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Keynote Speaker
William P. Parks Jr.
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Power Technologies
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability
The Office of Distributed Energy and Electric Reliability Program includes initiatives to improve operation of the nation's transmission network. Developing advanced technologies to strengthen our nation's electric energy infrastructure is the mission of the Distributed Energy and Electric Reliability (DEER) Program.
The DEER Program conducts research, development, demonstration, technology transfer, and education activities in
partnership with industry, utilities, State agencies, universities, national laboratories, and other stakeholder organizations. The Program addresses distributed generation—using small units that generate electricity at the site where it is consumed—as well as an array of transmission, distribution, storage, and demand management technologies that can improve the reliability, efficiency, and performance of the power grid.
William is in Hawaii on a two-year support assignment, detailed to the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT). He is working primarily on implementation of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, focusing on renewable energy technologies (high efficiency PV cells, cellulosic feed stock, wind technologies) and energy policy (utility fuel diversity, Hawaii's dependence on imported oil). He is also working to help rebuild State/DOE partnerships and State DOE offices, funding for which has been co-opted by other National priorities. Additionally, he is evaluating ways to address the energy needs of other Pacific Island entities. Bill said he would be looking at several local projects, including the hydrogen powerpark on the Big Island, the impact of renewable energy on island transmission grids, micro grids, and bio-energy. He observed that Hawaii's energy needs would likely be met by a varied portfolio of applications.
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