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emPOWERing WOMEN GOLF UNDERWRITER




MEDIA & UNDERWRITING PARTNERS

Interested in Sponsoring or Exhibiting?  Download our Sponsorship brochure (opens in new window) then contact Mary Armstrong, Director of Member Services & Marketing at 281.460.3054 or marmstrong@gulfcoastpower.org

HOTEL ROOM RESERVATION INFORMATION

GCPA has reserved a block with a limited number of rooms at our conference venue.

The Hyatt Regency Austin

208 Barton Springs Rd.
Austin, TX  78704
(512)  477-1234

CLICK HERE to reserve your room.
(opens in new window).

Guest rooms for single or double occupancy are available at the special rate of $250 / night and includes discounted self parking at $15 per night & complimentary WiFi in room.

TO VIEW THE HOTEL WEBSITE FOR DIRECTIONS AND INFORMATION: Click Here (opens in new window)

Agenda - Tuesday, October 15

7:00 a.m. Registration & Continental Breakfast

 

8:00 a.m. Opening Remarks & Recognition of Co-Chairs

GCPA President's Welcome  Mark Walker, Assistant General Counsel, Xcel Energy
Recognition of Co-Chairs      Kim Casey, Executive Director, GCPA
Conference Introduction       J.P. Urban, Executive Director, PUCT
                                                  Erika Akpan, Vice President Policy & Govt. Relations, AECT 

8:15 a.m. A Conversation with Vicki Hollub

A Conversation with Vicki Hollub, President & CEO, Occidental
Facilitated by Katie Coleman, Partner, Thompson & Knight
 

8:45 a.m. Session I - 20 Years Later:  A Look Back at Senate Bill 7

Two decades ago, a piece of landmark legislation ushered in an era of competition, transforming the electric industry in Texas and unleashing massive potential for electricity customers and providers alike. This panel will reflect on the critical elements of the bill, the key policy decisions that were made in order to implement it, and the new reality it created in America’s flagship state for electricity competition.

Session Moderator:  Julie Parsley, CEO, Pedernales Electric Cooperative

Panelists:
John Fainter, Former President, Association of Electric Companies of Texas (AECT)
Troy Fraser, Former Member, Texas Senate
Steve Wolens, Former Member, Texas House of Representatives
 

9:30 a.m. Networking Break


10:00 a.m. Session II - Is Restructuring Working In ERCOT?

The Texas competitive energy-only market is a truly unique feature in the landscape of American power delivery. Harnessing the ability of competition to drive innovation and encourage affordability while still ensuring reliability has placed the Lone Star State in its own category. This panel will analyze the legal and regulatory decisions that led to deregulation in Texas, offering insights on the strengths of the competitive approach, shortcomings worthy of attention and opportunities to simultaneously level and elevate the playing field.

Session Moderator:  Brad Jones, Former NYISO CEO, Retired

Panelists:
Bill Berg, Vice President of Wholesale Market Development, Exelon
Scott Hudson, President, TXU Energy; Sr. Vice President, Retail Operations, Vistra Energy
Clifton Karnei, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Brazos Electric Cooperative
Kenny Mercado, Chief Integration Officer, CenterPoint Energy
Eric Schubert, Director, U.S. Regulatory Affairs, BP Energy
 

11:00 a.m. Session III - Review of Summer 2019

With the persistence of low reserve margins in ERCOT, stakeholders reflect on how well we met the demands of yet another Texas summer. This panel will guide us through the regulatory policy decisions put in place in advance of the summer peak season, the extensive preparations ERCOT made under PUC oversight, and lessons learned for the future.

Session Moderator:  Connie Corona, Chief Program Officer, Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT)

Panelists:
Sam Harper, Regional Energy Manager, Gerdau
Clif Lange, Manager, Wholesale Marketing/QSE, South Texas Electric Cooperative (STEC)
Sandy Morris, Sr. Manager, Govt. & Regulatory Affairs, Direct Energy
Dan Woodfin, Sr. Director, System Operations, ERCOT
 

12:00 p.m. Luncheon

 

1:30 p.m. Keynote Address

Brian Davis, Vice President, Energy Solutions, Shell International
 

2:00 p.m. Session IV - CEO Panel: A Conversation with Top Producers/Retailers in Texas

CEOs from three of Texas’ largest producers and retailers of electricity join us to share their perspective on the market in ERCOT and beyond. Don’t miss this top-level conversation featuring NRG’s Mauricio Gutierrez, Vistra’s Curt Morgan and Calpine’s Thad Hill as they discuss the latest legislative and policy issues that are shaping the future of competitive electric markets in Texas.

Session Moderator:  J.P. Urban, Executive Director, Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT)

Panelists:
Mauricio Gutierrez, President & CEO, NRG Energy
Thad Hill, President & CEO, Calpine Corporation
Curt Morgan, President & CEO, Vistra Energy
 

3:00 p.m. Networking Break

 

3:30 p.m. GCPA Young Professionals Award

 

3:45 p.m. Keynote Address

DeAnn T. Walker, Chairman, Public Utility Commission of Texas
 

4:15 p.m. Session V:  The Future of ERCOT: Views from the Investors

This panel will examine the policy decisions and other drivers that are impacting investment in ERCOT, providing an up-to-date look at where investor dollars are flowing and what projects and technologies are being funded. As ERCOT continues to experience low reserves, what are investors looking for, and what should the market expect? As renewables continue their expansion, will modifications to the ORDC and implementation of Real Time Co-Optimization be enough to attract the development necessary to sustain reliability? To what extent have recent market design changes played a role in project evaluations? Should we expect Investors
to issue debt or make equity contributions for new capacity? After Summer 2019, what has changed with regard to credit support, debt/refinancing or equity evaluations?

Session Moderator:  Barbara Clemenhagen, VP Market Intelligence, Customized Energy Solutions

Panelists:
Eddy Daniels, Partner, Haynes & Boone
Denise Persau Tait, President, Starwood Infrastructure Finance at Starwood Property Trust
Brandon Wax, Executive Director, JP Morgan
 

5:15 p.m. Adjourn for the Day


5:15 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception

 

Wednesday, October 16

7:30 a.m. Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:15 a.m. Keynote Address

Evan Smith, CEO, Texas Tribune
 

8:45 a.m. Session VI - The Changing Retail Landscape

As companies compete to win the business of electricity customers across the ERCOT grid, they must contend with factors ranging from increasingly diversified offerings to shrinking profit margins. As a wave of consolidation sweeps through their ranks, REPs are under increasing pressure to provide more than just reliable, affordable power to an increasingly demanding customer base.

Session Moderator:  Donna Nelson, Former Chairman, Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT)

Panelists:
Bruce Chung, Sr. Vice President, Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions, NRG Energy
Chris Hendrix, CEO and Co-founder, Demand Control 2
Laura Manz, Director, Navigant
Jeff Nadalo, General Counsel, Buc-ee's
 

9:45 a.m. Networking Break

 

10:15 a.m. Session VII:  Powering the Permian Basin

In the latest SARA report, ERCOT identified a few crucial factors influencing historically slender reserve margins in Texas, casting light on the rapidly increasing power demands of the booming oil and gas industry in West Texas. This panel will discuss challenges and opportunities in bringing electric delivery service to the Permian Basin, including legal and regulatory impediments to progress and ideas for sensible development of necessary infrastructure.

Session Moderator:  Stephen Robertson, Executive Vice President, Permian Basin Petroleum

Panelists:
Ellen Buck, V.P., Business & Operations Services, Oncor
Johnny Carlock, Power Engineering Supervisor, Pioneer Natural Resources
Spivey Paup, Development Director, Recurrent Energy
Woody Rickerson, Vice President Grid Planning & Operations, ERCOT
 

11:15 a.m. Session VIII:  Solar Development in Texas:  Where Do We Stand?

Will solar outpace wind in generation capacity additions for the foreseeable future? ERCOT currently has a whopping 58,579 MW of solar generation interconnection additions under study. Over 7,000 MW of these potential additions have an executed interconnection agreement with targeted in-service dates between now and the end of 2021. This panel will discuss the outlook for additional utility-scale and residential solar development as well as the potential for complementary battery installations.

Session Moderator:  Charlie Hemmeline, Executive Director, Texas Solar Power Association

Panelists:
Clay Butler, CEO, 7X Energy
Grace McNamara, Director, Business Development - Power Marketing, 174 Power Global
Caitlin Smith, Vice President, AB Power Advisors, LLC
 

12 p.m. Conference Adjourns

PRE-CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES

On Monday, October 14th:
REGISTER FOR ONE OR MORE OF THESE
PRE-CONFERENCE EVENTS:

GCPA ANNUAL FALL GOLF TOURNAMENT

Sponsored by: GCPA emPOWERing Women at
Avery Ranch Golf Club in Austin
Check-In starting at 10:00 AM; Shotgun Start at 11:00 AM;
Prizes & Happy Hour following the tournament

Early Bird Pricing through September 23:
$100 WITH Conference Registration; $125 without Registration
Fee includes greens fee, cart, box lunch, goody bag and prizes.

Visit the club website (opens in new window) for information.
For golf club rental: Call 512-248-2442.
To request placement with partner/foursomes: Email Penny Sullivan.

 

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

“Real-Time Co-Optimization”
See the "Pre-Conference Workshop Agenda" tab above for further details
Hyatt Regency - Check in at 12:30 PM, Workshop from 1:00 to 4:30 PM

Description: Everybody is Talking About RTC, but what the heck is it? The purpose of Real-Time Co-Optimization (RTC) is to allow ERCOT to procure ancillary services in Real-time when additional amounts are required or when resources are unable to provide those services.  The goals of implementing Real-Time Co-optimization (RTC) include:

1) Improving congestion management by using a wider variety of resources to solve transmission constraints;
2) Reducing manual actions by operators;
3) Providing a framework for better utilization of all types of resources; and
4) Reducing the need for Reliability Unit Commitment (RUC) and eliminate the need for Supplemental Ancillary Service Markets (SASMs).

This RTC Workshop is designed to educate and inform ERCOT Market Participants (including Consumers, Resource Entities, Power Marketers, Retail Electric Providers, Investor-Owned Utilities, Electric Cooperatives, and Municipally Owned Utilities) and other interested parties (including Developers, Emerging Tech, Attorneys, Accountants, and more) on the elements of RTC, including how RTC works, implementation changes related to RTC, the timeline for RTC, and the outstanding policy and RTC design issues.

Early Bird Pricing through September 23:
$150 Members, All Conference Attendees & Govt. Employees
$250 Non-Members without Conference Registration

PRE-CONFERENCE WELCOME RECEPTION

Join us for a casual networking reception from 5:30 to 7:30 PM
at The Hyatt Regency Austin

Appetizers and one drink ticket included
Early Bird Pricing through September 23: $30

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP AGENDA

Monday, October 14th ~ 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
“Real-Time Co-Optimization”

Everybody is talking about RTC… but what the heck is it?

The purpose of Real-Time Co-Optimization (RTC) is to allow ERCOT to procure ancillary services in Real-time when additional amounts are required or when resources are unable to provide those services. The goals of implementing RTC include:

• Improving congestion management by using a wider variety of resources to solve transmission constraints;

• Reducing manual actions by operators;

• Providing a framework for better utilization of all types of resources; and

• Reducing the need for Reliability Unit Commitment (RUC) and eliminate the need for Supplemental Ancillary Service Markets (SASMs).

This RTC Workshop is designed to educate and inform ERCOT Market Participants (including Consumers, Resource Entities, Power Marketers, Retail Electric Providers, Investor-Owned Utilities, Electric Cooperatives, and Municipally Owned Utilities) and other interested parties (including Developers, Emerging Tech, Attorneys, Accountants, and more) on the elements of RTC, including how RTC works, implementation challenges related to RTC, the timeline for RTC, and the outstanding policy and RTC design issues.

12:30 REGISTRATION/CHECK-IN DESK OPENS

1:00 Why RTC? The Benefits
Presenter: Beth Garza, Vice President & Director of ERCOT IMM, Potomac Economics

1:30 ERCOT RTC: The ABC’s

Presenters:
David Maggio, Sr. Manager of Market Analysis & Validation, ERCOT
Matt Mereness, Director of Compliance, ERCOT

2:30 BREAK

2:45 Stakeholder Perspectives on RTC
Panel Moderator: Beth Garza, Vice President & Director of ERCOT IMM, Potomac Economics
Speakers:
Bill Barnes, Director, Regulatory Affairs, NRG Energy
Seth Cochran, Manager, Market Affairs & Origination, DC Energy
Katie Coleman, Partner, Thompson & Knight
Shams Siddiqi, President, Crescent Power Inc.

3:45 BREAK

4:00 RTC Timeline: What’s Next
Presenters:
David Maggio, Sr. Manager of Market Analysis & Validation, ERCOT
Matt Mereness, Director of Compliance, ERCOT

4:15 Closing Remarks
Presenter: Beth Garza, Vice President & Director of ERCOT IMM, Potomac Economics

4:30 WORKSHOP ADJOURNS

PRICING INFORMATION

CONFERENCE PRICING - price includes one and a half day conference 10/15-10/16 and cocktail reception 10/15. *Non-Member rate includes 2019 Individual Membership good through 1/31/20.

CONFERENCE	Early Bird Registration thru 9/23/2019	Regular Registration 9/24/2019 - 10/11/2019	On-site Registration 10/15 & 10/16
GCPA Members	$625	$785	$885
Non-Members*	$850	$1,010	$1,110
State Govt. Employees	$195	$195	$250
GCPA Members in Job Search Mode	$200	$200	$300
Non-Members in Job Search Mode*	$425	$425	$525
Full-time Students	$85	$85	$95

GOLF PRICING - price for 10/14 tournament includes greens fee, cart, lunch and goody bags.

GOLF	Early Bird Registration through 9/23/19	Regular Registration 9/24/19 - 10/11/19	On-site Registration 10/15 & 10/16
Fee w/ conf. registration	$110	$120	Not available
Fee w/OUT conf. registration	$135	$145	Not available

WORKSHOP PRICING - price for 10/14 workshop includes beverage service and snack.

WORKSHOP	Early Bird Registration through 9/23/19	Regular Registration 9/24/19 - 10/11/19	On-site Registration 10/15 & 10/16
Members, All Conference Attendees, Govt.	$150	$170	$200
Members W/OUT conference registration	$250	$270	$300

WELCOME RECEPTION PRICING - 10/14 welcome reception w/ appetizers and 1 drink ticket.

WELCOME RECEPTION	Early Bird Registration through 9/23/19	Regular Registration 9/24/19 - 10/11/19	On-site Registration 10/15 & 10/16
Fee	$30	$30	$35

REFUND POLICY - Cancellations must be received by 5 PM on Friday, September 27 in order to receive a refund. A 10% service fee (minimum fee of $10) will be charged against all refunds. Please direct all cancellation requests to Mary Armstrong at MArmstrong@GulfCoastPower.org.

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT INFORMATION

PEs: As part of the Continuing Education Program requirements for Professional Engineers in Texas, each licensed engineer is required to earn 15 hours per year of Professional Development Hours (PDH). Attendees will receive approximately 10 hours of credit if all conference sessions are attended. Also available is credit of approximately 3 hours for the October 14th Workshop.

CPAs: GCPA is a Board Registered CPE Sponsor with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. This registration does not constitute an endorsement by the Board as to the quality of our CPE program. The learning objectives for CPAs are: to obtain an in-depth understanding of 20 year look back at the outcomes of Senate Bill 7 ; the strengths and shortcomings of our deregulated market; ERCOT’s decisions/lessons during Summer 2019; CEO perspective on the market; investor views on the future of ERCOT; the changing retail landscape; opportunities and impediments in the Permian Basin; and the current state of solar development in Texas. There are no prerequisites. Attendees will receive approximately 9.5 hours of credit if all conference
sessions are attended. Also available is credit of approximately 3 hours for the October 14th Workshop. The learning objective for the workshop is to obtain an in-depth understanding of real time co-optimization in ERCOT.

Attorneys: We have been approved for MCLE credit, with 7.5 hours toward the main conference (sessions 1-8) and 3 for the pre-conference workshop.