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Energy Regions in Transition: European Grid Operators, Policymakers and Representatives of Civil Society Tour California

EU-California Tour 2015

This week, a delegation of top-level European grid operators and energy leaders will visit California to learn about innovative practices and exchange experiences from both sides of the Atlantic. The Renewables 100 Policy Institute and Renewables Grid Initiative (RGI) are organizing the tour to set up a platform for long-term collaboration on best practices aimed at improving reliability, increasing economic benefits, and limiting environmental impacts during the energy transition.

The October 2015 tour will focus on the following topical areas: 

  • Innovation & new technologies (DR, storage, ICT, cyber security)
  • Regulatory frameworks to facilitate the transition to a carbon free energy future
  • Regional & cross-sector collaboration
  • Evolving business models & ownership structures

The tour will include visits to the Tesla factory and Stanford University, as well as discussions with Silicon Valley technology companies, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF). The CAISO Stakeholder Symposium on October 22-23 will top off the week, bringing together 600 attendees, including energy executives, policymakers and the CAISO Board of Governors. Ten European delegates will be speaking on two panels moderated by RGI CEO Antonella Battaglini and BNEF Founder Michael Liebreich on October 23 from 9:50-11:30 AM. 

“The transformation of our energy system is exciting and challenging at the same time. The success of the ongoing revolution will depend on the ability of actors to learn from each other, to share their experiences, formulate the right questions and jointly look for answers. Our aim is to foster the exchange of best practices for the benefit of all regions going through the energy transition.“

Antonella Battaglini, CEO Renewables Grid Initiative

“It is critical that frontrunners in the energy transition exchange knowledge and support each other in the effort to decarbonize the grid, and this forum will provide an essential next step and direction.”

Angelina Galiteva, Renewables 100 Policy Institute Founding Board Chair

The trip is the continuation of an exchange that has been initiated in 2013, when RGI invited Dave Olsen, member of the Board of Governors of the California ISO (CAISO), to a series of events in Brussels and Berlin, including the 3rd European Grid Conference. A few months later, the Renewables 100 Policy Institute organized a tour for Californian energy experts and regulatory leaders to Germany with the support of RGI. At this occasion, CAISO published an official statement of support for RGI’s European Grid Declaration.

For updates about the trip during the week, please look for the hashtag #ERIT15 on Facebook and Twitter.

Press Contact

Theresa Schneider
Senior Manager–Communication

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t: +49 30 7677194 55
theresa@renewables-grid.eu
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RGI gratefully acknowledges the EU LIFE funding support:

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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the LIFE Programme. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.