Solarplaza Summit Energy Storage USA

Wednesday 1 October 2025

18:00

Welcome drinks with Solarplaza

Fresh off your flight? Join us for wine, beer, and light bites — a casual welcome for our community the evening before the summit. Drop by to say hi, connect with fellow attendees, and enjoy a relaxed networking atmosphere.

The welcome drinks will take place at The Naturalist Bar & Lounge in Intercontinental Houston.

Thursday 2 October 2025

08:30

Registration and Welcome Coffee

Start your day with checking in and coffee, igniting your journey into solar innovation and networking excellence.

09:15

Welcoming words by Solarplaza

presentation

5 min.

Official opening of the conference, setting the agenda and expectations.

José Miguel Polanco

Solarplaza

Session 1

Market momentum meets development challenges

09:20

Keynote: The energy transition report card

presentation

30 min.

A candid reality check on where energy policy and market execution are diverging, and how storage fits into a more grounded vision for the future.

Where the U.S. storage agenda is falling short of potential
Political optimism vs. permitting and interconnection realities
What leadership and policy realism could unlock

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Doug Sheridan

Energy Point Research

09:50

Tax credits, trade & compliance risks defining the U.S. storage market

presentation

20 min.

An on-the-ground look at how the Beautiful Bill, FEoC enforcement, and trade policy risks are reshaping the near-term outlook for storage development, financing, and compliance.

Tax credits under the Beautiful Bill: What’s changed, what deadlines matter, and where compliance traps lie.
FEoC enforcement & supply chain vulnerability: Why compliance is now a gating factor for bankability.
Tariffs & trade pressures: Cost impacts without going too deep (since later sessions cover tariffs in detail).
Financing under legal uncertainty: How developers, investors, and asset owners are adjusting strategies.

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Jenny Speck

Vinson & Elkins

10:10

The policy push: how will regulation, legislation and markets adapt?

panel

50 min.

This power panel brings together voices from the development, regulation, and legal advisory sides to dissect key topics.

IRA, ITC/PTC delays and uncertain bonus eligibility
Permitting gridlock: fire codes, zoning, and local resistance
Interconnection and queue reform via FERC Order 2023
State vs. federal policy friction

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moderator

Vanessa Witte

Galehead Development

Steven Drew

Delafield Energy

Jim Stuart

NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation)

Terry Wang

Suncode Energy

Natalie Johns

Dudley

John D’Anna

Horizon Energy

11:00

Morning networking break

Session 2

Building smarter: System, design, AI optimization & hybrid integrity

11:50

Adding BESS to your PV project: Navigating technical and regulatory complexities

20 min.

A practical session for solar developers, EPCs, and C&I asset owners tackling the latest challenges in PV + storage integration. Covers system design, ITC and FEoC compliance, and how to build smart under new market rules.

Key design considerations for co-located systems (DC vs. AC coupling, grid interconnection)
How to structure PV + BESS projects to comply with ITC and FEoC rules
Emerging trends in storage tech, sizing strategy, and hybrid control architecture
Permitting and interconnection challenges developers should anticipate

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Nick Maynard

Arevon Energy

Nick Maynard

Vice President, Engineering

Arevon Energy

Nick Maynard has been with Arevon for nearly four years and has more than 15 years of experience in engineering, construction, and the project management of large commercial and utility-scale photovoltaic & BESS projects in the United States and Guam. His experience in renewable energy includes engineering, finance, and construction support for greenfield development and merger and acquisition projects. Before joining Arevon, Nick led the design, installation, and commissioning of approximately 2.0GWdc of solar PV projects, amounting to approximately $2 billion in capital. Since joining Arevon, Nick has engineered another 1.5GWdc of PV and 760MW of BESS in California, Nevada, and Indiana. As the Senior Director of Engineering, Nick’s responsibilities include executive reporting, the establishment of processes and procedures, fatal flaw analysis, negotiation of EPC technical language, review of QA/QC reports, cold and hot commissioning, and owner engineer’s support. Nick obtained a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado.

12:10

Beyond solar’s lessons: why only AI can keep storage accountable, secure, and profitable

presentation

20 min.

A teaching-focused session on why AI has become the only scalable way to meet storage obligations, optimize performance, and enable predictive maintenance. Framed around lessons from solar underperformance, the talk highlights how the industry can avoid repeating those mistakes as storage scales

Teaches operators and asset owners how AI is applied today to ensure uptime and compliance
Offers practical workflows, metrics, and frameworks attendees can apply immediately
Provides concrete operational guidance distinct from policy and design discussions

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Dan Coyle

enSights

Sara Marra-Medeiros

enSights

12:30

Building smarter BESS – hybrid, modular, and AI-enabled

panel

40 min.

A practical conversation about how design choices — from battery chemistry to control architecture — are evolving for real-world flexibility.

What chemistries are being chosen for which use cases (LFP, sodium, flow, etc.)
Smart BMS and AI-enhanced operational software
Advanced hybrid applications: utility-scale BESS for microgrids, data centers, and grid-forming use cases
Future-readiness: modularity, long-duration integration, and system scaling

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moderator

Dr. Jonathan Scharf

SkyTerra Group

Dr. Jonathan Scharf

Founder & CEO

SkyTerra Group

Dr. Scharf leads SkyTerra at the leading edge of AI, automation, solar and battery innovation and integrated energy solutions, from microgrids to utility-scale infrastructure. His peer-reviewed work in Science and Nature on silicon-rich anodes and AI-guided X-ray tomography underpins two patented platforms now moving from pilot lines to grid deployments. previously, he scaled lithium-ion cell production at Tesla’s battery manufacturing and, at Accenture, advised global utilities on battery adoption and grid modernization. By optimizing energy-storage supply chains and advanced materials, he has delivered more than $650 million in cost savings and steered multi-megawatt storage and solar projects from concept through commissioning. Jonathan regularly briefs utility boards and investors on technical risk and market viability, blending deep engineering fluency with sharp commercial insight. He also serves as Chair of the State Membership Committee at CleanTX, forging alliances with EPCs, OEMs and energy operators to accelerate technology adoption statewide.

Sam Thomas

Power Factors

Sam Thomas

Vice President of SCADA Delivery

Power Factors

Sam Thomas is a visionary IT, OT, and Cybersecurity leader with more than 17 years of experience driving technology transformation, operational resilience, and business growth across the energy and renewables sector. He currently serves as Vice President of SCADA Delivery – North America at Power Factors, where he leads delivery operations, customer engagement, and strategic initiatives that advance the digital backbone of renewable energy assets. Previously, Sam held senior leadership roles at Western Midstream, NextEra Energy, and Occidental Petroleum, where he directed large-scale IT and SCADA programs, modernized cloud and infrastructure platforms, and strengthened cybersecurity postures in high-availability, regulated environments. He has successfully led teams of nearly 300 professionals, delivered multimillion-dollar global technology programs, and advised executives and boards on IT governance, compliance, and operational risk. Sam holds dual master’s degrees—a Master of Science in Computer Engineering and an MBA in International Business—as well as advanced certifications in cloud computing and leadership from the University of Texas at Austin and the London School of Business Administration. His expertise spans SCADA and ICS systems, NERC-CIP compliance, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), enterprise data management, and cybersecurity frameworks.

Joseph Nasser

Titus LCV

Lucian Gavriliuc

e3 Consulting

Lucian Gavriliuc

Executive Director, Energy Storage

e3 Consulting

ucian Gavriliuc is Executive Director of E3 Consulting’s Energy Storage practice, where he advises developers, investors, and insurers on utility-scale battery energy storage projects across ERCOT, CAISO, and PJM. A licensed Professional Engineer and IEEE Senior Member, he brings nearly two decades of experience in technical due diligence, interconnection strategy, EPC and O&M contract negotiations, and lifecycle cost modeling. He has supported transactions exceeding $80 million and guided construction-phase reviews for projects up to 650 MWdc PV and 272 MWh BESS. Before joining E3, Lucian was Senior Project Engineering Manager with Trina Storage and held senior engineering roles at Fluence, Hargrove, and Wood. His background spans utility-scale solar, storage, and industrial power systems, with expertise in system protection, grid compliance, and risk management. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Technology (Power) from the University of Houston, magna cum laude, and an MBA from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.Active in the power industry since 2004, his technical background spans evaluation of electrical equipment—including medium- and low-voltage transformers, motors, switchgear, motor control centers, and variable frequency drives. Mr. Gavriliuc also has experience with uninterruptible power supplies for 125VDC switchgear control systems and inverters for 208Y/120V three-phase AC systems. He has designed electrical power systems in compliance with engineering standards and codes such as IEEE, NEC, NFPA 70E, the NESC, and ANSI. He has also conducted power system studies for both utility-scale and renewable energy (solar PV) markets. An active member of IEEE, he stays current with industry trends and emerging technologies. Mr. Gavriliuc holds a BS in Electrical Technology (Power) from the University of Houston, graduating cum laude, and an MBA from the University of Georgia and is a registered professional engineer.

Kent R Hurst

CEC Energy (Coonrod Electric Co.)

13:10

Networking lunch break

Session 3

From risk to revenue: Funding, safety & supply chain strategy

14:30

Supply chain shocks, tariffs & cost strategy

presentation

20 min.

A case-driven dive into how tariffs, logistics, and sourcing challenges are being handled at the project level.

China battery tariffs, sourcing limits, domestic policy updates
How OEM contracts are shifting with tariff risk
Real developer response strategies to pricing volatility

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Tiffany Wang

S&P Global Commodity Insights

Aaron Barker

Fractal Energy Storage Consultants

Aaron Barker

Director of Due Diligence

Fractal Energy Storage Consultants

Aaron Barker is Director of Due Diligence at Fractal Energy Storage Consultants, where he oversees financial and technical evaluations for utility-scale battery storage projects and portfolios totaling over 10GWh of planned capacity. He supports battery developers to make better investment decisions in volatile markets. Aaron specializes in systems engineering, technoeconomic analysis, and optimization for hybrid energy systems, with deep expertise in how sourcing constraints, policy shifts, and technology choices impact long-term project value. Previously, Aaron was a Senior Researcher at NREL, where he led analysis for the Hybrid Optimization and Performance Platform and was Principal Investigator on the MIRACL microgrids and resilience project. His early career focused on offshore renewables and O&M strategy as part of the €23M LEANWIND and €13M MARINA EU wind energy initiatives. Aaron holds a Ph.D. in Renewable Energy and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from University College Cork. He brings a unique blend of technical rigor and commercial insight to today’s challenges; from navigating battery tariffs and evolving OEM contracts to helping developers respond strategically to policy or market-driven pricing shifts.

14:50

Built for risk: safety, insurance & certainty in uncertain times

panel

40 min.

An end-to-end conversation on technical, legal, and financial risk in BESS.

NFPA 855, zoning fire safety codes, and insurance exclusions
Cybersecurity exposure and operational coverage
Market response from underwriters and brokers
How safety narratives influence permitting and finance

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moderator

Raafe Khan

Camelot Energy Group

Raafe Khan

Head of Energy Storage

Camelot Energy Group

Raafe is Camelot's Head of Energy Storage at Camelot Energy Group. He brings a great depth of knowledge across the energy storage project lifecycle having held tactical and leadership positions at TATA Power (public utility), Mortenson Construction (EPC), Sunnova Energy Corporation (finance + asset management), Pine Gate Renewables (project development), and Visteon Corporation (product development). His interdisciplinary approach has resulted in over 5 GW of operating projects (wind + solar + storage) and over 25 GWh (storage) across the United States. He is a recipient of several national and international awards, including being a Forbes Under 30 honoree in the field of energy. An ardent advocate for energy access and equity, he is an accredited lecturer for the Battery MBA program and devotes his time to educating stakeholders in the energy storage space about technical and commercial challenges from the cell to a fully functional container system. Raafe has a Bachelor's in Electrical & Electronics Engineering degree from Manipal University and a Master's in Energy Science, Technology & Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University.

Edward Trujillo

NAES Renewables

Eula Billaut

Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)

Nicolas Felix

TotalEnergies

Bill Kost

Marsh

15:30

Making storage bankable: funding strategies from paper to NTP

panel

50 min.

Real-world strategies to finance development-stage BESS—from land acquisition to financial close.

How developers are bridging the early-stage capital gap
Considerations for financing co-located vs. standalone projects
Case studies: successful financial structuring from dev to COD
Tools and partnerships for risk sharing

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moderator

Vikram Bagri

CITI

Pooja Shah

DNV

Cory Magnuson

Spearmint Energy

Drew Weiner

Orsted

Maniesh Khatri

NORD/LB

Tom Colebatch

Macquarie Group

16:20

Afternoon networking break

Session 4

Looking Ahead: Long duration storage & the future of the market

17:15

The next phase: evolving roles for storage in a changing grid

panel

35 min.

Closing the day with vision: what’s next in market design and grid services, and how will the strategic role of energy storage in the energy transition evolve?

ISO reform: capacity markets, real-time pricing, flexibility
BESS and AI/data center-driven infrastructure
Utility and policymaker perspective on long-term storage roles
Top 3 disruptors by 2030

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moderator

Vanessa Witte

Galehead Development

Marianna Rasamoela

Avantus

Raafe Khan

Camelot Energy Group

Raafe Khan

Head of Energy Storage

Camelot Energy Group

Steven Drew

Delafield Energy

17:50

Closing remarks

presentation

10 min.

José Miguel Polanco

Solarplaza

18:00

Networking Drinks

Solarplaza Summit | Energy Storage USA

Welcoming words by Solarplaza

Market momentum meets development challenges

Keynote: The energy transition report card

Tax credits, trade & compliance risks defining the U.S. storage market

The policy push: how will regulation, legislation and markets adapt?

Building smarter: System, design, AI optimization & hybrid integrity

Adding BESS to your PV project: Navigating technical and regulatory complexities

Beyond solar’s lessons: why only AI can keep storage accountable, secure, and profitable

Building smarter BESS – hybrid, modular, and AI-enabled

From risk to revenue: Funding, safety & supply chain strategy

Supply chain shocks, tariffs & cost strategy

Built for risk: safety, insurance & certainty in uncertain times

Making storage bankable: funding strategies from paper to NTP

Looking Ahead: Long duration storage & the future of the market

The next phase: evolving roles for storage in a changing grid

Closing remarks