Northern Nevada has received national recognition as being a leader in the renewable energy market in the western United States.
This recognition is based upon the fact that there are more than 150 megawatts of geothermal energy plants operating in northern Nevada and upon the fact that northern Nevada has become the venue for the installation and operation of renewable energy facilities at local businesses and residences through legislatively supported demonstration programs.
In addition, northern Nevada has accelerated its energy efficiency and energy conservation efforts which are now in full swing. In order to fully explore these efforts and discuss how they may be expanded to the benefit of northern Nevada, this year's NAIOP afternoon panel will include leading global retailers who will share their commitment to using renewable resources throughout their supply chain and commercial developers who are gaining advantages by integrating green technologies.
This panel will be moderated by Kathleen Drakulich, Partner, McDonald Carano Wilson LLP. and panelists will include Drew Torbin, vice president of renewable energy for Prologis; John Hargrove, Renewable Generations programs manager for NV Energy; and Lee Novak, senior project manager for Gestamp Solar.
The panel will undertake a discussion about various aspects of the renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy conservation lines of business and explore the ways in which various local businesses and industry can coalesce around the further development and deployment of these technologies to the benefit of northern Nevada.
Each of the panelists hails from a different sector of the industry. Each of their companies has a different focus on advancing the renewable energy and/or energy efficiency agenda.
Prologis renewable energy division creates additional value from the company's existing assets through the deployment of renewable energy installations the platform of real estate assets combined with a core expertise in construction management form the backbone of Prologis's offering.
Prologis has local project managers with first-hand knowledge of permitting, code, labor relationships and the building itself. Bringing these qualifications to partnerships with project investors and owners such as banks, private equity firms and utilities, Prologis enables the development of large-scale renewable energy projects.
NV Energy is the investor-owned utility that provides energy to the vast majority of Nevada's customers. Over the last several years NV Energy has expanded its renewable energy demonstration programs to allow for the participation of local businesses and residential customers and has broadened the scope of its energy efficiency programs.
Gestamp Solar is a developer and operator of utility-scale photovoltaic plants. It vertically integrates the solar plant components that lead to success. Its efforts are focused on generating solar energy projects that are ecological offering tailor-made solutions.
To date, Gestamp Solar has participated in the development, construction, maintenance and operation of plants with a total capacity of more than 300 megawatts.
The panel discussion will draw from the expertise of Torbin, Hargrove and Mr. Novak to determine how each of their companies' efforts provides opportunities for the growth and expansion of the renewable energy industry and in turn the development of local and state work forces and business economies.
The session also will include a question-and-answer period.
