10th Annual Harvesting Clean Energy Conference & Exhibition

In the prior post we provided some pictures and video of the Flipwing Turbine demonstration unit, which is on its way today to Hydrovolts' first public exhibition at the Harvesting Clean Energy Conference in Kennewick, WA. Come to the show and spin the turbine! There will be about 500 attendees, including Washington State's Governor Christine Gregoire and several members of the Congressional delegation (if they can get out of Washington DC!) There will be many great opportunities to learn and ask questions about renewable energy development in and for the Pacific Northwest. Join us!

Harvesting Clean Energy
February 7-9, 2010
Kennewick, WA

Now in its 10th year, the conference and exhibition will be held at the Three Rivers Convention Center (directions) and is a key initiative of our good friends at Climate Solutions.



As the brief brochure [pdf] explains: "The Harvesting Clean Energy Conference is the Northwest's premiere gathering to advance rural economic development through clean-energy production. Clean energy offers practical, profitable opportunities for our farmers, ranchers, rural utilities and towns, tribes and the region's economy. Over the past ten years, this event has connected thousands of individuals and organizations who share the rural clean-energy vision."

Hydrovolts CEO and Co-founder Burt Hamner is scheduled to speak as part of a panel discussing "New Energy Opportunities for Irrigated Agriculture - Tapping Irrigation Water Delivery Systems to Produce Hydropower" on Monday, February 8 from 3:30-5:00. The program notes that "irrigation water delivery systems are often excellent candidates for small hydropower" and the session will be an ideal vehicle to highlight the value of small hydropower such as that provided by a Hydrovolts turbine. Moderating the panel will be Andrew Munro of the Grant County PUD, who is also the President of the National Hydropower Association. Fellow presenters are Keith Knitter, Manager of Resource Planning with the Grant County PUD and Steve Rigdon, Generation Manager of Yakama Power.

Burt is scheduled to be part of the panel. However, he is currently trapped in the "snowmaggedon" of Washington DC,where he was speaking at Retech 2010. The local airports in and around DC are reportedly shut down for the next two days. He is trying to find a way to Richmond, VA or anywhere else with a functioning airport, but as one might expect ground transportation has, well, ground to a halt. If Burt cannot hop a plane tomorrow (Sunday) then I will give his presentation for him. At least Internet electrons are getting out of the Capital.

Also speaking at the conference will be Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) who is increasingly recognized as a leading expert on renewable energy, climate change, and sustainability in the US Congress. She has recently introduced the Carbon Limits and Energy for America's Renewal (CLEAR) Act, an innovative and remarkably succinct proposal to simultaneously address the related problems of energy security and climate change. Other noteworthy speakers include Rogers Weed, who's shaking up Olympia as Director of the Department of Commerce, US Representative Jay Inslee (D-WA), another energy and climate authority in Congress whose insight was recently featured on the Hydrovolts blog, and Peter Goldmark, Washington State's Commissioner of Public Lands. However, since Burt saw Congressman Inslee in DC on Thursday, there may be other changes to the speaker list!

Football fans needn't miss anything, as there is a Super Bowl party with a no-host bar, and the big game will be on the big screen.

Register now, and join us for what will be an outstanding program on renewable energy and sustainability for the rural northwest, and an exciting exhibitor presence for Hydrovolts as we share our vision for renewable hydropower in irrigation canals with customers, government officials, the news media and others.

We hope to see you in Kennewick!