Wednesday, September 29 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The speakers will consider the viability of wind as a source for utility and commercial-scale power in the Southeast.  Topics will include Southeast wind resources, technology viability and fit, project development and public policy.

Nick Rigas, Director and Sr. Scientist, S.C. Offshore Wind Collaborative, Clemson University

Dr. Rigas is responsible for the design, construction and operation of the only facility in the world capable of testing 5MW to 30MW wind turbine drive trains with 30 percent overload capacity.  He is an adjunct professor for Clemson University.  Dr. Rigas also serves as the Vice President of Project Development for EcoEnergy where he is responsible for the development of more than 3000 MW of wind power projects throughout the Midwest and Arizona.  He holds a doctoral degree in chemical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis.

Amir Mikhail, Sr. Vice President, Engineering, Clipper Windpower

Dr. Mikhail is responsible for the design of Clipper’s new Liberty® 2.5 MW wind turbine.  He served as Vice President of Engineering for Zond and Enron Wind Corp. from 1989-2000. In those capacities he led the engineering design of the Z-class 550 kW to 1.5 MW wind turbines.  Dr. Mikhail has more than thirty publications in the wind power field and thirteen awarded patents. Dr. Mikhail received a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and Mathematics from the University of Cairo and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Spencer Haynes, Director Commercial Policy, Duke Energy

Mr. Hanes is Director of Commercial Policy for Duke Energy.  He supports Duke Energy’s Commercial Renewable Energy businesses through state and Federal policy and development work.   Mr. Hanes joined Duke Energy in 2008 to help develop the company’s renewable energy strategy for compliance with the recently passed Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard law.  Most recently, Mr. Hanes led the development efforts of Duke Energy’s Coastal Wind Energy Demonstration Project in eastern Pamlico Sound—a one to three turbine offshore wind development that will be one of the first offshore wind projects in the Southeast.  Mr. Hanes is a North Carolina native from Winston-Salem and holds a B.A. from the University of Colorado; a joint law degree and Master of Environmental Law and Policy from the Vermont Law School and an M.B.A. from Wake Forest University.

Sponsors