The energy sector is about to get a jolt of innovation with the announcement of a new annual summit focused on energy storage. On June 26-28, 2024, industry pros and policymakers will converge in Portland, Oregon, for the inaugural ACP RECHARGE event, as reported by the American Clean Power Association (ACP). ACP CEO Jason Grumet stated in an announcement released by cleanpower.org, “ACP’s membership is on the cutting edge of the energy storage revolution. ACP RECHARGE will serve as the ultimate destination to share ideas, display technological advances and participate in dynamic forums that address the challenges we face ahead.”
The industry is currently riding a wave of impressively rapid growth — with seven times more utility-scale energy storage capacity now than just four years prior, as detailed by Solar Power World Online. Grumet emphasized that American energy must be clean, affordable, reliable, and secure. Energy storage is essential to achieving each of these national imperatives. The sector's expansion bodes well for the economy, too, supporting over 60,000 jobs and gunning to add tens of thousands of megawatts to the U.S. grid in the coming decade.
Additional weight to the event's significance comes from its timing: ACP RECHARGE is set to run concurrently with Portland's Formula E racing event. This electric motorsport championship will give summit attendees a chance to witness the future of sustainable transportation in action, complete with access to the high-octane race on June 29.
Commentary from industry leaders reinforces the summit's anticipated impact. The energy transition is happening faster than expected, according to Mateo Jaramillo, CEO of Form Energy. He eagerly anticipates the summit to explore diverse emerging technologies, the policy frameworks that can unleash the many benefits of energy storage. These sentiments are echoed by John Zahurancik, President of Fluence, who claims that the industry is growing at lightning speed, making forums like ACP RECHARGE not only useful but critical in elevating safety, expanding the supply chain and supporting reliable power systems all over the world.
Indeed, for those vested in the future of energy storage, ACP RECHARGE promises to be a seminal gathering. Jacquie DeRosa, VP of Energy Storage for Ameresco, highlighted in the cleanpower.org announcement her excitement for the opportunity to celebrate successes, exchange insights and drive the next phase of storage advancements. With a blend of expertise from various sectors, the summit is poised to shape the sustainable energy landscape and amplify the pulse of an already vibrant industry.
