The start of the conference is still six months away, but organizers are working diligently to ensure that Plug-In 2011 meets expectations. That’s important because the conference, now in its fourth year, has moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, for 2011. California hosted the first three conferences and now Raleigh has the chance to showcase to the world that the city has its “green on” and is doing its part to advance environmental sustainability.
Simply Electric
As the conference name suggests, Plug-In 2011 is all about electric vehicles and other forms of cutting-edge transportation and related technologies. The conference will be held July 18-21, 2011, at the Raleigh Convention Center with exhibitors given the chance to showcase their products on Tuesday and Wednesday.[2]
Workshops and breakout sessions will be held all throughout the conference with a “ride and drive” scheduled for Monday afternoon. Attendees will be given the opportunity to drive various electric (EV), plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and other fuel efficient models including, perhaps, some which are being considered for production.
EPRI Initiative
The conference is organized by the Electric Power Research Institute which describes itself as, “…an independent, non-profit company performing research, development and demonstration in the electricity sector for the benefit of the public.” EPRI represents companies who provide more than 90 percent of the electricity produced and delivered in the United States in addition to participants from more than 40 countries. EPRI works with scientists, engineers, industry and academic experts to “…help address challenges in electricity, including reliability, efficiency, health, safety and the environment.”[2]
Local organizers are Duke Energy and Progress Energy, a pair of companies who are in the news right now as they seek to merge into one company. That announcement has already resulted in lawsuits filed by Progress Energy shareholders who contend that Duke Energy is not paying enough for their stock. Typically, these suits are filed whenever a mega merger is announced as shareholders seek to maximize the return on their investments according to the Herald Sun.[3]
Public Showing
The conference will be open to the public for four hours on Tuesday night with a gala event scheduled on Wednesday night. Speakers will be announced in May with additional conference details forthcoming. We will be publishing updates in the coming months, so please subscribe to our feed and follow our newsletter reports.
Submitted by Matt Keegan on January 20, 2011 – 6:15 am
