Solar Conference 2023
Join us for a Solar Conference April 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the George B. Duke Engineering and Information Technologies Building.
The event is sponsored by the American Refining Group/Harry R. Halloran Jr. Energy Institute and the Pitt-Bradford Sustainability Committee.
For more information email Christy Ruffner or call 814-362-5121.
The topics will include solar policy, renewable energy, community outreach, student projects, and faculty presentations.
Agenda:
Monday, April 10, 2023
8:30 a.m. - Welcoming Remarks - Richard T. Esch, Pitt-Bradford president - Dr. Matt Kropf, associate professor of engineering technology, director of the Energy Institute
8:45 a.m. - Solar Introduction - Dr. Matt Kropf, associate professor of engineering technology, director of the Energy Institute
9 a.m. - First Keynote Session – Duke Building - Utility Scale Solar Development - Thomas B. Murphy
10 a.m. - Break
10:15 a.m. - Utility Company Presentation – Duke Building
11 a.m. - Navajo Power Presentation – Duke Building
11:30 a.m. - Faculty Presentation - Dr. Beth Rezaie, assistant professor of mechanical engineering technology, will discuss energy and exergy analyses of a solar-based multi-generation energy plant integrated with heat recovery and thermal energy storage systems.
Noon - Lunch
1:15 p.m. - Second Keynote Session – Duke Building - Municipal Approvals & Community Engagement - Thomas B. Murphy
2:30 p.m. - Solar Panel - EIS/Student Presentation Duke Building
3 p.m. - Faculty Presentation - Dr. Julia Morgan, assistant professor of philosophy
3:30 pm. - Break
3:45 p.m. - Agrivoltaics Discussion – Duke Building - Timothy Mills, New Leaf Energy, and Daniel Dotterer, a sheep farmer
4:30 p.m. - Closing Remarks – Duke Building - Richard T. Esch, Pitt-Bradford president - Dr. Matt Kropf, associate professor of engineering technology, director of the Energy Institute
4:45 p.m. - Reception - Duke Building
Tom Murphy is Team Pennsylvania's senior managing director of strategic energy initiatives. He was previously the director of Penn State’s Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research and provided leadership to a range of Penn State’s related energy outreach events and research activities.
Tom has 38 years of experience working with public officials, researchers, industry, government agencies, and landowners during his tenure with Penn State’s extension branch.
His work is centered on educational consultation in energy transitions, specifically at the convergence of shale gas, hydrogen, and renewables. His more recent emphasis focuses on a rapidly changing energy paradigm, which includes wider deployment of utility-scale solar and the decarbonization implications of hydrogen for heavy industry and transportation.
Primarily focused on the DNA H2Hub project, Tom has an ongoing partnership with the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors on the local implications of utility-scale solar energy across the commonwealth.
Tim Mills is an experienced senior project developer with a demonstrated history of working in the renewable energy and distributed generation industry for nine years. He’s skilled in business development, project management, coordination, and estimating and renewable energy project development.
At New Leaf Energy, Tim is the senior project developer focused on the Pennsylvania community solar and Texas standalone battery storage development and is responsible for all development engineering, permitting and project origination.
He graduated from Penn State.
