2021 Texas Spring Energy Forum Thursday, March 4, 2021, 4:20-5:50 pm
Theme: Decarbonizing the Process Industries
Decarbonization has become an ESG (environmental, social and governance) priority for the process industries, and energy efficiency is an important component in any decarbonization strategy. However, many other technologies have a part to play – for example, electrification, biofuels, and hydrogen. The Energy Forum will explore these technologies, and their impact in the process sector, with the help of industry leaders and subject matter experts.
The Energy Forum (4:20-5:50 pm) will be followed by the STS-AIChE Monthly Virtual Dinner Meeting (6:00-7:30 pm). Energy Forum participants are invited to stay for the AIChE meeting presentation. PDH certificates will be available for both the Energy Forum and the STS-AIChE monthly meeting.
STS-AIChE Meeting Sponsors: 
RECORDED SEGMENTS
ENERGY FORUM SEGMENTS
Decarbonizing Industrial Facilities by Electrification
Segment Overview:
Refineries and Petrochemical Complexes may benefit from using more electricity instead of steam and fuel gas for their energy needs. Improved energy efficiency, lower emissions (including reduced CO2 emissions), higher reliability, debottlenecking of utility systems, and avoided boiler upgrade projects may be achieved.
Ways to electrify your facilities, advantages of Electrification, and challenges that a project may face, for both revamps and new designs, will be discussed. Major systems impacted, and what to look out for will be presented, along with some examples and case studies.
Guest Speaker:
James Turner, Executive Process Director, Fluor
James Turner is an Executive Process Director in Fluor’s Sugar Land Office.
He has more than 30 years of experience in process design for a wide range of projects in the refining and gas processing industry, in domestic and international locations. He has served in many roles, including Process Engineering on Projects, Office Management, Project Management and Engineering Management.
He has published and presented many technical articles about process design and project execution, and holds patents for a combined hydrotreater process design.
Active in several professional organizations, he is a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), and has served as Chair Elect, Chair, and Past Chair of the South Texas Section of AIChE. He has held several positions with AIChE, including member of the Executive Board Programming Committee, a Trustee on the AIChE Foundation Board, and several positions with the Fuels and Petrochemicals Division, including Chair of the Division, Director, Newsletter Editor, and Treasurer. In 2012 he received the Fuels and Petrochemicals Service Award for distinguished service to the division and industry.
He is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. He serves on the Texas A&M Chemical Engineering Department Industry Advisory Council, and has been inducted into the Texas A&M Chemical Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni.
Green Power Supply in Texas
Segment Overview:
ERCOT's new power additions have been dominated by wind and solar capacity. In 2020, 25% of all power supply came from wind and solar resources. If these trends continue, hourly price patterns could change dramatically with significant implications for managing industrial power supply. There will be new opportunities to reduce costs for power supply and green attributes, but also new risk exposures.
Guest Speaker:
Jack Farley, President & CEO, Apex Compressed Air Energy Storage, LLC
Mr. Farley is the CEO & President of Apex Compressed Air Energy Storage LLC – a company launched in early 2011 to develop, build, operate, and commercialize utility-scale compressed air energy storage facilities. Apex was founded by Haddington Ventures, and has worked on CAES projects in ERCOT, WECC, SPP, and PJM.
Previously, Mr. Farley was Senior Vice President of Cinergy Corp., (now owned by Duke Energy) where he was responsible for the Power Trading and Marketing group. Prior to joining Cinergy, Mr. Farley was President of the West Region at Reliant Resources (now owned by NRG Energy). He was also a consultant with McKinsey & Company, mainly focused on the energy sector.
Currently, he serves on the board of directors for the Hines Global REIT and Live Power Intelligence. Mr. Farley graduated with highest honors from the University of Kentucky with a B.B.A. and received his M.B.A. with a concentration in finance and operations management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to attending business school, he was a Captain in the U.S. Army.
Decarbonization Through Biofuel Use & Production
Segment Overview:
As the world demands greater carbon reduction, biofuels are stepping up to the challenge to help accelerate decarbonization. Biofuels like biodiesel and renewable diesel are options available today to reduce carbon in the transportation and home heating sector.
Global biofuel producer, Renewable Energy Group (REG), is helping lead the charge for carbon reduction now. John Plant, plant manager at REG Houston’s biodiesel production facility, shares his experience with decarbonization through the use of renewable fuels.
Learn what biofuels are, how they are made and what they are doing to accelerate carbon reduction.
Guest Speaker:
John Plant, Plant Manager, REG Houston
John Plant uses his experience from various production and manufacturing capacities in his work at REG. He came to REG nine years ago as a Biodiesel Operator at REG Houston before becoming Houston’s Operations Supervisor. In 2014, Mr. Plant transferred to REG New Boston as Plant Manager. Then, in 2019, Mr. Plant transferred back to Houston to his current role as Plant Manager of REG Houston.
Prior to REG, Mr. Plant owned a pest control company, worked in production and as Training Manager at Dow Chemical Co., and at Stolt-Haven terminal in operations. Mr. Plant has an extensive background in emergency services such as incident command, search and rescue, fire, and haz-mat.
As plant manager, Mr. Plant is responsible for oversight of biodiesel production of the 35 mmgy facility. In addition, he works to develop highly functioning teams and team members. Mr. Plant has a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science degree from Texas A&M University with a focus on Organizational Development.
In his community, Mr. Plant volunteers with the Special Olympics, serves in multiple capacities at his church, and works with local youth to promote agriculture.