From left, Cheryl Roberto of Twenty First Century Utilities, Kush Patel of Energy and Environmental Economics Inc., Aki Marceau of Energy Excelerator, and Luis Salaveria of DBEDT discuss energy at the 2017 conference.

KIHEI – The 2018 Maui Energy Conference returns to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on March 14-15, celebrating its fifth anniversary and the tenth anniversary of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative.

The event, presented by the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) and supported by the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, is Hawaii’s leading energy conference. In 2018, it will explore the theme “Decarbonization: A Business Opportunity for Innovative Communities.”

“Hawaii led the way in setting a 100 percent Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), but did we set the right targets if we define renewable energy in a way that does not include carbon?” queried Conference Program Committee Chair Doug McLeod. “We will be looking at what we can learn from energy leaders across the nation and from around the globe.”

The annual conference attracts more than 300 energy industry leaders from Hawaii, the Mainland, Japan and Europe to exchange ideas on how to better serve customers in today’s rapidly changing power generation and delivery environment.

The conference program features invited keynote speakers, panel sessions, case studies, exhibits and networking. With the ten-year anniversary of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI), speakers will be answering the questions on its limits. whether it addresses carbon and whether there is a worthy successor.

Ever heard of carbon farming? A panel will discuss what the Carbon Farming Task Force has been up to and the implications for Maui and Hawaii.

“Decarbonization presents innovative communities, from Hawaii to New York, with new business opportunities,” added Frank De Rego Jr., director of business development projects at MEDB and vice-chair of the Program Committee. “We want to know if there is a viable market for carbon, and how do we maximize innovation and investment in the pursuit of a carbon-free environment?”

Session topics explore the theme at a policy and regulatory level as well as business with a session on convergence, looking at how it all comes together for a shared solution that benefits all stakeholders.

Other topics include Decarbonizing Transportation; Regulating Carbon: The Best Solutions; and Storage Technologies.

The Program Committee includes energy experts from Maui, Oahu, Colorado and California. It welcomes new member Frederick Redell, energy commissioner in the Maui County Office of Economic Development.

For information on how to register and other details, visit www.mauienergyconference.com.