San Antonio: Ground Zero for Renewable Energy in an 'All-of-the-Above' Energy Market

SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In Texas' 21^st century energy economy, San Antonio has it all.  It enjoys abundant renewable resources, enabling CPS Energy to include solar-generated electricity in its generating portfolio.  San Antonio also is the largest city in South Texas, home of the Eagle Ford formation and ground zero for Texas' booming oil shale production.

This "all-of-the-above" energy approach makes San Antonio the perfect location for the 29^th annual conference of the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA), titled "Renewable Energy in an 'All-of-the-Above' World."  The conference will be held Nov. 11-13 at the Omni Colonnade hotel.  The potential for productive collaboration between the renewable energy and fossil fuels industries will be among several topics of discussion at the event.

Headlining the conference will be keynote speaker Dr. Dan Arvizu, Director of the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, renowned expert in issues surrounding the integration of 21^st century energy technologies with 20^th century systems, Dr. Arvizu will speak on the conference theme. 

"NREL is leading the research that will take us to the next step in our energy future — finding ways to maximize using renewable resources like the sun and wind, while maintaining the reliability of today's energy systems," NREL Director Dan Arvizu said. "Systems research will provide the technology foundation for a more flexible and intelligent energy infrastructure that enables the United States to adopt new technologies that provide critical energy services through highly interconnected fuels, electricity, and thermal systems that are tailored to local and regional needs."

Former San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger will open the program on Nov. 12, describing San Antonio's successful efforts to marry renewable energy and energy efficiency with local economic development and job creation.  Doyle N. Beneby, President and Chief Executive Officer of CPS Energy, will shine additional light on the San Antonio story with his luncheon address regarding opportunities and challenges for renewable energy in an "all-of-the-above" utility generating portfolio.  

The conference also will examine opportunities for renewable energy in military operations.  Several San Antonio citizens will address this topic, including Brigadier General Robert Labrutta of the 502^nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio.

Michael Burke, chairman and founder of the San Antonio Clean Technology Forum, and Les Shephard, director of the Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute at UTSA, are co-chairmen of the conference. 

Additional details regarding TREIA's conference can be found at the organization's website, www.treia.org.

Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association, TREIA is a non-profit association representing hundreds of companies, organizations and individuals.  Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, it is the key trade and advocacy organization representing the full spectrum of renewable energy industries and interests.

Contact: Debrah Dubay
Dubay Communications
Phone: 512-627-3782
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association