Our Past Events
Connect. Innovate. Lead.
October, 10, 2025
The 2025 gathering represented a pivotal moment for global leaders in power and ecological preservation as they collaborated to redefine our shared trajectory. Under the expert facilitation of Ignacio Díaz and Kristin Slanina, guests participated in an immersive day of education and networking featuring insights from a dozen top-tier experts delivering ground-breaking strategies.
Building community remained the core priority, ranging from morning interactions in the exhibition space to our signature evening social featuring fine wines and cheeses. With thirty-three diverse exhibitors, dynamic electric vehicle showcases, and professional development credits available, the conference provided a comprehensively enriching environment for every participant involved.
Head MC: Ignacio Díaz
cco at glenn international
Ignacio Diaz is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Glenn International Inc., based in San Juan – Puerto Rico. He currently directs the four Divisions of Glenn International – Electrical, Renewable, Lighting, and Telecommunications. He is passionate about energy efficiency and renewable sources, which he believes them to be imperative towards the survival of the Region’s economy. This same passion is reflected in the products and services Glenn represents in the Region. He holds a BS Degree in Finance and MIS, with a minor in Psychology from Marquette University in Wisconsin. Before joining Glenn International, Ignacio worked for IBM and NYNEX throughout several States.
Co MC: Kristin Slanina
Board member at comstock inc.
Board member at Comstock Inc. Recently Chief Innovation Officer at ParkMyFleet and Managing Director of Charge Across America. Former Global Mobility Lead at Ford Motor Company with 21 yrs in engine and advanced technologies. Led Chrysler’s propulsion strategy and greenhouse gas plan. Built EY’s Automotive Future of Mobility practice then became CTO at Thirdware. Former COO at TrueCar, responsible for all revenue and product innovation. Keynote speaker & international best selling author of “Shifting Gears”. She holds a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Former board member at Velodyne.
Welcome to Energy Disruption
Gerard Reid
Keynote Speaker + Leading Global Expert and Financier in the Energy Transition Space
A trusted authority, advisor and published author, with a following of more than 150k across several platforms, he is co-host of the highly acclaimed Redefining Energy podcast, which explores how Finance, Technology, Innovation, Markets and Regulations are radically redefining the world of energy. Reid is a member of the leadership team of the Energy Transition Forum, a leading think tank focussed on decarbonisation, and is Co-Founder of numerous businesses including Alexa Capital, NATO-L, and Bourbaki. His passion lies in educating and inspiring people, as well as empowering and accelerating sustainable change, working alongside like-minded individuals to transform challenges into opportunities.
Uruguay: Energy
Independence Example
Ramón Méndez Galain
Former Secretary of Energy of Uruguay (2008-2015)
He led Uruguay’s transition to 98% renewable sources—40% wind—halving electricity costs. Former Secretary of Climate Change of Uruguay (2015-2016), he helped negotiate the Paris climate agreement. Former Chairman of the Council of IRENA and former GCF (Green Climate Fund) board member. A global champion in energy transition, he has run think-do tank Asociación Ivy for 3 years, advising governments and the private sector on introducing renewable energy. He gives worldwide seminars on Uruguay's success. Fortune magazine named him one of the 50 World Great Leaders of 2016 for decarbonizing an economy. Dr. Méndez is a Professor and researcher with over a hundred publications. He holds a degree and a PhD in physical sciences from the Universities of La Plata in Argentina and Grenoble in France.
AI Grid Modeling
Alice Jackson
Vice President of grids at breakthrough energy
Alice Jackson, Vice President of GRIDS at Breakthrough Energy, leads efforts to develop open-source tools for delivering reliable, low-emission electricity globally, addressing the complexities of system design, regulations, and zero-carbon goals. Alice has held a variety of roles in the energy industry over the past 20+ years. From her early days at Enron, to software development and energy management at Oxy, and her nearly 14 years at Xcel Energy leading functions such as regulatory, being President of Colorado, and serving as Chief Planning Officer responsible for building steps to achieve a zero-carbon electric system, all these roles have prepared her for this critical task. She applies her expertise to advance scalable, data-driven solutions while balancing her mission-driven career with her role as a mother and stepmother.
The Importance of EMS in a Utility Scale Energy Storage System
Kelcy Pegler
CEO AND BOARD DIRECTOR OF FLEXGEN
Kelcy Pegler is Chief Executive Officer and Board Director of FlexGen, a leading battery storage company. Before FlexGen, he was Executive Chairman of Sofdesk, acquired by Enphase (NASDAQ: ENPH) in January 2021. He founded and was CEO of Roof Diagnostics Solar, acquired by NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG) in 2014, where he was CEO of NRG Home Solar. Kelcy has a proven track record building and accelerating renewables companies to capitalize on new energy sectors. He graduated University of North Carolina – Greensboro, playing for the basketball team. Awards include Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Finalist), NJ Biz: “40 under 40,” and Inc. Magazine’s – Fastest Growing Companies
Solid State: Home Energy
Storage Redefined
Dr. Hector Abruña + Dr. Alex Yu
Founders of Factorial Energy
Professor Abruña is the Émile M. Chamot Professor of Chemistry at Cornell and Director of CABES and emc2. A Cornell faculty member since 1983, his research focuses on operando characterization for battery and fuel cell materials. His distinguished career includes the 2024 Global Energy Prize, the Enrico Fermi Award, and the 2025 Dreyfus Prize. With over 610 publications and an h-index of 114, he has delivered more than 700 invited lectures worldwide. Above all, he values his mentorship of 66 Ph.D. students and 75 Post-Doctoral associates as his most significant career success. In 2013, Alex Yu started Lionano and served as CEO during the last year of his Ph.D. in electrochemistry from Cornell University under Prof. Héctor Abruña. He holds several patents in advanced battery technology including NMC/NCA cathode, lithium sulfur cathode, lithium metal anode, and solid-state electrolyte. Yu believes battery technology is the key to unlocking reliable, safe, and affordable EVs worldwide.
Yes, Vieques is Still an Island! Energizing Isolated Communities: Project Update and New App
Alex Van Den Henden
cornell university Masters student
Alex Van Den Hende is a Master's student at Cornell University driving innovation in the renewable energy transition. At the Abruña Energy Initiative, he investigates the importance of battery and hydrogen storage on the resilience of renewable energy grids. Alex is the developer of the Hybrid Storage Decision Model (HSDM), a cutting-edge tool designed to inform critical decision making for the design and deployment of renewable energy systems. In his spare time, he is an avid/high performance gymnast.
Nuclear Power:
Why Our Future Needs Fission
Ella Jacobs
Duke university nuclear influencer
An emerging voice in the nuclear energy sector, Ella Jacobs has been immersed in the industry for several years, combining hands-on utility experience with a strong public presence. Currently a junior at Duke University majoring in Electrical Engineering, she works part-time with a major nuclear energy utility in the U.S, gaining practical insight into the operations and future of clean energy production. In addition to her field experience, Jacobs runs a fast-growing nuclear energy social media platform with an audience of over 20,000 followers, where she educates, engages, and advocates for the role of nuclear power in a sustainable future. Her work bridges technical expertise with public communication, aiming to demystify nuclear technology and promote informed discussion around clean energy transitions.
Innovating Our Energy Future
With Small Modular Reactors
Dr. José N. Reyes, Jr.
Chief Technology Officer & Co Founder NuScale Power, LLC
José N. Reyes, Ph.D., co-founded NuScale Power, LLC and designed its passively cooled small nuclear reactor, serving as Chief Technology Officer since 2007. A United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency technical expert and passive safety system specialist, he holds over 180 patents in 20 countries. Honors include the 2013 Nuclear Energy Advocate Award and the 2014 American Nuclear Society Technical Achievement Award. He's a member of the National Academy of Engineering and fellow of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) and NURETH. He formerly headed the Oregon State University (OSU) Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Health Physics, directed the Advanced Thermal Hydraulic Research Laboratory, and co-directed the Battelle Energy Alliance Academic Center of Excellence for Idaho National Laboratory. Dr. Reyes is Professor Emeritus at OSU. He holds a Ph.D. and Master of Science from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida.
Recycling 100% PV Panels & Batteries
Corrado De Gasperis
Vice President of grids at breakthrough energy
Mr. De Gasperis has served as Comstock’s chief executive officer since 2010 and executive chairman since 2015. From 2006 to 2009, he was CEO of Barzel Industries Inc. and its predecessors, which operated 15 metal processing facilities in the United States and Canada. From 1998 to 2006, he held roles at GrafTech International Ltd., including CFO, vice president, and CIO from 2001 to 2006. He is a director and chairman of LiNiCo Corporation, a director of ROK-On Building Systems, and founding chairman of the Comstock Foundation for History and Culture. He previously chaired the Virginia City Tourism Commission and served as a director for GBS Gold International Inc., chairing its Audit and Governance and Compensation Committees. Mr. De Gasperis holds a Bachelor of Business Arts with honors from the Ancell School of Business at Western Connecticut State University.
Waste to Energy
from Design to Production
Brad Godfrey
Technical and Operations Director at Movil Soluciones Ambientale
Brad Godfrey leads engineering and operations for one of the most advanced waste management and energy valorization platforms in the Caribbean. With over 35 years of international experience, including serving as COO and President of Power-One (now ABB), a global OEM in power conversion technologies, Brad has delivered high-performance energy and power conversion manufacturing solutions across Latin America, the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Brad served as the in-country lead engineer for the first U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)-funded Waste to Energy feasibility study in the Dominican Republic, partnering with Grupo Viamar and Global Energy Solutions to assess infrastructure potential and technology pathways. This work laid the foundation for the establishment of Movil Soluciones Ambientales. Today, Brad spearheads the development of cutting-edge material recovery facilities (MRFs), refuse-derived fuel (RDF) systems, and engineered solid fuel platforms, providing reliable alternative fuels to support the local industrial and energy sectors. His efforts are driving the company’s mission toward Zero-Landfill operations and circular economy leadership.
Microgrid Power Quality Cure
James M. Hoelscher
Business Development and Sales Manager at VVC and Power Quality Solutions
An industry expert and entrepreneurial business executive with over 30 years of global experience in electrical power conversion, energy storage, power quality, motor control, and control systems technologies. Hoelscher has managed businesses that design and manufacture power conversion and energy storage systems and has a proven track record of successful global deployments. Throughout his career, he has won numerous awards for product innovation and growth and has held several electrical controls engineering and senior management positions. He is a member of IEEE and served on the Energy Storage Association and UNC Charlotte’s EPIC board. He has also spoken at numerous industrial automation and engineering conferences.