Agrivoltaics 101

Explore Wisconsin’s potential for agrivoltaics, a dual-land-use approach that combines solar energy production with agricultural practices. This session will introduce the basics of agrivoltaics, highlighting its benefits for farmers, clean energy developers, and rural communities. Learn how agrivoltaics can optimize land use and contribute to Wisconsin’s clean energy transition.

Speakers
Dorothy Lsoto, Sarah Glover, Nolan Stumpf, Josh Arnold

Clean Energy Media Training 101

This session will provide practical tips for clean energy professionals and advocates to effectively engage with the media. Learn how to craft compelling stories, pitch stories to journalists, and navigate interviews for radio, TV, and print. Explore what the media looks for in a story, how to build lasting relationships with reporters, and how to highlight the community benefits of clean energy projects. With real-world examples and actionable advice, this session will help you amplify your impact.

Speakers
Amy Barrilleaux, Cass Bergemann

Industry Decarbonization 101 

Decarbonizing the industrial sector is critical to achieving a clean energy future, yet it remains one of the most challenging areas to address. This session provides an introductory understanding of industry decarbonization, exploring the technologies, policies, and strategies that can drive emissions reductions in manufacturing, heavy industry, and other high-carbon sectors.

Speaker
Amanda Beggs

Tribal Energy Sovereignty 101

Learn about tribal energy sovereignty and its role in advancing clean energy within Wisconsin’s Native Nations. This session will provide an overview of energy sovereignty principles, showcase successful tribal clean energy projects, and explore pathways for collaboration to support self-determination and sustainability.

Speakers
Jennifer Jones, Doug Ahl

2024 Year in Review

Speakers
Sam Dunaiski

Morning Plenary RENEW Summit 2025

Welcome and Opening Remarks
2024 Year in Review
Renewable Energy Stories

Renewable Energy Stories

STORYTELLERS: 
Ellie Crosby, Zoey Eckwright, Chloe Johnson, Kathy Kuntz, Isaiah Ness

New Maps, New Possibilities: Clean Energy in Wisconsin’s 2025 Legislative Agenda

New legislative maps have reshaped Wisconsin’s state legislature. Will closer margins in the state senate and assembly result in better outcomes for clean energy policies for the Badger State? This panel will discuss clean energy priorities and opportunities in 2025.

Speakers
Sam Dunaiski, Dan Ebert, Sarah Moon, Christa Westerberg

Smart, Sustainable, Electrified: The Neighborhood of the Future

Imagine a decarbonized Wisconsin where neighborhoods are powered by affordable clean energy, resilient grids, and fully electrified homes and transportation. This panel will explore the “Neighborhood of the Future,” showcasing innovative ways communities can generate, store, and use energy. Join industry leaders and advocates to learn how transportation electrification, heat pumps, and electrified appliances are paving the way for a sustainable, carbon-free future in Wisconsin.

Speakers
Jeannette LeZaks, Jane McCurry, Montre Moore, Lauren Reeg, Daniel Wiggins

Power in Communication: Navigating Public Engagement with the PSC

Effective communication is key to shaping public understanding and engagement in Wisconsin’s clean energy initiatives. This panel will explore strategies for navigating complex topics like rate cases, utility proposals, and public hearings to demystify the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) role in Wisconsin’s energy transition. Learn from experts about crafting impactful messages, building community support, and empowering advocates to engage in the regulatory process.

Speakers
Emily Park, Alex Beld, Meghan Sovey-Lashua, Antonio Butts

Lower Costs, Cleaner Energy: Exploring the Benefits of PBR

Wisconsin can greatly benefit from performance-based regulation (PBR), which ties utility financial performance to specific goals like efficiency, reliability, and environmental impact. PBR lowers costs, promotes economic growth through new technologies, and accelerates the clean energy transition. This panel will explore successful PBR strategies, including flexibility, performance metrics, and incentive mechanisms from regions where it has been implemented.

Speakers 
Tom Content, Joe Fontaine, Camille Kadoch, Andrew Kell

Balancing Load and Clean Energy: Navigating the Future of Grid Demand and Decarbonization

As electrification, data centers, and artificial intelligence become a greater part of everyday life, the strain on Wisconsin’s grid will intensify. But how much more electricity do we need, and how can renewables step up to replace fossil fuels? This fireside chat will explore the potential for new electric load growth in Wisconsin and what it means for our state’s decarbonization goals.

Speakers
Tricia Debleeckere, Tyler Huebner, Todd Stuart, Orrie Walsvik

2024 Clean Energy Honor Roll

RENEW Wisconsin presents its 2024 Clean Energy Honor Roll, honoring individuals and organizations who have been standout clean energy champions in 2023. 

Speakers:
Ismaeel Chartier, Sam Dunaiski

Keynote Address: Erica Mackie

Erica Mackie co-founded GRID Alternatives in 2001 and has developed it into a major national non-profit. Mackie has received numerous awards for her leadership of GRID Alternatives. Her professional experience before GRID Alternatives includes working in the social sector, first with survivors of domestic violence and then with at-risk youth, and working in renewable energy and energy efficiency consulting and sales. She holds two bachelor’s degrees from Southern Illinois University, one in mechanical engineering and the other in physics.

Speakers:
Erica Mackie, Jodi Jean Amble

Constructing Better Communities: Building Wisconsin’s Future Clean Energy Workforce

Wisconsin’s transition to a net-zero economy is well underway. Our state’s decarbonization success hinges on cultivating a skilled and diverse workforce across Wisconsin to build and sustain this clean energy infrastructure. This panel will dive into innovative partnerships that are bridging traditional workforce development strategies with the clean economy, creating pathways to opportunity, and reaching deeper into communities to empower workers across Wisconsin.

Speakers 
Melika Edquist, Nydia Martinez, Melissa Gombar, Daniel Wiggins, Ken Walz

Creating Win-Win Renewable Energy Projects for Wisconsin Communities

Wisconsin utilities have been deploying renewable energy projects at a rapid pace. However, opposition to large-scale renewables is growing as more Wisconsinites are introduced to these projects. This panel will explore how community engagement, public education, and stakeholder collaboration can help create renewable energy projects that will benefit and gain the support of Wisconsin communities.

Speakers
Rick Coelho, Beth Esser, Grace Lacke, Michael Vickerman

Planning for Tomorrow: Strengthening IRP in Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Transition

Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) is key to ensuring Wisconsin’s energy is reliable, affordable, and sustainable. This panel will explore how IRP can support the state’s clean energy transition, by balancing environmental goals with energy needs. Panelists will discuss strategies to strengthen IRP processes, including prioritizing renewables, improving efficiency, and enhancing grid resilience to meet the needs of all communities.

Speakers
Trish Demeter, Ciaran Gallagher, James Gignac, Tyrel Zich

Bridging the Gap: Programs and Policies for an Equitable Clean Energy Transition

Equitable access to clean energy requires transformative programs and policies. This panel will highlight initiatives like Solar for All and HOMES, which are lowering energy costs and expanding clean energy opportunities for underserved communities. It will also explore the need for policies like multifamily metering in Wisconsin to ensure all residents benefit from the clean energy transition.

Speakers
Heather Allen, Tonyisha Harris, Francisco Sayu, Ernest Weston

Thinking Outside the Box: Creative Grid Solutions for Wisconsin’s Energy Future

With Wisconsin’s electricity demands expected to grow over the coming years, we’ll need to explore more sophisticated ways to meet the grid’s demands. If large-scale renewable energy growth can’t keep pace, we’ll need to look to the distribution grid for solutions. This panel aims to highlight creative distributed generation solutions like virtual power plants and microgrids to help address our future energy challenges.

Speakers
John Albers, Beren Argetsinger, David Bender, Jena Ginsburg

Closing Remarks: Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith: Senator Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick) currently serves as the 31st Senate District State Senator. He was elected to the Senate in 2018 and reelected in 2022. The 31st Senate District covers all of Eau Claire County and portions of Chippewa, Dunn and Trempealeau Counties. 

Senator Jeff Smith was born and raised in the Eau Claire community. Senator Smith is a graduate of Eau Claire North High School and owned and operated Bob Smith Window Cleaning for 30 years. 

Senator Smith’s community involvement runs deep and is evident through his past work as one of Eau Claire’s most prolific and respected activists. Smith served on the Brunswick Town Board as Chair for six years and was active with the Governor’s Task Force for Educational Excellence, the Wisconsin Parent Teacher Association Board, the Department of Public Instruction’s Parent Leadership Corps and the Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools.

Senator Smith went on to serve in the State Assembly during the 2007 and 2009 legislative sessions and was Chair of the Assembly Committee on Elections and Campaign Reform, Vice-chair of Financial Institutions, Vice-chair of Higher Education and a member of the Education, Public Safety, Renewable Energy and Rural Affairs Committees.

After serving in the State Assembly, Senator Smith worked as an activist and assisted candidates who were running for local office. Senator Smith’s service eventually led him to run for State Senate in 2018 and he now serves as the Senate Democratic Assistant Leader. He serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health and a member of the Senate Committees on Organization and Utilities & Tourism. He also serves on the Joint Committees on Legislative Organization and Legislative Council.

Jeff and his wife Sue, a retired school teacher, live in the Town of Brunswick. In their free time they enjoy living on their farm caring for horses, chickens, dogs, cats and their land.