The Center is hosting the 3rd Annual “Renewable Energy Pathways Conference: Navigating a Weather-Driven Energy Sector”, scheduled for 10-11 September 2025. This 2-day conference, occurs at the University at Albany’s ETEC building, bringing together experts and decision-makers to discuss the co-dependency of the expanding renewable energy supply and grid operations on weather in the Northeast and nationally.

The Weather Enterprise is playing a major role in the ongoing development and integration of renewable energy sources. Not only does weather (and climate) drive the siting and performance of solar and wind energy systems, but it also dynamically impacts the grid’s electricity demand and delivery capability. This codependency can be complex and will only grow as renewable energy reaches much higher grid penetration. To confront these issues, this conference is intended to address such topics as:   

• What is the appropriate role of the weather enterprise in supporting the expansion of renewable energy generation, and who are the key stakeholders?   

• What innovations and collaborations are necessary to ensure a sustainable transition to the new Green Energy Economy? 

• What are the most important concerns and challenges among respective stakeholders as they perform their roles in this transition?   

• What are the particular challenges with respect to different renewable energy technologies (solar, land-based wind, offshore wind), energy storage, and grid integration?   

• How can we ensure a just and dependable energy future in the context of a warming planet with an increasing frequency of extreme weather?