Overview
Education Summit
The Summit will consist of a full day of training sessions — 3 educational tracks with 5 sessions in each — bookended by networking opportunities the nights before and after the Summit.
Topics covered will include PV and energy storage codes and standards, engineering best practices, safety, and O&M intended for anyone interested in learning real tangible technical topics fundamental to support the planning, sales, design, installation, oversight, and management of solar and storage assets. All session content will be developed by Mayfield Renewables and taught by a combination of our own expert trainers and guest subject matter experts.
Who we are:
Founded in 2007, Mayfield Renewables is an engineering consultancy that delivers a variety of services—including engineering, feasibility studies, consulting and educational programs—to companies in the solar and energy storage industries.
Education is at the heart of everything we do at Mayfield Renewables. Starting with owner, Ryan Mayfield, and his love of demystifying codes and standards, Mayfield is committed to “Making expertise accessible” and has developed and delivered best-in-class technical training to the industry for over a decade.
Why now?
The PV and energy storage industry is at an inflection point. Developers and manufacturers can’t hire and train fast enough to meet rapidly growing demand for competent staff. Scaling quickly and safely is essential to meeting the targets for a resilient and reliable energy future. As longtime experts and educators in this field, Mayfield Renewables is dedicated to training the next generation – through our own material and collaborations with other industry veterans.
Why Austin, TX?
The Lone Star State, previously at the forefront of the oil and gas sector and known for its cultural emphasis on independence and “going big,” is quickly transforming into a renewables hub for everything from manufacturing to development to R&D.
What is the “Welcome & Great Transformation”?
The evening before the full day of training at the Summit will include a panel presentation with varying perspectives from local and national leaders on the topic of Education’s Role in the Energy Transition, followed by a networking happy hour.
Note: There is a separate registration for “The Great Transformation” panel discussion prior to the Summit.
Registrations Filled
Event Location
UT Commons Conference Center
10100 Burnet Rd Building 137, Austin, TX 78758
Located in the JJ Pickle Research Campus,
The University of Texas Austin
Date
October 2-3, 2024
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
| Registration Type: | Fee |
|---|---|
| Great Transformation Panel Presentation + Welcome Reception (Oct 2 5-8:30PM) | |
| Education Summit (Oct 3 8AM-9PM) | |
| Event Sponsor (Exhibit table + 1 Pass for both events) |
| Registration Type: Regular Until September 27, 2024 | Fee |
|---|---|
| Great Transformation Panel Presentation + Welcome Reception (Oct 2 5-8:30PM) | $95 |
| Education Summit (Oct 3 8AM-9PM) | $350 |
| Event Sponsor (Exhibit table + 1 Pass for both events) | $1,750 |
| Registration Type: In-person at the Event (If Available) | Fee |
|---|---|
| Great Transformation Panel Presentation + Welcome Reception (Oct 2 5-8:30PM) | $120 |
| Education Summit (Oct 3 8AM-9PM) | $395 |
| Event Sponsor (Exhibit table + 1 Pass for both events) | N/A |
| Registration Type | Regular Until September 27, 2024 | In-person at the Event (If Available) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Transformation Panel Presentation + Welcome Reception (Oct 2 5-8:30PM) | $95 | $120 | |
| Education Summit (Oct 3 8AM-9PM) | $350 | $395 | |
| Event Sponsor (Exhibit table + 1 Pass for both events) | $1,750 | N/A |
Agenda
Thursday, October 3rd
8:00 – 9:00 AM | Check-in, breakfast + networking
9:00 – 10:30 AM | Critical Updates to the 2023 NEC
Trainer: Ryan Mayfield
The 2023 editions of the National Electrical Code (NEC) brought many new and revised requirements for PV systems. NEC code-making panel member Ryan Mayfield will kick off the educational summit with a session on the most critical updates installers, developers, and manufacturers should be aware of.
9:00 – 10:30 AM | UL 9540A and Energy Storage Fire Risks
Trainers: Lucas Miller & Tyson Bittrich
The UL 9540 listing and 9540A testing standards are living documents that evolve over time. In this session, battery experts will overview the 9540 standard, key updates to the listing and testing process, and general battery fire safety best practices.
9:00 – 10:30 AM | Insulation Resistance Testing for PV Systems
Trainer: Volney Naranjo
Verifying the insulation resistance for conductors within a PV array is essential to any commissioning and O&M procedure. Damaged insulation will ultimately manifest as a ground fault, which can cascade into safety and performance hazards. It’s in everyone’s best interest to verify insulation health on a regular basis according to the latest codes and standards.
During this 90-minute session, instructors from Megger will provide clear guidance on the insulation resistance test process from start to finish.
10:30 – 11:00 AM | Break
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | UL 3741 Product and Design Requirements
Trainers: Ryan Mayfield & Jason Fisher
Led by Ryan Mayfield, this session will explain the details of UL 3741 listing and its impacts on PV system design, product design, and NEC compliance. If you develop commercial rooftop systems, this is the session for you.
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Energy Storage Design Considerations
Trainers: Brian Bruggeman, PE & the Mayfield Engineering Team
Energy storage attachment rates are on the rise. What factors should be top of mind when designing a solar-plus-storage system? In this session, Mayfield Renewables engineers will walk you through design best practices and component-level considerations.
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Developing Internal Training to Safely Scale
Trainer: Karo Fernandez
12:30 – 1:30 PM | Lunch
1:30 – 2:30 PM | PV Interconnection & the 2023 NEC
Trainers: Ryan Mayfield & Brian Mehalic
Ryan Mayfield & Brian Mehalic will provide a detailed look at Sections 705.11 and 705.12 in the 2023 NEC and an overview of the current interconnection methods for PV and energy storage systems.
1:30 – 2:30 PM | An Overview of Microgrid Feasibility Studies
Trainer: Rey Guerrero, Ph.D
There might not be a buzzier word than “microgrids” right now. How is a microgrid defined? How are these complex systems modeled and engineered? Join this session to learn from Microgrid experts at Xendee and Mayfield Renewables. You’ll leave with a better understanding of microgrid systems, project development, and use cases.
1:30 – 2:30 PM | Placeholder
2:30 – 3:00 PM | Break
3:00 – 4:00 PM | 2023 NEC Requirements for Energy Storage Systems
Trainer: Ryan Mayfield
Learn the energy-storage-specific requirements in the 2023 NEC from code-making panel member Ryan Mayfield. Lesson materials include illustrated single-line diagrams and intuitive infographics to bring color to code requirements.
3:00 – 4:00 PM | Energy Management with Power Control Systems
Trainer: Jason Fisher
A new UL standard, UL 3141, is in development for power control systems and energy management systems. This will ultimately change how solar and storage systems are interconnected and controlled.
3:00 – 4:00 PM | 2023 NEC Requirements for Energy Storage Systems (Spanish)
Trainer: Angel Zayas
Learn the energy-storage-specific requirements in the 2023 NEC from Mayfield technical trainer, Angel Zayas. Lesson materials include illustrated single-line diagrams and intuitive infographics to bring color to code requirements. – taught in Spanish.
Aprenda los requisitos específicos en el almacenamiento de energía en el NEC 2023 del entrenador técnico de Mayfield, Angel Zayas. Los materiales de la lección incluyen diagramas unifilares ilustrados y infográficos intuitivos para darle color a los requisitos del código. – Enseñado en español.
4:15 – 5:45 PM | 2023 NFPA 855 and Fire Codes for Energy Storage Systems
Trainer: Ryan Mayfield
In the final session of the day, Ryan Mayfield will walk through the key sections of NFPA 855 that pertain to stationary energy storage projects. UL 9540 listing and the UL 9540A test method will also be discussed.
4:15 – 5:45 PM | Transformer Design Considerations
Trainers: Nick Konen & Brian Bruggeman, PE
Virtually all grid-tied PV and energy storage projects will have one or more transformers. How are transformers sized, configured, and protected? Finish the day with transformer experts to become more familiar with these key electrical components.
4:15 – 5:45 PM | 2023 NFPA 855 and Fire Codes for Energy Storage Systems (Spanish)
Trainer: Angel Zayas
In the final session of the day, Angel Zayas will walk through the key sections of NFPA 855 that pertain to stationary energy storage projects. UL 9540 listing and the UL 9540A test method will also be discussed. – taught in Spanish.
En la última sesión del día, Ángel Zayas repasará las secciones clave de NFPA 855 que pertenecen a proyectos de almacenamiento de energía estacionario. También se analizará la certificación UL 9540 y el método de prueba UL 9540A. – Enseñado en español.
6:00 – 9:00 PM | Evening Networking Reception + Dinner
Trainers
Ryan Mayfield
Founder & Educator; Mayfield Renewables
Founder of Mayfield Renewables, an engineering consultancy for the solar and storage industry, Ryan has been widely known for his commitment to understanding and demystifying codes and standards for decades. He has over 25 years of experience designing and consulting on solar PV projects. His career has blended technical expertise with an affinity for writing and education. Ryan was also the PV Systems Technical Editor for SolarPro Magazine from 2010 to 2018 and authored the PV Design & Installation for Dummies in 2010. He is passionate about bringing up the next generation of experts through teaching nationwide PV courses on topics such as: the National Electrical Code, commercial and utility-scale PV systems, energy storage systems best practices and electrical testing O&M best practices. He is also a NEC Code Making Panel 13 member tasked with reviewing NEC sections 480 and 706.
Lucas Miller
Senior Engineering Consultant; Mayfield Renewables
Lucas dove into the renewables industry straight out of college by moving from Madison, Wisconsin, to Portland, Oregon, to join a PV contractor. In the years since, he has held many roles in the solar and energy storage industry, spanning marketing, market research, product development, and project coordination. Lucas’s expertise blends engineering acumen and industry knowledge with a backbone in technical content development. He now holds both a marketing degree and a degree in Renewable Energy Engineering from Oregon Institute of Technology. In his current role at Mayfield, he brings his talents in research and writing and provides much of the leadership in our educational content development.
Tyson Bittrich
Market Research Consultant; Mayfield Renewables
Tyson is enthusiastic about the forthcoming energy transition and aims to support renewable solutions-makers. He brings a unique perspective to the Mayfield team recently finishing his B.S. in Renewable Energy Engineering from Oregon Insitute of Technology, an M.A. in Philosophy and B.A.’s in Music and Philosophy. He is a teacher at heart; teaching hot yoga, music, and even cocktail and wine training. Tyson calls Portland, OR, home. His engineering studies focused on electrochemical storage technologies that best empower intermittent RE generation and distributed energy resources. Tyson has been instrumental in researching and developing Mayfield Renewables content with an eye toward unbiased clear education. Beyond work, Tyson is an avid musician leading a jazz quartet since 2019.
Brian Bruggeman, P.E.
Engineering Director; Mayfield Renewables
Brian has been working in the solar industry for more than 25 years, is a registered electrical Professional Engineer in over 11 states, a licensed Colorado Master Electrician, and NABCEP-certified PV installation professional. His technical and industry experience spans PV+ESS installation experience, controls design, solar PV and energy storage, electrical engineering, microgrid feasibility, and engineering oversight. Brian is committed to designing projects with professionalism and integrity. For the past 10+ years Brian has been specializing in commercial PV-plus-storage project engineering and provides a wealth of engineering technical knowledge rarely seen in the PV industry.
Zach Snyder
Senior Engineering Consultant; Mayfield Renewables
In 2018, with a background in geology, technology, and education, Zach decided to commit to the solar industry. After spending a year as a marketer at an Oregon PV installation company, he went on to lead the statewide consumer education nonprofit Solar Oregon. There he developed and managed educational programs and tours funded by the Energy Trust of Oregon to teach home and business owners about the ins and outs of solar plus storage. Zach also brings a wealth of IT skills, in 2022 he contracted independently with PV Evolution Labs to develop computer vision algorithms and automation used for PV module quality testing. At Mayfield, he provides valuable financial and electrical modeling expertise for microgrid feasibility studies and provides resiliency project recommendations to stakeholders.
Jason Fisher
Founder; Solar Technical Consulting
Jason has been working in renewable energy since 1994. In that time he has gained a wealth of experience and expertise. He holds a master electrician license and is a NABCEP certified PV Installation Professional. He serves on multiple UL technical committees. Jason also serves as a NEC code making panel 4 member representing SEIA and code making panel 13 member representing SEI.
Angel Zayas, P.E.
Principal Engineer and Host of DrPower; AZ Engineering
Eng. Angel Zayas is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez (1992), and holds a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico (1996). He founded AZ Engineering in 2000, providing consulting and design services. He is a certified NABCEP PV Installation Professional and has been a leader in the PV industry in Puerto Rico since 2007, with more than 550 renewable energy projects totaling over 200 MW. He currently instructs courses in the design and installation of photovoltaic systems in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and Latin American countries. Since May 2024, Angel has been an approved instructor and Mayfield partner teaching Spanish language versions of Mayfield Renewables content. He is also the host of the popular live webcast Dr Power PR.
Volney Naranjo
Renewables Business Development Manager; Megger
Volney Naranjo received his BSEE from Universidad del Valle in Cali, Colombia. After graduation, he worked in electrical design and testing and commissioning power systems as a field engineer and project manager. In 2011, he joined Megger as an application engineer, focusing on the products for transformers, low-voltage and high-voltage circuit breakers, and battery testing. Currently, Volney is the Renewables Business Development Manager for North America at Megger. He is an IEEE senior member and has published multiple articles in conferences such as TechCon, PowerTest, TSDOS, BattCon, and EIC, as well as various technical magazines.
Rey Guerrero, Ph.D
Principal Engineer; Xendee
Reynaldo C. Guerrero Jr. is a Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (University of the Philippines, Diliman 2019), Master of Science in Electronics Engineering (Ateneo de Manila University 2011), Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering (Ateneo de Manila University 2007). He is a co-founder and board member at SolarSolutions, a social enterprise on renewable energy for communities. Previously, Reynaldo worked at SunPower Corporation as a Senior Staff Device Engineer and as an affiliate implementing multi-period investments in DER modeling and sizing at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Nick Konen
Technical Solutions Consultant, Hammond Power Solutions
Nick Konen is a technical solutions consultant for Hammond Power Solutions (HPS). He joined HPS in 2019 as a quotations & technical support specialist with a focus in renewables and power quality magnetics. Much of his time was spent reviewing transformer specifications and electrical single lines to provide accurate product offers in renewable applications. In Spring of 2024, Nick moved to the technical solutions team to bring his application knowledge outside the walls of HPS.
Brian Mehalic
Instructor & Curriculum Developer; Solar Energy International
Brian has over 22 years of experience in the PV industry, ranging from installing on and off-grid PV systems to instructing Code officials across the country to designing, inspecting, and commissioning large-scale systems. He is a NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional and an alternate on the NEC Code-Making Panel 4. Brian has instructed over 250 classes and 6,000 students for Solar Energy International. He has developed and maintained SEI’s curriculum focused on operations and maintenance (O&M), system design and installation, and Codes & Standards.
Partners
Partners are key to making any large effort successful. Mayfield Renewables is fortunate to have such wonderful partners, from our marketing agency, Outfit, to our educational partners and clients across the industry landscape.
We have very limited spaces for select partners to be showcased during the Mayfield Renewables Education Summit & Welcome Events. If you think you would be a good fit for this event please submit a request to be considered with the below form.
What is Included:
- 1 all-access pass to both the Welcome/Great Transformation and the Education Summit, including happy hour networking times. ($445 value)
- 1 6-foot long display table with tablecloth located in the networking and eating shared Atrium space along with select few other partners (up to 12).
- Individual LinkedIn promo from Mayfield Renewables company page.
- Logo included on event correspondence in Mayfield newsletter to our entire network of 6,000+ industry professionals including executives, owners, engineers, sales, and technical field.
- Logo included on Event landing page here.
- Mentioned by Ryan Mayfield during the Welcome keynote.
Venue + Hotels
Event Location
UT Commons Conference Center
10100 Burnet Rd Building 137, Austin, TX 78758
Located in the JJ Pickle Research Campus, The University of Texas Austin
Reservation Details
Reservations are available at the “Mayfield Renewables Education Summit” room block rate until sold out. Links below to all available event rate blocks.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Austin NW
$109
11201 North MoPac Expressway Austin, Texas 78759
Launch map
Book by September 17, 2024
Towne Place Suites by Marriott
$199
2237 West Braker Lane Austin, Texas 78758
Launch map
Book by September 2, 2024
Residence Inn Austin NW by Marriott
$215
11301 Burnet Road Austin, Texas 78758
Launch map
Book by September 2, 2024
Home2Suites by Hilton Austin
$210
2800 Esperanza Crossing Austin, Texas 78758
Launch map
Book by September 9, 2024
Event Location
UT Commons Conference Center
10100 Burnet Rd Building 137, Austin, TX 78758
Located in the JJ Pickle Research Campus, The University of Texas Austin
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact us at hello@mayfield.energy
Welcome + Great Transformation
The Great Transformation is a space to convene experts together to provide a meaningful discussion on a topic of importance to the transition from a centralized energy world to the more distributed generation of energy.
For this edition of the Great Transformation Mayfield Renewables Ryan Mayfield will host a panel presentation on “The Role of Education in the Transition”. We are thrilled to have representation from many different areas of the workforce development, education and training world for the solar-plus-storage industry. They will share their experiences and insight into how we can improve connectivity between various education resources and grow our workforce quickly and safely.
Event Location
UT Commons Conference Center
10100 Burnet Rd Building 137, Austin, TX 78758
Located in the JJ Pickle Research Campus,
The University of Texas Austin
Date
October 2, 2024
4:30pm – 8:30pm
Agenda
| Great Transformation + Welcome Reception | October 2, 2024 |
|---|---|
| 4:30 – 5:00 PM | Check-in |
| 5:00 – 5:30 PM | Welcome Keynote from Ryan Mayfield |
| 5:30 – 6:30 PM | Great Transformation Presentation: “Education’s Role in the Transition to Distributed Generation” |
| 6:30 – 8:30 PM | Evening Networking Reception |
Presenters
Ryan Mayfield
Founder & Educator; Mayfield Renewables
Founder of Mayfield Renewables, an engineering consultancy for the solar and storage industry, Ryan has been widely known for his commitment to understanding and demystifying codes and standards for decades. He has over 25 years of experience designing and consulting on solar PV projects. His career has blended technical expertise with an affinity for writing and education. Ryan was also the PV Systems Technical Editor for SolarPro Magazine from 2010 to 2018, and authored the PV Design & Installation for Dummies in 2010. He is passionate about bringing up the next generation of experts through teaching nationwide PV courses on topics such as: the National Electrical Code, commercial and utility-scale PV systems, energy storage systems best practices and electrical testing O&M best practices. He is also a NEC Code Making Panel 13 member tasked with reviewing NEC sections 480 and 706.
Laure-Jeanne Davignon
Workforce Partnerships; Heatspring
Laure-Jeanne Davignon coordinates workforce partnerships for HeatSpring and is focused on accelerating the just transition to a carbon-free economy through national and international efforts to cultivate a diverse, highly skilled workforce. Prior to HeatSpring, she served as vice president for a national clean energy nonprofit at IREC. LJ conceptualizes, secures funding, and implements projects across the workforce ecosystem, and is a frequent presenter in national and international forums. She lives in upstate NY, where she enjoys hiking and skiing NY’s natural wonders and powers her home through one of the first community solar projects in the region.
Shawn O’Brien
President & CEO; NABCEP
Shawn O’Brien is the President & CEO of the North American Board for Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). NABCEP is the most respected and widely recognized certification organization for professionals in the field of renewable energy. NABCEP offers certifications and credentials for skilled professionals, specialists and those new to working in the areas of photovoltaics, solar heating, and small wind technologies. In his role at NABCEP he has had the privilege to work with many organizations addressing climate change and the challenges of moving to renewable energy resources. Shawn has twenty years of experience in the certification industry, he brings an extensive background in certification management, continuing education, and global expansion. He has presented internationally on issues regarding fair testing, credentialing standards, examination, education, continuing competency, and workforce development.
Brian Korgel
Director of the Energy Institute; University of Texas at Austin
Director, Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for a Solar Powered Future; The University of Texas at Austin
Brian A. Korgel is the Director of The University of Texas Austin Energy Institute and the Rashid Engineering Regents Chair in the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering. He also directs the Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for a Solar Powered Future and is on the Texas Hydrogen Production Policy Council. He is a former Fulbright Fellow. He received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from UCLA in 1997 and was a post-doctoral fellow at University College Dublin. He has given over 320 invited talks and published more than 300 papers. He is also an artist, exploring language and human/technology cohabitation. He has co-founded two companies, Innovalight and Piñon Technologies, and received various honors including being named a member of the National Academy of Engineering.
Tatianna Cannon
Executive Director; CleanTX
Founder and Co-Executive Director; Green Workforce Collaborative
Tatianna is a seasoned leader with over 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector, having led Aster Collaborative, the Green Workforce Collaborative, Solar Austin, and now CleanTX. Throughout her career, Tatianna has pioneered initiatives that empower diverse groups for workforce opportunities, bridging gaps and creating pathways for underrepresented individuals to thrive. Her strategic guidance and mentorship have propelled Aster Collaborative’s success and, more importantly, inspired countless individuals to realize their full potential. In her roles as the executive director of CleanTX and the Green Workforce Collaborative, Tatianna continues to lead by example, championing equity and clean energy initiatives with unwavering dedication and raising millions to support these efforts. Her ability to lead, mentor, and accomplish ambitious goals underscores her commitment to driving positive social impact and shaping a more inclusive future.
