Member Webinars

*This webinar offers .2 AEE credits for live attendance.

Since its inception, Building Commissioning (BCx) has evolved into a veritable alphabet soup of categories depending on the stage of the life cycle of a building, central plant, or campus. In this webinar, domain expert Song Deng, a practitioner, instructor, certified professional, and member of the AEE Hall of Fame, will help sort out some of the complex details of BCx and provide a dynamic view of the current state and future of BCx with fellow CBCP and certification board member, Rich Gifaldi. As the 1st of a mini-series, this webinar aims to demystify, engage, and inform while fueling many businesses/enterprises into their BCx endeavors and successes as a peer, teammate, coach, or competitor.

About the panel:

Song Deng is a world traveler, pathfinder, career practitioner, researcher, and mentor of building commissioning and energy services, activities, and events. Song was inducted into the AEE Energy Managers Hall of Fame in 2019 and is the CBCP®/CBCF® certification Board Chair and a concurrent CEA® certification Board Member. As a Technical Advisor at Austin, TX-based Bee (Building energy efficiency, www.BeeUSA.com), Song consults and lectures worldwide. You can connect with Song on LinkedIn, found here.

Rich Gifaldi, PE, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, CEM, CBCP, has fostered energy conservation, environmental stewardship, and community resilience in buildings and on campuses across the globe. He is the Chief of Facility Business Operations at the Federal Reserve Board and a member of the AEE CBCP certification board. He resides in northern Virginia and enjoys running, beekeeping, and offbeat travel adventures. You can connect with Rich on LinkedIn, found here.

*Learn more about AEE’s Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP) certification here.

*This webinar offers .2 AEE credits for live attendance.

CEM and CEP managers – Have we already seen an all-time high in PJM markets and across the US? In this presentation, join us in learning from two seasoned retail supplier energy professionals as they provide insight into the market trends for both Natural Gas and Electricity and how these trends will affect your commodity budgets into 2024 and going forward.

About the Panel:
Olga Curnen brings many years of expertise and deep knowledge in administrating and serving competitive energy supply programs. She supports accounts for electricity, natural gas, and renewable sales, including negotiating pricing and other terms with clients across PJM markets.

Jonathan Colpitts, with more than 20 years of energy experience, is currently responsible for the acquisition, transportation, scheduling, and design of gas supply portfolios.

*This webinar offers .2 AEE credits for live attendance.

*This webinar offers .2 AEE credits for live attendance.

Register for this upcoming webinar as we delve into critical topics shaping our global response to climate change. In this concise session, we will explore the pivotal role of international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, in curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Participants will learn about the effectiveness of carbon pricing strategies in incentivizing low-carbon choices and the transition to renewable energy sources for cleaner energy alternatives. We will uncover strategies for setting and achieving net-zero targets and delve into the potential of afforestation and reforestation as nature-based solutions for carbon sequestration.

We’ll provide insights on optimizing energy consumption through energy efficiency programs and the significant contribution of electrifying transportation to sustainability efforts. Additionally, we will discuss innovative technologies for emissions reduction through carbon capture/storage and the adoption of circular economy practices for resource efficiency. Overall, this webinar will emphasize the importance of climate resilience and adaptation strategies to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of a rapidly changing climate.

About the presenter:
With over 25 years in energy project development, Samer Zawaydeh is a respected educator, trainer, and public speaker. He has contributed to key studies like “Options for a National E-Mobility Strategy in Jordan” and “Smart Grid Options in Jordan,” showcasing his expertise in navigating legal frameworks, providing technical counsel, and reviewing the Jordan Power Sector. Currently, he is crafting a “Long-Term Low-carbon and Climate Resilient Strategy in Jordan.” Samer teaches “Energy Policy, Regulation, and Economics” at Al Hussein Technical University and developed an “ESCO Accreditation Scheme for Jordan” as the National Energy Expert for the UNDP.

To many in the sustainability industry, entry-level employees’ career paths appear broad and diverse. A wide range of position types benefit from different and unique skill sets. To those graduating from high school, community college, or university, the picture may not be so clear – or so promising. This interactive presentation will review and summarize recent literature regarding workforce development initiatives in the sustainability industry to better understand the entry-level employment needs of the energy transition economy from the perspective of hiring entities and prospective employees. This review will benefit those on both sides of the hiring process, and aims to answer the following questions:

• Are aspiring sustainability job-seekers fully aware of the range of employment opportunities? If not, what are the information asymmetries?
• Are there specific job criteria that make sustainability jobs more or less attractive to job seekers, and to what degree are these criteria met in entry-level jobs?
• Can employers find and recruit job seekers with appropriate skill sets? If not, where are the most significant skill gaps, and how can they be closed?
• To what degree do cultural or generational factors impact hiring for sustainability positions?
• How does a career path in sustainability compare with other industries that job seekers may be pursuing, and what factors are most important in that comparison?

About the Presenter:
James Dodenhoff is the Founder and Principal of Silent Running Energy, a firm that guides clients through the most recent technology developments, regulatory guidelines, and finance solutions to provide optimal sustainability and energy solutions. Jim’s experience includes serving as Regional Business Development Director for S&C Electric’s Microgrid Control System, Project Development for California’s Community Solar Green Tariff Program, Working Group member for the CPUC Energy Efficiency Compensation, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (CDEI), and Working Group member for the CPUC Energy Efficiency Equity and Market Support Working Group (EMSWG). Jim has presented at numerous AEE conferences on various clean energy topics in the past ten years. Jim has an MBA in Strategy/Finance from the UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in Energy Studies/Mechanical Engineering from Brown University.

*This webinar offers .2 AEE credits for live attendance.

Join us for an insightful webinar where we delve into the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the energy industry. From optimizing resource management to enhancing sustainability practices, AI is revolutionizing how we approach energy production, distribution, and consumption.

Key Topics Include:
1. AI-driven Energy Forecasting: Learn how advanced algorithms improve accuracy in predicting energy demands, enabling more intelligent resource allocation and grid optimization.

2. Enhanced Operational Efficiency: Discover how AI-powered systems streamline maintenance operations, reduce downtime, and maximize asset performance in energy facilities.

3. Renewable Energy Integration: Explore how AI technologies facilitate integrating renewable energy sources into the grid, ensuring reliability and stability.

4. Demand-side Management: Understand the role of AI in empowering consumers to manage their energy usage efficiently, contributing to a more sustainable energy ecosystem.

5. Risk Mitigation and Security: Examine the role of AI in identifying and mitigating risks, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and safeguarding critical energy infrastructure.

About the Presenter:
Dr. Hicham Lahmidi, C.E.M., C.B.C.P., CEA., is a French energy expert with significant practical experience in Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Research, and Sustainability. Dr. Lahmidi is currently the Chief Operating Officer of HandZ Solutions and the VP of AEE Western Europe Region.