POWERGEN

POWERGEN 2023 keynote speakers: Transitioning to net-zero challenging but doable

Hydrogen, zero-emission load following resources, small nuclear reactors, and sustainability were the key themes presented by four keynote speakers at POWERGEN 2023 in Orlando, Florida.
POWERGEN 2023 keynote speakers: Transitioning to net-zero challenging but doable
(Dr. Jose Reyes, CTO and Cofounder of NuScale Power.)

Hydrogen, zero-emission load following resources, small nuclear reactors, and sustainability were the key themes presented by four keynote speakers at POWERGEN 2023 in Orlando, Florida.

The keynote, which took place at Orange County Convention Center on February 21, is generally regarded as setting the tone for the conference and the four speakers hit all of the major themes facing the power industry today.

Jan Aspuru, Chief Operating Officer at Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) kicked off the keynote highlighting the innovative technology OUC is testing at the Gardenia Innovation Center, which was a stop on yesterday’s POWERGEN technical tour yesterday. OUC has a goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 but has milestones of 50% emission reductions by 2030, and 75% emission reductions by 2040.

Aspuru spoke of the challenge of using renewable energy generation in Florida, which is dubbed the Sunshine State but should actually be called the “partly cloudy” state because 277 days a year are at least partly cloudy if not completely cloud covered. In addition, the lack of wind or large water basins means wind power and hydropower are not viable options for renewable energy generation.

Alex Glenn, CEO of Duke Energy Florida and Midwest took the stage following Aspuru and gave an inspirational speech about the challenge of net-zero. He explained that Duke expects to rely on zero emission load following resources (ZELFRs), which haven’t been commercialized yet but mentioned that hydrogen and nuclear power breakthroughs look like potential promising solutions.

“We, in this room, have to figure this out,” he told attendees.

“My ask of you today is three things,” he said, challenging attendees to think about the following: “‘How do I fit into this transformation?  How am I going to contribute and where am I going to start to change the world?’’

Changing the world

Celebrating the fact that his small modular reactor (SMR) design in now certified by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and officially active in the U.S. Federal Register (as of today), Dr. Jose Reyes, founder and CTO of NuScale Power was next on stage.

He explained how his SMRs works and how it cuts costs and time to build. The global power sector will need to add 16,000 GW of generation capacity by 2040 to meet electricity demand. His envisions SMRs as an excellent replacement for retiring coal-fired power plants.

“We have the ability to change the power that changes the world,” he said.

The keynote headliner was Andrew Winston, best-selling author and sustainability strategist. Winston’s newest book, Net Positive, explores mega trends and urges companies to consider how they will contribute to a changing world.

Touching on issues like how generational change, climate goals, sustainability and even something he called a “decency quotient” will change the focus of businesses, he asked leaders to consider how they can have a positive impact on the world.

“Is your world better off because your business is in it?” Building a net positive business requires companies to blow up their boundaries. And, he said, in doing so he posited that greater profits will follow.