• Matt White, Business Development Manager for Goverment Programs, EWI
• Dr. Rick Schwerdtfeger, Senior Project Scientist, EMTEC

In 1887 Charles Brush began construction of the world's first wind-powered electricity generator near Cleveland, Ohio. Since that time, the cost per kwh to generate electricity from large wind farms has become very competitive with conventional fossil fuel powered electricity supplies. While much of Ohio would not be considered a great wind resource, Lake Erie is among the best spots in the nation to harness the wind. Additionally, the largest renewable energy supply in the world, not counting burning wood for heat, is hydropower. Small hydro is a growing category of distributed power generation that may be applicable to Ohio's many rivers. Wind and hydropower both rely on rotating mechanical parts and the appropriate balance of systems to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. With the use of bearings, gears, metals, composites and electronics, both systems share common manufacturing art and similar supply chain structure with Ohio's indigenous automotive sector. Speakers in this session will provide ideas on how to develop the wind and hydropower supply chains in Ohio, and how costs can be further reduced in the process.

• "Building a Wind Industry in Ohio" - Richard Stuebi, The Cleveland Foundation

  Ohio has the potential for being a major player in the U.S. wind industry. Ohio has significant untapped wind resources, both onshore and on Lake Erie, that could produce a substantial fraction of the energy needs of Ohio, the Midwest and the East Coast. And, Ohio's manufacturing base is ideally suited to supplying the equipment for wind projects both in Ohio and beyond. Both of these facets of the wind industry - deployment and manufacturing - reinforce each other as they strengthen. However, both of these facets of the wind industry are reliant on favorable energy policy, and Ohio's energy policy is not as favorable to wind as is the case in many other states. Building a wind industry in Ohio therefore requires shifts in Ohio energy policy, as well as nurturing the development of wind energy projects in Ohio and the filling out of the wind manufacturing supply chain in Ohio.

• "Wind Energy Project Management and Economic Development in Ohio" - Geoff Greenfield, Third Sun Solar and Wind Power

  Mr. Greenfield will speak about practical residential and commercial project management factors as well as opportunities for state and local economic development using wind energy.

• "Wind Turbine Manufacturing - Facts, Costs, and WIRE-Net's Role" - Ty Haines, Wire Net

  Mr. Haines will present some fun facts, costs and concerns, and information on turbine parts and the wind energy industry. He will present WIRE-Net's role in helping develop Ohio's wind energy supply chain.

• "Clipper Wind and the Wind Energy Supply Chain" - Ian Cluderay, Clipper Wind

  Clipper Wind is a large wind turbine manufacturer headquartered in California with manufacturing capability located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They are currently building their local supply chain in an effort to minimize costs and remain competitive in the global wind energy market. Clipper Wind currently has several manufacturing partners in Ohio and is actively seeking qualified partners to deliver high quality cost-competitive parts. Mr. Cluderay's presentation will focus on the growth of wind energy with specific emphasis on Clipper Windpower. He will also highlight the manufacturing and quality expectations for Clipper's supply chain partners.