SOLAR 2010 General Sessions

General Sessions, also known as Plenary Sessions, showcase speakers of the highest caliber, and the most important subjects. General sessions are included in your All-Access Pass and Full, One-Day and Student Conference Registration.

Sustainability and the Built Environment - ASME General Session
Thursday, May 20
8:30am to 10:00am
There is a concerted effort by urban planners, architects and engineers to make cities more sustainable. These efforts include a range of strategies such as the development of highly energy efficient buildings, deployment of distributed renewable energy resources, and increase of vegetative cover. Such strategies are often in direct competition (e.g., covering roofs with photovoltaic panels vs. a highly reflective membrane or a vegetated roof). In many cases these sustainability strategies result in complex interactions and unintended consequences for the urban environment. This session provides an overview of the urban climate system and a discussion of the underlying causes of the urban heat island. It will discuss various approaches to enhancing sustainability in the built environment including design and analysis tools suitable for both architects and engineers.
Speakers Include:
Energy Sustainability in the Built Environment
David Sailor, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Portland State University
Analysis Tools and Case Studies for Sustainability Buildings
Craig Christensen, Research Scientist, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Emerging Transportation
Thursday, May 20
6:30pm to 8:00pm
The first Emerging Transportation Plenary, in 2000, featured a review of all the (soon to be terminated) electric vehicles in production at the time by former GM CEO Bob Stempel. Since then plenaries have focused on reducing emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy in transportation. Now a decade later EVs are back and representatives from Nissan, GM, Tesla, Boulder and XOF1 will present the next generation of vehicles that can be charged from renewables for zero emission travel.
Presentations include:
Review of the Line-Up of New 2010 Plug-In Vehicles
Steve Heckeroth, Homestead Enterprises
Plug-In Conversion of the US Postal Fleet, V2G and Mini-E
Tom Gage, AC Propulsion
Boulder Electric Delivery Vans
Carter Brown, Boulder Electric Vehicle
The Power of One Solar Car Project
Marcelo da Luz, Xof L

Emerging Architecture
Thursday, May 20
8:00pm to 10:00pm
Green Building, LEED Certification, Architecture 2030, AIA's sustainability and "Walk the Walk" initiatives are all continuing a conversation begun decades ago about energy and our built environment. These programs have raised society's concsiousness and helped move us closer to a sustainable energy future. But who actually buys, lives and works in these buildings? What about desiging buildings for the "rest of us" - those who can benefit the most from lower energy bills, increased comfort and less environmental impact, but can least afford it. This session will present people, organizations and projects who are working to provide a sustainable future for everyone.
Tentative Speakers/Companies Include:
Kate Stohr, Managing Director, Architecture for Humanity
Alfred von Bachmayr, Founder and Director, World Hands Project
Andrew Freear, the Rural Studio at Auburn University (invited)
Arup's Global Foresight & Innovation Group (invited)
1.5 AIA CEU's - Health & Welfare and Sustainability - available for this session

Water Issues: Will They Sink Solar in the Southwest?
Friday, May 21
8:30am to 10:00am
Moderated by: Chuck Kutscher, National Renewable Energy Lab
There is a “Catch 22” with freshwater requirements for large-scale solar power production in arid climates. This is one of the complex issues along with transmission infrastructure that must be approached holistically if we are to utilize our vast solar resources in the American Southwest without adding to the growing water crisis.  Come hear from the experts in the field about the ins and outs of this potential problem along with the most viable paths forward.
Speakers Include:
Robert Glennon, University of Arizona and author of “Unquenchable: America’s Water Crisis and What To Do About It”
Alexandra Davis, Assistant Director for Water, Colorado Department of Natural Resources
Ray Dracker, Solar Millenium
Carey King, Research Associate Professor at University of Texas at Austin
1.5 AIA CEU's - Health & Welfare and Sustainability - available for this session