Green Technologies Conference | Environment

Issues for Renewable Energy loom large here, especially this year, as oil and gas share economic dominance with commercial fishing and sportsman’s concerns. Now the eyes of the energy world are focused on our capital city.

Soon scientists and engineers from around the world will arrive for an intense study of renewable energy solutions in a conference produced by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The 2011 IEEE Greeen Technologies Conference will be held April 14 and 15 at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center.

This high level conference is drawing key government officials, investors, system integrators, academic institutions, research laboratories and small business innovators. Sponsors include the US Department of Energy, Boeing, Entergy, Kawasaki, City of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Convention and Visitors Bureau and ExxonMobil.

Among the noted speakers are Dr. Fahmida Chowdhury, National Science Foundation; Dr. Koki Ogura, Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The US Department of Energy will conduct workshops teaching organizations how to apply for grant money; Boeing will explain its goal of reducing fuel burn by seventy percent; William R. Kassebaum, CEO of Stellarwind Bio Energy, will explain his advanced algae farm, generating high productivity fuel at low costs; and Dr. Ying Wang from Louisiana State University will report on significant advances in lithium-ion batteries using nanomaterials.

The many highlights include Dr. Krishna Shenai, from the University of Toledo in Ohio, who will discuss the microgrid. "This is a new concept of electricity transmission and distribution that is just emerging," Dr. Shenai says.

"We’re excited to host this convention because of the value and significance of energy solutions," Geraldine Bordelon, Director of Destination Sales said. 

"There is much for local engineers and the public to learn at this conference, such as major career information," David Pierce, general chairman of the event, said "and a person doesn’t need to be a member of IEEE so we urge the public to attend by registering at the website."

 

 

The conference is hosted by IEEE-USA, IEEE Region 5, and the IEEE Baton Rouge Section. IEEE has partnered with the annual Alternative Energy Summit hosted by the LSU Center for Energy Studies & the Greater Baton Rouge Clean Cities Coalition. On April 14 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., the Louisiana Clean Energy Expo will feature displays from local businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies involved with renewable energy, green building, and alternative fuels. GreenTech Conference attendees will join the Alternative Energy Summit for a networking reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Energy, Coast, & Environment Building on the LSU Campus. This event is open to the public with an admission fee of $25. For more information, go to www.enrg.lsu.edu/Conferences/altenergy2011/index.html