This year CEBA Connect: 2022 Spring Summit was the premier convening for energy and sustainability professionals. Over the course of three days, more than 700 people in our community collaborated to build solutions to today’s clean energy barriers. Check out our top five takeaways: 

5. The Clean Energy Buyers Alliance likes to ROCK OUT.

At the CEBA and Clean Energy Buyers Institute (CEBI) welcome reception, AY Young performed and got us all out of our seats and moving. You might even have caught him dancing with CEBA CEO Miranda Ballentine! We loved listening to his hit song “Save the Planet” – and even got a special sneak peek into AY’s upcoming song release. 

AY isn’t just a great dancer – he sings with a purpose as the United Nations Young Leader for Sustainable Development Goals. After learning that more than one billion people lacked electricity during a U.S. tour, AY Young powered concerts using renewable energy, raising awareness about sustainability, and fundraising to bring people electricity. 

4. Everyone wants to talk #Energy.

People across public and private sectors with different targets and organizational priorities made one thing clear- they are all focused on clean, affordable, and accessible energy. In his keynote, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Commissioner Willie Phillips stated we need to bring everyone to the table, especially those who have not been in the past. HSC CEO AB Ghosh emphasized we can power a clean energy future, together. One session speaker noted, “the way we create change is with groups like this.” Each organization might be responsible for different pieces of the puzzle but by working together we can achieve our shared goal: customer-driven clean energy for all. 

3. CEBA members continue to succeed and lead. 

Even with a pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and energy market instabilities, 2021 was yet another record-breaking year for clean energy. Fifty energy customers transacted a combined 11.06 GW of clean energy, that’s a total 52+ GW since 2014. And here’s the cherry on top: 93% of those projects involved CEBA members. 

CEBA members continue to lead on policy. The energy customer voice is reflected in key legislation, from continued advocacy for policy and markets. In 2021, 42 companies leveraged their collective voice by signing a collective 20 letters, 10 statements, and engaging in 50+ meetings with policy makers. If you are interested in advocating for carbon-free energy across global markets, join our efforts. 

2. We want our clean energy to do more for people and planet. 

Companies are advancing ambitious climate and energy goals outside their core business, with a focus on social impact. The Clean Energy Buyers Institute (CEBI) launched the Beyond the Megawatt Initiative to create a resilient, equitable, and environmentally sustainable energy system for the benefit of all by leveraging energy customer demands for clean energy. Learn more about the Beyond the Megawatt Initiative. 

Energy customers are also working to make our clean energy cleaner by leveraging customer-driven demand for Scope 3 emission reductions. The Decarbonizing Industrial Supply Chain Energy shared new resources to optimize the environmental impact of new solar installations, and accelerate the uptake of low-carbon solar.

1. There is magic when our community is together.

Throughout CEBA Connect: 2022 Spring Summit there were laughs shared, ideas exchanged, and solutions created. Through hundreds of sticky notes, dozens of round tables, and innumerable connections made ,one thing was obvious: this community creates magic when it is together. 

CEBA members can continue their conversation, and start new ones, all through CEBA InterConnect. 

We’re thrilled to be a strategic partner for VERGE 22, accelerating solutions to the most pressing challenges of our time in San Jose, CA on October 25-27. By collaborating on the VERGE 22 Energy Program, we’re creating a center of gravity for companies and organizations to accelerate the transition to clean energy. CEBA members can reserve complimentary exclusive passes now, email education@cebuyers.org for more information. Did you miss out on CEBA Connect: 2022 Spring Summit? Become a CEBA member today and never miss out on another collaborative community event.