass is $25, and other options are available. Registration is online at https://www.conf.purdue.edu/wind
More information about becoming a sponsor or exhibitor is available at https://www.energy.IN.gov
Writer: Emil Venere, 765-494-4709, venere@purdue.edu
Sources: John Schneider, 765-494-5532, jas@purdue.edu
Eric Burch, media contact at Office of Energy Development, 317-232-8944, eburch@oed.in.gov