How do renewables fit into an “all of the above” energy strategy?

In the spring of 2012, President Obama articulated what has become America’s de facto energy policy: “We need an energy strategy for the future — an all-of-the-above strategy for the 21st century that develops every source of American-made energy.”

But what does an “all-of-the-above” approach actually look like, and how do renewable sources of power fit in?

That’s the question Russel E. Smith, executive director of the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association, hopes to explore during the group’s annual conference, which began yesterday afternoon in San Antonio.

He’s serious enough about it to make that the name and driving question of the conference, which will explore the opportunities and challenges facing the clean energy sector under such a policy.

“It’s become a catch phrase,” Smith said, “and I’m interested in what it really means — does it mean an increase in support for renewables, or a capping of renewable development? It needs to be brought out from political circles.”

Dr. Dan Arvisu, director of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo., will deliver the keynote on the topic this afternoon.

CEO Doyle Beneby will talk about the challenges and opportunities CPS Energy has and will face, in his talk.

He said he’s pleased TREIA has chosen San Antonio to talk about “all of the above,” “since that’s exactly what CPS Energy is working toward – a pragmatic, balanced generation portfolio that reduces the carbon intensity of its fleet, mitigates regulatory risk and keeps rates low.”

The conference will build on last year’s successful TED talk style and will includes panels, keynotes and round tables on topics including:

•  ·       Renewable Energy Opportunities Related to Fossil Fuels
• ·       How Renewable Energy Can Revitalize Rural Communities
• ·       Renewable Energy Opportunities with the Defense Community
• ·       Innovative Renewable Energy Policies and Projects Across the State

Speakers include:

• Doyle N. Beneby, President and CEO, CPS Energy
• Kipp Averitt, former State Senator, Chairman, Texas Clean Energy Coalition
• Dan Reicher, Executive Director, Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance, Stanford
• Phil D. Hardberger, Former Mayor San Antonio
• Dr. Jurgen Weiss, Principal, The Brattle Group
• Brigadier General Robert D. Labrutta, Joint Base San Antonio
• Doug Arent, Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis, a coalition of five universities, including MIT and Stanford
• Tony Dorazio, Chief Executive Officer, OCI Solar
• Dub Taylor, Director, State Energy Conservation Office

For full speaker listings, visit texasrenewables.org.