On Tuesday, June 18th the Advanced Energy Economy and MIT held the second event in a series of regional forums to discuss how new technologies and services can be adopted more rapidly in the electric power sector. The San Antonio based event brought together executives from OGE Energy, First Solar, Silver Spring Networks, Landis+Gyr, Green Energy Corp., C3 Energy, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and others to discuss innovative approaches to current energy challenges. Central to the discussion was how to integrate cleantech innovations such as smart grids and electric powered vehicles into the utility companies’ operations.

San Antonio Business Journal reports:

“CPS Energy CEO Doyle Beneby says utilities must move quickly and establish “test beds” where they can roll out innovative projects on a limited basis before widespread adoption.”

Greentech Media also reported AEE co-founder, Hemant Taneja’s comments:

“Taneja emphasized that making public policy more friendly to renewables must be done at a regional level, because each state has a different set of regulations. Lester [of MIT's Industrial Performance Center] was drawn to Texas, he said, “because some of the most interesting and exciting activities are happening here” and it might offer some useful lessons to the rest of the country.”