Luigi Ciavarella, VP of Utility-Scale Development, RWE

  • Luigi is a VP of Utility-scale Development at RWE, one of world’s largest renewable energy developers and operators (top 5 in the US). Luigi is responsible for RWE’s growth in the US Central region, leading the group that develops large-scale wind, solar and energy storage projects. Each year, this group deploys new clean electricity infrastructure able to meet the needs of ~170,000 homes.

    Previously, Luigi gained a diverse experience in various power market sectors (retail, generation, storage), functions (business lead, commercial, strategy, management consulting) and markets (US, Germany, UK, Italy).

Moderator: Jake Varsano, Sr. Program Manager, Energy Markets EnelX

  • Jake is a Senior Program Manager on the Energy Markets team at Enel X. In this role, he manages the company's demand response activities in the state of California as well as Missouri. Prior to his role at Enel X, Jake worked in the Energy Practice at the consulting firm Charles River Associates where he focused on strategic and economic engagements on behalf of utility and financial clients. Additionally, Jake is a second-year student in the Michigan Ross Weekend MBA Program.

Chris Bowman, Vice President, Marathon Capital

  • Chris Bowman is a Vice President at Marathon Capital, responsible for executing M&A and capital raise engagements in the renewable energy and clean technology sectors. While at Marathon, he has participated in a number of growth equity, tax equity, and M&A transactions across the solar, storage, wind, carbon capture, and electrified transportation infrastructure sectors. Chris graduated from the Erb program in 2019, prior to which he was managing C&I solar development for RGS Energy in Denver, CO.

Chris Miltimore, Director of Energy Storage, RoyPow USA

The Future Landscape Of Energy Storage In A Decarbonized Grid

Friday, December 1, 2023 11:15 AM -12:15 PM

This panel will focus on the critical importance of energy storage in the clean energy transition. The discussion will delve into storage mechanisms and explore how these technologies are being integrated into both renewable energy development projects and utilities.

Who Will Be the Players in the eV charging ecosystem?

Friday, December 1, 2023 2:45 PM 3:45 PM

This panel will explore the present and future landscape of EV charging in the United States. The discussion with delve into challenges and opportunities emerging in residential home charging and charging station networks, as our transportation systems become electrified.

Milena Marku, Manager of Customer Marketing, DTE

  • Milena Marku is a manager of customer marketing for DTE (NYSE: DTE), a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services.

    Currently, Milena leads the strategy and execution for DTE Electric’s Charging Forward, a ~$30M program that promotes EV education, infrastructure and adoption. In her role, Milena is responsible for working with Southeast Michigan residents, communities, businesses, and local governmental agencies to support their journey to transportation electrification and sustainability plans by activating partnerships that leverage program offerings for residential charger rebates, infrastructure incentives, and fleet advisory services.

Alex Keros, Director of EV Infrastructure Development, General Motors

  • Alex Keros, Director, EV Infrastructure Development, is leading GM’s electric vehicle consumer experience. With extensive experience deploying infrastructure solutions, Alex’s team is building an extensive public charging network via collaborations with EVgo, Pilot Company, Tesla and a recently announced OEM Joint Venture. His team also works to create a seamless charging experience for GM EV customers through the company’s family of vehicle brand apps. His unique background spanning energy policy, environmental engineering and business strategy has given him an innovative toolbox to tap into to electrify mobility. Alex earned a B.S. in Natural Resource Management and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Michigan.

Moderator: Erin Sowerby, Principal, Roland Berger

  • Erin is a Principal with Roland Berger, a management consulting company. She focuses on energy transition topics, including transportation electrification and the impacts of distributed energy and EV charging on the grid. She has over 20 years of consulting and industry experience in the space. She is particularly interested in how we can utilize technology and communications, along with new customer assets, such as flexible charging load and vehicle batteries, to affordably manage the grid.

Annalise Steketee, Sustainability Manager, Meijer

  • Annalise Steketee is an advocate for sustainability prioritization in the business space. Following her graduation from the University of Michigan, Annalise joined Meijer’s Environmental team in 2021 to focus on sustainability initiatives across the organization. She leads the company’s Sustainability Council, which is a cross-functional internal group committed to Meijer’s four sustainability pillars: carbon emissions reduction, food waste reduction, circular economy, and Great Lakes stewardship.

Incorporating Energy Justice Into Renewable Energy Project Development

Friday, December 1, 2023 4:00 PM 5:00 PM

This panel will bring in diverse voices to discuss critical issues around environmental justice in the clean energy transition.

Kevin Self, Senior VP of Strategy, Business Development & Gov. Affairs, Schneider Electric

  • I lead North America strategy development, government policy influencing, and regulatory affairs for Schneider Electric, a 187 year old global company providing digital energy and automation solutions for greater efficiency, resiliency and sustainability. I am the Executive Sponsor of our Emerging Professionals Network and our relationship with FIRST Robotics (www.firstinspires.org). I serve on the boards of The Information Technology Industry Council (www.itic.org), The University of Michigan Erb Institute (https://erb.umich.edu/) and Northwestern University’s Institute for Sustainability & Energy (ISEN)

Missy Stults, Director of Sustainability and Innovations, City of Ann Arbor

  • Missy is the Sustainability and Innovations Director for the City of Ann Arbor where she works with all community stakeholders to usher in a just transition to community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030.

Moderator: Justin Schott, Director of the Energy Equity Project

  • Justin Schott serves as Director of the Energy Equity Project, where he led a team of 45 co-authors in developing a comprehensive, national Framework for Measuring and Advancing Energy Equity. Schott is also a lecturer in energy justice at U of M’s School for Environment and Sustainability, where he earned his M.S. (2006).

    Prior to coming to EEP, Schott was Executive Director of EcoWorks, a Detroit non-profit, from 2015-2020. Before that, Schott designed and managed the launch and operations of numerous community programs, including the Youth Energy Squad (founder), which grew to a city‐wide social and environmental justice initiative and summer workforce development program. Schott plays leadership roles in community-based participatory research, regulatory and governmental sustainability initiatives. He holds a M.S. from U of M and continues to serve as project manager for the Detroit Climate Strategy.

Sofia Mongeon, Beyond the Megawatt Associate, CEBA

  • Sofia Mongeon is a young professional dedicated to creating a resilient, equitable, and environmentally sustainable energy transition. Currently, Sofia works at the Clean Energy Buyers Alliance, specifically on the Beyond the Megawatt team. In this role, she collaborates with major clean energy purchasers and energy market stakeholders empowering them to use their influence in the energy market to drive meaningful and holistic clean energy procurement.