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About

The event convenes more than 1,000 students, business professionals, international speakers, policy members, and academics for two days of engagement to foster leadership, share new ideas, and bring growth opportunities to the Southeast’s cleantech economy and highlight the advance of clean technology across the globe.

The eighth annual UNC Clean Tech Summit took place on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 – Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at The Friday Conference Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.  All programming was in-person with the exception of the virtual career fair and a free kick-off Solar Decathlon workshop for students.

The 2022 Summit, “Transitioning to a Low Carbon Economy” featured in-person keynote and panel speakers, the popular Mentor Match program, 42+ panel and breakout sessions, student workshops, and a virtual career fair (March 31). Both luncheons featured an all-vegan menu.

This event would not have been possible without our generous sponsors!

Agenda

Tracks

This two-day event included panels for the following seven (7) tracks:

Green Hydrogen for a Carbon-free Economy

Green hydrogen is a critical component of the global transition to a low-carbon future. Drawing on lessons from Europe and Asia, the 2022 Clean Tech Summit will explore green hydrogen’s potential to decarbonize fossil fuel-dependent industries, such as steel and cement, along with its applications in energy storage, transportation, and synthetic natural gas.

Ocean-centric Climate Solutions

We will explore the transformative effect of the coming offshore wind off the US East Coast. Some of the panels covered will include workforce development, offshore wind supply chains, floating wind farms and new fuels for maritime shipping that will be products of this offshore wind boom (green hydrogen or derivatives such as methanol or ammonia).

The Global Energy Transition

Advancements in the technological and political facets of clean energy are crucial for the achievement of a low-carbon future. Some of the topics we will cover in this year’s segment include: new battery technologies, grid modernization, the role of policy, software solutions for grid optimization, how to diversify and secure supply chains for rare minerals, cobaltite, smaltite and lithium ion and other essential inputs for clean technology industries.

Green Finance: Investing in Our Future

Achieving a low-carbon economy is impossible without the integration and innovation of financial and policy instruments. This 2022 “Green Finance” track will explore how the intersection between ESG investment decisions, policy support, and clean technology will drive a low-carbon future.

Weaving a Sustainable Future through Textile Innovations

Textiles is one of the oldest industries on the planet. Lately, textiles have seen major innovations that are nudging the industry to create innovative solutions and adopt sustainability within global business models. We will showcase how textile industries in North Carolina and around the world are being challenged to transition to a more sustainable model that includes circularity as a key component of the future of textiles.

The Rise of Alternative Proteins

The alternative protein industry will play an important role in the transition to a low-carbon economy and the search for healthy alternatives. At the 2022  Clean Tech Summit, learn about funding, technology, marketing, and more behind the upcoming field of alternative proteins.

Mobility

This track will feature engaging conversations about current issues in mobility. We will explore the electrification of transportation and its ramifications for economic development in the Southeast, and for improving public health especially in minority communities that tend to have some of the worst air quality. We will also explore how better urban planning can make us less dependent on single-occupancy cars, create healthier and more livable communities, and how micromobility can contribute to the evolution in how we move.

Day 1

Free Student Webinar: U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon Workshop

When: Monday, March 28th from 4:00 – 5:00 pm

Where: Virtual

Day 2

8:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.    Registration

9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.    Welcome, Honorable Phil Berger [Grumman Auditorium]

9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.  Keynote, Glenn Wright, President, North America, Shell Energy [Grumman Auditorium]

10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Break

10:15 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.  Concurrent Sessions
Track: Hydrogen Economy

Methods for moving and storing hydrogen

[Redbud room]

Track: Global Energy Transition

Low cost, low carbon energy as an important economic development tool for states

[Windflower room]

Track: Ocean-centric Climate Solutions

State of offshore wind in the world

[Sunflower room]

Track: Alternative Proteins

2030 and the future of sustainable food

[Azalea room]

Track: Green Finance

Investing in low income and middle income markets to address climate change

[Dogwood room]

Track: Sustainable Textiles

From Farm to Threads: Carolina grown

[Mountain Laurel room]

Track: Mobility

Transit-oriented development

[Bellflower room]
11:30 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.  Luncheon Options (guest speakers begin at 11:45 a.m)

*All programs are open to registrants. Buffet lunch tickets will be provided based on the type of Summit ticket purchased.

(A) Power of Entrepreneurs, Potential of Bluetech: Mark Huang, co-founder of SeaAhead [Trillium room]

(B) Wageningen University (Topic: Alternative Proteins): Stacy Pyett [Magnolia Lounge]

(C) Nikola Motor Company: Jason Roycht, Global Head Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, “Replacing Diesel in Heavy-Duty Trucking” [Sunflower room]

12:35 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.  Break

12:45 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Keynote, Offshore Wind  

Mark Mitchell, Senior Vice President–Project Construction, Dominion Energy

[Grumman Auditorium]

1:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.  Break

1:30 p.m – 2:35 p.m  Concurrent Sessions  

Track: Hydrogen Economy

Green hydrogen and industrialization

[Redbud room]

Track: Global Energy Transition

Supply chain strategies in times of regulatory and geopolitical uncertainty

[Windflower room]

Track: Ocean-centric Climate Solutions

Offshore wind and economic development

[Sunflower room]

Track: Alternative Proteins

Developing a plant-based ecosystem in the region

[Azalea room]

Track: Green Finance

Impact investing: From climate tech to deployment

[Dogwood room]

Track: Sustainable Textiles

Transparency in textiles

[Mountain Laurel room]

Track: Mobility

Federal and State policies driving transportation electrification

[Bellflower room]

2:35 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.  Break

2:45 p.m – 4:00 p.m.  Keynotes, Global Energy Transition    

Corey Hessen, Executive Vice-President and President, Power, Storage and Origination, TC Energy

Mike Ableson, CEO, Arrival Automotive

[Grumman Auditorium]

4:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.   Break

4:15 p.m. – 5:20 p.m.  Concurrent Sessions   

 

Track: Hydrogen Economy  

Hydrogen Hubs: An international perspective

[Redbud room]

Track: Global Energy Transition

Critical Minerals: What, where, and why do we care?

[Windflower room]

Track: Ocean-centric Climate Solutions

Offshore wind and the mid-Atlantic: the policy backdrop

[Sunflower room]

Track: Alternative Proteins

Funding alternative protein

[Azalea room]

Track: Green Finance

Financing the energy transition

[Dogwood room]

Track: Sustainable Textiles

Circular Textiles

[Mountain Laurel]

Track: Mobility

Electric transportation and economic development in the Southeast

[Bellflower room]

5:30 p.m – 6:30 p.m.  Student Workshop 

Student Engagement: A Driving Force

This workshop will explore factors that have contributed to the recent decline in student engagement, including the rise of social media and the COVID-19 pandemic, and strategies to revive student-lead movements focused on global issues like climate change. Join us to hear from four professionals with current and prior experiences as student leaders who are involved in various companies, non-profits, and government organizations working with youth-led activism movements around social issues.

[Wintergreen room]

 

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  Women in Clean Energy Reception: Women in Clean Energy in partnership with the UNC Cleantech Summit presents a networking reception to come together, talk clean energy, and make new friends! We’ll celebrate the accomplishments of the many talented women in the clean energy ecosystem, while opening our doors for all men and women to join in the networking. Admission to the event includes two complimentary beverages and hors d’oeuvres. Guests must be 21 or older and show ID to consume alcoholic beverages. 

[Atrium hall]

Day 3

8:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.    Registration

9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.    Keynote, Dagmara Koska, Deputy Head of Global Issues & Innovation, EU Delegation to the U.S.A., “The EU Green Deal,” [Grumman Auditorium]

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.  Keynote, Frank Mischler, Director, PtX Hub Brussels, GIZ- German Governmental Agency, “Building a hydrogen economy in Germany, Europe and worldwide.” [Grumman Auditorium]

10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Break 

10:15 a.m. – 11:20 p.m. Concurrent Sessions  

Track: Hydrogen Economy

Decarbonizing the aviation sector

[Redbud room]

Track: Global Energy Transition

Interregional Transmission: A key to unleashing more renewable energy

[Windflower room]

Track: Ocean-centric Climate Solutions

Decarbonizing ports and shipping alternative fuels

[Sunflower room]

Track: Alternative Proteins

Scaling cellular agriculture

[Azalea room]

Track: Green Finance

Data-driven and purpose-driven ESG integration

[Dogwood room]

Track: Sustainable Textiles

Supply Chains: Building in resilience and scalability

[Mountain Laurel room]

Track: Mobility

Transportation equity

[Bellflower room]

11:20 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  Break

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Keynote    

Hardy Boeckle, Minister, Head of Economic, Trade and Finance Department, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, “Industrial transformation towards climate-neutrality: the German way.”

[Grumman Auditorium]
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.  Luncheon Options (guest speakers begin at 12:25 p.m)

*All programs are open to registrants. Buffet lunch tickets will be provided based on the type of Summit ticket purchased.

(A) Omer Farooq, Managing Director, Global Sustainable Finance Group (GSFG), Bank of America [Trillium room]

(B) Jeroen Willemsen, Innovation Lead Protein Shift, Foodvalley Netherlands [Magnolia Lounge]

(C) Panel Discussion, “Domestic advancements in Green Hydrogen” [Sunflower]

1:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.  Break

1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Keynote    

Paul Rennie, Head of the Global Economy Group, British Embassy, Washington DC, “The way forward from COP26.”

[Grumman Auditorium]
2:05 p.m – 3:05 p.m  Concurrent Sessions  

Track: Hydrogen Economy

Powering freight-based transportation

[Redbud room]

Track: Global Energy Transition

Green-enabled grid

[Windflower room]

Track: Ocean-centric Climate Solutions

How Great Britain, Germany, and Denmark are using offshore wind to decarbonize their economies

[Sunflower room]

Track: Alternative Proteins

Plant breeding innovations for better alternative protein products

[Azalea room]

Track: Green Finance

Use of bonds to fund public/private infrastructure

[Dogwood room]

Track: Sustainable Textiles

Rooting wealth and business resiliency through employee ownership

[Mountain Laurel room]

Track: Mobility

Micromobility

[Bellflower room]

3:05 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.  Break

3:20 p.m – 4:50 p.m.  Keynotes    

Chris Fox, Chief Sustainability Officer, HanesBrands, “Hanesbrands: Its Path to a More Sustainable 2030” – (3:20 – 4:05)

Emilio Nieto, General Manager, Spanish National Hydrogen Centre (CNH2), “Green Hydrogen” – (4:05 – 4:50)

[Grumman Auditorium]

4:50 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Break

5:00 p.m – 6:05 p.m  Concurrent Sessions  

Track: Hydrogen Economy

Green hydrogen and the electric grid AND Where is green hydrogen ready for prime time?

[Redbud room]

Track: Global Energy Transition

Building the offshore grid

[Windflower room]

Track: Alternative Proteins

Policy in the alt protein space

[Azalea room]

Track: Green Finance

Blended finance

[Dogwood room]

Track: Sustainable Textiles

Industrial Commons: weaving financing and partnerships for rural economic development 

[Mountain Laurel room]

Track: Mobility

Greenway-oriented development

[Bellflower room]

Speakers

Keynotes and Featured

Glenn Wright

Glenn Wright

President, North America and Vice President, Renewables & Energy Solutions, Americas

Shell Energy

Jeroen Willemsen

Jeroen Willemsen

Innovation Lead Protein Shift

Foodvalley Netherlands

Jason Roycht

Jason Roycht

Global Head - FCEV Business Unit

Nikola Corporation

Joshua Rogol

Joshua Rogol

President

Strata Clean Energy

Stacy Pyett

Stacy Pyett

Program Manager, Proteins for Life

Wageningen University & Research

Emilio Nieto

Emilio Nieto

General Manager

Spanish National Hydrogen Centre (CNH2)

Mark Mitchell, executive with Dominion Energy and keynote speaker at UNC Cleantech Summit.

Mark Mitchell

Senior Vice President–Project Construction

Dominion Energy

Frank Mischler

Frank Mischler

Director, PtX Hub Brussels

GIZ- German Governmental Agency

Dagmara Koska

Dagmara Koska

Deputy Head of Global Issues & Innovation

EU Delegation to the U.S.A.

Chris Fox

Chris Fox

Chief Sustainability Officer

HanesBrands

Omer Farooq

Omer Farooq

Managing Director, Global Sustainable Finance Group (GSFG)

Bank of America

Phil Berger

Phil Berger

President Pro Tempore

North Carolina Senate

Mike Ableson

Mike Ableson

CEO

Arrival Automotive

Panelists

Nakisa Glover

Nakisa Glover

Co-Executive Director

Sol Nation

Sarah Gaskill

Sarah Gaskill

Head of Sustainability and ESG

FUJIFILM

Shelley Francis

Shelley Francis

Co-Founder & Director

EVHybridNoire

Hayes Framme

Hayes Framme

Government Relations and Communications

Ørsted Offshore

Fabio Fracaroli

Fabio Fracaroli

Senior Director Renewable Segment North America

Hitachi Energy

Sidney Fowler

Sidney Fowler

Senior Associate

Pillsbury

Mike Fortier

Mike Fortier

Sustainability Manager

Spin

Frank Fisher

Frank Fisher

General Manager, Director of Energy

Nucor

Chris Fishel

Chris Fishel

Director, Power & Project Finance

Zions Bank

Robert Fares

Robert Fares

Energy Industry Analyst

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

Peter J. H. Esmann

Peter J. H. Esmann

Senior Commercial Advisor, Offshore Wind, Wind Energy Advisory

The Embassy of Denmark

Michelle Egger

Michelle Egger

CEO and Co-Founder

Biomilq

Sean Egan

Sean Egan

Director of Transportation

City of Durham

Robert Do

Robert Do

CEO

SGH2 Energy

Matt DiLeo

Matt DiLeo

Director, Scientific Operations

Elo Life Systems

Austin Devaney

Austin Devaney

Chief Commercial Officer

Piedmont Lithium

Will Dempsey

Will Dempsey

Vice President, Commercial

Midrex

Jamie DeMent Holcomb

Jamie DeMent Holcomb

Co-founder

North Carolina Venture Capital Fund

Chantarella De Blois

Vice President

Total Impact Capital

Jesse Daystar

Jesse Daystar

Chief Sustainability Officer and Vice President of Sustainability

Cotton Incorporated

Ted Damutz

Ted Damutz

Issuer Development Specialist

BondLink

Tom Cyrs

Tom Cyrs

Research Associate

WRI United States Program

Tony Curnes

Tony Curnes

Co-founder and Partner

Purpose Venture Group (PVG)

Thad Culley

Thad Culley

Senior Manager of Public Policy

Sunrun

Stan Cross

Stan Cross

Electric Transportation Policy Director

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

Amy Cooke

Amy Cooke

Teaching Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies

UNC Environment, Ecology and Energy Program

Edward Conner

Edward Conner

President

SpanSet

Lori Collins

Lori Collins

Owner and Principal

Collins Climate Consulting

Drew Coleman

Drew Coleman

Professor, Department of Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Nigel Cockroft

Nigel Cockroft

General Manager

JinkoSolar

Ali Clary

Ali Clary

Marketing Coordinator, Research

Consultant

Jimmy Chuang

Jimmy Chuang

CFO

Strata Clean Energy

Iker Chocarro

Iker Chocarro

Director, Transmission

RWE Renewables Americas

Hui-Wen Chan

Hui-Wen Chan

Director of Sustainability

Spin, a Ford Motor Unit

Bob Carswell

Bob Carswell

Research and Development Director

Material Return

Matt Campbell

Matt Campbell

Co-founder

Natrx

Roberto Campana

Roberto Campana

Lead, Research Unit

Spanish National Center for Hydrogen (CNH2)

Tessa Callaghan

Tessa Callaghan

Co-founder and CEO

AlgiKnit

Augusto Bulte

Augusto Bulte

Director, Energy Transition and Process

Wood

Lukas Brun

Lukas Brun

Managing Director of Research and Economic Development

E4 Carolinas

Anne-Claire Broughton

Anne-Claire Broughton

Founder and Board Vice Chair

North Carolina Employee Ownership Center

Mark Brooks

Mark Brooks

Investment Manager

Syngenta Group Ventures

Matthew Bravante

Matthew Bravante

Heating and Hydrogen Analyst

BloombergNEF

Meredith Boyd

Meredith Boyd

Senior Vice President, Innovation and Technology

Unifi

Robin Boren

Robin Boren

Senior Vice President of Finance, Treasurer

Southern Company

Carson Bone

Carson Bone

CEO

Blue Ridge Bantam

Stuart Bolland

Stuart Bolland

Chief Operating Officer

Powin Energy

Greg Bohlen

Greg Bohlen

Co-founder and Managing General Partner

Union Grove Venture Partners

Anne Blair

Anne Blair

Policy Director

Electrification Coalition

David Billstrom

David Billstrom

Executive Leader

Kitsbow Cycling Apparel

Derek Bentley

Derek Bentley

Managing Director, Co-Head of Global Low Carbon Infrastructure

Nomura Greentech

William Beloe

William Beloe

Principal Industry Specialist, Climate Finance

IFC

Victoria Beasley

Victoria Beasley

Partner

Prelude Ventures

Nigel Barrella

Nigel Barrella

Lawyer

Barella Law

Jochen Bard

Jochen Bard

Division Director Energy Process Technology

Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology (IEE)

William J. Barber III

William J. Barber III

Director of Environmental and Climate Justice

The Climate Reality Project

Mette Asmussen

Mette Asmussen

Maritime Advisor

The Embassy of Denmark

Bill Aimutis

Bill Aimutis

Executive Director

North Carolina Food Innovation Lab, NCSU

Dhruv Agarwal

Dhruv Agarwal

Senior Director of Global Innovations, Sustainability, and Product Development

Kontoor Brands

France-Emmanuelle Adil

France-Emmanuelle Adil

Founder & CEO

Tiamat Sciences

Jay Oliver

Jay Oliver

Managing Director, Grid Systems Integration

Duke Energy

Megan O’Connor

Megan O’Connor

Co-founder and CEO

Nth Cycle

Frank Nelms

Frank Nelms

Director, Energy Practice

ScottMadden

Sean Lawrie

Sean Lawrie

Partner

ScottMadden

Tony Lathrop

Tony Lathrop

Board Member, Chair of the Finance Committee

NC Board of Transportation

Pete Krull

Pete Krull

Partner, Director of Sustainable Investing

Earth Equity Advisors

Susanne Kjemtrup

Susanne Kjemtrup

Independent Consultant

Phyta Biotech Consulting, LLC

Mark Huang

Mark Huang

Co-Founder and Managing Director

SeaAhead

Mariliis Holm

Mariliis Holm

Co-founder and Partner

Sustainable Food Ventures (SVF)

Corey Hessen

Corey Hessen

Executive Vice-President and President, Power, Storage and Origination

TC Energy

RD Gauss

RD Gauss

Principal

Global Infrastructure Partners

Christopher Chung

Christopher Chung

CEO

EDPNC

Bryan Cheong

Bryan Cheong

Director of Programs and Strategy

The Global America Business Institute (GABI)

Ryan Bethencourt

Ryan Bethencourt

CEO

Wild Earth

Doug Beebe

Doug Beebe

Vice President, Clean Energy

Key Equipment Finance

Brian Bednar

Brian Bednar

President and Founder

Birdseye Renewable Energy

Meredith Bandy

Meredith Bandy

Vice President, Investor Relations & Sustainability

Albemarle Corporation

Sponsors

Individual contributions also make it possible for us to bring together attendees and speakers to explore key issues in the Southeast’s cleantech industry.

All Sponsors

Summit

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Bronze

 

Virtual Career Fair

This year’s UNC Cleantech Summit career fair was virtual on Thursday, March 31 from 1 pm to 4 pm.

The event ass co-hosted by the Center for Sustainable Enterprise at the Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Participating companies

  • Accenture
  • Arrival Automotive USA
  • BIOMILQ
  • CIT
  • Clean Energy Associates, LLC
  • CNH2
  • Dominion Energy
  • Energix Renewables
  • EVHybridNoire / EVNoire
  • Heelstone Energy
  • NCDOT
  • Red Hat
  • Renewable Energy Services
  • ScottMadden
  • TC Energy
  • Tiamat Sciences Corp
  • Zions Capital Bank

 

Video

See how this annual event connects the next generation of cleantech innovators with global, national, and regional industry leaders.

Co-hosts

This event was co-hosted by: