Duquesne Light Company Plays Leading Role in First U.S.-Based Global Clean Energy Action Forum
Duquesne Light Company (DLC), which pledges to leave no one behind during the Pittsburgh region’s transition to carbon-neutral energy sources, recently participated in an international forum examining the state of clean energy worldwide and plans from various countries to hasten its implementation.
Last week, Pittsburgh hosted the Global Clean Energy Action Forum (GCEAF), where delegates from around the world gathered in the 13th Clean Energy Ministerial and 7th Mission Innovation Ministerial.
The three-day event, held Sept. 21-23, featured high-level plenary, topical roundtables with energy and science ministers, CEOs and other experts and leaders. There were also various side events, technology demonstrations and other activities throughout the week.
It was the first time the GCEAF, which was hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy and Carnegie Mellon University, was held in the United States. DLC President and CEO Kevin Walker was part of the host committee.
“The focus of this pivotal event perfectly complements our vision to create a larger-than-light, clean energy future for all,” said Walker. “We were thrilled to be able to convene with such a far-reaching, pioneering group of experts and supporters within the clean energy community, who share our passion and drive for harnessing the power of innovation in the shift toward renewable, sustainable, clean energy. We are also extremely proud that the event was hosted in Pittsburgh, where our industrial history has seen a transformative shift to technology and innovation, which is helping to lead the urban environmental movement.”
Contributing to Meaningful Discussions
The GCEAF hosted more than 115 side events, including panel discussions, roundtables and lectures, where ministers, government stakeholders and delegates from other organizations within the clean energy community assembled to further the conversation on carbon-neutral policy.
This year’s theme — Rapid Innovation and Deployment — addressed accelerating the pace and scale of innovation through collaboration and shared strategies for the deployment of clean energy technologies.
DLC representatives spoke at or attended discussions about the work the electric utility is conducting throughout the Pittsburgh region, including:
- Walker participated in the Covestro/Green Building Alliance workshop “Powering the Future: Electrification Decarbonization” at Phipps Conservatory, focusing on beneficial electrification and the immediate inclusive impacts it can have for communities.
- Walker also participated in the Edison Electric Institute roundtable discussion “Grid of the Future: Challenges and Opportunities,” where he highlighted the importance of electric vehicles (EV) and their benefit for the economy and environment.
- Walker and other DLC representatives attended the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce Reception at the Union Trust Building, as well as the GBA Emerald Evening at the Museum Lab.
- Dr. Elizabeth Cook, general manager of advanced grid solutions, participated in the panel discussion “Bridging the Energy Divide — Sustainable Communities,” which addressed the energy and economic challenges and opportunities of Pittsburgh’s Hill District community.
- Christine Waller, vice president of communications and corporate responsibility, joined the panel discussion “Community Investment in the Clean Energy Transition,” which focused on DLC’s partnerships with local organizations to strategize for a clean energy future.
- Walker and Sarah Olexsak, senior manager of transportation electrification, served as panel participants for the S&B USA Construction executive roundtable, which focused on fleet electrification.
On the opening day of the forum, a host of DLC employees and external stakeholders participated in the company’s welcome reception and networking event at the Energy Innovation Center in the Hill District, which featured an induction cooking demo with renowned Chef Claudy Pierre using one of DLC’s new electric Ford F-150s.
The event reiterated DLC’s strategy to lead the charge in beneficial electrification through investments in the electrical grid; expanding access to development opportunities and resources; and ensuring an inclusive clean energy transition.
Pittsburgh Chef Claudy Pierre (top) gives a cooking demonstration using an induction stove that was hooked up to one of DLC's new all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning pickup trucks at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh's Hill District on September 21, 2022.
Focusing on Next Steps
DLC’s participation in the GCEAF demonstrates the organization’s commitment to accelerating efforts to deliver on its bold vision of a clean energy future for all in the Pittsburgh region. The forum allowed DLC to showcase its role in supporting the global transition to a clean energy future through localized efforts aimed at grid modernization, beneficial electrification and increased access to renewables and other carton-neutral energy sources.