Plenary Panels



While the
IDEA2022 Educational Program consists of more than 100 presentations delivered by a diverse group of more than 150 expert presenters, our Opening Plenary Panels set the tone for the conference with invaluable insights for some of the biggest names in the industry.
Get a sneak peek at this impressive lineup below and make sure you register for IDEA2022, taking place June 6-9 in Toronto. 

Panel #1: Building Connections

Tuesday, June 7  - 8:20 – 9:15 am EDT    
Opening Plenary Panel Discussion 1 – Building Connections
Grand East & Centre

Around the globe, major investments in district energy are boosting energy efficiency, enhancing resiliency and reducing emissions. Institutions, investors and innovators are teaming up to mobilize markets and modernize systems for a lower carbon economy.
Our panelists will share a range of perspectives on “making it happen” by building valuable connections to grow and de-carbonize the district energy industry. Invited panelists include (in alphabetical order):


• Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower Energy Solutions
• Carlyle Coutinho, President & CEO, Enwave Energy
• Kevin Hagerty, Chief Technology Officer, Vicinity Energy
• Krishnan Iyer, CEO, Creative Energy
• Olivier Racle, Head of District Heating & Cooling Business, ENGIE
• Steve Swinson, President & CEO, CenTrio Energy

Panel #2 - Leading the Energy Transition for Cities, Communities and Campuses with District Energy

Tuesday, June 7 - 9:20am – 10:15 am EDT   
Plenary Panel Discussion 2 – Leading the Energy Transition for Cities, Communities and Campuses with District Energy
Grand East & Centre

By aggregating the thermal energy needs of dozens, even hundreds of buildings, district energy systems create economies of scale to support investment in geothermal, electrification, thermal energy recovery and combined heat & power, to name a few. District energy infrastructure can serve as an enabling technology to deliver critical de-carbonization to cities and communities.
Drawing from experience and professional insight, our panelists will discuss strategies, technologies and opportunities to accelerate the transition to a lower-carbon energy future.

Invited industry leaders include (in alphabetical order):
• Jackie Bliss, Chief Customer Officer, Vicinity Energy
• Ed Conway, Director, The Learning Center, Con Edison
• Rajesh Dixit, Director Global Product Management - Building Technologies & Solutions at Johnson Controls PLC, Johnson Controls, Inc
• Leslie Fangman, Vice President of Corporate Expansion, CenTrio Energy
• Amy Jacobs, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Enwave
• Joan Kowal, Director Development, NextEra Energy Resources

Meet the Experts Closing Panel


Join us Wednesday, June 8 at 3:30pm as we close out the main program of IDEA2022 with a Meet the Experts panel discussion. This impressive lineup of industry leaders will discuss the technologies, innovations and techniques that are driving industry expansion, renewal and modernization, giving you much to think about on your journey back home. 

David Godkin, General Manager at Enwave PEI

Dan Kelley, Sr. Vice President US West at CenTrio Energy

Brian Mueller, Chief Development Officer at Vicinity

Mark Thompson – Commercial Solutions Leader on OpenBlue -CUP, Johnson Controls