The first day of the ninth annual Energy Efficiency Global Forum (#EEGlobal) provided a host of engaging opportunities to advance energy efficiency, with exciting initiative announcements kicking of the day, followed up by an awards luncheon recognizing three energy-efficient campuses around the world. The day continued at full speed with eight thought-provoking Executive Dialogue panel sessions, an afternoon plenary with high level discussion focused on driving energy productivity in the digital age, and capped off with a welcome reception featuring 15 Solutions Showcase videos of energy efficiency solutions and products. Read on and click through for full coverage of today’s events!

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT BREAKFAST BRIEFING 

EE Global kicked off this morning with a Press Announcement Breakfast Briefing. Members of the media heard exciting industry announcements from wide-ranging efficiency leaders, including the World Resources Institute (WRI), The Climate Group, the Alliance to Save Energy, the Global Alliance for Energy Productivity, ASHRAE, Efficiency Valuation Organization (EVO), Ingersoll Rand, Legrand, Southern Company, and Danfoss. Announcements included new publications, business acquisitions, campaigns, and more -- all which will have a positive and lasting impact on energy efficiency across the globe.

 

 

EE VISIONARY AWARDS LUNCHEON 
 

Alliance president Kateri Callahan presented EE Visionary Awards to three diverse campuses that are paving the way for disruptive innovation in buildings-efficiency design across the world. Chang Gung Memorial Hospital was honored for its new cancer treatment center, which boasts LEED-HC Platinum certification. Stanford University was honored for its Stanford Energy Systems Innovation (SESI). SESI is a multi-year, multi-phase project that is transforming the energy systems across the university. UN City was honored for its LEED-certified campus, which has earned the highest energy-efficient Danish building code. The Alliance congratulates all three awardees for their important and meaningful contributions to energy efficiency in the built environment.

 

EXECUTIVE DIALOGUE SESSIONS

Click on each title to read full summaries of each day's executive dialogue tracks  

MARKET TRANSFORMATION | Sessions in this track today   

• Increasing EE through connected systems: how can communities take into account holistic system efficiency from day one?
• Buildings of the Future: How do we design and construct energy-efficient, resilient and climate adaptive buildings?

 

 

GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP | Sessions in this track today

• Beyond COP21: What role will energy efficiency play in the post-COP era? 
• Beyond Clean Power Plan: how do you design a regulatory framework for utilities that drives energy efficiency and climate mitigation?

 

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES & BUSINESS MODELS | Sessions in this track today

• Internet of things: how are advances in connectivity driving energy efficiency and enhancing the consumer experience? 
• Transforming transportation: how are we leveraging information and communications technologies to improve mobility and enhance efficiency? 

 

INVESTMENT & FINANCING | Sessions in this track today

• Institutional Investments: Do Gains in Energy Productivity and Sustainability Resonate with Big Investors?  
• Transitioning finance: What are the challenges of moving away from traditional grant based programs and upscaling alternative energy efficiency financing programs?

 

AFTERNOON PLENARY SESSION
 

 

The Afternoon Plenary focusing on driving energy productivity in the digital age was moderated by Kelly Speakes Backman, senior vice president of policy and research at the Alliance to Save Energy. Speakes-Backman was joined onstage by Roger Flanagan, managing director at Lockheed Martin Energy, Laurie Giammona, senior vice president and chief customer officer at PG&E Company, Dave Szczupak, EVP of global product organization at Whirlpool Corporation; Tyler Suiters, Vice President of Communications, Consumer Technology Association, and Thomas Kuhn, president, Edison Electric Institute (EEI). 

 

WELCOME RECEPTION & SOLUTIONS SHOWCASE
 

The day finished with an evening welcome reception, where participants had the opportunity to mingle and relax after a day full of high-level discussion and dialogue. Participants also enjoyed the first-ever Solutions Showcase, an interactive, audience-driven video contest and networking event featuring innovative energy-efficient products and solutions. The Alliance team is tallying the final votes tonight and the winner will be revealed during tomorrow’s morning plenary, so stay tuned!