2023 Energy Summit Schedule
Agenda sponsored by 
Tuesday, November 7
1-5pm / Weatherization Training for Low Income Household retrofits
Location: Skinner B
Reserved for installers and Community Action agencies requiring specific weatherization training. Register with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Contact information coming soon.
1-5pm / Emerging Professionals Workshop - additional ticket when registering
Location: Skinner A
4:15-5pm / Prairie Meadows Tour
Exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of Prairie Meadows and its energy efficiency features (Limited to 20 people)
Location: Meet at registration
5-5:30pm / IAEE Annual Meeting
All are welcome.
Location: Skinner A
5:30-7pm / Kick-Off Reception sponsored by Resource Innovations
Meet exhibitors and network with colleagues.
Location: Exhibit Hall
Wednesday, November 8
7:30am / Check in & Continental Breakfast
Sponsored by MidAmerican Energy Company 
There is no on site registration available
8:00am / Welcome from Iowa Association for Energy Efficiency
Remarks from Robert Renken, IAEE Board Chair & Kurt Sempf, IAEE Conference Committee Chair
Location: Bishop B
8:15am / Keynote: On the Road Again with the Iowa Wastewater and Waste to Energy Research Program
Sponsored by Willdan 
Craig Just, Donald E. Bently Associate Professor in Engineering Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa
Location: Bishop B
This presentation will highlight the various energy-producing and energy-saving projects associated with the Iowa Wastewater and Waste to Energy Research Program (IWWERP). Projects include more efficient generation of renewable natural gas from diverted organics and more energy efficient treatment of wastewater and resource recovery.
9:15am / Morning Break
PDH certificates will be available for all sessions.
9:45am / Breakout Session 1
Jumpstarting the Market for High Performing Homes in Iowa: The IRA & Real Estate Engagement
Pamela Brookstein, Elevate, Jordan Elliott, Pearl Certification
Moderator:
Location: Skinner A
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) represents an unprecedented opportunity to jumpstart the market for high performing homes in Iowa and help real estate professionals and contractors expand their businesses in new ways. Key to the long term success of the $121M in IRA funding allocated to Iowa will be creating both short and long term demand for efficient homes. This session will explore how 3rd-party certification combined with real estate industry engagement can result in sustainable market transformation in the residential sector. Pearl Certification, a national provider of 3rd party home certifications, has been working with contractors, builders, real estate agents in Iowa to translate energy efficiency features to home value and drive demand for high performing homes in the process. Elevate, a nonprofit based in Chicago, has been teaching high performing home continuing education classes to real estate agents across Iowa and will share lessons learned and ideas for growing meaningful engagement with industry professionals.
Impact of EVs on Distribution Grid
Nabin Kandel, Linn County REC, Isaiah Borel, Linn County REC
Moderator:
Location: Skinner B
The widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) will have a significant impact on the electric distribution grid. One of the main challenges of integrating EVs into the distribution grid is the potential for increased demand for electricity. This could require grid infrastructure upgrades to support the increased load. Another challenge is the potential voltage fluctuations and other power quality issues, especially if a large number of EVs are charging simultaneously. LCREC has around 130 EVs connected to its distribution grid. The impact of these vehicles on the distribution grid is presented. Will also discuss some steps LCREC is taking to reduce the impact such as TOU rates that incentivize EV owners to charge their vehicles during off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper and demand is low. This could potentially help improve the grid’s load curve as well as avoid costly equipment upgrades.
Session Title TBD Sponsored by IEDA
Speaker TBD
Location: Skinner C
Training Building Operators to Save Energy and Money
Kathryn Eggers, Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Moderator:
Location: Salon 2
There is a growing recognition that building operators are a key partner in meeting climate goals due to their ability to implement solutions that reduce building energy use. Simultaneously, building systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated with greater integration, automation and analytics. Unfortunately, the skilled workforce that is needed to effectively operate the buildings is lacking, in part because the existing workforce often does not have the expertise to keep pace with technological advances while those with technological expertise are generally not choosing these careers.
To meet this gap the Building Operator Certification® (BOC) program is expanding its curriculum to include four distinct training curricula, including a new course for emerging professionals with little to no experience in the industry and another focused-on energy efficient operations in multifamily buildings. Come learn about the curricula and some low cost, no cost opportunities to improve building operations.
11am / Breakout Session 2
Energy Growth through Efficient Electrification
Steve Guyer, Iowa Environmental Council
Moderator:
Location: Skinner A
Electrification programs incented by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) can allow Iowa businesses to expand in areas with historic natural gas constraints, enabling economic growth. This presentation will summarize a recent study funded by a grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority on how efficient electric technologies can be leveraged to support economic growth when natural gas pipeline capacity is constrained. The study was conducted by Michaels Energy and the Iowa Environmental Council, with support from Interstate Power and Light and the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives. The project team researched the extent of problems created by natural gas supply constraints for facilities in Iowa, and investigated the applicable end-use opportunities for electrification pertaining to the state’s industrial and agricultural mix.
The team identified study participants and conducted electrification audits at their facilities. The audits quantified the cost savings and process improvement potential associated with incorporating electric technologies into the following Iowa business segments:
- Motor vehicle/farm machinery manufacturing
- Breweries/wineries
- Grain/corn drying
- Milk production
- Animal slaughtering
- Nurseries/greenhouses
The presentation will describe how, after the study team conducted the electrification audit, they presented the findings to the site contacts, including recommended electrification opportunities and the costs and savings associated with the recommendations. Each of the participants was surveyed to determine if participants had implemented or are considering operational alternatives identified as a part of the electrification audit. Additionally, since the IRA was signed into law in 2022, participants were surveyed to assess awareness of the IRA and if the IRA information is helpful in their decision-making regarding future implementation of the alternatives.
The presentation will include sensitivity analyses for the different recommended opportunities, exploring how the cost of natural gas and electricity affect the cost-effectiveness of projects. It will also present the survey results on measures either implemented or being considered for implementation, and the business rationale for not implementing measures. Survey results are also presented on the awareness of the IRA, and whether the IRA incentives will change the business decisions on the identified measures.
IRA Expanded Tax Incentives in Commercial New Construction
Joel Logan, Willdan
Moderator:
Location: Skinner B
The Inflation Reduction Act modifies and expands several tax incentives that promote energy efficient commercial new construction, including extending benefits to entities that have historically not benefited from the tax incentives. This session will provide an overview of the applicable tax incentives for new construction projects and how they can benefit both the building owners and design teams. Example projects will be presented showing how whole-building energy modeling assists project teams in evaluating and selecting energy efficiency strategies that achieve deep energy savings.
Session Title TBD Sponsored by IEDA
Speaker TBD
Location: Skinner C
How Educating Customers Can Drive Air Source Heat Pump Adoption in Iowa
Jessica Wagner, Slipstream
Moderator:
Location: Salon 2
To decarbonize residential space heating in Iowa, heat pump adoption will need to increase significantly. Today, most new HVAC systems are replaced upon failure and homeowners are relying on contractors to give them information on what's right for their home. Many contractors are still learning about heat pumps and don't actively promote them to customers; worse some contractors are actively dissuading homeowners from considering a heat pump. Education will be a key lever to increase the number of homeowners planning for a new HVAC system and to drive demand for more qualified heat pump installers. Slipstream’s research across the Midwest has highlighted the need for more consumer awareness building and education efforts surrounding heat pumps and the need to ensure consistent messaging. Attendees will come away with research-evidenced best practices and available regional resources to draw from to educate consumers on heat pumps and build positive technology momentum.
12pm / Lunch Sponsored by Alliant Energy 
Location: Bishop B
1pm / Breakout Session 3
Renewable Generation Planning with Carbon Management
Cameron MacKenzie, Iowa State University (ISU), K. Jo Min, ISU, Gazi Nazia Nur ISU
Moderator:
Location: Skinner A
In this presentation, we show how to (1) construct techno-economic models that measure economic performances of renewable and fossil-fueled generation, energy storage, and carbon capture and storage that reduce, offset, or avoid carbon emission, (2) compute the corresponding cost savings of the each endeavor for Iowan communities, and (3) provide various stakeholders with benchmark portfolios of these endeavors as references and case studies towards better renewable generation planning with carbon management.
Edge of Advancement and Beyond – A case study of the new DMU West Campus
Vinoth Sekar, Willdan, Matt Brown, Formation Group, David Inghram IMEG Corp., Steve King, RDG Planning & Design
Moderator:
Location: Skinner B
The built environment is an asset to maximizing human potential and cultivating well-being. This case study will be in a panel discussion format highlighting the design approach of the new Des Moines University's new, ground-up campus set across 88-acres featuring a high-performance central geothermal campus plant, flexible learning environment, with a focus on health and wellbeing. The design for the campus takes direction from the site’s natural beauty and diverse physical characteristics, building on the concept, "the edge of advancement," to imagine an innovative, iconic campus that reflects DMU's values, respects the land, connects to the community, and offers an inclusive, intuitive environment. The project is pursuing both LEED and WELL Certification and opening fall 2023.
Session Title TBD Sponsored by IEDA
Mike Bahr and Bill Hassel, Turner Construction
Location: Skinner C
This presentation proposes a comprehensive framework for zero-emission construction sites in the US, addressing the challenges and lessons learned from executing large-scale projects. The content comes from efforts from Turner Construction, the largest construction company in the US, as well as detailed data from an electrified construction pilot that occurred on a data center in the Des Moines area.
Session Title TBD
Speaker TBD
Moderator:
Location: Salon 2
Afternoon Break sponsored by 
2:30pm / Breakout Session 4
Toolkit for Energy Evaluation of Low-Efficiency housing
Anne Kimber, ISU, Sravya Dhulipala, ISU, Diba Malekpour, University of Minnesota
Moderator:
Location: Skinner A
We will present an online toolkit developed as part of an Iowa Energy Center grant, that uses monthly energy consumption data along with assessors data to identify housing that would benefit most from retrofits to reduce heating or cooling-impacted electricity consumption. We will provide examples and the background that led to the development of this tool.
Midwest Heat Pump Collaborative
Kellen McSweeney, Slipstream
Moderator:
Location: Skinner B
The future of home heating is heat pumps. Action must be taken in order to meet the DOE’s goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions economy-wise no later than 2050. The Midwest Air Source Heat Pump Collaborative aims to have air source heat pumps be the first choice for replacing heating systems or air conditioners by 2030. The collaborative’s key objectives include workforce development, rate design, program best practices, and regional market transformation strategy. This session will share key takeaways from a needs assessment completed in 2023, including utility and state insights and regional opportunities. It will also include a live demo of the Midwest ASHP Collaborative’s newly launched website. Attendees will come away with concrete resources, strategies, and opportunities for federal support to transform the market for air source heat pumps in Iowa.
Session Title TBD Sponsored by IEDA
Speaker TBD
Location: Skinner C
Energy & Action in Rural Iowa
Ashley Coffin, University of Northern Iowa, Kara Holstrom, Green Iowa AmeriCorps, Northeast Iowa CC
Moderator:
Location: Salon 2
Learn how our Center was able to utilize Iowa Energy Center funding to help rural and underserved Iowa communities conduct greenhouse gas inventories and energy project implementation in key sectors of a community; municipalities, small businesses, and residents through a lens of energy workforce development and collaboration.