Annual Conference on Energy & Innovation

2 days ago
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On Friday, March 13th, the Southern New Jersey Development Council hosted its Annual Conference on Energy & Innovation at the Rutgers Eco Complex in Bordentown, NJ. The conference brought together business leaders, energy innovators, and policymakers to explore the policies, infrastructure investments, and emerging technologies shaping New Jersey’s energy future.

The program opened with welcome remarks from Dr. Serpil Guran, Executive Director of the Rutgers EcoComplex, as well as Mark McDonough, President of New Jersey American Water, the events title sponsor.

Keynote remarks were offered from Asim Haque, Senior Vice President of Governmental and Member Services at PJM Interconnection, who provided an overview of regional electricity supply, demand growth, and pricing trends impacting the Mid-Atlantic grid. Christine Guhl-Sadovy, President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, also addressed attendees, highlighting the state’s efforts to balance energy reliability, affordability, and the expansion of clean energy resources.

The conference’s Innovation Spotlight presentations highlighted real-world solutions being developed across the region, including grid modernization and inter-regional transmission expansion by PSEG; emerging clean-technology startups supported by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology, which included battery innovation and recycling technologies from HiT Nano and Princeton NuEnergy; a national award-winning microplastic filtration pilot program led by the Atlantic County Utilities Authority in partnership with PolyGone Systems; and a large-scale food waste–to–renewable natural gas project in Linden being developed by SJI Renewable Energy Ventures.

The conference concluded with a tour of the Rutgers EcoComplex facilities hosted by HiT Nano, highlighting its role as a hub for clean technology research and development in New Jersey.

Our thanks to the Energy & Environment Committee and co-chairs Chris Dailey of GEI Consultants and Bob Baranowksi of Hyland Levin Shapiro.

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