Agenda

Residence Inn Capital View, Arlington, VA
Final as of 2/19/2026 – PDF version

Sunday, February 22-Wednesday, February 25

DW26 Program Committee: Jim Duffy, Brett Pingree & Ryan Storke

Residence Inn Capital View Hotel, Arlington, VA

Session topics: DWEA Leadership Panel: State of the Industry; Innovations in DW: Business Models; Transformation into New Opportunities for DW; Upcoming DW-to-Everything Projects: Scaling up with Microgrids & Hybrid Systems; Introducing New Partners & Members: Lightning Round; Charging Ahead: DWEA Federal Policy Agenda; Looking Forward: DWEA Leaders in Action; Updated Tax Provisions in OBBB: New Guidance on FEOC, Safe Harbors; Case Studies of Distributed Wind Projects; Expanding DW Markets; REpowering Schools DW Student Project Intros; Windustry 2026 Community Wind Awards

Sunday, February 22

7-10p All Attendees Informal Networking SOCCi Italian Restaurant, adjacent to Residence Inn

Monday, February 23
7:30a – 8:15a Registration, Breakfast Buffet for Registered Attendees, and Networking Opportunity

8:15a – 8:20a Welcome and Opening Remarks
DW26 Program Committee: Jim Duffy

8:20a – 9:25a DWEA Leadership Panel: State of the Industry
Moderator: Ryan Storke, Stroke LLC

Steve Sherr, Foundation Windpower, leading developer of large-scale behind-the-meter wind projects
Ketter Ulrich, Ryse Energy, manufacturer of micro-turbines and supplier of off-grid hybrid systems
John Mogensen, Eocycle Technologies, manufacturer of farm and commercial wind turbines
Mike Bergey, Bergey Windpower, manufacturer of residential and farm wind turbines

9:30a – 10:10a Keynote Address: “Emerging Role of DERs with Microgrids, Grid Strengthening, and Assisting with Data Center Load Growth” Peter Asmus, thought leader on microgrid strategies and cutting edge energy trends – PDF from the event

10:10a – 10:25a Networking Break

10:25a – 11:15a Innovations in DW: Business Models, Technologies, Key Players
Moderator: Erika Boeing, Accelerate Wind

Dr. Phil Hofmeyer, New Leaf Energy: Upping the Ante with Larger DG Wind Turbines – Are We Crazy? – PDF from the event
Brian Steinkamp, HSI Solar: Evolving Renewable Energy Business Models – Collaborative Technologies – Reasons for Optimism – PDF from the event
Mike Bergey, Bergey Windpower: The DER-Sales Business Model for Rural Electric Cooperatives – PDF from the event

11:15a – 12:00p Transformation into New Opportunities for DW
Moderator: Jorge Rodriguez, DAKI Green Energy

Chris Connor, Northern Power Systems: Opening New Doors for NPS 100C Power Converter with Electrical Certification to UL 1741 Supplement B – PDF from the event
Sonja Ling, eFormative Options: Innovative Opportunities in WA: Integrating ElectricFish 350² with DERs – PDF from the event
Jennifer Ralston, Vita Energia: How Might We Use Distributed Wind to Strengthen the Grid?
Brainstorming: Jot your ideas on post-it notes!

12:00p-1:10p Networking Lunch (included in registration)
Slideshow Spotlight on Platinum Sponsors: Bergey Windpower, Power Grid Partners, & Storke LLC

1:10p – 2:00p Upcoming DW-to-Everything Projects: Scaling up with Microgrids & Hybrid Systems
Moderator: Charles Newcomb, Hoss Consulting

Andy Mackey, ProtoGen: Wind in the Mix – Integrating Distributed Wind into Microgrid Modeling – PDF from the event
Mike Murray, Generac: Perspective from 100 Microgrid Projects
Cameron Brooks, Think Microgrid: A National Outlook on Resilient, Clean Energy
Matt Abele, North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association: Microgrids for Disaster Recovery and – PDF from the event
Long-term Resiliency

2:00p – 2:50p Introducing New Partners & Members: Lightning Round
Moderator: Isai Ayala, ICC-SWCC

Antonio Matias, DAKI Green Energy – PDF from the event
Alexander Morgan, Leitwind
Hemkant Limaye, Pioneer Wincon Energy Systems
Becky Pettit, HSI Solar – PDF from the event

2:50p-3:05p Networking Break

3:05p – 4:00p Charging Ahead: DWEA Federal Policy Agenda

An overview of DWEA’s 2026 federal policy initiatives and priorities led by Lloyd Ritter with Green Capitol, DWEA’s Washington representative, followed by a Q&A session. Speakers will cover the impact of the Administration and Congress on legislation and policies important to the DW industry.
Moderator: Steve Sherr, Foundation Windpower

Lloyd Ritter, Green Capitol
Mike Bergey, DWEA President – PDF from the event
Brian Steinkamp, HSI Solar

4:00p – 5:00p Looking Ahead: DWEA Leaders in Action
Moderator: Drew Gertz, Northwind Engineering

Heather Rhoads, DWEA Executive Director: Prioritizing States and DWEA’s other Strategic Plans – PDF from the event
Ian Brownstein, XFlow Energy: Opportunities for Industry Collaboration – PDF from the event
Ken Kotalik, Northern Power Systems: Breathing New Life into Old Wind: Repowering the NPS100C Wind Turbine – PDF from the event
Dean Davis, Windward Engineering: Future of Distributed Wind: Signals From the Field – PDF from the event

5:00p First Day Closing Comments, DW26 Program Committee

5:00p Adjourn

5:00 – 5:30p Lobby Day Team Leads Prep Talk, Renaissance Main Foyer

5:15 – 7:30p Monday Happy Hour – Networking Opportunity – cash bar
SOCCi Italian Restaurant, Renaissance Arlington Capital View (adjacent to the Residence Inn)

Tuesday, February 24
7:30a – 8:15a Registration, Breakfast Buffet and Networking Opportunity

7:30a – 8:15a Women in DWind Meetup, Terrace Room
All Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy members and allies welcome

8:15a – 8:20a Welcome and Opening Remarks, DW26 Program Committee

8:20a – 9:50a Updated Tax Provisions in OBBB: New Guidance on FEOC, Mfg 45X, Safe Harbors, Energy Communities, Prevailing Wages
Moderator: Mike Bergey, Bergey Windpower – PDF from the event

Jim Duffy, Nixon Peabody
Tony Grappone, Novogradac
Chris Diaz, Seminole Financial Services
Forest Milder, Nixon Peabody

9:50a-10:05a Networking Break

10:05a – 10:40p Case Studies of Distributed Wind Projects
This session will feature case studies of noteworthy Distributed Wind projects covering different sizes and applications. Project details, including costs, performance, and economics will be presented.
Moderator: David Dunaway, eFormative Options

John Fellhauer, PowerGrid Partners: Repowering Distributed Wind Turbines – PDF from the event
Todd Hammen, Iowa Energy Alternatives: Iowa DW Case Studies
Rocky McIntosh, Sonsight Wind: Developing & Testing Sonsight 3.5kW Wind Turbine at Beech Mountain – PDF from the event
Ketter Ulrich, Ryse Energy: Ryse Energy: Powering Possibility with Distributed Wind
Joe Spossey, REInnovations: Case Study of DW Certification Projects

10:40a – 11:20p Expanding DW Markets
Moderator: Paul Rowan, Windurance

Malek Tawashy, Northern Energy Capital: Wind Energy in Rural and Remote Communities
Becky Pettit, HSI Solar: Challenge Us: Using Customized Creativity to Expand Distributed Markets through Financing Opportunities – PDF from the event
Aaron Morris, Madison One: USDA’s Future in Distributed Wind Energy – PDF from the event

11:20a – 12:00p REpowering Schools Student Presentations
As at DW25, REpowering Schools is hosting a parallel workshop on Tuesday for college students and faculty engaged in renewable energy research. This session offers a unique platform for participants to present their project results to industry leaders. Additionally, student posters will be showcased during the Tuesday evening DW26 reception, providing a prime networking opportunity for distributed wind companies to recruit top talent for internships and full-time roles.

Moderator: Remy Pangle, REpowering Schools – PDF from the event

Jack Eberl, James Madison University – Harrisonburg, VA
Streamlining REAP: A Framework for Small Business and Agricultural Energy Projects
Adam Wagih, Wilbur Wright College – Chicago, IL
Enhancing Clean Renewable Energy Research through Hands-On Solar Energy System Design and Analysis
Bushra Alkarmi, Harry S Truman College – Chicago, IL
Exploring and understanding applications of renewable energy
Eliazar Lovis, City Colleges of Chicago – Chicago, IL
Analysis of Solar and Wind Experimentation for Renewable Energy
Kobe Williams, City Colleges of Chicago – Truman College School of Engineering – Chicago, IL
Advanced Experimentation for the Outlook of Solar Panels due to Renewable Energy

12:00 – 12:15p Windustry 2026 Community Wind Awards – presented by Lisa Daniels and Jim Duffy

12:15p DW26 Charging Ahead: Scaling up with Microgrids & Hybrid Systems
Conference Closing Remarks – DW26 Planning Team

12:20p Adjourn

12:20-1:30p Networking Lunch and AgWind Strategy Session Terrace Room (included in registration)

1:30p – 5:00p National Industry Research Collaboration
Building on last year’s dialogue focused on collaborative research challenges to lower energy costs, enhancing power system reliability, and expanding domestic energy related manufacturing, this half-day collaboration session will work to incorporate industry feedback and participation into near-term lab-based research efforts. Participants will obtain an understanding of lab research priorities and be able to provide direct feedback on project efforts, including continued industry participation.

Moderator: Ian Baring-Gould, Distributed Wind Program Manager, National Lab of the Rockies (NLR)

1:45p – 4:30p Topical Roundtables – Three sets of three concurrent facilitated Roundtables

1:45p – 2:35p Round 1 Roundtables (40 min dialogue, 10 min combined summary)

- Competitiveness Improvement Project: Brent Summerville (NLR), Matt Korey (ORNL), Rachid Darbali-Zamora (SNL)
- WindWatts: Caleb Phillips (NLR), Danielle Preziuso (PNNL)
- Energy Cooperative Engagement: Ian Baring-Gould (NLR), Gen Starke (NLR)

2:40p – 3:30p Round 2 Roundtables (40 min dialogue, 10 min combined summary)

- Integration of Power Electronics: Rachid Darbali-Zamora (SNL), Ian Baring-Gould
- Irrigation and On-Farm Power: Danielle Preziuso (PNNL), Suzanne MacDonald (NLR), Steve Reese (INL)
- Aeroelastic Modeling / dWAM: Brent Summerville (NLR), Kevin Moore (SNL)

3:30p-3:45p Networking Break

3:45p – 4:35p Round 3 Roundtables (40 min dialogue, 10 min combined summary)

- Turbine and Drivetrain Reliability: Shawn Sheng (NLR), Ian Baring-Gould (NLR)
- Distributed Wind Standards Development: Brent Summerville (NLR), Rachid Darbali-Zamora (SNL)
- Distributed Wind Analysis: Caleb Phillips (NLR), Danielle Preziuso (PNNL)

4:35p-4:55p Open Discussion of Industry Needs
4:55p-5:00p Closing

5:00p Adjourn

5:15 – 7:30p Tuesday Poster Reception – Networking Opportunity – cash bar
Main Foyer, Renaissance Arlington Capital View
Slideshow Spotlight on Platinum Sponsors: Bergey Windpower, Power Grid Partners, Storke LLC and Gold Sponsors: RE Innovations, Ryse Energy, Windurance

Wednesday, February 25
7:00a – 8:15a Registration, Breakfast Buffet for Registered Attendees, Hill Day prep, Terrace Room

8:30 Teams Uber to Hill: formal business attire

Hill Meetings

Lunch with Team

Hill Meetings

5:00 Hill Day Debriefing & Networking, Bullfeathers on the Hill, 410 First Street SE, Washington, DC