Schedule

Location: Duffield Atrium Attendees check in and receive event materials. A light breakfast will be provided.

Location: Upson Lounge (116 Upson Hall) Opening remarks from David Erickson, S.C. Thomas Sze Director, Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Welcome message from Lynden Archer, Joseph Silbert Dean of Engineering; Recognition of participating industry partners by Max Zhang, Irving Porter Church Professor of Engineering and Provost’s Fellow for Public Engagement.

Location: Upson Lounge (116 Upson Hall) A champion of environmental sustainability and clean energy policy, Dr. Anna Kelles will deliver our keynote address, emphasizing the intersection of science, policy, and community action in shaping New York’s renewable energy future.

Location: Upson Lounge (116 Upson Hall) This session will focus on the safety aspect of energy storage deployment, and panelists will discuss risk management, technological development, and stakeholder engagement. Panelists: Michael Bowes, Senior Project Engineer, ESRG Hal Corin, Head of Development, Viridi Shawn Grasby, Code Officer and President, Grasby Consulting Jennifer Manierre, Director, Clean Energy Siting, NYSERDA Moderator: Vibha Kalra, Fred H. Rhodes Professor in Engineering and the Kathy Dwyer Marble and Curt Marble Faculty Director, Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability

Location: Upson Lounge (116 Upson Hall) This panel will explore the integration of solar energy production with agriculture, known as agrivoltaics. Experts will discuss sustainable land management strategies, balancing energy generation with farming, and the economic and environmental benefits of this approach. Panelists: Kevin Campbell, Director of Development, EDF Renewables, Michael Glos, Research and Extension Technician, Cornell University, and Organic Farmer. Klaas Martens, Organic Farmer and Co-owner of Martens Farm and Lakeview Organic Grain Mill. Caroline Marschner, Invasive Species Extension Associate, Cornell University, School of Integrative Plant Science, Soil and Crop Sciences Section Jonathan Northrop, Owner of Northrop Farms and Representative of the American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA) Gabrielle Hayes, Associate, Sustainable Solar Development, BlueWave Moderator: Max Zhang, Irving Porter Church Professor of Engineering and Provost's Fellow for Public Engagement.

Location: Duffield Atrium A catered lunch will be provided to attendees, along with opportunities to connect with industry professionals, faculty, and peers.

Location: Upson Lounge (116 Upson Hall) We reconvene for the afternoon to discuss innovative approaches to waste management and circular economy strategies, focusing on how businesses and communities can reduce waste and repurpose materials for sustainability. Panelists: Rebecca Nelson, Professor, School of Integrative Plant Science, Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section, Cornell University Vibha Kalra, Fred H. Rhodes Professor in Engineering, Cornell University Gretchen Worth, Project Director, Susan Christopherson Center for Community Planning Robin Elliott, Chief Operations Officer, Finger Lakes ReUse Moderator: Tobias Hanrath, Cross Professor in Engineering

Location: Upson Lounge (116 Upson Hall) Our final panel of the day will highlight the role of community engagement and policy frameworks in the transition to renewable energy. Topics include public perceptions, regulatory challenges, and strategies for equitable clean energy adoption. Panelists: Dr. Dominic Balog-Way, Research Associate, Cornell University, Environmental Communication and Risk Analysis. Ed Brolin: Vice President, Policy Development & Distributed Government Relations, RWE Jeff Hudson, Vice President of Asset Management, Urban Grid Solar Marguerite Wells, Executive Director, Alliance for Clean Energy New York Moderator: Sarah Carson, Director, Campus Sustainability Office, Cornell University

Location: Duffield Atrium Tabling Session: Industry partners will showcase their work, sharing in sights on emerging innovations within the renewable energy sector. Attendees will have the chance to engage directly with company representatives and explore cutting-edge solutions shaping the industry’s future. Poster Session: Poster competition across disciplines, judged by industry partners with prizes awarded

Industry partners judge and award prizes for top poster presentations. Closing remarks and summary of the event by Prof. Max Zhang.