From Brooklyn to the World: A Call for Global Expansion of Energy Innovation

The 4th Annual Brooklyn Energy Summit held at Dock 72 in Brooklyn Navy Yard transcended the boundaries of a mere regional event, emerging as a crucial platform offering glimpses into the future of the global energy industry. Set against the iconic silhouette of the Brooklyn Bridge and panoramic views of the East River, this event presented new possibilities for the energy transition era.

The innovative 675,000-square-foot Dock 72 represents a revolutionary 21st-century work environment featuring collaborative spaces, state-of-the-art amenities, and breathtaking panoramic views. Located within the 300-acre modern industrial campus of Brooklyn Navy Yard, this exceptional venue perfectly embodied the philosophy of an event focused on energy and sustainability.

The true power of this summit was revealed in its sponsor lineup. Global energy and financial titans participated en masse, including National Grid, Con Edison, Williams, Amazon, Equinor, ExxonMobil, JPMorgan Chase, Soltage, Vineyard Offshore, Brooklyn Cyclones, Lyft, and NineDot Energy.

Participation from public institutions and academia was equally notable, featuring the New York Power Authority (NYPA), NYSERDA, and NYU Tandon School of Engineering. The Urban Future Lab has played a particularly significant role, contributing panelists across multiple breakout sessions, serving as a crucial bridge between the startup ecosystem and academia for all energy summit. This level of participation demonstrates that the event has already gained recognition beyond regional boundaries, achieving national and even international significance.

The keynote fireside chat between Sally Librera, President of National Grid New York, and Jennifer Obertino, P.E. of AECOM, provided penetrating insights into the present and future of New York State's energy policy. The dialogue between these industry leaders set the stage for a day of impactful discussions that would follow.

The main plenary session, "Charging Ahead: Future-Proofing Clean Energy in an Era of Uncertainty," was moderated by Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV). Panelists included Donald Bramer from Bramer Group, Carrie Cullen Hitt from Atlantic Offshore Interconnection, Nke Asabe Ekene from NYU Tandon, Rahim Sherekaran from Shell, and Raghusimha Sudhakara, Vice President of Distributed Resource Integration at Con Edison NY. Together, they explored strategies for future-proofing clean energy in an era of uncertainty.

Particularly noteworthy was the "Energizing Innovation: How Startups Are Navigating the New Climate" session. Moderated by Sonam Velani, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Streetlife Ventures, the session featured Mihait Atanasiu Pop from Ecolectro, Matt Bootman from Our Carbon, Kelsey Clark from BlocPower, Bader Fitr from Revel, Usman Velani from Urban Future Lab, Balakrishnan Iyer, Founder and Chairman of Bridge Green Upcycle, and Murat Aktihanoglu, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Remarkable Ventures Climate.

This session provided vivid discussions about opportunities and challenges in Brooklyn's current startup environment and how startups are navigating the new climate landscape.

The "Energy 101: What Can Small Businesses Do to Bring Down Their Energy Costs" session was a tailored program for energy industry newcomers. Panelists included Christina Conley, Energy Management Consultant; Stephen Daly from Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce; Michael Henning from NYSERDA; Jared Temko from EnergyHub; and Lucas Tam from Green Street Power Partners. They provided step-by-step explanations covering basic concepts, current industry structure, and major technology trends.

The "Innovation in Brooklyn: Clean Tech Startups in Brooklyn" session was moderated by Alex Blumberg from Gimlet Media, featuring Justin Evans from Flux Marine, Tina Ordonez from Brooklyn SolarWorks, and Michael Hutton from BlocPower. This session showcased the current state of Brooklyn's regional clean technology startup ecosystem.

The "What's Next on the Energy Horizon?" session featured Julia Casagrande from the Department of City Planning, H.S. Chissell from Advanced Energy Group, Zachary Fink from BlocPower, Stephen Hartgrove from Con Edison, Christopher Watson from the U.S. DOE, and John Trinkl from Urban Future Lab, discussing future prospects for the energy industry.

The closing roundtable, "Storage in the Streets: Advancing Battery Projects Amid Cost, Community, and Compliance Pressures," was particularly impressive. Participants included Alita Godia from FDNY, Bill Oberkehr from Con Edison, Dan Van Oyenkerk from Revel, Ben Vogel from Energy Storage Association, and Allen Brown from NYC DOT, discussing the realistic challenges and opportunities in battery storage technology.

The annually expanding expo space featured various energy companies and innovative technology firms showcasing their latest products and services. Key areas representing the future of the energy industry were spotlighted, including renewable energy, energy storage systems, smart grid technology, and carbon-neutral solutions.

Participating companies went beyond simple product displays to provide actual demonstrations and hands-on experiences, enhancing visitors' understanding. The complete spectrum of energy transition was displayed in one space – from solar panels to battery storage systems, AI-based energy management solutions, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

A remarkable feature was the summit's simultaneous operation of "Energy 101" sessions alongside advanced expert panels and startup sessions. This approach symbolizes the democratization of the energy industry, presenting a framework that accommodates participants of all levels, from experts to beginners. This inclusivity demonstrates that energy transition is not merely a task for specific expert groups but a collective effort requiring participation from society as a whole.

This raises a fundamental question: Why should an event featuring world-class speakers, cutting-edge technology, and advanced policy discussions remain confined to the Brooklyn region?

Climate change and energy transition are inherently global challenges. Carbon neutrality, renewable energy expansion, and energy efficiency improvements are common challenges that transcend borders. New York State's ambitious goals – 40% greenhouse gas reduction by 2030 and complete carbon neutrality in the power sector by 2040 – serve as important benchmarks for other regions worldwide.

With Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa each facing unique energy transition challenges, the experience, technology, and policy expertise accumulated in New York holds value as a global public good. Moreover, global expansion would provide new opportunities for participating companies, serving as a platform for expanding domestically proven technologies and business models overseas while simultaneously acting as a gateway for introducing innovative foreign solutions domestically.

The Brooklyn Energy Summit is ready to evolve into a "Global Energy Innovation Summit." Building on its already established strong regional network and proven operational capabilities, it should develop into a platform where energy policymakers, technology innovators, and investors from around the world converge.

There is a particular need for a truly global platform where each country's energy innovation achievements can meet in one place – Korea's battery technology, Japan's hydrogen economy, Germany's renewable energy policies, Denmark's wind power technology, and Singapore's smart city solutions. Through partnerships with major regions including Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, richer and more diverse perspectives in discussions will become possible.

Like the magnificent view from Dock 72, we anticipate that the spark of energy innovation that began in Brooklyn will spread worldwide, becoming a lighthouse that illuminates a sustainable energy future for the entire planet. We hope that the 5th Summit will mark the inaugural year of this global leap, and Magazine BigC.Works will continue to monitor and report on these transformative changes.